Uptown Tavern

Met a friend here for happy hour. Great happy hour menu and friendly staff.

Showed up 5 minutes before opening and was immediately met with the rudest energy I’ve experienced in a long time. This is a gay bar with outdoor seating, yet we were flat-out refused the ability to sit outside and wait while they opened literally four minutes later. The female bartender behind the bar was shockingly unpleasant. Nasty attitude, zero hospitality, and acted like allowing people to exist near the patio before opening was some massive inconvenience. No greeting, just straight-up rude. First impressions matter, especially in spaces that are supposed to feel welcoming and inclusive. Instead, we were made to feel unwelcome and brushed off for no reason. If this is how customers are treated before the doors even open, I can’t imagine sticking around once they do. Plenty of bars manage to open without treating people like an annoyance. Do better.

Bottom line: Extensive cocktail menu, small bites to share, as well as a full dinner menu, and indoor-outdoor setting make a great happy hour spot. Dog-friendly patio. Brunch seems to be a major attraction, as well. Details: We missed lunch after a long day at the zoo, so popped in at Uptown Tavern for an early happy hour and bites to eat. We had the Sutter Smash (delicious), and the Xocoveza from Stone Brewing. Our food took a little while, but we had fun people watching and nursing our drinks. The veggie sliders (beet patties with goat cheese) and fries were excellent, and I'd definitely order again. The 5-spice wings were a bit of a miss for me. I was hoping they'd be more spice-forward, but the Mister thought they were fine. Weirdly, they were served with pickled ginger, which didn't compliment the flavor, but it was easily picked off. I'd stick to the traditional buffalo wings. The rest of the menu looked promising, but we didn't want to spoil our dinner reservations for later in the night. Note that street parking is very limited, so allow for time to circle around if you're meeting friends. Overall, worth a visit if you're in the neighborhood!

This place isn’t a place you go to have a rager but it’s definitely a nice place to go when you want to grab a drink and have a nice conversation with someone. When I went they were playing loud music as well but they have an event where you could use headphones and listen to different stations playing different types of music. Always a fun time!

Great beers, bartenders, food, and atmosphere. Love it here. My Wife goes wild for the parmesan fries, pretty good if i do say so. The wooden board presentation is fantastic. Bitter Bros hazy is so good!

Chill Wednesday which they offer $10 martinis. Their espresso was really good! Staff very welcoming, nice and attentive. Definitely recommend!

Came in for brunch on a Saturday around noon. Was not super busy, so it was easy to get a seat at the bar. So glad we did! Mulan the bartender was warm and personable and full of great energy. She made us a few tasty cocktails and got our weekend started. Then the food came out! I had the fried chicken and biscuits. They were divine! The chicken was juicy and tender and the biscuits were great. The bacon scramble was also delicious. Thanks for a great meal!

Uptown Tavern offers a fun environment with great drinks, friendly staff and tasty FRESH food! If you order an appetizer I recommend the hummus! It’s homemade and so good, but be sure you like Garlic! I’d also recommend the sliders because with the combination of the perfectly cooked charbroiled patty, cheddar and sweet bun, it’s really hits the spot! And I’m not one for heavy food, I generally eat healthy but the chicken and waffles are worth giving in for! I know it sounds strange... but give this a try! You won’t go wrong! If your less adventurous try the perfectly battered chicken tenders, you can tell they weren’t frozen!

It was our first time back at Uptown Tavern in a while, and it did not disappoint. We grabbed seats at the bar, and Mulan ( Spelling) was our bartender the MVP . Even with the Sunday Funday crowd packing the gayborhood, she kept the drinks flowing, the energy high, and the service on point. The food was great, the service was even better, and the vibe was absolutely vibing thanks to the DJ.

This place does not have very many vegetarian options. However, the veggie patty sliders, they had beats in the patty and I LOVE BEATS. The sliders were a bit dry but the flavor was delicious. The noise levels were a bit high. There was indoor and outdoor seating but there wasn't much of a divide from inside to outside so I feel like there was still a nice breeze inside. The decorations were very fun, I liked the energy of the space. Plus there is no parking lot, it is all street parking. Jerad our server was and he was kind and attentive. Our food came out very quickly.

Ambiance is great, I love the set up! We sat and looked over the menu, which we loved! Between the brussel sprouts, pretzel, and the steak frites it was hard to choose. I ended up getting a unicorn mule, and a virgin one for my partner. Both were really good! We also got the pretzel with house cheese dip, which may have been the best pretzel and cheese I have ever had in my life. No joke, I am a connoisseur after all. We also got the potatoe skins! My only complaint with the food was it was a tad greasy, but also what do you expect for fried and bar foods. The only reason this isn't a five star review, was the service. Our waitress looked less then pleased to be waiting on us and just us Since she was friendly with so many others. Will return for the food and drinks, but maybe lower our expectations for service.

This place is always busy and they have amazing like pub grub bar food... My favorite is the five spice chicken wings, but they also do a great slider! They also have hummus with pita bread and vegetables, that is very good, and of course they make great cocktails! This place used to be the old Ono sushi and they have a little room in the back, I believe that can be rented out for private parties? I've attended a couple things there, so I assume they still do that.

I had dined at this restaurant located on University Avenue in Hillcrest a number of years ago. However, recently i re-visted on several occasions to see what was on the new menu that I had heard about from friends. When I have gone to the Uptown Tavern recently, I have decided to dine at tehthe bar each time. The bar is a big square located in the center of the dining room. I was also told about a new lounge in the back. However, I understand the back lounge is designated for private parties, so I have not yet been back there. The menu is more comprehensive than I had expected. There are a number of salads and sandwiches, all of which sounded very interesting. There is also a Happy Hour Menu if you dine early. One of the bartenders told me also that the brunch at the Uptown Tavern is very popular with locals.

Came in to celebrate a friend's birthday. Place was poppin'! Food was pretty decent, nothing spectacular, nothing bad. Service was really great though. Very friendly staff and attentive on drinks. Ambiance is chill, fun, loud, and great for groups.

We were a bit parched so we tried Uptoen Tavern on a Friday night. It was busy but we were seated very quickly. We wanted refreshing and a splash of fruit. The server asked us to let him pick the drinks so we did. Yummmm-eeeee. Both we're amazing. We enjoyed our drinks and wanted just a bit more but we didn't want two full drinks. We asked if we could order one drink and split it and wahoo, they did it. All around a great place for food and drinks. Enjoy!

Made a pit stop in here after dinner to grab drinks with our friends before heading home, and it was a very fun spot with a nice crowd! Good diversity of drinks, along with fun bartenders and people. Definitely would be fun to come again!

Started coming here a few months ago after the gym. We were hooked after our first Friday happy hour. Their specials are perfect. Always get a seat at the bar. Everyone we have met is so friendly, whether is a random person sitting next to us or a member of the staff!

I love this spot. Food is good, the drinks are great and the staff is always friendly. I love the patio, it's giving what it needs to give!

"I'M WITH THE BARTENDER..." (5 stars) The Hillcrest place you go to pregame before stepping out to the scenes. - FOOD: good bar food - PRICE: fair - SERVICE: spectacular - VIBE: fun and lively We stopped in during prime time (around 8p) and it was busy! Lots of hot gay boys filled the bar - predominantly male scene. I'm not gay but them boys would make me wish I was a gay boy. Everyone seems like a regular here and everyone was so darn friendly and welcoming. I felt the positive fun vibes here and foresee myself coming through more often. A friend is a bartender here and I see why she loves her work. Decided to do a surprise visit - it's my first time in the scene outside of pride. :: FOOD :: TRADITIONAL BUFFALO WINGS ($14) - Served with pickled celery and house made buttermilk ranch. Got the sauce on the side. I love me some chicken wings! They were average but delicious. HIGHLY RECOMMEND TAVERN SLIDERS ($15) - 3 Angus patties with cheddar cheese, house-made pickles, ketchup, and garlic aioli served on Hawaiian rolls. Plumpy little bite size burgers served with a thick patty. The fries it came with were seasoned well and crispy. RECOMMEND CHICKEN STRIPS BASKET ($17.50) - Crispy, hand-battered chicken strips and fries, served with house made ketchup and buttermilk ranch. Our friend recommended this, although a lot of food was already ordered and yet to be consumed this was ordered on top of that because it's the "popular" item many people order. It came with 3 gigantic very breaded pieces of chicken. While popular amongst everyone else who orders this it was just ok for me. Very giving potions doesn't always make up what lacks and I felt that something in this dish lacked and didn't wow me. I think I prefer naked chicken wings. BERRY DRINK - I asked for "something fruity, cocktaily... with gin" and was served a big drink that tasted refreshing and fruity!!! I will leave the mixology up to the pros, I trust their judgements. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Will def be back. JABA APPROVED. Until the next time...

My friend and I both had the avocado toast. Amazing flavor and ingredients like no other! You have to try it! 5 Star service as well! The host Andrew was amazing! He created a fun atmosphere while assisting all the tables with refills, clearing plates, and whatever else was needed. Well, done Uptown!

What a fun gay bar with good food and service. We sat on the patio and it was good people watching. They have umbrellas for shade which was needed. The steak and eggs were excellent. The quality of the meat was impressive for a breakfast meal. I ordered it medium rare and it came very rare but after I sent it back, it came back quick and it was perfect! Everyone else loved there food with the exception of the chicken strips. That was not terrible but nothing special. So many other good choices to chose from. The service was fantastic and especially because of how busy they were!

I think I hopped here with a friend after we visited Gossip Grill and I initially sat at the bar to order my usual vodka soda. If I recall correctly, we decided to sip our last drinks of the night here while pondering where we could score some late night food since the kitchen was closed. It was a slow weeknight and I remember the drinks being super stiff. You can't really compete with the overload of fun coming from Gossip Grill next door but if you're a straight girl down to relive your high school memories of being friendzoned by super hot gay guys all night, it's totally worth stopping by if you're passing through for a drink or two.

Did not stop their usual techno for superbowl half time with Rihanna.... while they did give headsets for people watching the game and show, which was nearly everyone), their DJ did not stop or lowered the regular music. I do not recommend the Tavern for Super Bowl. It could have been handled much better.

An absolute gem! Not only is the atmosphere vibrant and welcoming, but the food is also top-notch. It's not often you find a bar where the menu shines this much--everything I tried was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Plus, their specials are fantastic, offering great value without compromising quality. Whether you're stopping by for a meal, drinks, or just a fun night out, this place truly delivers. The staff is super friendly, the crowd is always lively, and there's a sense of community that makes you want to stay all night. Highly recommend!

Great time at uptown. Always friendly and fun service. Delicious drinks. And you can catch the football game.

Chill spot to grab some drinks in Hillcrest, but the focus of this review is on their Parmesan fries. Them fries were fire. It could be because I get the munchies when I'm on a good buzz LOL or they were really that fire. It was crispy on the outside, good sized and perfectly seasoned. I'm not much of a drinker, more like a social drinker these days, but I may just come back for some more of them fries.

A Neighborhood Gem: Oreo is the Best! If you ever find yourself at Uptown Tavern, do yourself a favor and grab a drink from Oreo! From the moment you walk in, Oreo makes you feel like family--greeting everyone with a warm smile, a quick-witted joke, and the kind of energy that turns an ordinary night into something unforgettable. Not only is Oreo a master of mixology, crafting delicious cocktails with effortless skill, but they also have a knack for knowing exactly what you need--whether it's a strong drink, a listening ear, or just a fun conversation. They keep the vibe lively, the drinks flowing, and the crowd coming back for more. It's rare to find a bartender who can create an experience beyond just great service, but Oreo does it every time. They bring the heart and soul to Uptown, making it a true safe haven for the community. Cheers to Oreo--San Diego's best!

Didn't have the food but the drinks were top notch and the crowd is vibrant it's a very NYC atmosphere.

Quick & friendly service. Food was made to order and really great for a bar. We went the day of the Rock N Roll marathon so people were definitely celebrating if you know what I mean

Only been here for happy hour but i'm a fan! Got the berry moscow mule ($6) during happy hour, which was refreshing and not cloying sweet. Definitely my new favorite drink. We also got the parmesan french fries which was delicious - crispy, nicely flavored. The portions were generous and more than enough for 3 people to share. I like that the restaurant has an open air door but they also have an outdoor seating area as well. We didn't have to wait to be seated. Good service!

It was Okay. Drinks okay. Atmosphere, Okay. A bunch okay people around us too. I'd say, all and all... okay. JK! This place is amazing Scott. Always on point. Friendly staff. Considerate food menu with many options.

Service is fast, friendly and efficient. The place has both a large bar, a back room for reservations or several table along the sides of the restaurant/bar and a nice outdoor patio. The food is top notch here!!! Brussels sprouts and chicken sandwich are famous. This bar is doing a lot right. The server Brandan is the best, so sweet and friendly I'll be returning soon.

Love to visit the gang at Uptown for Happy Hour!! The new renovation looks great and they have recently added some new food options to the happy hour menu like a grilled cheese and potato skins. The atmosphere is very comfortable and fun.

I love Uptown Tavern! When they originally opened they were amazing, but then slowly the food quality fell until I wouldn't even eat there. Apparently ownership changed last year and a new chef was recently brought on board. Finally the food quality is back to its original awesomeness!!! Also fantastic service and ambiance. I highly recommend!

This place has the worst service. My friends and I were sitting at the bar waiting for the bartender to acknowledge us and get us drinks. The bartender served EVERYONE around us and even served people that came in after us and others who were on the opposite end of the bar. He completely skipped us. It took getting loud and calling the staff's attention to us waiting. One guy promptly said "he is just a barback". The bartender EVENTUALLY came and got our drinks but as guests and first time and last time guests, this is the reason to not return!!!

Outstanding experience! I was blown away by how heavenly the food and cocktails were. Brandon was a great server. The patio was a nice setting during the late afternoon. I will most definitely be returning. My friend and I had finished visiting the zoo so we wanted a place to sit and enjoy a meal with a tasty cocktail. I found UT through Yelp. When we arrived there were only two tables on the patio available. We couldn't have planned it better as ten minutes later there was at least three groups itching for a spot. Brandon was welcoming and helpful. Since this was our first time, he was open with answering our questions and offering suggestions. I ordered the Uptown Girl (cocktail). I was sold when I saw vodka and St. Germaine. I can take a strong cocktail but this one knocked me on my ass -- in a good way. It did not taste strong but after three sips, I was feeling no pain. Had I consumed another one, I probably would have been on the floor. It was delicious. I will order it again. LOL. For food, we ordered the crispy brussel sprouts, Tavern chicken and waffles and Tavern Mac. This food was fantastic. Everything was perfect for sharing. I am not a fan of brussel sprouts but when I saw bacon, I had to try them. OMG! These were so good. I could eat brussel sprouts every day if they were cooked like this. I was eating my green vegetables so I didn't feel quite as guilty. The vinaigrette was a nice complement to the bacon and Asiago cheese. The serving size is HUGE! For the chicken and waffles, we cut the waffle in half and each of us got two pieces of chicken. The tempura on the chicken was light and crispy. The syrup added a tiny bit of sweetness. The pasta was just as tasty. Great combination of cheeses and more bacon! We were chowing down and ate a lot. I was pleasantly shocked that we were both able to take home two of the three items as leftovers. Thank you to all of my fellow elite Yelpers. You did not steer me wrong.

Experienced ableism and transphobia from Taylor and then the manager continued to invalidate the fact that Taylor laughed in face for asking for some space because Taylor laughed at me and no accountability was taken for Taylor repeatedly misgendering. The manager continued to state "we didnt mean to offend you I dont want to go in circles" but was not holding or being accountable for an employee laughing in my face making fun of me for asking for space as I was masked and Taylor was not.

Met my friends here during the Pride festival/parade in Hillcrest. Super busy but we got our drinks fast and it was a fun day to hang out there! First time trying Cali Creamin' on tap here and it was life changing. Would probably come back to this bar in the future! Big indoor and outdoor patio space too which I love!

Delicious pesto & chicken flat bread and the Tavern sliders were good! Nice dishes to share. They have great pop music playing and love how they offer headphones for those who want to watch whatever's on the TV. They also have a fun cocktail menu and the Real Houswives of Hillcrest is the perfect sweet drink.

Super cute place with great drinks and pretty good food. The bartenders are friendly enough and the ambiance is both fun and relaxing. It's missing a star for the following reasons: the pizza was not good, and by not good I mean that it was very undercooked. Easily fixable, but still, a fix is needed. The bartenders were not mean or unfriendly but they also weren't actually "friendly". Very possible that they were busy, and I'm down to try again and see if the vibes are different. Also, as a short person, the barstools are very high and my legs couldn't touch the bar which was kinda painful. However everything else was immaculate and this is a great place.

Best bar food and service in Hillcrest! I stared eating here because my friend Jamey works in the kitchen. She usually doesn't even know I'm there because it's always prime time when I'm ordering. The wings Chinese 5 spice I think are some of the best. My only wish is I could get all flats and a smaller portion of fries. Alert if you order fries, the reason they are like $16 is the serving size is for 3-4 easily but they are amazing and always disappear. I haven't tried anything else on the menu because let's be honest I'm usually here to drink. The drinks are good but customer service is the best part. I love love bartenders who pay attention to you and will banter with you.

I really enjoy Sunday Afternoons!! The Tots and drinks for my friend Niel and are our favorite way to start the evening. Or end the day. Mulan is the sweetest and so are the rest of your staff. Thank you! The new remodel is coming together nicely. A great place to sit and enjoy our community.

The new patio is quite awesome. And the weather was gorgeous, so there was a bit of a fun spring break vibe throughout, since all the doors were open. Loud music, fun patrons- everything you'd expect! Excellent service even though it was quite busy. We enjoy many glasses of wine and sangria, plus a few appetizers. We didn't feel rushed at all, and just got to really enjoy ourselves.

I remember coming here once to meet a friend and her posse for drinks. I didn't stay very long so I really couldn't. So when a friend from north county said to meet him here, why not. It looks a lot different than that one time I was here. The booths are gone and replaced with high tables and chairs. Server was friendly, as was the food runners, and I think a manager came by to check on us. I had a unicorn mule which was so refreshing, I ended up having two more! I first thought we were just going to have apps, so I ordered the rosemary parmesean fries which were thin and crispy! I also ordered the buffalo wings which were standard, so maybe next time I'll get the 5-spice ones instead. And then I realized that it was Mac and Mule Thursday which I read on their website. So I had the flight of mac and cheese....what a great concept!!! It comes with the two macs on the menu and an added third that had pesto. All three are very unique in flavor and fun to eat. There is a nice patio outside and one side has a firepit. They also appear to be dog friendly. Definitely worth checking out!

Amazing place Karen is the best - such great service Food was so tasty and the wine was great odie for. Prices were reasonable. Good crowd:

Was physically assaulted by the female bouncer Ana. She did not have any grounds to put her hands on me, there was no violence needed. She aggressively handled me and I tried to get her off and she instead on kicking me out saying "by law I can kick you out" I asked her for what and no answer. She pushed me towards the fire pit and burned my hair. We were taking pictures with a light and she grabbed the drink I had just ordered (second drink) off my hand and grabbed my arm and told me I'm done. I don't even get to finish my food. All this because she was nosy in our conversation and didn't like us taking pictures. Please review all the footage from this incident, no one was violent and we were just trying to have a good time at a birthday. The bouncer seems like she was on something. We will be taking our business elsewhere in the future. She was on a power trip , the moment we walked in she gave me and our group dirty looks making everyone uncomfortable. I've never been to a bar where they dog you to get in. Was standing next to our group listening to our conversations instead of standing in her position. The owner then took her side, not listening to our side. They clearly have something together to defend her even in the wrong. She was laughing that she was getting away with her actions. Saying "your ego " When I stood up for myself. More than welcome to look at the footage you got so many witnesses who see the wrong in her actions. Let alone they still charged me for the drink and food I never consumed. Also broke my nail ( burned my hair ) . That's how aggressive she was for no reason.

Hands down one of my favorite burger places! The burger patty is so thick and juicy (just how I like it) and they overloaded it with all the toppings I asked for, the buns are so soft, and the taste overall of the burger is just so good. Fries tasted so good. And I always always order their brussel sprouts whenever I come. Their servings are HUGE. I get so full everytime i come. I absolutely love their setup, I wouldn't care if they seat me inside or outside because I like both. The staff is always friendly and because I come here so often they always know that I get extra limes for my brussel sprouts. Will come back here again when I get that burger craving. I love that it's located in hillcrest! A great area just to hang around with friends and family

Booked a private area for a birthday party and was extremely dissatisfied with the treatment. The bouncer Hannah got violent and started grabbing non-violent guests.

Had the loco moco based on the recommendation from our sever Brandon (easy on the eyes too ) it was delicious and highly recommend! Service was on point and he kept drinks both water and Alcoholic were always flowing! Uptown is our favorite place to gather with friends- Thank you!

I have never had a worse experience at a restaurant. I'll save you all from the long story, but our experience started by picking up a purse we left at brunch that day and the bouncer (that everyone complains about) spoke extremely disrespectfully to my partner. I spoke up calmly and said we were paying customers picking up a lost item, not trying to enter the bar, and that we'd like to be treated with respect. The bouncer started yelling at us as we walked away with the purse & making unsolicited obscene gestures at us in our car down the street.

Uptown Tavern is our FAVE spot in Hillcrest. Sometimes we feel embarrassed at how often we go there, LOL. The food is awesome, and the environment is always VIBIN'. But most of all, we go there for their service. We love the gang there: Brandon, Adrian, Taylor, KC, Lindsey, Jessica, Chad, and ESPECIALLY OREO (the Mayor of Hillcrest, LOL) always treat us so warmly and make every visit such a BLAST. We should have a designated VIP table by now. Haha. Can't wait to see them again this weekend!! See you all there!

Rude and dismissive as we attempted to have dinner with our family on a Sunday. Apparently they do not allow anyone under 21 in. No big deal just be a little nicer to a family (2 adults and a 18 year old)trying to explore the area.

I came in mid-day on a Sunday and this place is so cute! It wasn't too busy, but the farmers market nearby made it a bit hard to find parking. the food and drinks were delicious. I'll definitely be back here again. The workers were so friendly, Ben helped me and he was super helpful! He was very welcoming and super kind. I'll definitely be back here especially for the vibes and drinks!

5 stars for 5 key reasons 1. The foood is bomb 2. The employees All EQUALLY split tips. So I feel like a true "patron" and not like I am in a toxic one sided friendship. 3. The service is equal and dont get skiped or have to watch someone "new" get skiped to serve me. 4. The environment is always up beat and friendly. 5. I am going to re touch on the food. Everything I have ever eaten here has been worth coming back for. My current favorite is the chicken flatbread. I get mushrooms instead of the bacon. YuMMY . I mostly just drink beer and dont go out often. But THaNk yOu. I like to enjoy a good meal when I do go out and not just get wasted and eat garbage.

Horrible experience. Staff does not communicate with each other. One waiter told us to sit at a table and then a security girl came aggressively and told us to leave. We asked why if we haven't done anything wrong and tried to explained to her that we were told to wait at the table and she proceeded by pushing me out of the place as I was already walking out. I could of pushed the issue but rather walked out without creating a scene as it was already embarrassing and confusing situations. After reviewing some previews reviews. Seems like the female bouncer is the issue and it needs to be addressed but seems like it hasn't yet. The owner might really like her, but I hope he stands by the liability that's coming.

Horrible experience, the staff was extremely disrespectful and rude. Especially the female bouncer who has demonstrated to have 0 people skills. Do not go!

This establishment and its business partners have a goal of serving friendly and courteous guest services, but unfortunately that is not what our group of friends experienced. A mere misunderstanding turned into a disrespectful ego trip and a member of your security staff, kicked out our group of 7 innocent "newcomers" as a result. If your goal was really to serve a friendly and courteous service, we should have been met with an apology for the confusion your staff caused, and re-aligned on expectations, so that we could have continued to wait our turn, but instead... we were rudely thrown out for no reason at all, and were told " an explanation was not owed to us." The fact that you have strategically copied and pasted your clap back, to our 1- star reviews, is a true reflection of why your staff feels enabled to make poor judgement calls and lack effective communication skills. I would hope the negative feedback would be received as a valuable opportunity to learn, grow, and take ownership. Maybe you should edit your mission statement to include "subject to our discretion and burnout" since you seem to be more focused on justifying our experience, rather than owning it. Nonetheless, clearly no love lost; cheers to your successful pride week! Don't bother yourself with another copy and paste.