Live Wire

Out of this world. The dive bar at the end of the Universe: where the drinks are priced just right, the beer selection is stellar, the music is the perfect volume, the clientele is interesting, the bartenders are a perfect mix of professional and friendly, and the atmosphere has just enough grit and character while still feeling upbeat and welcoming. When we all live on Mars someday, I will travel back to Earth for Live Wire.

Dark neighborhood bar. Caters to the rock, metal and punk crowd but not exclusively that. They got pretty solid old school jux box with mainly punk, ska, metal and rock. Tall boy PBR is 5 bucks. Open smoking front patio. Pool table only 50 cents. Buck Hunter and pin ball machine in case your date really sucks. Good bar to party at after I see a show at brick by brick or the observatory here in Diego. Parking is on Street. After 10 pm I park at the strip mall where 7-11 is and dominos. Never had a issue and its only a block away. Parking can be had closer if your lucky on Street. Liquor store next door for when you just ain't ready to quit after last call ..

I was lucky to get a booth, pretty crowded, big mix of people. Everything from the retro fur jackets, cool shapped frames to look like rappers wearing hoodies and everything inbtween. Everyone was cool with one another, great DJ, bartenders were quick, no small talk, got there requests in and drinks out. Cool \m/

Ok- it's been like 20 years, but Frank Black from the Pixies played there on a random Friday night! Would love to find out if he might play again?? I'm a former Tum Yeto Rat.

Make sure to tip your bartender 69%

Pretty great, small space, big bar & 1/2 dozen booths. 1 pool table. Local vibes. Good peeps. Unpretentious. Decent prices

The diviest of dive bars. Great Guinness pour! Music was loud, but I could just be to old. Very patient and nice bartender. I appreciated that she wore a mask.

Stiff drinks. Good prices. Happy Hour until 8pm. Friendly staff. Dog friendly. Great beer selection. What's not to like?

If I could give this place a 10/5, I absolutely would. Amazing little (dog friendly) dive with a super friendly staff (looking at you, Thaddeus and Carly) - AND they carry Jeppson's Malort! If you're not coming here, you're doing the wrong things in San Diego. Seriously.

2025 I am Reviewing this place So far so good here one my favorite places here in San Diego for more than 30 years here in Livewire since then! just for chilling 🌶 and relaxing 😌 for drinks 🍸 while watching 80s especially like horror movies! And enjoying with your from pizza Luigi 🍕🤘🏻 while your drinking very cool place. And Cool service. Recommended 5 star✨️😎

Definitely on my top 5 list of best bars in San Diego. Draft list rotates regularly and almost always has great craft selections. They let you bring in outside food, and they play old school movies on their television. They accept both cash and credit cards.

Dark lighting, friendly staff. They were very willing to accommodate my request of, "give me something colorful." They exceeded expectations not once, but twice. Also a great romantic spot if you get there before it gets crowded.

This place was great. The bartenders were friendly as well as the patrons. Nice selection of beers. There's a pool table.

Ryan Church

If I could give this place a 10/5, I absolutely would. Amazing little (dog friendly) dive with a super friendly staff (looking at you, Thaddeus and Carly) - AND they carry Jeppson's Malort! If you're not coming here, you're doing the wrong things in San Diego. Seriously.

101 Taker

2025 I am Reviewing this place So far so good here one my favorite places here in San Diego for more than 30 years here in Livewire since then! just for chilling 🌶 and relaxing 😌 for drinks 🍸 while watching 80s especially like horror movies! And enjoying with your from pizza Luigi 🍕🤘🏻 while your drinking very cool place. And Cool service. Recommended 5 star✨️😎

Brian Santiago

Definitely on my top 5 list of best bars in San Diego. Draft list rotates regularly and almost always has great craft selections. They let you bring in outside food, and they play old school movies on their television. They accept both cash and credit cards.

Shawn Zamperini

Dark lighting, friendly staff. They were very willing to accommodate my request of, "give me something colorful." They exceeded expectations not once, but twice. Also a great romantic spot if you get there before it gets crowded.

Ellie Benner

This place was great. The bartenders were friendly as well as the patrons. Nice selection of beers. There's a pool table.

This is one of the best bars in the country, doubly so if you love craft beer (oh, you know, just multiple Russian River beers on extremely well-kept draft lines). Divey feel, but not quite a dive, as there is a touch of sophistication in its beer and liquor choices, but also completely lacking pretention. Pool table. Solid jukebox with a great variation in tunes. The place clearly cultivates a dedicated local crowd. If I were local, I'd be a regular, too.

Small cool impressive dive bar off of El Cajon Blvd. a lot of beers on tap. Pool tables and old jukebox as well. Looks like it could get crowded on a Friday or Saturday night, but that's what a dive bars are all about!

Best happy hour in town! Love going every Friday :)

Classic and Iconic San Diego dive bar with the greatest happy hour and probably the best Russian River draft selection outside of Central CA. Been going here since the early 2000s and it hasn't changed. It's always been awesome. Five dollar drafts from 5 to 7 and great food options in the area. Some of the best bartenders in town.

Live wire would be the best beer ever if they opened regularly at 4p instead of 5p

Live Wire is a hidden gem tucked away in the neighborhood, and if you're into the laidback, dark, and grungy dive bar vibe, this place is a must-visit. One of the things that struck me immediately was the ambiance – it's unpretentious, cozy, and gives off that perfect dive bar feel. The heavy pours here are legendary, and what's even better is that it won't break the bank. This place is one of the few in the area where you can actually enjoy your drinks without feeling like your wallet's on a diet. One thing that sets Live Wire apart is that it's an affordable neighborhood bar that doesn't discriminate against cashless folks – a rarity these days. It's a small space but always filled with a fun-loving crowd, and the music they play adds to the lively environment. Plus, the fact that it's right next to Luigi's pizza is a double win. Live Wire is a fantastic place to hang out, whether you're unwinding after a long day or looking for a low-key night out. If you're in the neighborhood, I'd definitely recommend swinging by for a drink or two – or three. Cheers!

Best bar in University Heights. Cool people and bartenders. Exceptional draft beer selection.

This place is awesome! It has a great beer selection and Pliney is always on tap. One pool table in the back and a little area out front where you can take your drinks. That is the smoking section so if your not into that I'd stay inside. Live wire has such a great vibe.

I love this freaking bar! Happy hour is great. This is a little punky dive bar that is usually filled with some pretty damn cool people. Bartenders are awesome. Music can be a bit loud and actually getting to play pool at night can be difficult. Overall though, I go here for the people and random conversations. Always a good time when I want to wind down and chit chat.

My favorite local bar. It just seems to attract good people and the staff are great.

Tony Fantano

Live wire would be the best beer ever if they opened regularly at 4p instead of 5p

Martha Zamora

Best happy hour in town! Love going every Friday :)

Jacob R.

Best bar in University Heights. Cool people and bartenders. Exceptional draft beer selection.

Ben Butkus

This is one of the best bars in the country, doubly so if you love craft beer (oh, you know, just multiple Russian River beers on extremely well-kept draft lines). Divey feel, but not quite a dive, as there is a touch of sophistication in its beer and liquor choices, but also completely lacking pretention. Pool table. Solid jukebox with a great variation in tunes. The place clearly cultivates a dedicated local crowd. If I were local, I'd be a regular, too.

Daniel Ledesma

Small cool impressive dive bar off of El Cajon Blvd. a lot of beers on tap. Pool tables and old jukebox as well. Looks like it could get crowded on a Friday or Saturday night, but that's what a dive bars are all about!

Michael Doyle

My favorite local bar. It just seems to attract good people and the staff are great.

GFLP

Live Wire is a hidden gem tucked away in the neighborhood, and if you're into the laidback, dark, and grungy dive bar vibe, this place is a must-visit. One of the things that struck me immediately was the ambiance – it's unpretentious, cozy, and gives off that perfect dive bar feel. The heavy pours here are legendary, and what's even better is that it won't break the bank. This place is one of the few in the area where you can actually enjoy your drinks without feeling like your wallet's on a diet. One thing that sets Live Wire apart is that it's an affordable neighborhood bar that doesn't discriminate against cashless folks – a rarity these days. It's a small space but always filled with a fun-loving crowd, and the music they play adds to the lively environment. Plus, the fact that it's right next to Luigi's pizza is a double win. Live Wire is a fantastic place to hang out, whether you're unwinding after a long day or looking for a low-key night out. If you're in the neighborhood, I'd definitely recommend swinging by for a drink or two – or three. Cheers!

Robb Ashton

Classic and Iconic San Diego dive bar with the greatest happy hour and probably the best Russian River draft selection outside of Central CA. Been going here since the early 2000s and it hasn't changed. It's always been awesome. Five dollar drafts from 5 to 7 and great food options in the area. Some of the best bartenders in town.

Jordan Briggs

This place is awesome! It has a great beer selection and Pliney is always on tap. One pool table in the back and a little area out front where you can take your drinks. That is the smoking section so if your not into that I'd stay inside. Live wire has such a great vibe.

William Morel

I love this freaking bar! Happy hour is great. This is a little punky dive bar that is usually filled with some pretty damn cool people. Bartenders are awesome. Music can be a bit loud and actually getting to play pool at night can be difficult. Overall though, I go here for the people and random conversations. Always a good time when I want to wind down and chit chat.

Great punk, dive bar with a great beer selection and a lot of characters visiting! I will say avoid putting anything on the jukebox. The bartenders will just skip to something that they want to listen to and you'll be out a whole 25¢!

Favorite dive bar easy. Just walking in you already feel cool. Strong drinks. Good beer on tap. Always a random old school tv show playing. It's where everyone knows your name. Or nobody knows you at all.

Aside from Thaddeus (bartender, big guy, also doorman) being a bit too aggressive if he personally doesn't like you (I briefly dated his brother and it didn't work out so he 86ed me for years until I could go there with a new hair color and cut years later without him kicking me out only because he didn't recognize me), the people are great, it's dicey in my favorite way, and drinks are very cheap yet stiff. I'd recommend it to anyone who is not me, haha .

It is a little "hidden" or apart but it is totally worth it. It is an old place, with a very trendy cool atmosphere. It is calm at the same time that dinamic. You can sit with friends in the boozes and music will give your conversation privacy.

Kicked out, love the place but bouncer is on a power trip, my crime? I popped a ear string off my mask instead of pulling it down. Literally that. Very compliant with wearing it at all times else, but he did not like the way I would take a drink.

This is one my favorite dive bars. They have a great beer selection and they also pour heavy drinks. The only thing that I'm not a fan of is how loud the music plays. This place is must try for sure.

My all-time favorite bar in San Diego. Small and intimate, great beer on tap, and timeless mix of rock n roll, neighborhood pub, and SD hipster. Long live the Live Wire!

A go to after bartending chill spot of mine. Infamous San Diego dive bar atmosphere yet with an awesome beer list which often includes Russian River Pliny. Hang out of musicians too. Great place to play pool as well. Very Recommended, just don't take my seat.

DC A

A go to after bartending chill spot of mine. Infamous San Diego dive bar atmosphere yet with an awesome beer list which often includes Russian River Pliny. Hang out of musicians too. Great place to play pool as well. Very Recommended, just don't take my seat.

Pretty cool spot. Hole-in-the-wall dive bar, but I'm def a fan. Cool lineup of beers too. AND they allow dogs. I thought that was pretty awesome. Happy hour had good prices. Still, couldn't believe the beer lineup!

Good neighborhood bar been around forever. Reasonably priced drinks, friendly staff, pool table still 50 cents, metal, punk atmosphere and old school flip CD Jux box with lots of older punk and metal rock songs.

zach schroeder

Good neighborhood bar been around forever. Reasonably priced drinks, friendly staff, pool table still 50 cents, metal, punk atmosphere and old school flip CD Jux box with lots of older punk and metal rock songs.

Richard P

Pretty cool spot. Hole-in-the-wall dive bar, but I'm def a fan. Cool lineup of beers too. AND they allow dogs. I thought that was pretty awesome. Happy hour had good prices. Still, couldn't believe the beer lineup!

The place is ok and especially if you are very virus cautious. They have you order drinks using an app. They do lockdown correctly! kudos for that as I have seen so many businesses fail to do it correctly.

I'm only rating this down so outsiders don't start flooding the place. It's really a great dive (although a bit spencey, but it's SoCal so w/e), and I almost rated one star just to keep it a "secret" (plenty of people know about it).

Customers that arrive on motorcycles are extremely rude. Blasting their loud pipes in the middle of the night, waking the neighborhood. Owner has been made aware of the problem and apparently doesn't care. Unfriendly neighbor and bad for the neighborhood. 0 stars. UPDATED 3/6/22 - Motorcyclists continue to loudly rev their engines and race through the neighborhood, setting off car alarms at all hours. "Bouncer" at 8:45 pm was laughing with the motorcyclist prior and encouraging this behavior. Owner has been made aware many times and still does not care. They are a bad neighbor and a nuisance in the neighborhood.

I would give this place a zero but I can't. Went in after work to grab a drink with some friends. I got there first and the bartender told me he would be back in just a few minutes. He helped quite a few people. I figured its busy they were here first. Then people that just got there walked right up to the bar and he stayed talking their order. So when he came my way I asked if I could get a drink. And that ice been waiting for 15 minutes. He then Alex if I've ever been to a bar before. I told home I have been to a lot of bars and they never make me wait limber than 5 minutes. So he wanted me to leave so I told him to go f himself I didn't want to give them my money anyway after all that. Don't go here especially if the jackass with the gross beard is working!

Very irrespecutful bouncer. He gave us an attitude since we walked into the place and then refused to take a photo of my friends and I. Later he claimed that we were “sleeping” in his bar. (Not even his) And we got kicked out from the place for no reason. He started pushing my friend and did not allow us to use the bathroom before leaving. The poor guy’s job is so sad that he needed to kick someone out to make it a bit interesting. No one deserves to be treated this way. Staff handled the situation terribly... deeply disappointing.

Don't go if you're black. Went to this place years ago and they were playing bingo on like a Saturday. When it came up, they asked for n's... then after no one had that letter they looked at me and laughed saying, 'no n's'. This was back in like 6 yrs ago but will never forget.

BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will legally rob you when you're intoxicated. 1. When you order drinks, they automatically make it a double and charge you accordingly. Specify what you want. 2. MAKE SURE !!!!!!!!! you check the tip amount on the card reader. They have it default to 69% or 100% . YES, VERY TRUE. It's super scummy to do something like this. They know people are drinking and intoxicated and take advantage of them. They are essentially robbing you. Luckily, I caught it before I hit the pay button. What Scummy people.

SJPF0311

Don't go if you're black. Went to this place years ago and they were playing bingo on like a Saturday. When it came up, they asked for n's... then after no one had that letter they looked at me and laughed saying, 'no n's'. This was back in like 6 yrs ago but will never forget.

ラモスL

BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will legally rob you when you're intoxicated. 1. When you order drinks, they automatically make it a double and charge you accordingly. Specify what you want. 2. MAKE SURE !!!!!!!!! you check the tip amount on the card reader. They have it default to 69% or 100% . YES, VERY TRUE. It's super scummy to do something like this. They know people are drinking and intoxicated and take advantage of them. They are essentially robbing you. Luckily, I caught it before I hit the pay button. What Scummy people.