The Kraken

Fun place with plenty of pool tables. The outside patio is wide open and a good place away from the crowd plus a good view opposite of the ocean. The bar is cool with all sorts of knick knacks. Doesn't smell gross too. I had an alright old Fashioned served in a plastic cup. That was different but alright. On the higher prices side. Sunday night is music night. Crowd is chill and they all dance.

I’ve been coming to this bar for nearly 20 years. I’m now 38, and I have never experienced the level of hostility I did during my most recent visit. I told the bartender I would be paying with cash and simply asked what the price of the drinks was. Instead of answering, he repeatedly yelled at me to “just give him money” without explaining what anything cost. The interaction was confusing, hostile, and completely unprofessional. When I asked if his attitude toward me had anything to do with my ethnicity, the situation escalated further. Afterward, I reviewed the bar’s Google reviews and noticed others reporting very similar experiences. I’ve included screenshots of those reviews as well. This was extremely disappointing to experience at a place I’ve supported for nearly two decades. I’ve also included a photo of the bartender involved so others are aware of who the interaction was with.

This is my favorite place to hang out on Mondays it's lit!! the tall bartender is super friendly outgoing and attentive. So much fun here with pool and darts!! great place by the beach to chill at with friends. Happy black history month!!

Bartender (Caucasian tall male) was upset at ME, because his boss doesn’t pay him enough to have a livable wage. I typically tip at the end for the great service , but the bartender refused to pop open a can because i didn’t tip him the first time i ordered a seltzer. As a marginalized minority the situation made me feel that race may have influenced how I was treated. First and last time of ever going there

Best dive bar in Cardiff. Great live music. Pool. Lagoon in back. Ocean In front.

Horrible customer service from a tall (Caucasia) male tender with beard and a hat. Was arguing with a customer because they didn’t leave a tip on a two beers order. Then proceeded to deny service afterwards. It was hostile, immature and uncalled for. I have never witnessed such a shitty person in my life. It also was not the cleanest environment with the smell of dirty urine and stale beer. If you’re looking for that environment, feel free to visit the kraken.

a classic, PCH dive. socal essence. friendly. big bar. big back porch with pool tables along the bay. football on the tv. wonderful.

We went during lunch time, they did not serve food, but they will allow you to bring food in. The atmosphere is great, lots of older people come. They have 3 pool tables for $1 each to play (bring quarters, but they have a coin machine if you need it). The music they play is mostly rock music, but you can request any song through their digital jukebox for a small fee. There's a small dance floor, and they play love music at nighttime (you can check the schedules on their website).

Great place, bartender is great Pool tournament on Monday at 7PM BCA rules, all levels and run 1st class Only $10 entry and can enter break pot for $5 more after 1st week.

got roofied here last night. 0/10 experience wouldn't recommend that, it's not fun. bartender is not very nice but i didn't really care about that i cared a little more about being drugged unfortunately. also you can smell the bathrooms from outside. insanely packed and dirty. pretty good drinks if they had no drugs in them!

Slightly nicer than an average dive bar, lots of lights, live band setting up and space in the back with pool tables. Looks like a ton of regulars come here. Had a decent draft beer selection. Good place to stop by for a beer and to hangout.

The legendary Kraken in Cardiff... A great dive bar on the 101... Been here a hundred times... It's still the same.. great live music, pool tables out back... The only thing that takes away from it all, it has high end bar prices for a dive bar. I stopped in to watch a football game and ordered a draft beer... $9! And it came in a plastic pint glass that seemed a bit narrow (less beer - see my photo). I had that beer and left with my friends.. I don't know if they have happy hour or specials but it's just too expensive for what you get which I'm guessing is (at this point) nostalgia.

This place *used* to be a fun biker bar, years ago. Recently, prices went up so much ($8 for a domestic pint!). The vibe went from a nice biker bar to a handout for older, rich entitled locals, wannabe bikers and RUBs. Bartenders are nice, friendly and efficient. Security staff isn't the nicest. You won't find any food there and the food truck parked on site randomly opens. A huge plus for the free live music, the back side covered pool tables. Dog friendly. Private parking right next to the bar.

Close to as dive as u get in these parts BUT THATS WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT IT!! pool is great the people are awesome and the staff is even better!

The Kraken or Crackin' or Kray-kan is quite the pleasure shanty. This place is a local spot that is so fun one must return. It's a cross between biker bar and pirate saloon and the drinks will put hair on your chest even if you have just waxed it. There is a water experience in the back which is cool and very deck-y which we like for things like live music or playing darts. The Kraken is not to be missed no matter how many different ways people tell us to say this word. I appreciate it and its origins of the mythical sea monster of the mysterious seas. Thank you Kraken - you fun!

Great place! Fun people and love the bands! I enjoyed the 3 sections with pool tables and stage. Friendly servers. Go check it out!!

Ah, the Kraken, a study in contradictions. This low-ceilinged dive has surprisingly excellent acoustics and gets a lot of fun bands. The drinks aren't dive-bar cheap, but they are strong, and grow stronger in proportion to the strength of your tipping. Speaking of strong drinks, there isn't a lot of parking nearby, which is probably a good thing. If you plan to spend more than 10 minutes there on a weekend evening, Uber/Lyft/etc should be on the agenda. By day, it's more biker scene; by night, the crowd is fun, somewhat diverse (especially for coastal north county), and can get rowdy at times. There used to be a guy with a trailer selling BBQ, but I never saw him post-pandemia. I'm sure you can bring your own food, and like anywhere, bringing a couple pizzas is the fastest way to get a dozen new friends.

If you're a woman do not come here at all, wether alone or not stay clear of this place. I was roofied here, lost conscious after drinking one beer and I was not okay. It was one of the most horrible experiences. Please stay away from this place.

Let's get drunk baby! Gets packed in here and reminds me of college. Music and liquid Enough said!

Second, (maybe third) time ive been over charged on my credit card here. Seems like the bartender likes to decide what his tip is. DONT come here.

Great place to hear local bands. The bartender is awesome! The food truck features some delicious dishes.

Roxanne was amazing 10/10 deserves a raise very funny very charismatic makes you feel very welcome and comfortable straight off the bat

Tracy is the best!!! Omg. The place was packed and she is a magician. First time here and can't wait to come back. The live music rocked.

Great live music and friendly people. Every time I've been there it's been fun and exciting . I highly recommend!!!

This is a fun, casual, little beach bar! They have live music, pool, music and dancing as well as pool tables in the back. The bartenders do a great job, always friendly. They have a food tent out back where mini burgers are cooked. The downside of this place is that they have a tiny parking lot. You sort have to cruise up and down the street to find parking sometimes. Otherwise, it's a great location, right across the street from the beach.

Sunday 1/12/25 3 pm Blonde old lady bartender rude, zero customer service . We are 12 guys , she ignored us , we never comeback .......

Very enjoyable type shi the food I got was speedy and yummy and the service was also really type shi

Usually love this place but the woman bartender 12/29 after noon was horrible. Very rude and obviously seemed like she did not want to be there. Also charged us $26 for 2 shots of Jager???

Fun place for dancing and drinks. Usually has a band Friday or Saturday nights. Crowd is usually 40s-50's and very friendly. One of my favorite spots in town.

This is a bit of a hole in the wall with live music (I think every night). Unfortunately the bad that was there the night I visited wasn't great. The crowd is a mix of all ages and you are bound to have some good people watching. It's worth a visit and the drinks are cheap. We had to park a couple of blocks down on the 101 since the parking lot is pretty small.

I've been to this bar a couple of times and always love the energy. They have great live music on weekends and the crowd there is usually fine. However, my recent visit to this bar was overshadowed by the presence of an insufferable bartender with an ego the size of a hot air balloon. Not only did he audibly express disgust at my drink choice (literally the most normal drink you could order), but his demeanor reeked of unwarranted superiority. Newsflash buddy, you're not as charming as you think. His condescending attitude didn't stop there. When my friend asked about a particular drink, he couldn't muster the decency to provide a polite response. Instead, he huffed, puffed, and stormed off in a display of unprofessionalism that would make a toddler proud. Thankfully, salvation came in the form of a different bartender - one who actually knows how to treat customers with respect. Until this establishment weeds out the toxic arrogance behind the bar, consider me a former patron.

It's honestly kinda dead. The live band was cool but then no one was dancing or cheering them on. It was decorated cute for Christmas. I didn't order anything when I came but there looked to be only one bartender working. I don't know if they have food. There are pool tables and a punching bag game but besides that, there wasn't much there.

Props to the great door guy who told me I had lipstick on my teeth! Good dude right there!

Immerse yourself in the rhythm of the tides and the tunes of talented artists. The Kraken is your go-to spot for electrifying live music that amplifies the coastal ambiance. Beer enthusiasts rejoice! While beer takes center stage as the beverage of choice. But the Kraken's bar is a treasure trove of local craft options that elevate your beachside sipping experience. Don't worry if beer isn't your go-to; the bar caters to all tastes, offering a spectrum of spirits and wines. Expect prompt attention. Bar service offers a libation for every palate. I have a band and review some of the bars we perform at. Here is more https://mojobrewband.com/event/about-the-kraken/

Best Bar in North County Live music Wednesday through Sunday Good drinks and cold beer Only drawback is no Bud light

Dive bar in Cardiff. Located across the beach so you get great views! They serve your popular & local beers. Friendly service. Several pool tables. Dog friendly. Parking lot right in front.

Atmosphere is great.. music was good Service was so so...not the friendliest I would go again but maybe not a Friday night

Ballin ass spot. Thad twerked on the bar while spitting a shot of rumplemintz into my brothers mouth and then everyone started kissing. We had a great time and then me and my brother made out after. 12/10 would cum again.

This place always a gem to come and grab a drink out. We came on a Friday night before Halloween, so it was a Halloween party. Always locals, great to meet new people and old people. Bartenders are OK, sometimes slow. Love that there's a dance floor and always a band playing. great place to grab drinks after a dinner out!

One of my fav bars that always has bands on the weekends. Never had a cover charge. Great drinks, pool and a good truck. One of my fav spots. It's pretty cozy abd small but good vibes, good people.

The service is great. All the staff are friendly and nice. The atmosphere, Location, and Vibe are great! I have not been there when they have food and I'm not sure if they do serve any food. The live band is great and they play very late into the night. Would definitely recommend to other people if they want to enjoy the music and drink.

I've been coming here for years. Never have I ever felt sooooo disrespected like tonight. I waited patiently at the bar to order a drink. 20 minutes to be exact... but the blonde's stepped up and were there for 5 minutes and I was ignored. They got their order and because I said I was waiting first... the bartender with the crop to with the red flowers dismissed me. I have never felt so belittled. I guess I have to be blonde to get a drink at the kraken. #RacistBar #TheCaucasity You broke my heart Kraken.

Local dive bar drinks are strong live music is fun however, the staff is a bit rough. They don't like people that are not from the area.

I am a long time customer and former fan of the Kraken. Things went downhill after Doug, the original owner, sold the business. Now the Kraken attracts a younger crowd that has no respect for others. The bartenders are just as lame. I had a very bad experience there a few nights ago that permanently soured me on the Kraken. So while I may continue to go there for free music & dancing I will never give them another penny of mine.

1 star for the corona I didnt even get to finish. If you want to be harassed by employees and beat up by other bar patrons - this is the place for you!!! "Loved" is a strong word but I've respected this place as a cool spot to grab beers after work and see some friends bands. I won't go back there after tonight based on actions of 2 employees (11/23 around 9pm). A man angrily approached my group trying to fight my friend while we were having a drink after a work. Our group simply wanted him to walk away from us and to not be bothered but him and the blonde middle aged woman he was with (who identifies herself as an employee) got in our faces. While trying to diffuse the satiation and get the angry man to walk away (which as a bartender I'm pretty decent at) the woman employee starts yelling at me and my coworker telling us to "shut up b**ch". The bouncer then came and kicked all of us out. I typically only leave 5star reviews because I never want to base my opinion on one occurrence & know how valuable yelps can be but as someone in the service industry and the sober person of the party, I tried explaining to the bouncer what happened so my friends and I could continue our night spending money there but we'd much rather go somewhere we won't get almost physically assaulted by staff & guests alike. Good luck catering to drunken a**holes who try to fight people unprovoked! Sadly... its the Kraken so probably nothing will come of this review but for people even thinking about coming here... here's a few other dive bars to try: Tidewater, the Shanty, Saddlebar, Pillbox, etc

It was loud and fun crowd for "Eighties Prom Night"! Not what you'd expect to find in a dive bar. And the band was great! They played songs that I hadn't heard in years like Venus by Bananarama, Wake me up before you Go-Go by Wham and I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany. Talk about blasts from the past!! And to top it off, people dressed in eighties garb. Drinks are cheap. The mirrored ceiling was a hit with my friends. The bouncers are pretty scary, but probably have to be. I guess my only complaint is the lack of parking because it's kinda in the middle of nowhere with a dirt lot. Otherwise, swing by for a raucous good time!!

Many legends have bellied up to the bar at this fine drinking establishment. Best dance floor in North County. If you enjoy expressing yourself through dance...this is your place. Reasonably priced drinks with solid pours.

The staff is awesome! The bouncers actually do their job, the bartenders are amazing and know how to make drinks, like real drinks. They don't see if you and the pour, and they're all friendly. Usually they'll have a cover band or a mic night and that's always very entertaining.

The bartender had a stick up his ass and the place was horrible. He also turned down the music that we paid for until he kicked us out then he started blasting that shit. Do not go there.

Stopped by on a Thursday and the live music was awesome. The wood decor is so cool and gives it a great dive bar feel. Definitely coming back!

small, neighborhood bar......that hasn't had a make up in 50 years. Lots of regulars you can tell, good place for bikers and people looking for a good time. loud music nightly

This is my "go to" spot in North San Diego County! They have music virtually every night and often 2 bands on the weekend with no cover! The best part of the Kraken is the staff! Service is always great no matter when you drop in and they treat you like family if you are a regular. They have a couple of pool tables in the back that stays busy but adds to the fun. On the weekends you will find the dance floor packed with friendly people having a great time. Bonus if you are hungry, go out back to visit BC at his food truck for one of the Top 5 burgers in San Diego County. This is a fun place anytime you drop in!

Safe fun with fair prices and very good entertainment Have a tri-tip and portobello sandwich to die for.

Ok we love this place. Lots of regulars. We love the drinks. Pool is great. Very fun. Ready to come back

Going to the Kraken is a right of passage in San Diego. You simply must go there. If you do not expect anything fancy then you will not be disappointed. People have asked why they do not have good wine, a kitchen or have clean bathrooms. The answer is that they just don't. Do they accept credit cards? No. The beautiful location, live music and the patrons somehow create a magical ambiance that is beyond description.

Cool spot with live music but weird smells. Was here on a thurs night to hear a friend perform and the parking lot for the bar was full. However the bouncer let us know the garage next door was free to park in and the were plenty of spots. Right when we exited the car there was a weird fishy/sea/sewage smell that permeated the air. When we went inside the smell persisted as the place is open to air. They had a food truck outside which was delicious and masked the smell for a while. We got some beers and the prices were typical and service was prompt. Not a great draft list with minimal options. However, once the food and drinks were finished I just kept smelling that foul smell. I had a great time enjoying the awesome band and my friend play, but the smell there was a really big turn off.

I usually like dive bars for the relaxed down to earth feel. This ain't that bar! The people that work here have bad attitudes that rival any of the worst pretentious corporate yuppie bars I have been to. Do yourself a favor and drive past this place. The men's room was full of gnats and stunk too!