Knotty Barrel

Perfect spot before a Padres game to get a beer and some food. It did not disappoint. Burger was juicy and flavorful; best I had on my trip to San Diego. Chicken strips were quick and easy to pair with a nice beer selection. Friendly staff makes it a perfect pregame spot

Great bar for a cold beer or a snack. They have happy hour specials. Large beer selection and a full bar. They have a few vegetarian options so there’s always something to eat. TVs everywhere. Second bar wi th table games and multiple outside seating areas. In the heart of downtown

Atmosphere, food and drink were incredible but the service was even better! Elaine was awesome, very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We’ll def be back! Also try the pickle michelada! So good.

Great selection of beers. Even had some dark selections. My favorite is Schwartz Bier. I liked their food choices. I went with the fish and chips and enjoyed it. Bartender had a good knowledge of beers and even brought me a taster he thought I might enjoy. Great location! GREAT beer! I’ll be back.

Great place to watch the games on Sunday!! Bloody Mary was on point and food was great!! We had the fried pickles appetizer and shared the Parmesan chicken sandwich with tots! (Parmesan added to those bad boys too) Great service too!! Missed pic of the sandwich, ate it up too quick. First time here and we will definitely be back!!

I’ve walked by this place on my way to the kebab shop, which is right behind it and always wanted to stop and give it a try. It looks really good. Well, I finally did it and I’m so glad I did another very favorite restaurant in San Diego. The food is amazing, or at least the food I’ve had so far by myself and with friends. All of us loved their food and are definitely coming back. Tonight’s meal is the Knotty Burger, an amazing burger, and I substitute the french fries for their tater tots, who can go wrong with tater tots when they’re done right. 😛😋. It’s the kind of place you wanna come back to to try their other stuff . Really good!!!!

Im in town for a conference, i rode past this place all week. I decided to stop in to try the beer and food at the end of my conference. 1. Beer was excellent, Taylor was such a great beer-tender. She was constantly moving but very attentive. Very knowledgeable on the beers. 2. Next to me another customer had fish and chips, so I decided to order that. AMAZING! SO mad I for l forgot to take a Pic. The tartar with malt vinegar is the most amazing combination. Stop in the vibes are fun.

This place is not great when it comes to food. I went with family after a ball game and ordered beer and wings. The wings were sent to the wrong table where a man died on my order and left. When the server realized she made a mistake she brought me out my wings. I paid and left not realizing that she made me pay for the mistake she made. I called back and asked to be refunded my tip and the wings. They refunded the wings only. I wonder how typical it is for these servers to not be account for their mistakes and have unsuspecting customers pay so they avoid correcting the issue. Where is my tip money? I don’t tip incompetence and people who clearly screw over customers to cover up their mistakes.

this place was great and the fried pickles were good. Just DO NOT get the garlic Parmesan wing they taste like bad breath and butthole (BB), the buffalo ones were fine tho.

I finally got to attend my first Padres baseball game of the season, but before we walked to Petco Park, my best friends wanted to pre party before the game. One of my best friends recommended Knotty Barrel and I trusted his choice because he hasn't let me down yet when it comes to selecting restaurants that serve delectable food. I was so hungry that I couldn't wait for the grub to come out. My buddies are beer drinkers and I'm a foodie, so Knotty Barrel was the perfect Padres pre party restaurant for incredible food, refreshing drinks, and a good vibe. When my buddy mentioned Knotty Barrel, the name was familiar to me because there's a Knotty Barrel in Rancho Peñasquitos, so it's a small chain restaurant with a location in North County San Diego and this location we visited in Downtown San Diego. This was my first time visiting a Knotty Barrel and for this East Village location, it's a short walk to Petco Park, so it's an ideal pre party location. My buddy parked at the 4th Avenue parking garage and the 6th and K parking garage isn't too far, which means paid parking is your option. The restaurant is on the corner of Market Street and Ninth Avenue. It is across the street from Lotus Thai and Modern Times Coffee, diagonal from Krisp, and opposite of Floyd's Barbershop. We got to Knotty Barrel a couple of hours before the ballgame, so the restaurant was packed with diners. There is bar seating, high top tables, booths, and outdoor seating. The restaurant is spacious; there are tvs mounted all around; there are sports teams banners, pennants, and other sports decor; I enjoyed reading the painted quotes around the restaurant; there are kegs manufactured into urinals; and the main focal point were wall displays of beer taps. Our server Maren was friendly and did her best to take care of our group, but I didn't think she checked on us as often as I would have liked, so I have to take off a half star. For me, Knotty Barrel's food was the star of the show, so if you're looking to satisfy your hunger and not have to worry about paying the exorbitant stadium prices for food, I suggest you do like my buddies and eat here before the game. I knew Knotty Barrel was going to serve some righteous food after I took my first sip of the Shirley Temple I ordered. When an establishment serves a refreshing and with the right amount of grenadine syrup Shirley Temple for a non alcoholic drinker like me, then I know that restaurant takes attention to detail seriously and it will be reflected in their food. Since we were going to a Padres game, we decided to order a bunch of appetizers. My buddies asked me to order the food, so I selected traditional Buffalo Knotty Wings, Potato Chip Nachos, Pretzel + Beer Cheese Dip, and Fried Pickles. Seriously and I'm not exaggerating, every appetizer was carefully prepared and they were tasty from the first bite. If I had to pick my faves, I thoroughly enjoyed the fried pickles and the potato chip nachos. The pickles were perfectly coated with cornmeal flour and were fried to just the right crispy crunch. Dipping them in the ranch was satisfying. The nachos had house-cut potato chips, blue cheese English cheddar, jalapeños, horseradish cream, and we added shredded chicken. Those nachos were yummy, hearty, and every component of that dish blended well with each other. The wings were savory and hearty. The pretzel was shareable and dipped really well with the beer cheese. After the appetizers, I decided to try their special of the day, which was a single smashburger. It was only $8, but that seriously was a tasty burger with the meat grilled to perfection, melted cheese, grilled onions, and toasted soft buns. I savored every bite and make sure to save room for this amazing burger. I left Knotty Barrel happily stuffed. Big ups once again to my longtime best friend for choosing a memorable eatery like Knotty Barrel. It was a blessed time breaking bread with my buddies eating delish food, chowing down on an amazing smashburger, washing the grub down with one of the better Shirley Temples in SD, and we were just a short walk from enjoying a Padres game together.

This 1 star review is NOT of Knotty Barrel but of simply 1 bartender. That person is: Robby Again, please, this review is not about Knotty Barrel. I've consistently raved about Knotty Barrel's great food, reasonable prices, fun atmosphere, and overall good vibe. However, this review is specifically about one employee: Robby. I've had five separate interactions with Robby. After the fourth, I even spoke with the manager/owner about his poor service. She assured me she would talk to him. Yet, after the fifth interaction, absolutely nothing has changed. Robby, you are hands down the worst bartender/server I have ever encountered. And I say that without hesitation. You are: * Rude * Dismissive * Full of unearned entitlement * Arrogant * Impatient * Unfriendly * Slow-paced * Unwelcoming Two particularly bad experiences stand out: 1. Placing My Order I placed my food order with you. You turned to the POS system and asked me a question about my order with your back turned to me. Since your back was to me, I couldn't hear you., and politely asked you to repeat your question. You became visibly frustrated, raised your voice, and repeated the question sarcastically--still without turning to face me. 2. Soda Water Incident I was at the bar on a quiet, non-game day--no more than ten people in the entire restaurant. I ordered a soda water and told you I needed a minute to decide on food. Five minutes later, you leaned aggressively across the bar, arms spread wide, glaring at me impatiently, not saying a word, as if to say, "Well? What do you want??" When I've talked to other Knotty Barrel regulars and staff about you, the common theme has been: "Yeah, that's just him. You have to get used to it." No. I do not have to "get used to" poor service, rude behavior, and dismissive conduct. Robby, it seems either you've been in the restaurant business for far too long, or you were never cut out for it in the first place. Either way, I suggest you find a new career. For me, it's simple: when I see you working, I immediately go somewhere else. If I'm already in Knotty and you come on shift, I close my tab and leave. I hope you, management, and ownership read this review with openness and genuine reflection.

Came for happy hour and it was our first time here. The place is very spacious. There is outside and inside seating. We live down the street and didn't have to look for parking cause we walked. It seems like they were short staff the day we came because it took a little while for someone to take our order. We ordered a single smash burger and a double smash burger with fries. I'll start with the fries! Cause they were actually good. I thought it was going to be overcooked but it was perfect. I do want to say the burgers didn't taste like a smash burger. It tasted like a beef patty. Super thick and not smashed. That I didn't like. Super cool thing on the menu: deep fried twinkies! I never had deep fried twinkies before and this did not disappoint. If I came back for anything it would be for this

A quick search for some pubs that offer St. Patty's day drinks and food, yielded Knotty Barrel in Downtown. Conveniently close to the parking garage that I usually park at, this place was close enough to Gaslamp but far enough from the crowds. The ambiance is your typically dive bar with multiple TV screens showcasing March madness on a Saturday afternoon. Waitress was nice but only brought one water instead of bringing water for everyone in the table. I guess you have to be specific. Of course I ordered the St. Patty's Day Special, which was the Stout Braised Corned Beef Reuben (on rye bread) and a green margarita rimmed with Tajin. Marg was delicious! I ordered two! The sandwich was hearty and the meat flavorful. I upgraded my side to Parmesan Garlic fries and these were super crisp with the right amount of seasoning. I also tried the Rosemary Tater Tots, these were fried perfectly and were not too oily. Price point is reasonable. Definitely a solid place to get some good bar food and watch some sports! I would definitely come back again!

I went here with my friends for lunch today and wow this place is great!! It's located in a big parking lot so you don't have to worry about parking! It was my first time here and they have brunch type food including burgers, salad or sandwiches. Both my friends got the Knotty burger and you must try the chili lime sweet potato fries it might be on the sour side, but interesting and tasty. I got the grilled cheese sandwich with truffle fries which was awesome. The service was great and the ambiance is very casual and we sat outside because it was nice and sunny. Overall I would definitely recommend you to try this place with a group of friends or your family!

Our food was great. Our server was amazing and attentive. They had Pliny the elder! It's comic con weekend and we had a great time.

A lot of businesses run out of steam after being open for many years, but not Knotty Barrel. I came by two different times on a recent trip back to San Diego and both times the service and food were as good as I had remembered. It is still San Diego's version of Cheer's, the friendly and fun neighborhood pub. I ran into old friends and played darts while enjoying some non-alcoholic cocktails and food. Their grilled cheese is seriously the best, along with their chicken strips, and new smash burger. I also love their protein bowl and ahi stack when I want a healthier option. They are still getting it right and I will continue to come back during every visit to San Diego.

Great place for happy hour. Good drinks, great food. Robby took care of us and he was awesome. It's bar spot so it's bar atmosphere.

Been so many times and really thought I put a review. Food is always great. $7 happy hour smash burgers. Yes please! The chicken salad is a fresh choice loaded with salad toppings. Love getting the potato chip nachos and adding buffalo chicken. Great place to watch sports or hang and chat.

We go into this restaurant at least once a week. It's across the street! Ahi Poke Stake is so delicious! Chicken salad, wings, sandwiches are all excellent! Tonight we had Taylor and wow she was bartender, waitress for people at the bar and restaurant. She ran around making sure everyone was getting their orders in, refill of drinks and clearing tables. Great customer service always a smile on her face!

Came after work for drinks and relaxing, this place is super nice at night time, specifically their outside section in the back! There are fireplaces and the vibes are on point. For food I got the buffalo chicken chips/nachos, which wasbl good! They make fresh potato chips and overall it was tasty. I also got the ocean beach cocktail with mezcal mango and pineapple which was on point.

Our monthly "New Places, Old friends" led us here... so good!! Loved the Potato Chip Nachos! We gave it a 10 for service, a 10 for atmosphere, and a 10 for flavor!! Everything we tried was really good!!

Always a fun time with friends at Knotty Barrel! Great beer menu including my favorite Pliney the Elder on tap! They also have a full bar so if you're feeling something else, there's plenty to choose from. Food wise, solid. I love their fish and chips! Super huge, not greasy and so crisp, flakey and delicious. However I've tried their weekend barbecued meats, wasn't a fan. Though there are plenty of other things on the menu to make up for that. Stick to the basics. Service is friendly and quick. If you sit outside you might be approached by some of the local unhoused, hit and miss. We generally sit indoors because of this. Street parking only and a few garages close by. MTS is only a few blocks away. All in all, great neighborhood hangout spot. Highly recommend.

I needed a lunch spot for my team of 33 that served great food at a price that fell within our government per diem that allowed us to pay individually. This was the perfect place. The food was good, the service was great, it was an awesome spot. Stephanie was amazing - great communication, and the tables were set up perfectly. Wonderful experience.

Fun local bar with a trendy divey feel, is a very fun place to grab some beers with friends and enjoy a trivia night! We also appreciated their selection of both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks- no one in the group was left out. The service was friendly and quick- we appreciated our server being attentive. The food was good bar fare- hamburgers, salads, fried fish- but Id come here more for the drinks, ambiance and fun times!

If you are looking for a fun, casual atmosphere this is your place! Great beer selection, awesome food and fun place to watch sports! The best part of the night was the service! Will was friendly, attentive and fun!! He didn't skip a beat on making sure we had everything we needed! We will definitely be back! Thank you, Will and Knotty Barrel!

Pros: Good area near Petco, good drinks, and good food (that we got to try) They are dog friendly and have a good selection of drinks and food Sports bar feel Cons: We came to grab a drink and dinner on a Saturday night. While there, it became busier, naturally. Unfortunately, after an hour of waiting (I was drinking my beer and we had our appetizer), we found out our food was never entered into the system and the kitchen was already closed. We were left to find somewhere else to eat. Our server was very apologetic which was helpful but it didn't change that we had to find food all of a sudden after 10pm. Overall, I'd recommend the place. I can see the appeal and if I lived here, how nice it would be to come watch a game and hang out.

Can't recommend anyone eat here. Food overpriced and not good. Service horrible. Probably won't be in business long. Save your money and eat elsewhere

The food and service were exceptional. Our lunch included a flavorful and generously portioned Cuban sandwich. I highly recommend the tater tots as a side. The outdoor patio is also a noteworthy amenity.

Nice and friendly service. Super fun to play the trivia. Good vibe, lots of people, so I would get there 15mins at least before trivia starts, which is 8pm on Thursday. Found free street parking about 3 blocks away so keep that in mind too. Food was good, but a bit overpriced (see images under menus) fried pickles cost more than the Caesar salad lol. We got the protein bowl, margherita flat bread and free refills on the pop. All good. Flatbread was very garlic-ly, but I like that :) Would recommend for a fun night out.

Quick service even though our waitress (with super short hair wearing a hat) was busy hustling to all the tables bc she was the only one I saw working. Super attentive and sweet! Good list of beer selections and had food options too.

Been there twice now, in the last 6 months. The first time it took at least 20 for the bartender to acknowledge us and serve our drinks. Not busy at all. This last time we walked in, sat down and never got a hello, or any type of acknowledgment. Not even eye contact. We were completely ignored. After about 20 minutes, we just walked out. Maybe because we're Mexican. Not sure exactly. But, that's what I felt. Will not be going back,EVER!

The ambiance is chill. Our hotel The Indigo also gave us a discount for this place, so definitely a plus!!

I tried this place for the first time last week and MAN have I been missing out! I went to watch the game (lots of tvs) and lots of great beers on tap (including an awesome Black IPA). The staff was super welcoming and helpful which was refreshing because I needed help choosing between all the good food. I ended up getting a patty melt which was INCREDIBLE and the fries were bad either ;) I'll be back to start working my way down the menu. Thanks!

Just moved to San Diego. This place has great food, a great patio, and has great service. They had a good band for Easter Sunday. They should have a band every Sunday. The venue is perfect for it.

Both the beer and menu selections are vast. Plus, they have mixed drinks too, some of which are pretty innovative. There is a game room, a nice outdoor patio, and lots of seating options in the main bar area which is lined with beer taps all along the walls. The BBQ sandwich is piled high with onion strings and served with both coleslaw and fries. There are several salad options and plenty of apps to share too. There is no free parking, but that seems standard for the area. Plus, if you go on the same day as a ball game, it is close enough to the stadium that you can pre-game - but that also means that you will pay more for parking.

Knotty Barrel is located in East Village, Downtown San Diego, on the corner of 9th and off Market, serving up some tasty draft beers and food in their fine establishment. I decided to come in on a Saturday right before 5 p.m., and they were fairly crowded with plenty of seats at the bar and booths open. I was just looking to have a nice cold one and nothing else, I stumbled across this place because of the Shiner Bock on draft. If you aren't familiar with this beer, I suggest you come down and try it because it will change your life! The beer has been brewed in Shiner, TX, since 1909, and to Texans like myself, this beer is everything but better. It's very hard to find Shiner in CA, but surprisingly, it's here. The bartender was nice and attentive and provided customer service with a smile and made sure I was good to go at all times. Although I didn't eat any food, the menu seemed very appetizing and delicious. The next time I come back for a Shiner, I will definitely go for the chicken pot pie since the person next to me chowed down on that, and all I could do was just stare and watch. Come out here for a nice time and great drinks, and also, if you are a NY Ranger Hockey fan, then this is your bar since they fly the flag outside during the season. Other than that this is a great place and I guarantee you that this bar will not disappoint!.

Stopped in on a Sunday evening since our dinner reservations down the street were still 45 minutes away, so had a few minutes to kill. I wanted to grab a beer and catch up on Sunday night football and any highlights from the past couple few hours. The patio was huge and had a cool fire pit and it's own bar to the side. I ordered a house beer (16oz) and the sign said $6 pints on Sat / Sun which was good. I believe I got the blonde and it was not bad, just nothing to write home about. Was close to finishing my beer (definitely 16oz as I'm a pretty slow drinker and know my beer glasses) and so asked for the check. Guy came back and handed me the tablet to pay and it was $9 for some reason. Seeing how I was only the 2nd customer there I don't think it would be too hard to give decent customer service. But apparently they didn't care that much. Didn't get to try the food but looks good from what I could see so maybe worth trying. Would just be nice if they honor their own prices posted on the wall. Pro tip: There are at least half a dozen other sports bars with craft beers near 5th/6th if this one isn't to your liking. But if u need a large patio that's dog friendly and has fire pits this one's pretty cozy.

The Knotty Barrel, 844 Market St, San Diego, CA, is an awesome place! Excellent food, especially their Knotty Burger and Fried Pickles. Along with delicious food they have friendly and good service! The Knotty offers a very lively, high energy, atmosphere. My friends and I always enjoy going there!

The food here is incredible! It comes out quick and is fresh and super hot. Honestly, 15mins into my gosh and chips and fries, there was still steam coming off them. Not sure how they do it, but it was awesome! The fish was so tender and flavorful and the batter was very nice and crisp. My husband loved his steak sandwich. We each had a beer- I thought they were just okay. I wasn't impressed with the selection and they could've been colder.

Heard of this place while watching YouTube videos preparing for my trip. In addition to a full menu they have bbq available on the weekends. The brisket was so tender and just enough bbq flavor. FYI: If you are looking for a NY Giants bar then this is your place while in San Diego.

The food and service were great. It is really loud if you try to have dinner during Happy Hour.

Are you Knotty or Nice? Hahahahaha. Knotty Barrel is located downtown near the Petco Park. Walking distance. According to their website, Knotty Barrel was established in 2011 with a focus on 100+ local, domestic, and imported beers (including 20 craft beers on tap). Gastropub type food (focused on locally sourced food with farms and vendors). For the food, I tried their Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup. NOM NOM NOM! As for the beer, Superfuzz Blood Orange Pale Ale. Delicious! ENJOY!!

We stopped in for some pre-game hydration before the Dodgers/Padre game. It was packed with fans which added to the fun and ambiance. They have lots of televisions and tables, you can also sit outside in their little patio area. I can't comment on the food, but the beer and service (Elaine) was on point. This is a good spot before any Padre game, next time I'll try the food.

Best burger in a while. Great area! Great vibe of what seemed mostly regulars. Service at the bar was perfect. Burger was cooked perfectly (kinda medium plus) and seasoned just right. Good cold beer and some fries plus a very decent Chardonnay for Deb and let the "Knotty-ness"...begin. Their very fun slogan. It's on of those places you want to them to know your name when you walk in like the TV show Cheers.... Fun find down by the Gas Lamp district , can't wait to go back for more.

This is a great place to meet up with friends for a beer and some good bar food. There is a semi-private area in the back for large groups too. The staff is attentive, but also leaves you alone when you are just having a good time chatting with friends. The Bavarian pretzel was a favorite among our group. There are also many other food options available for starters, sandwiches, and entrees.

I love Knotty Barrel! We have been coming here every Thursday for trivia for the last year and a half. Pre-pandemic we came here a ton to have late night snacks, lunch before heading out for comic-con, trivia, or to catch a game. On trivia night they have half off bottles of wine and have a great selection. I particularly like the pinot noir, and if you don't finish it all you're allowed to take it with you! Perfect. They are also very dog friendly on their back patio as well as the front patio. I have had several food items here and honestly everything is so good. You really can't go wrong. However, a few dishes do seem to be pretty popular among our group: KNOTTY WINGS Served with Buttermilk Ranch. Choice of: Traditional Buffalo, Garlic Parmesan, Spicy Sweet Chili, Dry Rub (I've had the Buffalo and the spicy sweet chili, both so good! And you gotta get them with those fries they make! They are thin and so crispy!) AHI POKE STACK Sesame-Marinated Ahi, Diced Avocado, Cucumber, Cilantro, Wonton Chips, Wasabi & Sambal Aioli Drizzle CHICKEN STRIPS Cornflake Breaded Chicken Strips, Buttermilk Ranch, Side of Buffalo Sauce OR Spicy sweet Chili Sauce (Very good! I usually order with all the sauces!) BEER CHEESE DIP Pepper Jack Cheese, Cream Cheese, Minced Jalapenos, Dark Belgium Beer, Warm German Pretzel (This sauce is not too spicy at all. I love a good pretzel and this one does not disappoint!) SPINACH & STEAK SALAD Top Sirloin (medium), Spinach, Toasted Walnuts, Oven-Dried Tomatoes, Stilton Blue Cheese, Poppy Seed Dressing KALE & SHAVED BRUSSEL SPROUTS Black Kale, Shaved Brussel Sprouts, Dried Cranberries, Toasted Sliced Almonds, Shaved Parmesan, Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette (I usually add chicken to this salad, very refreshing and delicious) CHICKEN SARNIE Grilled Chicken Breast, Avocado, Bacon, Pepper Jack Cheese, Oven-Dried Tomato Aioli, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Brioche Bun, Fries STEAK SANDWICH Top Sirloin (medium), Swiss Cheese, Sriracha Mayo, Crispy Fried Onions, Baguette, Fries (This is definitely the most popular among our group, someone orders this every week) Overall, knotty is a great spot! The service is always good and the food is always great!

Ok, I changed my mind about this place... I ordered an Irish coffee, but the bartender said she had just poured out a pot of coffee And she didn't feel like making another pot- it would take 7 minutes and it would be a waste. I told her I didn't want anything else. Since she refused to make the only drink I wanted, the three of us walked out and walked to a different bar.

Who doesn't love happy Hour! On Yelp it shows Monday through Friday 4 till 6pm. BUT we were told it was only till 530.....A small hiccup but I thought pertinent to share with the fellow yelpers... Anyway.... ordered the usual couple of beers. Had the Ahi Poke Stack... I tell you, that was one of the best poke I have ever had! Freshness at its best! We also ordered the Steak and Spinach salad. We are not salad people, my friends. But we saw the photos and we were sold! If you're not salad people like we are, you'll probably be surprised too! Socal Weekend Walkarounds definitely recommends! If you want to see what we ordered, here's where to find them! https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8FohCbW/

Beer was good. Walked in there for Yankee game, was almost nobody in there. Took 15 min despite being 1 of 2 in there to get acknowledged. They were talking to each other then looking over and ignoring. I don't mind waiting but they ignored the bar entirely, I wanted to watch game there but left to go elsewhere. Might try again another time.

This wasn't the first terrible experience I've had, but it certainly will be the last. I came in for happy hour. The place was practically empty, three people at the bar, two bartenders, and associated staff. Initially sat myself like normal, after around 5-10 minutes, no one came to the table. After waiting, decided maybe moving to the bar would indicate that we wanted to order. Sat there for 13 minutes, not two of the bartenders acknowledged us. One bartender made someone an old fashioned, but that was it. The other just kept stocking. There wasn't even a "we will be right with you." If you like coming in and waiting, having no one come to your table, and then moving to the bar and waiting for another 13 minutes without an acknowledgment of your presence, this is your place. If you're from out of town, just skip this place and go somewhere where the staff is more polite and actually helpful.

Can I just say OMG they have Pliny the Elder!! I had the fried cheese curds with jalapeños and they were delicious! Staff was really friendly and got us in and out in an hour, we were in a major rush trying to get to a show at the civic center but we were starving! Thanks knotty barrel! Be back soon!

Chill place with good food. Bartenders are attentive and friendly. Good place to stop in for a drink and catch the game.

We live a few blocks from here and always mean to stop in while we're out. I'm so upset we've waited this long because we've had it three more times since then! Atmosphere is great. A good open feel to the outside while still feeling like you're in a pub. Food has not disappointed us once. Good flavor and great portions.

I love Knotty Barrel. I have been coming here since 2014 when I lived just a few blocks away. Even when I moved much farther away It was still one of my favorite places. I love its relaxed attitude. Its style is kind of a gastro-pub-y sports bar. Since I moved back closer, I would say we come here once a week. The backyard is a great spot to have a quiet lunch and bring the dog. Dogs are welcome on the front patio and in the backyard. There are even leash hooks and they will give you water for the pups. Here are some of my go-tos on our many visits: Knotty Wings - solid wings. I like to get them with buffalo sauce. Very traditional and flavorful. Ahi Poke Stack - Sesame-Marinated Ahi with some cucumber and a good amount of avocado served with wonton chips. Very tasty. Chicken Strips -cornflake breaded and served with a choice of sauce on the side (i go with buffalo) They are a great snack or a light meal. Fried Cheese Curds & Jalapenos - Not bad. You get the creaminess from the cheese mixed with the jalapenos in a light beer batter. If you only like cheese or jalapenos and don't like both, it is easy to eat around them even though they are tossed together. Mozzarella Sticks - ok ok they took this off the menu about a month or so ago, but i am campaigning for their return. They were house made with some parmesan in the crust and they didn't have the super crisp shell that I really like in a mozzarella stick, but they 1, were one of the only places that had them downtown 2, didn't taste like mass produced freezer style sticks. They were served with a vodka cream sauce which was also delicious. Please bring them back. Fried Dill Pickles - pickle chips with a light batter. They have the sour dill flavor and the crispiness. I always say i won't eat them all, but most of the time i do. Knotty Burger - Their burger is really good. The patty has a good flavor and is juicy. Don't forget Mondays are Burger & Beer day!! Also, once upon a time, they had a sandwich/burger of the week or month, and they had a beef wellington burger. Keep an eye out for that if it ever returns. Spicy Italian Beef - This is a newer item I think. The beef does have a little spice to it, but also has the au jus to add additional flavor. Hot Fried Chicken - the chicken on the sandwich is HUGE. It wasn't super spicy, IMO, but it was still good. Steak Sandwich - one of my go-to's Swiss cheese with steak pieces cooked to temperature. Mac & Cheese - I have to admit, i get it without the peas, but it is creamy and flavorful. Once upon a time, they had a mac & cheese of the month. And once upon a time they did a buffalo chicken mac and cheese. If they ever offer it again and you are lucky enough to be there for it. I highly recommend it. Thursdays are a great day as its Trivia night AND half off bottles of wine. Big fan. The staff is usually very nice and relaxed.

I really love their outdoor section. Such a cute ambiance and a great place to stop if you've been walking around downtown for a bit.

this was my favorite bar. i've been coming here 3 years but most consistently in the last 8 months. this place is perfect and ill miss it dearly. bartenders are very cool and friendly. food is always good. i've tried the fried pickles, chicken tenders, salmon greek salad, mac n cheese (NO PEAS), the happy hour smash burger, the steak sandwich, grilled cheese and tomato soup, chicken caesar salad, and probably more stuff. everything was great. seriously will miss watching padres games here and having drinks with friends. good vibes all around and decent music too. cheers.

Went here during the evening and it was so crowded and loud. The hostess asked where we wanted to be seated (inside or outside) we went with inside because we weren't sure if they had heaters. The hostess at this point left us in the dust when walking us to our table, she was practically running there. Once we were seated we were concerned the service would be slow and we might be forgotten because it was so crowded and loud inside and the tables were so close together. Luckily the service saved this from being a 1 star review because it was surprisingly good all things considered, however it diminished as the night went on. I did not want to be here for 2 hours but that is what happened. There are different "deals" each day of the week here and some are better than others and some are as bad as a $17 burger? Is that supposed to be on sale?? I got the beyond burger and fries and the fries were the best thing about it, they were double fried and crispy (think arbys if it was better quality and not curry fries). The portions, however, especially for the price were definitely small. Small cup of fries and a burger that was small for what it was. The ranch dressing here is more like an aioli, they don't have a straight up ranch which I would have preferred. No real vegan options here or even vegetarian. The food was ok, I'd say the service was better but it got worse as the night went on and ironically when there were less people in the restaurant. We asked for a desert menu and waited 20 minutes for it to be brought over. Then another 20 minutes to get the check. I would describe this place as an introverts worst nightmare. My ears were ringing after I left. Overall I won't be returning