Whistle Stop Bar

They have a drawing night every 1st and 3rd Tuesday which I attended. The bar puts paper down across all the tables and people come in with different drawing or coloring tools; pencils, paints, markers, crayons, etc. There were a LOT of people of all ages drawing next to one another. Everyone was super friendly and kind. The drink selection was good. I am unsure if they offer food or not. Great spot for a fun activity. I will be back.

One of my favorite places to see a show. It’s very casual and laid back. It’s an intimate way to catch artists who are rising in popularity. There is no stage per se, and the band is playing at the same level as the viewer. Because of this, it makes it almost feel like a house show which is fun. The drinks are solid and sometimes they even have rare beer releases like Pliny the Elder on tap. The neighborhood of South Park is also just a rad place to kick it before the show. The record store, local bars, and food nearby provide quite a lot of options before a show.

2 stars because I do in fact love this bar and go all the time. Good music and silly times. The reason my rating is so low is because I'm beyond disappointed krystina got let go. Went on Sunday and got my little heart destroyed with the news. She brought such a good energy and made it an extra safe space for the queers + love for her as a dj. Bring her back yall messed up big time

Drove all the way from Los Angeles to go to booty basement because it's one of my favorite events. the bouncer at the door told me and my friends we weren't going to be allowed in tonight. I kept asking why, he just kept repeating "you're not gonna be allowed in" but wouldn't give us a reason. we saw them letting other people in and we were not even drunk we had only had 1-2 drinks before going there because we were planning on buying drinks there. horrible staff, extremely disappointed I drove over 3 hours and didn't even get to go :( will be finding a new spot in SD to dance

They host a special event 2nd 4th and 5th Saturdays of the month called Booty Basement. A great DJ that spins a wonderful mix of old and new school music mostly hop hop/rap. If you wanna "swang" aka dance your night away this is the place to go. A great mix of people in age and ethnicity. Such a vibe!

I like this place and have been to a couple of shows here. Good music, friendly bar tenders and great atmosphere. My only problem is that there is no real stage, so you see the performing bands at floor level, which makes it kinda awkward. They also have a disco ball that is on all the time, so if you are sensitive to this kind of these things. Booking has improved significantly, so many amazing shows in the last couple of months!

The fact that the door staff refused to let us in after we paid because I had my service animal with me. So now I have a choice call my lawyer or just let it go. I most definitely will be in contact with management. This was 100% unacceptable. I feel as though our group was singled out and refused service. Not to mention the door staff that was ready to fight after he intentionally “bumped” into my husband and started talking trash to him to instigate a fight. Per their establishments information dogs are allowed. So why was I not with my service animal? Also, If they were not going to let us in… why did they take our money for cover charges?

My favorite bar in the area! My sister Heather brought me here and I didn't want to leave. Great staff and great drinks. They are also very quick! I took a rideshare to get here and leave so I didn't have to worry about parking.

Oh Whistle, you are still such a great little bar. I have been here plenty of times over the years but really have no idea why I don't come here more. Let's figure this out with a short list of "loves." Why I love Whistle Stop: Great beer Friendly staff Friendly crowd Good music on the juke Booty Basement Trivia night Affordable prices Pretty gals Old and young mix well together here Live music I guess I am able to sum it up with this... Whistle Stop is a pretty damn good spot.

This is the place to be on a Saturday night! Fun atmosphere and quick drinks! The staff was super friendly. It gets busy quick here but it was so much fun!

The 80s/90s/Y2K Dance Party at this bar was insanely crowded! I came here with 3 friends to burn some calories after dinner. While we had a great time and enjoyed the music, we all agreed the bar was way over packed and jammed with people. There were people dancing at every nook and cranny, half of them completely wasted. I had countless bodies rubbed up against mine and had beer spilled on me multiple times. People were dancing with their drinks and with the heavy crowd, drinks were splashed everywhere! I felt dirty when we left! This was a fun experience for $10 per person, but I'm not so sure I would come back due to the uncontrolled crowd.

I used to go to Whistle Stop bar every few months many years ago. I had friends who lived nearby and would go to various music events there. I hadn't been there in years, until last week. My friend and I decided to go last minute last Friday night for a Morrisey/Smiths DJ dance night. We arrived about 10 PM and place was pretty packed. People were dancing and singing along to the songs and having a great time. Despite the crowd, it never took long to get a drink. I liked that they had a pretty decent bar. I drank Revolt rose' wine on tap all night. They had a variety of beer, wine, cider and cocktails. Everyone was in a good mood. I loved how the DJ mixed in similar types of music from different eras. The crowd was friendly and some of them were regulars. Even though it was crowded on the dance floor, we always found space to dance. The ladies room was small and a bit awkward, but I also never had to wait very long in line. All in all, I had a blast. It was a great atmosphere, with great music and decent drinks at decent prices. I will certainly be checking out the music calendar

Most fun dive bar around. Anytime a friend suggests this spot I say yes! Always something different going on and eclectic people there.

Good people, good drinks, and always a good time. A fantastic dive bar for South Park locals, whistle stop has so much to offer. They've got a variety of events and musical groups performing to peak your interest. You can go for just a casual beer with friends or spend the night dancing away to 80s & 90s classics. One of my favorite times to go is on Fridays when they have a Japanese Mexican taco fusion pop up out front (they're called Binchos, go follow them now!!) and hang out right outside with a rotating cider from the bar. The bartenders have all been so sweet and genuine, you never feel like you have to fight for their attention but rather they want to have a conversation with you. What's also great is you usually don't pay cover either (I mean as you should). I hope this place continues to be a home away from home for everyone in the community.

Come join! Casual nite, free! Dance those weekend calls off. Great bartenders. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yuni-wa-sweatbiz-6-year-anniversary-tickets-733732352217?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=reminder_attendees_48hour_email&utm_term=eventname&ref=eemaileventremind #whislestop #eventbright #bethisred #bigbadbeautiful #lymewarrior

My kind of bar. They have live music, not crazy prices, a large bar, a back patio, lots of room, friendly staff, and cool clientele. If I lived in South Park this would definely be one of my hangouts.

I was a psychology major, so please indulge me here. Whistle Stop Bar has disassociative identity disorder. By day, it's an amiable dive bar with good beer on tap. My wife and I happened to stop by here when Bincho Taco was outside (it was an early Friday evening). We are vegan, and we appreciated the taco options. Don't worry, they serve meat, too, and I'll have to review them someday. We returned on a Saturday night for what I think was an 80's dance party. The cover was $10. I'm from the 80's, and so was most of the music, but I guess it just wasn't my jam. The dance floor was pretty crowded, though. The scene could not have been more different from our first visit. Bottom line: check out their schedule before you go. https://whistlestopbar.com/ Chances are, you'll find something that you like, but if a given day and time isn't your thing, don't say that I didn't warn you.

Loved the atmosphere here on a Friday night, whatever taco company was outside was amazing! The bartenders are super nice and accommodating, will return. Hidden Gem in the neighborhood!

Had one of the best times! Love it here! Music was so good. The crowd was diverse and everyone was dancing. Will definitely come back. If you want to have a blast at a lowkey establishment, come here! Drinks are good, music is great (we went on 80's night), people are nice and there's street parking all around.

Great music! Most clubs get crowded by 11. This place was shoulder to shoulder by 9:30. Nice crowd. Wish it was a bit bigger, but hey, still cool.

Best neighborhood bar is South Park. Come for happy hour, you will meet your neighbors, and you will make new friends.

The last Thursday of the month they have an event called Vamp where writers share their stories. I think there were about 8 telling 5-10 minute stories. I was impressed how well everyone did . It was a good mix of humor and pulling at your heart strings . Everyone had done a good job practicing beforehand. It is worth checking out for something different to do. They do ask for a suggested donation . Also it was pretty crowded so get there early if you want a seat Parking was really hard to find so also account for that

Killer neighborhood bar with a great staff esp Alex! It's got whatever you're looking for drink wise. Plus some a huge variety of rad live music!

Always amazing drinks and service. I highly recommend this place for casual drinks or a night out for dancing.

We stopped in on a Monday night so it was expectedly quiet and low key. The bartender was very friendly and accommodating after my husband accidentally knocked over a glass. I can see it being a fun crowd on busier nights but were glad for the quiet space on a weekday night.

Fun laid-back place. Good drinks and prices and service. Gets a bit busy, but have fun thed nights.

Ive been going here since i turned 21 and im about to turn 26. Best bar, epic music shows, and fun dance nights. The amount of friendships ive made in the women's restroom....... Unforgettable

Fun spot in South Park. Great dance floor and cool bartenders. I love it when they do Booty Basement! The place goes off! The crowd is mixed of all ages and the drees code is casual. There can be a bit of a wait though. Sometimes the line is crazy long and the place fills up to capacity so, you could end up waiting 30-45min or more!

Great Bar, great staff, great drinks. Been coming here since 2013. Love the music, and met some cool People here. I live around the corner from this spot. But lately, I feel like there's always something going on. Especially during the week. Sometimes, I get off work late, and want to have a quick night cap. But there's an event going on and there's always a cover to get in with hardly anyone in there. Not going to pay $12 to go inside and have two beers. :( major bummer

Went out dancing here in August. Groovy groovy time. Arrived right as the disco music started, people standing around having beers and hanging (little seating room). Fun lighting. Started dancing by ourselves, someone hinted at us that there is a cool spot in the corner with lights and music that you can get your groove on until the dance floor started popping. And the dance floor started popping! Still enough space to bust into your full moves, rad crowd all around. Seems like it may be a pretty simple neighborhood bar in terms of setting, still my favorite dance party of my month in San Diego (and other visits). Chill basic bars that turn into chill "dance-until-closing" nights are great.

This was one of the first places I've been to as a barely legal drinker and I remember the good music and the welcoming vibe of the venue. Now that I'm older and revisiting with more coins in my pocket, I can say that this place hasn't changed... in a good way. Ain't gotta fix what ain't broken. Also, I think it's important to mention that they were very welcoming to my sister and her ESA dog. We weren't sure how we were going to be received here getting drinks with our four-legged working companion but the bartender offered her treats and gave her lots of love. He knows who he is. I made sure to leave him an appreciative and gratuitous impression before we left. It's been a week or two since then but this 5-star Yelp review was in order for sure.

This place is SO much fun! We always go here for a pre-dinner drinks or late night fun! The service is always chill and down to earth and the price is perfect and as it should be! They usually have a DJ but live music also. This place is always off the hook and packed with people. This last weekend the line was around the block! Keep doing what your doing Whistle Stop, you are a South Park fan favorite! Great for groups and dancing!

Went here for a Voice of San Diego event. The event was super crowded, probably how the bar is on weekends, and it was very difficult to order anything more than one drink, because there is nobody taking orders other than at the bar.

This place was really cool. I came when there was a reading of stories? The inside was packed for this but there was outside seating too. Really comfy vibes

It's sad to see how this classic San Diego bar has gone down hill. It used to be a staple in the community. The bouncer was extremely rude and was trying to pick fights with customers. The overall ambience was nice but the bouncers were so unprofessional it felt like the staff was unsafe and not certified to provide a safe experience for attendees.

Use plastic cups on booty basement night. People dropping glasses in a standing room only bar NOT SAFE! Took way to long for bouncer to come clean up.

My girlfriends and I went on a Saturday night for 80's vs. 90's vs. Y2K and had a blast. The DJ played ALL THE JAMS. The vibe was pretty chill as we weren't sure what to expect. The drinks weren't anything special but they were priced right. We danced for three straight hours. All in all a fun spot.

A group of 5 of us went for Booty Basement last night. Music was great, front door dudes were friendly, but what is up with the attitude of the bartenders? The second drink I ordered (this time from the gal dressed like a cat) tasted really off, to a point it was not drinkable. I didn't ask for a replacement, I just left the drink on the bar and when I ordered a third, I asked what she was going to put in it. She gave me total attitude and shook her head and said she makes the drink the same every time. She does not, because the second and third one tasted completely different. I was taken aback by the attitude. Also there was some dude standing at the end of the bar watching her every move like a jealous boyfriend? Maybe leave bro at home when you're working? Odd. We came early and were able to secure a couple stools at the end of the bar. At 9pm when the DJ started, some staff came over and said they had to remove the barstools we were sitting on to make space. It was a bummer not having a place to sit, but we understood and moved the bar stools away from the bar. At one point, a curly haired guy with glasses leaned over and said we had to move and couldn't even stand by the bar anymore because "people needed drinks." Mind you at this point my group of 5 is 20 drinks deep. We are people and we also needed drinks. We condensed our little group so one of us was leaning on the bar and the rest were standing around them, but not up against the bar. After another 30 mins the same dude says again "I asked you once, you need to leave the bar area." At this point the bar is packed, people are shoulder to shoulder and bumping into us left and right. I tell him there's really no place for us to go, it was so crowded. He says there are places to go and then proceeds to tattle on us to a security guard? For what? Standing by a bar at a bar? There is no way they were not over max capacity last night. Perhaps the SDFD needs to pay a Saturday night visit to this place? It was such a weird and unnecessarily awful experience because of the rude bartending staff.

I want to preface this by saying that I actually like the whistle stop on certain nights - (Chulita Vinyl club & 80 vs 90). The drinks are cheap and basic, you can dress down, and the DJ on the nights mentioned play the music I love. That said it's really small- don't come here on booty basement days because it's dangerous. Literally you're rubbing elbows and can't dance. It's hard to breathe and it's a lawsuit and accident waiting to happen. I was actually freaked out the last booty basement i went to because of how over capacity it was. Further more- I'm writing this in bed sick with covid that I caught here. A place so small should have good ventilation and if not the ownership should invest in hepa filters that can reduce the risk of covid exposure. I'd like to mention I'm fully vaccinated and boosted and have been extremely sick for a week. Today i finally feel a little better and felt like I had to warn people that you may contract it here due to the above mentioned conditions.

Decent spot for some drinks and music. The crowd seems pretty diverse the 2 times Ive stopped by. If youre in the area, give it a try.

This 1 star rating will not change until I personally receive an apology from the security job who kicked me out of the Storm Aid benefit for simply just enjoying myself. I'm sorry I opened the door with my leg. I do that as I kickboxing and grew up playing soccer, so I like using my legs. Now, all this stereotypical power tripping bouncer had to do was ask me politely to stop and I easily would have , but nooooo......he likes kicking people out because that's the only satisfaction he takes as an insecurity guard. Bro, I started out as one, I know. I had no respect for them then and it's hard 24 years later to still respect them now because of incidents like this. Thankfully, I moved out of that position in 1 year at age 22 to live out my dreams. Anyway, this isn't a pissing contest. This is simply a reminder to have a heart and learn proper social skills. We all have a story to tell and last night I was in a very vulnerable state as I haveen since my friend Otto died at the start of this month. Next time you hire a security guard (any establishment) , give them a good interview because when it comes to customer service it starts at the entrance door and ends at ends there because first impressions are everything. This review will be deleted and forgiven once and only if I receive an apology from that security guard persinally because I do not slander or bad mouth anything unless they deserve it. I like and respect the Whistlestop but have never been kicked out of any bar or club in my entire life. You'd feel the same if you were in my shoes. What a slap in the face San Diego. Thanks for that. At least the Turf Club showed me some real respect when I went there to drink a water and cool off. Take a lesson from them. Shout out to John . Anyway, my offer is on the table and I am waiting. Once again , this has nothing to do with Whistlestop whatsoever. The bar is great but just look out for customer service wherever you go.

A dive's a dive. You come to a bar like this expecting that. Expecting the uniqueness of the bar, the patrons, the staff. Is it grungy? Not specifically. Is it dirty? No. Is it a Raised by Wolves high end cocktail bar in La Jolla? No. You come here to get a drink and have a good time. Top end, heavy pour drinks, large craft beer selection (more than you can ask from most dive bars), hipster patrons, occasional live music. It's something to love. Something to enjoy. Something to experience on a Saturday night. Stop on by, enjoy the welcoming patrons. Grab yourself a double shot. Let your hair down. Enjoy some music After all, a dive's a dive.

Seriously don't get the good reviews for this cash grabbing bar. Went on a Friday night and there was a $10 cover ok I heard there was supposed to be a live band got there at like 8:30 thought band was supposed to go on at 9 nope waited till 10 and left due to auditory overload all the trendies seem to like this place was so f'n loud not my jam ! Nothing special about the place limited Ipa's and the one pool table was covered up seriously ripped off at the door! I spent $20 to get into this shit dive bar playing Tom & Jerry cartoons and not be able to hear my own thoughts due to all the trendy hipsters yay never again!

A huge disappointment of an establishment that doesn't even adhere to their own rules. We arrived at 8:45pm for Booty Bassment which is clearly stated in their website and social media cover starts at 9pm. When we got there they said they started charging cover already and would not let us in without paying the full cover amount. Mind you there was no line when we arrived. The people in front of us were also denied entry unless they paid cover. It's sad to see the shadiness of this business that only waits until you're there to get your money. There was absolutely no consideration to what they advertised online, and a business that lies to its customers is one I will not support. Sad that my first encounter with this establishment is a negative one, but it goes to show how little they care about their customers.

One of my favorite places to go for dancing. Always a good time here. They have an ok draft list. Nothing too much to write home about but that is just my opinion. In fact you should atop by here and find out for yourself! Support you local bar/club!

Would give 0 stars if possible. I'm really disappointed that you've turned out to be a business with no integrity. If you publicly post that you are charging cover at a certain time and people show up 30min before only for you to charge them- that is not respectable.

This place is always a good time. Whenever we're in town we make sure to stop by. Minus one star because it's cash only!

Leaving 3 stars because I love this bar and I can't leave anything less. But I've lived around the corner for 5 years now and covers on weekends are now $15!!!! WHAT!?! I can go to any bar in little Italy or downtown or North park and pay NOTHING to get in! Honestly so sad and makes me not choose whistle as my first option. Also embarrassing when my friends visit and there's a huge line. Anyways... again, I love this bar on weekdays after work and used to come every Friday. & to whoever works the door on Friday- my guy... so drunk. Anyways Peace & love, hope cover gets cheaper.

Had so much fun here last night. The music was on point and the bartenders were so friendly! Def coming back!

We came here for booty basement, which is every 2nd and 4th Saturday (and even the 5th Saturday if there is one). We got in before 9pm and avoided the $10 per person cover charge. Once we got in, I looked out the window just after it turned 9pm and saw the first contributors to the cover charge, and they did not look very happy. But oh well, the time is the time. This place still gets packed. They will always be packed if there is always a need for partying to older music in a strange climate of pop music. Also, it's not a huge space. So, each busy night, they have to keep track of the capacity in there. You basically stay put in line, and it finally moves when people leave. By the time we left around 11pm, we saw a line wrap around the intersection. We were a bit surprised that the music they played still included hits from the past few years despite being advertised as 90s and early 2000s. Perhaps the DJ was simply trying to please the crowd. I would hope that they don't need the music to be dumbed down for not even recognizing music that came before 2012. Nevertheless, it was great to enjoy music that wasn't EDM, dubstep, Skrillex, Migos, or excessive autotune. I still had fun and would absolutely return in the near future. They have a very active bar. Currently, beers are $6, and a Makers neat is $7. Everything else, no idea. Parking: Street. FYI: - Cash only. You only have card? They have an ATM machine that will penalize you for not having prepared beforehand! - No re-entry. The moment you walk outside, it will require you to get back in line and pay another $10 cover to get back in. - Casual dress. You can look as fancy as you'd like, but you won't be turned down unless you show up shirtless or something like that. Sports jerseys and caps, yes. Shorts and flip-flops, yes. Assless chaps? Uhhhh..... - Leave your jacket or sweater in your car. It gets warm in there, and I don't believe there are convenient places to put your stuff (unless you're sly like some people). - Need to smoke? They have this room to the right of the entrance that ventilates above.

Whistle Stop is the go to! Drew is an amazing Bar tender! Has the best attitude and personality. So friendly and always is treating everyone like we're his best friends. Will never not come here

The DJ announced last call so I made my over to the bar and the bartender said they're not serving drinks anymore. What's the point of announcing it if you're not going to honor it? Plus some of the bartenders don't seem to happy to be working here, find a different job if you're not happy.

Okay, this place was lit my whole team had fun here and we did not leave until the party was over and let me tell you I am picky with clubs this one is the NEW HIT Dj was playing all the swanggies. Definitely would go again!

Ya, it's a dive bar along with bootay dancing on the other half of the bar. :) Came here on a night that it's called Booty Basement. Music is good and the other patrons are all there like me to just have a good time. The drinks at Whistle Stop is priced okay. My Crown Royal was $7. However, my first drink I ordered the bartender did not do my drink right. I ordered CROWN splash the COKE. Instead it had a lot of coke. So whatever because it probably was too hard for him to hear me. Next I ordered another drink same thing and the guy made it right but as like my first drink that I didn't mention, the ice melted before I sat at my table which made my drink watered down much. This was my fault as I know now to order my drinks NEAT so I can enjoy the alcohol flavor. Overall, get there early so you don't need to pay a cover and you can find a table with seats.

I came here for a drink after having lunch over at the Station Tavern. They had just opened for the day...2:00. There were a few people sitting at the bar already. It was obvious that they were daytime regulars. The bartender was "ok". He wasn't rude in any way...and, he wasn't exactly friendly either. No "Hello", no smile. Just got our drinks and took our money. Whatever Im sure this place is great at night. It's always super crowded when I drive by around 9:00 or 10:00. I'll probably do my day-drinking somewhere else on the regular but I wouldn't be opposed to coming here again if I'm in the area.

My girls have been coming her for quite some time...booty basement is all i hear from them. They keep trying to get me to come...but i'm a busy girl. I finally made the time to come shake my booty =) NICE TO KNOW... *Booty Basement is 2nd/4th/ (if there is a) 5th Saturday of every month **oh and if you're wondering how to dress...it is CASUAL! like tennis shoes, jeans and a tee casual.. *** $10 cover ...i believe no cover before 9:00 **** cash only...bring those bills There was a long-long-long line... we decided to grab a drink and food next door first... we strolled on over and the line was now just long-long The security guy informed us that the line moves quickly and we would be in within 5 minutes...sweet! he wasn't lying...we got out of the cold and got our sweat on. started with a round of drinks...reasonable prices then made our rounds to find where we wanted to kick it... more drinks...they had a good selection of beers and a decent selection of Tequila...i opted for the Don Lorenzo...mmm mmm. another fellow patron bumped me and knocked the drink out of my hands...bartender saw this and quickly poured me another...thanks =) so 5 stars for customer service (between security and bartender)...door guy (who collects money)...straight face with no emotion...i guess that's how they need to be. music was good ... people were fun... bathroom was good enough... not sure if there are ins and outs...but at least there's an enclosed patio if you need an escape yup...i'm sure i'll be back... curious to check out a different night

Best bar in SD. Rad crowd and amazing staff. The host the coolest events and have great brews for an affordable price