4. Restaurants

Hamilton’s Cafe

1517 30th St, San Diego, CA, 92102
  • (619) 238-5637
  • Store is closed

Hamilton’s Cafe Menu

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  • John A.

    Awesome beer selection with good prices, cozy feeling interior, pool & shuffleboard. Didn't try the food but it looked good also. The beers on tap must change a lot - in the course of two hours they replaced five names on the beer list board behind the bar. I was really impressed with the variety of beers on tap, and glad to see local breweries (Alpine, Green Flash, Lightning, Ballast Point, Stone, and others) were well represented. Hands down the best bar I have been to in San Diego and one of the best bars I've ever been to.

    (5)

  • Joanne K.

    Beer and beer and beer and beer. Love it.

    (5)

  • Whitney R.

    Shuffle Board anyone? Oh not now. How about we start but checking out one of the best beer menus in San Diego? Okay. Now lemme check out the food. Oh Ill have a Delicious West Coast grilled cheese with SHARP CHEDDAR, HAAS AVOCADO, TOMATO and PICKLES! whoooo And I'll wash it down with a speedway stout. Ok now gimme a Yulesmith Ale. Now...oh god what to pick? Suddenly the bell rings. Bartender: " We don't normally do this but it's this guys 21st birthday. Ok everyone together..." Happy birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you... And Scene.

    (4)

  • Kendra L.

    Great neighborhood tavern when you're in the mood for hanging out, pool, shuffleboard, or if you're looking for that one beer you can't find anywhere else. Hamilton's will have it. The beer selection is impressive. While they don't have food, you can order it through a window in the back from the cafe next door. I recommend the burgers, they're fantastic! My favorite part about Hamilton's is that it is a casual neighborhood bar where anyone and everyone can just hang out. BTW, some of the other reviewers mentioned the lack of hard alcohol and not being able to get drunk because all they have is beer. Watch out for some of the imported beers. My ex-roommate can certainly attest to the fact that you can absolutely get very drunk off a few harmless sounding the Belgian beers, but that's another story for another time. Hamilton's is the bomb when it comes to casual, unpretentious fun. So grab a beer, order your food and hang out with friends while the jukebox plays on. Most likely you'll meet new people and end up playing a game of pool or shuffleboard. There's definitely worse ways to spend an evening.

    (4)

  • Antonio G.

    Cool place, nice beer selection, food service stops a little too early for my taste. I found one of my favorite beers here, but I had too many of them and forgot what it is was called, I think it was Avery White Rascal, but I'm not sure. Cool place to hang out, great vibe, like that they have pool tables and shuffleboard. Always a dog or two hangin out too. Nice place.

    (4)

  • Adam B.

    I've been coming to Hamilton's now for about 3 years since moving near by. I love the place. The seating (if you can find any - the weekends and Thursday-Friday nights can be hectic) are comfortable, the bartenders are friendly and for the most part good about getting everyone served quickly and the food is getting better every time I go. They have everything from great wings, sausage plates, and grilled cheeses to mouth watering burgers and pulled chicken sammy's. And let's not forget the beer! The most important part of it all. There are 20 or so beers on tap and 3-4 coolers of bottled beers. If you can't find what you're looking for (unless it's Miller Lite) then it isn't made. And the bartenders know their beers so ask questions if you've got them - they'll have great recommendations. If you have cue ball fever, there are two tables for you as well as a shuffle board. Dogs are also welcome to hangout as well - big or small. The jukebox is second to none, so bring a couple extra bills and keep the vibe going - there's not a bad track on the whole thing! My only critique of the place is that kids are not welcome and since I have an 8 mos. old it makes it tough to get down there even on the weekend during the day (which is a great time to go if you don't want to scavenge for seating). I know that we sometimes need a place to get away from the kids but in such a family oriented neighborhood it would just seem to make sense that kids could come in - I might actually make it there more than once every other month if that was the case.

    (4)

  • brent a.

    Not really much to add to this copious amount of reviews, but just to confirm: 1. The beer selection is really good. Like, maybe the best in SD good (trust me, I would know) 2. Shuffleboard is fun and addicting (goes well with the beer in that respect) 3. Grilled cheese sandwich varieties are a nice change of pace for pub food, and damn good to boot. 4. I don't have to leave my doggie at home all alone on a Friday night, she gets to sit under the table and clean fries off the floor while daddy gets lit. Cheap labor for them, no guilt for me! Now... nobody else go here cause it's hard enough already to get a table and I hate when they run out of my favorite beer (Pliny the Elder), so if you do come don't order that 'cause I found it first.

    (4)

  • Amy R.

    If you haven't been to Hamilton's, please don't come here. Its a very small place and it's usually cramped. I don't need you taking up precious space in my favorite bar. Hamilton's, you are deserving of a poem about how I adore your vast selection of craft beer and delicious/unhealthy wings, burgers, and grilled cheeses. Just thinking of your menu brings a smile to my face. That is special.

    (5)

  • Andrew W.

    Hamilton's is a staple in San Diego beer bars. It's the big brother to Small Bar in University Heights (same owner) and carries itself so. Sure it might have fewer taps than Small Bar, but that just means every keg is carefully chosen for the line-up - you won't find any filler beers here. Plus, their tap selection is backed up by a generous assortment of bottled beers that you'd be hard-pressed to find just anywhere. The events they hold are great, often offering up free food in conjunction with the occasion. It can get pretty packed on event nights, but you can't blame the bar for being so likable. Hamilton's is also one of my top choices for catching a Charger game, come early and grab a seat, you won't find a better crowd to celebrate touchdowns with short of going to the game yourself. The jukebox never disappoints, there's billiards and shuffleboard, and some damn fine food too. As far as neighborhood bars go, Hamilton's is the role model to follow. Plan your night for Hamilton's and prepare yourself for good beer and a good time.

    (5)

  • Karen F.

    AMAZING BEER SELECTION. now i don't think if you drink beer you are an unclassy trailer trash hooker (unless you like bud and miller.. then you're gross because that stuff tastes like dirt). on the contrary, give me a good refined beer any day over a glass of red wine. this place rocks your pants in the beer options. at about $4-$12 per glass you know you can get exactly the type of ale you desire. SHUFFLE BOARD?! yes please. i have been called a grandma on several occasions due to my need to go to bed early, my love of the golden girls, my use of terms like wonky and shoot the boot, and now my passion for shuffle board. i met a charming fellow and strong adversary at the shuffle board table. we proceeded to conquer the board with our disk sliding on salt skills. it was delightful. now in no way was this an ooh lah lah, i met my boyfriend at the shuffle board table moment but it was enjoyable and we had nice conversation while i proceeded to whip his ass. which brings me to the third point. THE CROWD. super chill with groups of people who are not getting all dolled up on a friday night on the town but are real san diegans with flip flops and jeans. YOU CAN BRING YOUR DOG. yes you read that correctly. throughout the night, i pet three adorable large dogs (my fav) at Hamilton's and no one blinked an eye. next time, mitz is SOOO coming with me. i am so glad my cooler than me friends introduced me to the san diego areas of golden hills and south park. it's chill and homey with unique cafes and people. again, one of the great things about san diego-- always something new and cool to discover. yay. *i feel like i'm giving a lot of 4 stars lately-- but i can't help it if i frequent places that are good.

    (4)

  • Cherisse G.

    Came here on my first night in San Diego with my bf, his cousin and her boyfriend, and their puppy grey pitbull. Yay, animal friendly! Definitely a dive bar and all the beers are listed on a chalkboard behind the bar. It's pretty cool that the ceiling is decorated with tap handles. We came on a weekday so it wasn't so crowded but it's a nice place to come and hang out. If you're a beer person, definitely come and check it out.

    (4)

  • Michael W.

    I know some of the best gems in SD, and so I seem to give out a lot of 5s, but try any of the places and you'll agree. Hamiltons is 5 stars all the way. This bar has a great environment, a terrific selection, great staff, and chill locals. I was completely floored by the selection. I didn't even know what to try at first I was just point to random beers to try, but then one of their staff or Beer Connoisseur if you will were, was able to help me pick out beers I'd probably like. I wish I still lived in Golden Hill because I'd go here regularly. I am very picky when it comes to bars, because I like a certain quality to the atmosphere of the bar and a bad local crowd can completely obliterate a bar's potential. Luckly that is not the case with Hamiltons. Try Hamiltons if u you like likely bars and you will not regret it.

    (5)

  • Josh M.

    One of the best beer joints in town. Proof? Take a look at the taps that cover most of the ceiling. The everchanging mix of imports and crafts should give everyone something new, every time they come in. The craft beer is skewed more toward the high hop, high proof side that's been in vogue since San Diego became a minor brewing mecca. However, there are still plenty of choices if you're more a stout, lager, or bock man. Most servings (size dependent on proof, of course) are in the $5 range. Those who indulge should avail themselves of the excellent food from next door's kitchen, or sit out a round or two with billiards or shuffleboard. It's acquired quite a following, so be warned of major crowds during the frequent special events, especially on weekends.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    This is a great place to spend a Saturday night. They have an overwhelming selection of beer, on tab and in the bottle. The food was great. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options. I got the West Coast grilled cheez, best grilled cheez I have ever had. Comes on Rosemary sourdough (huge) with yummy pub chips. You can keep 1 tab that works for the bar and the cafe. It's great to pay one bill instead of having to pay up at one first. I'll be going back ASAP to try the rest!

    (5)

  • Patrica S.

    First try to order the Hamilton's Burger, then get the bier, and another bier, and another bier!!! (Get the order in) Huge delicious and tasty grass pure beef burger with bacon, fresh avocado, a mound of caramelized onions, provolone with a cache of their famous shoe-string potatoes. INCREDIBLE!!!!

    (4)

  • Travis M.

    the best place to go in SD if you are looking for a variety of beers ( they don't serve liquor, and while I do think they keep one or two bud lights in there, you shouldn't go here if that is what your looking for) . Bartenders are awesome. they have the Hamiltons cafe attached to get some decent food with your beer. There are always some dogs hanging out there too. It can get very crowded and standing room only during their events, other than that this is definitely one of the best bars in

    (5)

  • Courtney P.

    One of my favorite spots! I'm lucky enough to live within walking distance, which can be dangerous! My favs are the hammy hash (potato cake burger with bacon, avocado and fries egg) with their awesome pub chips and a White Rascal. Serious cravings will result.

    (5)

  • angela t.

    Oh Hamilton's how i love you. Dennis of the snarky humor, Candace of the perfect bartending, and the other patrons who chat and share your expertise about microbrews. I don't want to add up the number of hours i've warmed a seat here - it would scare the bejeesus out of my family. Their second saturdays are awesome but for pete's sake don't go if you're not going to drink beer from the sponsoring brewery. It's one of the best things they do at Hammy's, so don't f*ck it up for the rest of us. My go-to pub for out of towners who are beer aficionados..and no, that's not an oxymoron. Guess i'll be heading over there now...what? it's only 9am and they're not open? Bummer. (sniff)

    (5)

  • Soleil Moonshine S.

    Joints like Hamilton's are heaven on Earth for dudes who are enthusiastic about good beer and broads who drink good beer. For transparency's sake, I'll admit I am neither of the former. I'm far from residing on the "whatever is available" side of the indulgence spectrum; however, I'm liable to quaff any recommendation that appears to originate from a reasonably reliable source. All and all, being an honorary beer novice is two-fold. On the one hand, living in the newbiehood has enabled me to develop quite the promiscuous relationship with beer as I'm not bound by preferences. On the other hand, I am rendered a sitting duck for overzealous, pretentious pourers who are more hellbent on impressing upon me the relative superiority of their palates than helping a sister out. I've luckily found a friend in humble Hamilton's. Hammy's the chum who prefers shooting the shit with a more youthful ilk notwithstanding his stay-at-home wife, his kids (who, coincidentally, are similarly aged to you) and his being 25 years your senior. He doesn't long for your acceptance and he'll never cloak himself in the ostentatious garb of hipness. He doesn't care about your hot shot job or your hangups and would rather indulge in cold beer, rousing games of pool, no-strings-attached conversation with strangers and endless jukebox sets of The Clash. He doesn't grimace at your being a neophyte in all things life; in fact, he encourages it. Dude thinks it's cool when you bring your dog and rumor has it he's got a freakishly unhealthy obsession with face-melting hot wings. If this has somehow managed to resonate with you, find a friend in Hamilton's. If I have somehow led you astray with my confusing metaphor, you should still give Hamilton's a whirl and I should probably drink less frequently. Bottom's up:)

    (4)

  • Adolfo M.

    Awe yeah... this place has great beer selections and a good mello vibe. Definitely check it out!

    (4)

  • Andrea M.

    Great beer selection with many choices above 8% ABV. Nice. Most important - Come very, very, very early if you'd like a seat....anywhere. If not, you'll be standing, eating out of a red basket and trying to not spill your beer or be spilled on, elbow to elbow with the masses. But hey, if the unfortunate does happen, it's nothing some high alcohol content beer can't fix. I highly recommend taking on the coordination challenge as they make some delicious concoctions which come out surprisingly well given the cluster-fu** of a situation. For instance, you can try a number of "grilled cheese" sandwiches that are approximately 2 to 3 inches thick and with toppings like BBQ pulled chicken, raspberry BBQ sauce, red onions, sharp cheddar, brie, orange blossom honey, candied walnuts, and apples, it can get pretty decadent. Side-note: I wouldn't order the beer cheese soup unless I had some fries to dip in it. Then it's a total game changer. Not the prettiest crowd in SD.

    (4)

  • Tara B.

    LOVE. Love! This was my first time to San Diego in forever, and being the nerd that I am, I did my Yelp homework to figure out where a vegan like me could a-get good food and b-get good beer. Enter Hamilton's. First off, their beer selection is huge, varied and affordable. Seriously. Imperial IPA's for $5/pint, $7 for a goof Belgian? Yes please. The bartenders were really friendly and helpful. And the food? Damn. I got the vegan black bean burger, and not only was it huge (great for soaking up beer), it was delicious-spicy, well seasoned and served with a healthy amount of fries. All for $7. Holla. The place has the perfect dive bar-esque feel to it; taps hanging from the ceiling, lights strung up around the place, lots of noise and a really varied crowd of people. Plus, shuffle board and pool. Heaven. Can Hamilton's please move up to N. CA? Pretty please? FYI: They don't take American Express. This was a bummer for me since I was traveling for work and wanted to expense the meal to my corporate card.

    (5)

  • Refugio J.

    There's something to be said about a pub that allows pets and has a window, behind the shuffle board table, where you can order some of the best pub food around. Snap! Then there's the beer - WTF - that's why anybody would drop by Hamilton's. Here you can find almost two dozen beers on tap and depending on the popularity of certain beers you'll have upwards of 30 beers to choose from in a night (they change out beers as they run out of barrels). I like this place for the crowd (cool and laid back - many are local to South Park, North Park, and Golden Hill). What else do I like? Well, check this out, when you go, and you will, notice how the higher alcohol content beers are lower in price than the lower content selections. How's that for keeping their patrons happy. Tight aiight! Big ups! - Lots and I mean lots of beers to choose from - Green Flash is good - Relaxed environment with lots of cool people and PB douche bags! - Great pub food for vegetarians (cheese sammis & potato burgers) - Damn where'd all the dogs come from? Pooch friendly. Cheers to YOU!

    (4)

  • Jen S.

    BEST PUB IN SAN DIEGO!!!! Where to start.....they have a HUGE selection of beer, ales, stouts, etc. In fact, the BEST I have ever had was at Hamilton's; s grut made by Green Flash that contains swamp rosemary. They only serve this once a year for a limited time, and during the 3 months when they serve it, it was all I would drink. Mind you I lived in Europe for 10 years so for me to say it is the BEST I have had, is truly a compliment. The atmosphere is awesome. The ceiling displays beer taps from around the world. The owner is very nice, and the staff are friendly. They even have awesome burgers and fries. The food is excellent and reasonably priced. They also have a veggie burger that is good. They even let pets come inside, which is cool. The only negative thing I have to say is that the doorman/bouncer is an arrogant asshole (black guy in a Baltimore baseball hat). I tried just making friendly small-talk with him, and he was a dick. On another occasion a friend of mine tried talking to him, and again the guy was a douche. But don't let this ass-face give you false impressions: once you get past him and venture inside there are nothing but good things, and good times.

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    Fighting its way to the top of the list for best dive bars in San Diego is Hamilton's Tavern. It has an ever-changing beer selection with some of the great hard-to-find brews. Try the Pliny the Elder to start with. Also, they have some pretty good bar food, conveniently ordered from a small window near the shuffle-puck table. And, of course, the bar comes complete with a set of bar games to keep you entertained. Pool, shuffle-puck, and a jukebox... does it get any better than this? The atmosphere and crowd are great and service is quick. Highly recommended. The only trick is that it is somewhat far from the freeway (that's a relative distance -- it's only about 5 minutes) so you'll need to navigate through South Park a little to get there.

    (5)

  • Kathrina M.

    My friends and I call this place "Old Faithful" because it never lets us down. If you are like me and you are over the downtown scene of getting overly dressed up, not finding parking, paying cover only to enter an overcrowded club, screaming at a friend in order to talk to each other, and paying a crap load of money for itty bitty watered down drinks, then come here. It's a chill spot to enjoy hanging out in your local neighborhood. The reasons I love Hamilton's: 1) QUALITY: I love GOOD beer. There are so many good microbrews on tap and yummy imported bottles in the fridges. Please don't order a Bud Light! 2) VARIETY: There is huge chalkboard that lists all the beers on tap. The chalkboard lists the brewery, type of beer, % of alcohol, and price so you know exactly what you are getting. There are also what seems like hundreds of bottled beers to try from as well. It's kinda like the Yardhouse lists with all the beers but set at a much prettier price. With all the variety, there is always something new to try, or you can stick with your regular favorites. WARNING: for those who don't like beer, they don't have hard liquor here..sorry 3) BARTENDERS: They actually know their stuff and can recommend or give you tastes of what will best suit you. Kandice is the BEST bartender. She recognizes our group all the time. She's AWESOME and super cute, sweet, and friendly! 4) SHUFFLE BOARD: Not many places have shuffle board. Its so fun to play with old friends or to make new ones! 5) DIVERSITY: This place is beautiful because there is no one "type" of person here. Old, young, black, white, brown, trendy, hipster, fat, skinny, loud, shy, crazy, tall, and short, you'll see it all here. It's just great to see such a diverse group hanging it, all getting along having an awesome time. 6) DOG FRIENDLY: Bring your pup in for a beer or water because they are more than welcome! 7) FOOD: If you are hungry, you can order food through the little window that connects the bar to the cafe next door. The food is pretty yummy, especially the different grilled cheeses. The cafe closes around 12 I think. They always ring the bell to make your last food-calls. 8) EVENTS: Get on their email list because they always have different things going on with free food. One time I went to try some newly delivered beer and they had free food. Salmon, couscous, and a cheeseboard to pair with the beer. It was amazing. 9) CASUAL: Come dressed up, come in pajamas, come in flip-flops, you won't be turned away. No one cares what you're wearing. So as you can see, Hamilton's never lets me down. Hopefully you'll have a good experience there as well!

    (5)

  • Nathan H.

    especially on a Wednesday afternoon when there isn't a ridiculous line around the corner. Also, best wings in san diego in my opinion (Adam's too)

    (5)

  • Rich C.

    What can I say? Hands down the best craft beer bar in Cali.... Bartenders know beer and that is a good thing. Over 25 craft beers on tap and a crap load of AWESOME bottles. Some very rare. 2 pool tables, killer juke box, shuffle board, good food ...cafe is next door but they have a lil window you can order through. Every Friday "Friken Friday" they have a rare Cask beer pouring. Yes I am there every Friday when I am home. BTW...Try the wings Oriental style. If you are looking to meet good people who love craft beer this is the place. Bring your dog. My favorite bar, hands down. See ya soon. CHEERS!!!

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    Awesome place, bring your dog! Great local beers as well as the international stuff. Huge selection and don't just read the board. Staff is helpful in picking stuff out and will suggest stuff if you're not sure. Food is pretty good, though the ordering system a little weird. Reminds me of a college bar.

    (5)

  • Jennifer A.

    If you Love Beer you gotta come here!! Moose drol!!! strawberry beer! love it! Everyone who works here is Also so Very AweSome!!!

    (5)

  • Andy D.

    Good tap list. Was only here for about 20 min. Super crowded so you know their beers are legit. Had a Green Flash Imp IPA since nothing was standing out to me (I was sick of Pliny at the time). Would like to come here again!

    (5)

  • Zohreh A.

    I think this is my favorite bar in San Diego. They have an amazing beer selection and AMAZING food!! I had the best grilled cheese sandwich here that went really well with my Delirium. The hot wings were also really good. The crowd is pretty chill but it gets crowded on weekends or holidays so I would come early on Fri or Sat nights if you want a seat.

    (5)

  • Eric A.

    LOVE IT! Hands down the best beer and best prices this side of L.A. A bit on the small side, a few times I've went we had to wait and ended up leaving to go somewhere else, but "Hamees" was our first choice.

    (4)

  • William H.

    Hamilton's. The name makes my heart sing.

    (5)

  • Johnny L.

    I wished every city would have a Hamiltons! This place is haven for a alcoholic. They have an amazing extended menu and beer on tap that I never even heard of! They make really really reallyyyyy good food too at the cafe on the side! The best fries (or "chips", as they call it), and grilled cheese I ever tasted! Yeah, I have a thing for grilled cheese. They taste 10x better after a few drinks. But if you're ever in SD, you must go here and spoil yourself. You won't regret it, even if you get a hangover.

    (5)

  • Chuckie G.

    it has been said but this is the choicest watering hole in the Whale's Va-jay. Great beers, great prices,... and an awesome bar staff. Love it.

    (5)

  • Misty B.

    Hamilton's is very quickly becoming one of my favorite bars. I have a blast every time I come here. Whether I'm sitting at one of the tables with a large group of friends enjoying each others company, or simply sitting at the bar with one friend watching a game. I love this place. I love that they have an ever-changing assortment of beer available, the bartenders are unbelievably friendly (even when they're grumpy), and the food is tasty, greasy, and not the least bit healthy. But the real clincher for my love of this bar happened last night, when I was sitting at the bar and this beautiful pint was placed in front of me, yet it wasn't mine. The frothy goodness slowly climbed down the sides of the glass, with the beauty of a Boddington's, but this wasn't a Boddington's, the color of this brew was a bit darker. So, I look around to find said owner of this beer and ask what type it is. "Wexford's Irish Cream Ale," he responds. And before he takes a sip of his own beer, he offers it to me. In disbelief, I take a sip of this stranger's drink. Not only was it amazing (I very shortly after ordered my own), but the owner was also incredibly nice and lacked any trace of the "creep-vibe." We chatted for a couple of minutes, until he went on his way. - This is the way a bar should be. And in fact, I want to go back tonight.

    (5)

  • Lety M.

    Every time i get ready to write a review for Hamilton's i get so overwhelmed i end up sounding either way to excited like a twelve year old boy at an N'Sync concert. Or i just ramble. I think i got it figured out! What i love about Hamilton's, (now it sounds like a 5th grade writing assignment) There are many beer bars in San Diego. I should say the growth of beer bars in San Diego is increasing by the percentage on a monthly bases. Hami's is that one bar that will continue to have a dear place in my heart. This is where i had my first beer in the United states with my father. The first time i went on an "actual adult date." It's still the only place i dont over kill myself with going there way to much. I like enjoying the time im there with friends and family. Everyone i meet there is amazing. Great vibe when your having drinks with friends and then strangers come along for the entertainment! The bigger the group the better. Im not saying you cant go to Hami's alone, they do have a regular bar to sit down and enjoy a tasty brew. Im a big fan of all the Green Flash beers they have on tap. Their list of brews are amazing... local and imports... amazing! Now this is a certified beer bar in my books!

    (4)

  • Amanda M.

    Visited here last night for the first time. It was PACKED. My purse and I barely had any breathing room from 10ish to 1130. Nice for a Southpark bar. No cover or line. Other bars in the area have $5 covers and downtown lines... no thanks! We all agreed this place would be a heck of a lot nicer to visit on a weekday when you don't have to whore yourself for a barstool. The crowd is laid back. They have a pool table and a shuffle board. The prices are around $5. The pear cider was very light and tasty. Classic rock music was the background noise.

    (3)

  • Dee F.

    I love this place. TONS of beers, great food, friendly people. And dog friendly!!! nothing like grabbing some food, beer and football with your best fur-kid right next to you!!! It gets real loud but, you adjust quickly.

    (5)

  • Amanda A.

    I.LOVE.THIS.BAR. Hamilton's has such a great scene with a great crowd of people! You'll find a variety of delicious BEERS, the cutest DOGS of all shapes and sizes, as well as an excellent SHUFFLEboard table, pool tables, the HOTTEST wings in SD.... Definitely Heaven on Earth for Beer and Dog lovers alike! :)

    (5)

  • Mary Beth H.

    I heart Hamilton's. If you are a beer drinker, a grilled-cheese eater, or a shuffle board player, you will too. They have a huge beer selection, excellent food, reasonable prices, a great juke box, serve Mexican Coca-Cola in the old glass bottles, and allow dogs. They'd get five stars except (1) everybody else has already figured out what a great place it is and it gets PACKED on Friday/Saturday nights, like wall to wall people can't get a seat packet; and (2) some of their bar tenders are surly/stoned. But if you are willing to brave the crowds (or go on off nights) and don't require a warm and fuzzy beer slinger, you can't beat Hamilton's for beer or pub food.

    (4)

  • Damanda R.

    We stayed with a friend in South Park, and they swore by Hamilton's. Not the food, mind you, but the beer. And five freakin' stars on the beer/bar. Great place. Wish there was one around the corner from me up here in Irvine. But that cafe? So we couldn't get a table at the bar and we were starving. We decided to forgo the beer and go next door to get some grub. At nine o'clock I ordered the hop sausage sandwich. Friends I was with got other stuff. We sat outside the cafe and waited patiently. 40 minutes later, there wasn't a peep. No food, no waitress telling us "Sorry, we're really backed up, it's coming soon!" Nothing. So I went in. "Hey, could you guys squeeze our order in? It's been, like, 45 minutes." The waitress gave me a bunch of excuses. "We've been backed up all week," followed by "The sausage takes a long time to cook." Would have been nice if she mentioned that beforehand. A full hour after I ordered my sandwich, the waitress threw it on the table in front of me without a word. Like I'm an asshole for asking about my food. To make matters worse, the sandwich was horribly dry. Felt like I had cotton mouth and I was chewing on a crumbled bouncy ball. With tons of spice, of course. My advice, eat elsewhere before you go to the bar. And ignore the kitchen staff. The bar staff are in much better spirits (OH?)

    (1)

  • Ross F.

    I LOVE this bar! GREAT beer selection, from the esoteric to the old standbys like Guiness and whatnot. Beers are like 4 bucks a pop, bartenders are always good sources of information for when you get lost in the extensive beer menu, and the cafe next door is really good too! If you like beer, go check it out, you will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Sasha M.

    Nothing to really add to all the raving reviews. If you're new. Order your food from the window. I'd recommend tipping the cook a few bucks. They have a massive amount of beer on tap and in the fridge.

    (4)

  • Nichole W.

    My favorite place for beer, food and friends in sd. Nice beer selection and awesome grilled cheese sandwiches. Also dogs are allowed inside which I think is pretty cool. Really cool atmosphere, good vibes, and good people. Definitely check it out ...and even if you're not into bars go get a grilled cheese to go. Delicious!

    (5)

  • Ryan J.

    It is rare that any establishment gets everything right. Perhaps it's my years spent waiting tables and bartending that makes me hyper aware of when an establishment misses something, or when a concept is not quite brought into focus. It's not that I have trouble enjoying myself when I go out- rather I love going out. I am just a bit more aware of things than the average customer. Hamilton's has dotted all their "i's", and crossed all of their "t's". Tucked away in a south park neighborhood, it is unassuming. To state the obvious, this is a beer geeks bar. Their selection of draft and bottle is varied, thorough, and shows a commitment to celebrating the best craft brewing has to offer. But Hamilton's does not stop there, like say Toronado. Rather, Hamilton's atmosphere provides an exclamation point to a wonderful bar. The walls are covered with beer posters, pictures and lights. Many bars attempt such décor, and fail. Hamilton's pulls it off without the tackiness that reminds you of a college dorm room. Hamilton's Café is everything a gastropub should be. Creative, tasty, and a great compliment to beer. I could belabor this point, but won't. It suffices to say that the chef put French fries, jalepones beer cheese soup, sour cream, bacon, and onions successfully into bowl to create divinity. I've had orgasms less exciting than those "fast nachos." To be fair, the space is a touch small and easily fills up. But hey, it's nice to be in place that gets packed, because if you are there in the early afternoon, the space warms up with just a few bodies. I've never been to Europe, but I imagine Hamilton's has the feel of a traditional English Pub. Regardless, it sets the bar for me as far as what an American Pub *should* be.

    (5)

  • Monique H.

    1. They Have a crazyawesometotallysuperrad Wide Variety of BEERS! *Beers , Beers & More Beers Galore! 2.Bartender is witty charming and pours a great Beer! *The one who resembles Jack White! 3.The Menu is delicious! Anything Ive ever had there is wonderful! & they serve TOTS! You can never go wrong w/ Tots! *Fancy Pants Grilled Cheese is to die for!! 4. Its Dog Friendly, No matter how big or small your pooch is, they are always welcomed! * Cha Cha my skanky schnoodle loves this joint, probably cuz she always gets attention and love from strangers! 5.A complete and 100% change from the bar it used to be !! 100% Upgrade from what it used to be, 100% Cooler than what it once was! So no matter if its a random Wednesday night to Sunday afternoon, this bar is Great ! Dark , , cold beers seriously w/ over 300 to choose from, a pretty dope juke box as well! A small gem in the little town of South Park! I'm in Love with this place, that's all I can say!

    (5)

  • Tiffany G.

    It's been awhile since my Yelping experience, and looking back, it's amazing how my taste buds have changed. Stingaree a year ago? You would have to pay me to go now. Anywho, perhaps one of my favorite spots in SD, is Hamiltons. Nestled on a random corner of the artsy South Park side of town, this place is awesome. The food is extremely tasty "high class" bar food in my opinion, with mile high amazing grilled cheese sandwiches. This place must have over 200 beers on tap and bottle from all around the world. It's awesome. Great beers for $5 bucks, my personal favorite is Pinkers Organic. Talk about selection, they have something for everyone. Even if you aren't a beer drinker...you will learn to pick up a taste here. The bartenders are cool and tend to remember what you like to drink... that's my kind of service. It can get a little noisy on weekends, and it's hard to hear the jukebox, but the people are cool, although usually keep to themselves so don't expect to much of a mingle...but hey that's SD in general. Cute eye candy for sure. My only complaint is when it gets crowded it's loud and CROWDED and you will have to cramp in. But, you will never have a line, cover nor annoying people. Best part is, if you are feeling a change of pace there's Alchemy next store for vino or Whistlestop up the street for fun and dance. South Park, what would I do without you.

    (4)

  • Zachary B.

    Love this venue of delights. Number one of course the huge local craft beer selection and beyond is exceptional. Number two the jukebox has nothing but pure music inside ready to be released. Number three the food is the best bar food anyone could ask for. Service is pretty good too, always down to let you sample as many brews before making your choice. Meals are prepared and served in a comfortable time. Pool tables and a couple of HD Tv's, nothing more a guy could ask for. Crowd is great and conversations are always kind and enlightening/refreshing.

    (5)

  • Jen C.

    (Okay, so I haven't reviewed anything in almost a year. Blasphemy. Here you go!) Beer, Shufflboard, Billiards, & yummy chili cheese fries?! YOU CAN'T GO WRONG AT HAMILTON'S! It's always guaranteeing you a good time even if they don't say it. And their selection of beers is just uber wonderful :D I love it. They have yummy beer from hoppy, light, to dark beers. Anyone will fall in love there. Oh... and I gotta say, some of their bartenders are quite the cutie pies too ;) They always have had good service everytime I've gone, too! The way the place is set up isn't too bad either. You have shuffleboard along the side of the room & it's easy to play without running into the pool players. It's a decent sized bar too so seating isn't too bad. I really have nothing bad to say about this place! A++

    (5)

  • Joanna P.

    The beer selection it is Over the top.Some beers are like 14%. The food it is not soo good,I had ordered the vegge curry burger,DUDE,They deep fryed my burger,It wasn't so appetizing.Don't get me wrong,I like fat stuff but this was just careless from the chef .Cook it like normal people! I steel give you 5***** because of the beer selection.

    (5)

  • Ron C.

    This place is one of my favorite spots to hit in san diego, great list of beers that is always changing and the little cafe. Or as I like to call it "the little window to heaven" is awesome. Best grilled cheese in twon The Blind Tiger is crazy. Hamiltons is great the only prolem I have is its always fucking nuts to butts packed. If you love beer grilled cheese, hot wings and great food make sure you check this place out.

    (5)

  • Erin L.

    Love this little dive bar! The service is great, the beer is great, and the little shack next door has the best burgers and fries! Yum yum yum. The crowd is super chill, and it's the perfect place to hang out with some friends and knock back some cold ones. The funniest thing one time though. These foreignors, or frat boys, tried to pick me and my girlfriends up here, and they were using lines from "How to be a player." You know, the show from Vh1? Or what is MTV. Either way, here these guys are trying to spit game at us, and suddenly my friend interrupts him, and says, "you know we know that you're reciting "how to be a player" verbatim, right?" PUAHHAHAH! I don't think they are ever coming back here again. Point being, this place weeds out douche-bags, and keeps the chill crowd around for a great atmo. PLUS, they have pool tables! WOO HOO!

    (5)

  • Doug P.

    If you want a cosmo or martini stay away from this place. This place is for beer lovers only. Hamiltons has anywhere from 30-40 beer on tap at a time and they are constantly rotating. They also have 50+ more bottled. Bartenders are pretty quick considering they dont have to mix any drinks. Prices range from $4-$10 per pint depending on what it is. Couple pool tables, a few booths, and an awesome shuffle board make this a great place to hang out. Thurs, Fri, Sat can get very crowded so plan accordingly. Last but not least this place allows dogs, yes DOGS. Guys you know how easy it is to meet women when you got your pup with you.... Highly recommended place.

    (5)

  • Allyson F.

    The menu is great! Order either the Jamiliton, Rip Taylor or the Fast Nachos!

    (4)

  • Alkarim S.

    Back again, and it doesn't disappoint. What a way to spend an evening and attempt to walk home. The chili fries were glorious. The one reason I did not have a hangover. But the vegetarian chili was flavorful, spicy and a bit smoky. I want to eat them again, maybe with less drink. Don't disturb the neighbors, Its easy to that coming out of 4 pints.

    (4)

  • Josh H.

    That I moved into my current apartment in order to be in walking distance to this place I guess properly sums up my love for this bar. Their beer is amazing, their atmosphere is amazing, their food, also amazing. I love to go here after work any night of the week, grab a few pints, eat some wings and a sammy. This place does suck Thursday through Saturday after 8pm due to the crowds, but I will punish myself relentlessly anyway. Second Saturdays are a lot of fun. it was here that I first had Pliny the Younger and forever changed my palette. It was also here that I've had more amazing beers than I can remember. My favorite foods: Wings: Deer hunter every time. Love the burn! Grilled Cheese: Blind Tiger or the Cumin Gouda Jr. Hamburger: Ninja Witchfyre All of these, you can't go wrong. Beware of the shuffleboard players here though. Most are rude and hog the table.

    (5)

  • Kara P.

    CATTLE DECAPITATION BURGER!!! AHHHH!!! One of the few cases in which I really wish I could give more than 5 stars. Word's can't express, but I will try. *In my best Silent Bob impression, "drinkin' beers, beers, beers..." and more beers- of all kinds, from all countries, for prices much more reasonable. Few places even come close to their selection, but their atmosphere and prices kick their ass hard. The staff were really awesome, and know their shit. They don't mess around. I love its dark awesome grunginess, it makes me feel like I'm back in the homeland (Czech Republic) or pubs throughout Europe in general, I can't put my finger on why enough to describe it. Just a feeling. It's a "neighborhood" kind of bar, which I adore. Everyone seemed to know everyone at the bar and were really friendly. The patrons were diverse, and they even included our non-human (and equally important!) companions. I LOVE places that allow you to bring your furry friends. Maybe this is why it reminds me of Europe? Everyone gets off work and heads down to the pub with their friends, family, and their pets for some grub and grog. And Hamilton's has both in spades. Their beer selection is insane. Their Shipyard barley wine was intense and delicious, one of the best we've had. They also have great stuff for folks that like less of a bite. The Blind Lady (Belgian) was a really awesome kind of pilsner. But they have a lot of it all, period. I get really excited about places that have a lot of great vegetarian and vegan foods. But what REALLY floored me, and will bring me back often and forever, was their much hyped and infamous Cattle Decapitation Burger. Seemingly ironic, this vegan burger is named after the prolific San Diego based band. The huge $7.50 C.D. Burger includes "our housemade vegan patty with black beans, garlic, and corn; LTO and PCS ('Phil Collins sucks') secret sauces; and comes with a side of sweet coconut curry sauce." And do splurge an extra buck for the avocado. I really hate the common conception that meat-free burgers are inherently bland and suck because, hey, there's no meat in them. Hamilton's C.D. Burger officially busted a cap in that belief's ass and buried it for good. Its about as nuanced as a fistful of tasty flavors repeatedly punching your taste buds like a roid raged UFC fighter. And if none of that is enough for you, they have pool, TVs, music, shuffleboard, PS2's...and special upcoming events with local breweries like Green Flash and Stone, among other things. Like I said, words can't express how much I now love Hamilton's.

    (5)

  • Ashley W.

    I've been really interested in checking out Hamilton's Tavern for awhile, because I always hear so many good things about it and I really enjoy a good selection of beers. Honestly, I wasn't very impressed. First of all, it was very small-- much smaller than I imagined. I came here on a Friday night around 7:30 to grab some food and beer. With so few places to sit (about a 1/3 of the place is taken up by a pool table and shuffle board) this wasn't as simple as it may seem. My husband and I were like hawks looking to jump on the first available table, which took about 30 minutes. Luckily, we had some good beer to enjoy while we waited. Once we had a place to sit, we went up to the window and ordered our food-- the Wimpy's Revenge for my husband and the Pulled Chicken Wimpy for me. I found it a little odd that the lady washing the dishes was also taking orders. The food was okay. The beer was pretty good. It would probably be a good place to stop by and grab some beers, but I wouldn't recommend trying to eat here-- especially on a busy night.

    (3)

  • R B.

    Craft beers, rockin shuffleboard table and two pool tables. They stop serving food at 10 but you can still get a grass fed burger and a few other things next door and bring it into here to eat. The jukebox is good too and I love to keep it flowing the hits. I dont go here on Friday Saturday nights but the others are nice. The crowd is friendly along with the bartenders. I would give this place 5 stars except for I am haunted by the memory of a not-so-attractive couple that needed a room in the opposite corner of the room. No fault to Hamilton's but damn get a room you are ruining my shuffleboard concentration.

    (4)

  • Thomas M.

    Ok so if you dont know about it just stop reading and move on. That being said Hamiltons is AMAZING. The first time I walked in I was like a kid in a candy store, looking at the big chalk board of beers. It is a beer bar and all you need to know is best beers, best selection, all the time. Now how about the food?? Perfect! Pub food at its best, a great selection of fried and fatty foods to help you soak up all the beer. Dont come here if your looking for lighter fare. They even have malt vinegar in thier condiment caddies, which are six packs! Try some of the grilled cheese sandwiches, beware the Ninja Witch fire!! Atmosphere is authentic, loud and welcoming. Im not the bar games type but they do offer two pool tables and shuffleboard. Always seems to be a great social crowd here. Best of all you can bring your dog!! I love this soo much if my girl wasn't such a spaz she could tag along, but alas. Stay classy Hamiliton's

    (5)

  • Felipe Giovanni I.

    I gotta give hamiltons a cinco. I started going there over a year ago, and not only do they have argueably the best selection of brews on draft, but they also have a really good selection of beers in bottles. The bartenders are always cool no matter how crazy it seems to get in there (it gets packed from thurs-sun nights), and the food is pretty good too. The jukebox has a good selection of music and is pretty Blues heavy. You wont find any T-Pain on their juke. It's a good place to catch sports as well, they have a few wall mounted large screen LCD's. they even have a happy hour. Note of caution: to the all the playas out there, Although this place rocks as a brew tavern, it's not the type of place oozing with 20 hot broads a night looking for a man. Everytime i've been there it's been a ratio of 3 -1 (guys to girls) and who can say if those girls were there single or with their men. Just saying, this place owns for beer and the overall chill out and unwind and enjoy some laughs with friends over some draft beers, but if your going for other reasons, hit up PB, or Gaslamp etc.

    (5)

  • Joshua D.

    Great place for beers. Only drawback is how crowded it gets but that's what happens when a place is fun to hang out at.

    (4)

  • Jay P.

    great beer selection oflocal craft, classic microbrews, and the periodic "special" taps. all grilled cheese sandwiches are great choices do the tots and garlic fries dog friendly cool clean crowd

    (5)

  • Lindsey M.

    They not only have the best beers they have pretty good food too. I used to go to the Liars Club before they shut down and then was introduced to Hamiltons. I love it. The atmosphere is really chill - the bartenders are super nice and will let you taste any of the beers until you find the perfect one. They have 2 pool tables and a shuffle board. I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates a good beer or cider!

    (5)

  • Alex T.

    I thought I'd make my inaugaral review about my favorite local haunt. Hamilton's Tavern in South Park shines in excellence. Oh, you'd like details? Hamilton's cornerstone is great beer you likely haven't heard of. Heavily featuring San Diego breweries but with selections from all corners of the world, Hammy's has over 25 taps to keep the weird-beer flowing. Samples and recommendations are gladly given by well-versed staff, but if the drafts don't suit your decidedly-choosy palete, there are more than 100 varieties of bottled beer to cycle through. Try 'em all, you picky wimp. All that beer begs for a tasty bite to keep it company, and in this arena Hamilton's shines as well. The full menu, available late into the night for people who want to sleep fat and happy, takes standard pub fair to the next level. From burgers to grilled cheese sandwiches to way too many kinds of sausages (I'm partial to the Baja Dog, myself), Hammy's throws their unique spin on whatever they're serving. Check out the Rip Taylor grilled cheese, which rocks unsuspecting tastebuds with pulled chicken, sun-dried tomatos and pesto sauce. Looking for the same-old brand of bullshit? Search elsewhere. At this point, the casual observer might wonder why that elusive 5th Star remains unchecked. It's not the ambiance, which is casual, friendly and inviting. The orchard of colorful taps dangling from the ceiling really tie the room together and the juke box cranking out classic rock fits the scene perfectly. And it's hard to argue with shuffleboard for the nominal fee of nothing. It's not the patrons, although I'm always struck by how many ironic Cuban dictator hats and psuedo-intellectual, black-framed glasses I'm assaulted by during every visit. Ooooohhhhh, I'm a non-comformist square peg in a world of consumer-based society round holes, won't someone please pay attention to me? But I digress. It's the crowds themselves that make me think twice about showing up late on a weekend. If I wanted to wait in a mob three-jerks deep in front of the bar, I'd hit the Gaslamp. At the end of the day, all that means is the secret's out. If you're looking for great beer and food you likely haven't sampled before without having to make a second trip to the ATM, Hammy's is the place. Just get there early if you plan on sitting. They even carry Bud Light for those who enjoy telling all they're a jerkoff. Variety is the spice of life, now get out there and try something new, you picky wimp.

    (4)

  • Jennifer J.

    So much has been said about Hamilton's on Yelp...what can I add? Ok, I'll add this: All the FIVE STAR reviews are true. Hamilton's is what a great neighborhood bar looks and feels like: It's dark, awesome selection of craft beers, great bar food (I highly recommend the Pulled Chicken Wimpy), killer staff, fun jukebox, and all walks of friendly life are welcome...including your dog. We spent a marathon afternoon there on Saturday and I can't wait to go back. Extra kudos go to Dennis, Laurie, and Scott. You really made our experience rock! Read all the reviews you want...then GO THERE and have a GREAT time!

    (5)

  • Casey F.

    Who gives this place two stars? Really? Two? Then this definitely isn't the place for you... However.. it is the place for me.. I LOVE BEER and boy does this place know beer... and I'm glad it doesn't serve hard liquor.. helps keep it nice and quite for those of us who love it! There's something about a great bar tucked away in the middle of the neighborhood full of locals that makes you fall in love with it.. that and the fact that they have a great beer list. The service is always good, the atmosphere is always light, no douche bags to ruin the experience, and there is even food right next door... You can find me here with a Belgium white in my hand and a smile on my face..... See you there!

    (5)

  • Derek J.

    Bomb..Loud, happy people, dogs are allowed in. Very crowded on a Friday night but I'm cool with that as long as everyone is in good spirits. An awesome break from the Downtown pretentiousness and the PB morons. Tap list is legit, one of the best I've seen in San Diego. I always want to try at least 4-6 beers with I walk in, unlike places such as Yard House which manage to find 100 beers of garbage to put on tap. Food looks awesome, although I haven't had the pleasure to try any ..yet.. Ill be back soon

    (5)

  • Annette C.

    All I have to say is that this place is absolutely overrated. Always too crowded to even stand and drink your beer or if you do find a seat at the bar, there are people constantly pressed against your back and breathing down your neck. The bartenders are not the most welcoming or courteous. I live just a few blocks away and it is too bad that I cannot enjoy my neighborhood bar. I'd rather go to Banker's Hill or Mission Hills for a better experience and better crowd.

    (1)

  • Warren W.

    If the Tavern next door is a dive bar, then this is a dive cafe. My wife and I were meeting up with an ex-Yelper and old friend last night, and we decided upon Hamilton's because it had both a good selection of beer and some tasty food. Unfortunately, but 5pm on Friday night there was no place left to sit in the Tavern and the music was so loud we couldn't talk to each other, let alone get caught up with our old friend. So we found ourselves next door at Hamilton's Cafe. But once we found out our friends were going to be somewhat late, my wife and I decided to get the "Fast Nachos". For starters, it's not nachos on chips. It's french fries (or as they call them, "pub chips"). And when the description on the menu says they are drenched, they mean it. They take some of their fries, and pour an entire bowl of the jalapeno beer cheese soup on top, completely soaking every single fry in the bowl. No naked chips to be found. Then they add some sour cream, green onions, and to push it to 11, they add bacon. It arrived at our table steaming and incredibly wonderful. My wife, who is somewhat of a picky eater, was fighting me for every bite. I think I may have a few fork marks in the back of my hand. Later on, once our guests arrived, we got some more food. Specifically, they shared a Witchfyre Ninja grilled cheese, and my wife and I got a Merican Burger and a Blue Boy burger. Our friends said they had never eaten so many jalapenos in one sitting as they had with that grilled cheese sandwich, but they were both raving over it and debating coming back on a regular basis, just for that sandwich. The burgers that my wife and I shared were equally tasty. The biggest downside to this little eatery is that it isn't set up for real business. It's clearly there only as a food-service for the tavern. They had several tables, but only one full-size table was usable for patrons who wanted to dine there, as the rest were either inaccessible or had stacks of groceries on them. And service isn't up to par for a cafe, either. My wife and I sat at the table for about 20 minutes waiting for our friends to arrive before any of the employees even acknowledged us. If I lived closer, I'd probably go back there from time to time. It's a good little place to get some great food for a reasonable price, if all you want is the food and the ambiance isn't essential.

    (4)

  • Harry H.

    Fine beer selection, good folks/service. Many TVs to watch the game (if that's important to you). I didn't eat, but I might next time. My only gripe is that the place is DARK - as in crypt-like. If that's your thing, great - - it's not really mine... but if that's my only bitch then this place is A-okay. They'll get more of my business.

    (4)

  • Jeanne K.

    Hamilton's Tavern is one of those places you go looking for. You travel through space and time to come here with your friends, have a few amazing beers, play some pool, and share each other's company. The food here is indescribable, the beer list is always changing, the bartenders are these big guys who know their beers and do their job right but could definitely afford to have more customer service skills, and if you ask for the bottle list they will literally hand you a book. So, here is my Hamilton's Tavern Ritual. 1. Get there relying on GPS every. single. freaking. time. because I am a slave to technology. 2. Always park one street away so the car is safe from freak accidents by drunk people outside the pub. 3. Walk inside and check out the chalkboard keeping an eye out for Pliny the Elder not necessarily because thats what I'm going to drink, but just to know I can have it as a fall back plan. (In no way am I saying Pliny is a #2 beer. If you're ever at a bar that has Pliny on tap and you've never had it before, that is what you should drink.) 4. Choose a couple and order the one with the highest alc %age first. 5. Find a seat, order garlic fries, get comfortable, share good conversation with friends. 6. Grab 4 quarters and leave quarters on the edge of the pool table to show I am waiting for the next game. 7. Pick up the fries and a few forks. Enjoy. VERY IMPORTANT not to forget the Malt Vinegar. 8. Grab another beer, meet some people, play pool, laugh, have a good time. 9. Leave feeling good, promising myself I will claim the shuffle board next time, but knowing deep inside this will never happen because another group is always hogging it. Hamilton's Tavern, you have opened my eyes to the world of craft beer. You never fail to please me. I love you.

    (5)

  • Ferdi E.

    ok. i get it. this is where you get some beer and wings. hang with the homies and knock back a few.

    (4)

  • Lindsay W.

    I've been here twice and so far so good. There's always a mellow crowd, a great selection of beers, a few loony entertaining people, and lots of good music to pick from on the jukebox. The bartender helped me whet my whistle when I didn't know what exactly what to order. I told him what taste I had in mind and he picked out some goodness in a can. Yum. My only negative was about the food I ate, and it's not a big negative because good lord, how good can one expect pub grub to be? But honestly (earmuffs if you're easily grossed out)- the chicken sandwich I ordered looked better coming out than it did going in, yaknow what i'msayin? On the plus side, the chips were good!

    (4)

  • Patrick O.

    I found Hamilton's on Yelp thanks to you San Diego Yelpers while I was in town for the weekend and I couldn't agree more. The beer selection is AWESOME. The grill cheese menu, Hello? Why didn't anyone think of this before?? AWESOME! The congestion, not so awesome... but I don't care, the food and beers MORE than made up for it.

    (5)

  • Sheryl V.

    The only reason I'm not giving Hamilton's a full five stars is because trying to get a table is tough. It's not uncommon to wait at least 2 hours for a table to free up. Until then you're stuck standing at the bar and double sided counters. I can't really place too much blame on the seating issue because it's just such a great bar that everyone wants to be in here drinking their awesome beer selection and above average bar food. Their tater tots with beer cheese are great for a starter to have along with any of their burgers and creative grilled cheese sandwiches like the fancypants which has brie, walnuts, apples, and honey. nom!

    (4)

  • Mallory M.

    Best beer selection I have ever laid my mouth on! Haha.. I am new to Hamilton's and I am impressed. How had I never been to this place? It is amazing. I tried four different beers.. all were fantastic. What's best is they have domestic (very local) and imported (some were very rare) beers. An excellent variety that I have never before seen. I would recommend this place to anyone. Snacks and bar food is good too! :)

    (5)

  • Ai B.

    Great selection of beer! Cute area! and Pet friendly, which I love! Went there during the Lakers vs. Celtics finals. It was packed but everyone was pretty friendly and it was just a chill atmosphere. They had a special cask beer of green flash fairweather that night. It was quite refreshing. They have weekly specials all the time, you can check them out on their website. I tried their Spicy Hop Sausage Sannich, which came w/fries. The sausage was delicious, but i could not eat the "roll" aka bread.. It was too tough and didn't taste right. Overall it's a good pairing w/beer! Beer Beer Beer + yummy food + played some pool and shuffle board + good company = Awesome Night!

    (4)

  • Patrice C.

    There's nothing I can say about this place that hasn't been said before, so I'll say this: If you haven't gone, GO. Appreciate the fact that you're in San Diego, and EXPERIENCE GREAT BEER. That's all.

    (5)

  • Shannon B.

    Dear Hamilton's, When we met 2 years ago I thought you were the one, but it's time that we break up. As the awesome bar I once knew, you provided many opportunities for laughs, drinks, and great food (especially when Lei Back was still there). But your standards have lowered recently and I feel every time we visit I have been transported magically to P.B. If I wanted P.B. I would travel to that magical land of bro-mances, popped collars, and giggle-honies. It's like I came home from work one day and had to wait outside, in line, in the rain to use the couch. Maybe we can be friends at off hours during the middle of the week until the hype dies down. I hope you understand that I need a less crowded more chill spot for my alcohol drinking. *kisses* Shannon

    (1)

  • Tom W.

    I love really great beer. I love it being served to me by people who are knowledgeable and passionate about it. I love cute, nerdy, smart women. I love an excellent jukebox. I love a bar that has really good vegetarian food options that let you still feel like you're at a bar. I heart Hamiltons!!!

    (5)

  • Vikki O.

    I love beer, and I love this place. For my tastes, Hamilton's easily has the best beer selection in San Diego. The vibe here is great, lots of beer lovers perched on stools and willing to shoot the breeze. Dog-friendly, which is awesome. Don't get the reviews that claim the beer isn't great, staff are stuck up, place is too crowded, etc. Seriously? Please don't come in here expecting any run-of-the-mill beer. I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what "great" beers they don't carry? And yes, it's crowded (esp. for Stone nights), but braving the crowd is well worth drinking some of the BEST brews on tap, cask and bottle. I definitely recommend following them on Twitter (@hamiltons) to see what brewery is on tap for Firkin Friday, and their updated "what's on tap" tweets.

    (5)

  • Ian O.

    Inspiring and Delicious are the first words to come to mind when thinking about Hamilton's. Now thirsty popped into my head. My buddy took me to this place and I was simply overwhelmed over the selection of beer. Not only beer, but GREAT beer. The atmosphere is great, even on my way to the bathroom I bumped into two cute girls and two dogs, actual dogs. The bartender was great, she was very knowledgeable and really helpful picking off their huge list of beers.

    (5)

  • Lance B.

    I am adding back a star for the awesome food and for having shuffle board. I went in last night craving wings and left happy. I got them naked style with a side of buffalo and a side of bbq. They were some of the best I've had. It came with kickass blue cheese sauce that was delicious. We got some sauteed mushrooms too. These are always good but for some reason they always make them a different way each time. I know they switch up the beer they use to make them but the preparation is always different. We got there at 7pm and got what appeared to be the last couple seats. By the time we were done it was already pretty packed and its not too fun to be here when it's swamped. I still wouldnt go on a weekend night but for daytime and weekdays Hamiltons is awesome. That would be sweet if they could expand or something ;)

    (4)

  • William C.

    where to begin. great beer, atmosphere, patrons and employees, oh yeah food. I don't go into Hamilton's as much as I'd like. My fault though. I have a girlie alcohol tolerance and everytime i've been in here, i don't remember much. Very strong beers for someone that doesn't drink for the taste (CL,pbr). I love this place. Totes awesome way.

    (5)

  • Eric H.

    The night started as a tall Jimmy Hendrix-esque figure jumped into my car we headed to Hamiltons. He is a funny fella and tells me he knows one of the guys at the bar. As we enter and meet his friend they behave as long lost best friends do and he orders us a round of drinks. He was rather joyful and told me about his life philosophy and how a good relationship should work (most which I agreed with). His passion for life was inspiring. Turns out he was the owner of the place and it all made sense. The place was packed with good people, good food, and most importantly good beer. It is quite rare that you get to meet the owner of the establishment, but it is almost always the case they are a mirror image of the establishment. And that is a good thing for Hamiltons. I recommend coming here on Thursday-Saturday for a packed and high energy experience and on off days for a more relaxed atmosphere. Good Stuff: Awesome Beer selection (mostly craft beer) Mellow social crowd Pool tables Juke Box with Good Rock I will be back and will check out their other bar, Small Bar.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    Thank you to the staff tonight! Hamilton's is a great host. CityBeat had their beer club there tonight. (Thanks Adrian...Dennis and Ely and staff! ) I love the food and the beer selection! There is something for everyone. The food is yummy. I love the chicken pesto sandwich. The best nights are in the middle of the week.

    (4)

  • Matthew F.

    Don't come here and order Bud, Miller, or Coors beer. Don't come here with your drunk buddies looking to wake up the neighbors with your debauchery. Don't drink all the cask beer before I get there. Don't hog the shuffleboard table. Don't put bullsh*t on the juke box. Don't start fights. Don't come to Hamilton's.

    (5)

  • Ivan T.

    Great beer selection. Gets crowded on Fridays and Saturdays night. Went there on a Monday night. Had a blast. I recommend this for people who are looking to try other types of beer. Foreign and domestic. The food was great, my pork sandwich was awesome. My fries on the other hand were a little salty for my taste. No worries, i just order them without salt when i go. Problem solved. Cheers

    (5)

  • Marc M.

    When it comes to beer bars, What is the criteria? -Beer -Good Beer -Imported Beer -Cheap Beer -Free Beer -Stuff to do while you drink beer -Old wooden tables that allow beer to be spilled on them for about 600 years w/o any damage. -Hungover bartender -A liberal sampling policy -A dog -One hot waitress doing nothing -Kegs that have cushions on them so they double as seats -Hot wings Well this spot has all of the above. I went here w/ pop dukes as a starting point of a pub crawl. This was the 4th time a attempted to come here. My first 3 times they were closed. I must attempt drinking too early. Anyway. If you wanna try different beer, but still have a local bar feel. this is it

    (5)

  • Brandon B.

    A dog friendly bar? AWESOME! Checked this place out since it's not far from home.... This place is out of this world ...if you love beer. Seriously... their beer selection is amazing. Cool vibe... not much seating, but go early if that's an issue. On weekends this place looks like a chaotic nightmare with a line out the door (obviously the word is out), but I've only been during the weekdays and it's a really nice local spot.

    (5)

  • Mickela G.

    One of the best bars I've ever been to in the world. Ridiculous number of beers on tap. Who doesn't love a giant chalkboard with the names, type, and percentage of every beer on tap. Plus the like two wines available. I love that their kitchen is open til like midnight. Grilled cheese and beer is probably my favorite thing ever. But get a nice Belgium and the Fancypants Grilled Cheese, and all other grilled cheese will never taste the same!

    (5)

  • Fonso P.

    Upon my first visit, this place instantly became one of my favorite bars in San Diego. Hamilton's has a mondo selection of great beer on tap and even more by the bottle, including the oh-so-tasty Dead Guy Ale. You can even try samples of the beer on tap, so you can venture away from your typical beer of choice and expand your palate. While you're there, grab some great grub too. The Pulled Chicken Wimpy was sooo mother f-ing scrumptious! The taps on the ceiling make for cool decoration, and the jukebox plays some pretty good stuff. I'll definitely be visiting this place on a frequent basis, or to quote the T-800; "I'll be back".

    (5)

  • Naomi Jazelle Z.

    Where the fuck did all these god damn people come from! I live in south park and have noticed all you fucking PB/OB/Chula Vista fuckers come more and more often. Dont you guys have your own fucking local bar! I still love this place.. on the weekdays..at 3pm :(

    (5)

  • Danny D.

    These other reviews covered it, probably, so I'll just say this: Hamilton's has lots of good beer.

    (5)

  • Ronald D.

    Being a perennial optimist has it's disadvantages. You see, you are constantly setting yourself up for failure. I had these two friends leave our humble little village of Encinitas for the big city lights and glamour of Golden Hill. I was concerned, that they would lose their identity. Jreg and Genny (I jumbled the letters of their names to keep their identities safe) made such an optimistic leap of faith. I am not sure they lost their identity but they sure did find Hamiltons Tavern. It's a good thing to, 'cause I really like beer and greasy food. I also needed a reason to visit Jreg and Genny, but just seeing them was no incentive for such a long drive. Now there is an incentive. That incentive is South Park's version of Cheers. Except no one knows your name, and it's so crowded there, they probably are not glad you came. Lets face it, those booths are pretty hard to come by.

    (5)

  • Tara T.

    I LOVE HAMILTON'S! I love the beer selection! Holy bottle choices, batman! I love the FOOOOOD! I love the atmosphere! You can bring your pooch! Kudos! I love the juke box selection with the staff picks! I love the taps on the ceiling! I love the logo! This place is great! Ever changing beers for your changing moods and taste. Knowledgable and friendly staff. I'm planning on becoming a regular :)

    (5)

  • Richie C.

    Tavern number two: Hamilton's. I think this is where I'd go if Ritual Tavern was closed. hahahaha. I'm not sure if I feel bad for saying, but hey..it's true. I had a lot of fun with the group I met there. The Hamilton's crowd didn't seem very off putting. A bit of a sausage fest, honestly. The open door for dogs policy is quite nice. Having pets in a bar can liven up the place really quick. But hey girls, here's a tip just for you: dogs aren't a goddamn fashion statement. When you humiliate a dog, you are that owner. Hamilton's Tavern is still an awesome playground. Pool tables, shuffle board and an alright jukebox. Mix of classic rock, hard metal, ballad-y rock, country rock, some popular indie stuff too. I dug the three songs I picked, but I wouldn't buy more than six. Oh yeah, your selection may take up to an hour to play on a busy night. Hilarious menu. Lots of American cuisine. The kitchen is connected via window next door...a cool cafe with awesome art on the wall that you should buy.

    (4)

  • Nicole M.

    Where has this place been all my life?! I guess my eyes have slowly started opening when a handful of friends moved to South Park. Every couple of weeks they invite me to come out to some new place, and Hamilton's was Fridays pick. Couldn't have been better! I have yet to go to a bar in SD where they serve Chimay to you in a chalice. Good GOD am I a fancy mo-fo! Pinky's out! Hot people. I am not allowed to say that because for one, I have a lovely dude of my own, and for two, he was standing next to me the whole time we were in the joint so god forbid he knew I was checking anyone besides him out. I normally don't dig the ultra douchey hipsters, but this place had a really nice blend of people, and at 1:30 on a Friday only the sexiest of troopers were left. Male, female, metros, all enjoying only the best local brews and imported bottles. Come here if you like beer and are single and you will leave with a phone number. The coolest atmosphere! All the ol beer tap handles hanging from the ceiling in rows, twinkly lights (my fav), Juke, pool on the sweeeetest orange felt tables, and shuffleboard. Bathroom was pretty righteous too, mirrors everywhere for us with a little vanity streak. I will definitely be coming back here time and time again. I never feel this way about bars!

    (5)

  • Allie C.

    This has to be my favorite bar here in San Diego. The laid back atmosphere, unique beer selection, and great food make Hamilton's hard to resist....even when its packed (which is pretty often). One visit to Hamilton's and you'll know why :)

    (5)

  • Eugene C.

    Located in a somewhat remote neighborhood in San Diego the first time looking for this place will be a surprise. Street parking only, but I've never had a problem with parking. Find a parking spot and walk through the quite neighborhood towards the bar, hand the doorman your id, smile, be polite and walk in. Check out the tap list behind the bar and behold the best craft beer selection on tap, perhaps in the world. The Beer: This place is a craft beer lover's heaven. They have IPA's, dobblebacks, stouts, they have Pliny the Elder on tap. If you are just getting into craft beer, and want to go tasting, this place is perfect as well. If you are not used to the bitterness of IPA's and don't understand why people like it, there are a variety of wonderful, blonde ales, Heffenwizers, Belgian ales, and plenty of other beers on tap and bottle (shocktop, blue moon, delerium, pranqster, etc) The Food: The garlic fries are one of the best I've ever had. They call em "Pub Chips" with garlic. They use fresh minced garlic, and the fries are hot and crispy. These fries are a must, must, must try. I've also tried the "Jamilton" burger, as well as the "Hamilton" burger. I've tried many, many burgers from Father's Office, Umami Burger, Smash, The Counter, and Hodads, and the Jamilton at Hamilton's Tavern ranks as one of the most savory, tasty burgers I've ever had, ever. If you like burgers, if you like sriracha, if you like a fried egg on your burger, the Jamilton is engineered for your mouth. Hamilton's is a local bar to many who live around it. There are two open pool tables where winner keeps the table and challengers pay to play the winner of the previous game. If you keep winning you play all night. There are some guy's who still look like they play magic the card game in the garage of their mom's house but run the table in one turn. The people here are awesome, nice, and easy to talk to. People come here to eat good food, and have some great beer. Enjoy the music, the crowd, and the pool tables. This is easily one of my favorite places in San Diego for craft beer and great food. If you like dive bars, local pubs, the black keys, burgers, craft beer, shooting pool, and dog's (dog friendly) this place will be the place you long for on long lonely hungry thirsty nights. If you are a hard nosed snob, who only likes talking about the complexity of cabernet and shittake mushrooms, stay away from this place, go back to your 401K. Tips: Try to get a table as soon as you get in. If it's crowded getting a table will be hard. When ordering food, you have to go to the back right side of the bar. There is a bell, only ring it once, they heard you the first time, and if they don't answer do not ring it again, or yell "hey!"

    (5)

  • Rossi H.

    hells yes!!!!!

    (5)

  • summer s.

    My favorite place in all of San Diego! I would give 5 stars, but I wish it was so crowded now. The beer choices seem endless and the food is to dye for. The mother-trucker is so yummy. the roulette wings are a fun way to test your taste buds. I look forward to my next trip to Hamilton's. Maybe I'll bring my dog too :)

    (4)

  • Olivia P.

    You can't find a selection of beer like Hamilton's Tavern serves in Downtown. I go here and my friends play shuffle board for drinks on the weekends. When I get too wasted I love their grilled cheese sandwich and garlic fries. The prices are cheap and came out to under $4 for the food. Laid back people occupy this place which makes it a fun place to go to.

    (4)

  • Ryu Q.

    If you love beer, then this place is definitely for you! Hamilton's has a true dive-ish neighborhood tavern vibe to it. It's not fancy and it's not dirty hole in the wall-ish. Good place to chill if you're the kind of person that's somewhere in between the dive scene and the uber pretentious Gaslamp. Right away you could tell this place has real character when you look up to the ceiling and all you see are old beer tap handles hanging everywhere! Cool! The beers on tap are rotating and vary daily/weekly (check their website for updates). They got so many other beers in bottles/cans that they have them listed on pages on a clipboard that gets passed along the bar (check website for updates) ....pick your taste, pick your alcohol content, pick the country of origin.....and if you don't like it pick something else.....you gotten plenty of options! Bartenders were very friendly and easy to chat up with. Service was on point. Patrons came across the same. Just from observation you can tell people were seriously here for the beer. Easy to fit right in and not feeling like an outsider. This place must be dog friendly cuz I saw some patrons with their pooch companions (the big and the small). Awesome....kinda weird for me at first but cool nonetheless. Great place to come by yourself or with your other beer loving friends. Food-wise, they offer more than your standard issue pub-grub....prices are not on the cheap side nor the expensive. Damn the beer is good! This place is kind of like your small neighborhood version of The Yard House without the fancy BS.

    (5)

  • Devora Z.

    Totally my kind of place - hundreds of beer taps hanging from the ceiling, probably about 25-30 taps, most of which were interested microbrews from all over the country that I had never tried before (and I love beer). Friendly bartenders and bouncers, dogs are apparently allowed in which is really cool. Even on a Wednesday the place was pleasantly crowded, with a very un-douchey and down-to-earth crowd. Also a good jukebox, which is always a plus. Pool & shuffleboard too, plus food from the little place next door although we didn't order any food. Looked decent though, general pub stuff like burgers. Generally, a place I could see myself hanging out all the time. Too bad I don't live in SD :(

    (5)

  • Christine B.

    Had to bump this up to four stars, for one reason - my husband and I were in the neighborhood and hungry, so we did something pretty uncharacteristic: we didn't drink. What I'm trying to say is, the food here is tasty enough that we were willing to forgo even entering the bar, which was going off at 8:30pm on a Friday, and we headed straight to the mini-cafe next door where they mostly do take out business, ordered a burger and grilled cheese, and ate at one of just a couple tables inside. Both were heart attacks on plates, but oh so good. My "Blind Tiger" grilled cheese consisted of sharp cheddar, beer candy apple, beer candy bacon, and grilled onions. Holy moly it was good. And my husband's burger - scary good with serrano chiles, sriacha sauce, raspberry preserves, onions, bacon, cheese, and (wait for it) ... a fried egg!! My husband thought it might be the second best burger he's had in San Diego. We probably won't skip the brew next time, but we DEFINITELY will come here with empty stomachs.

    (4)

  • Azita A.

    Loves it!! This is the perfect neighborhood bar that it full of down to earth people that make it feel like home. The selection of beer on tap is great and the atmosphere makes it always a great time.

    (5)

  • Eric T.

    Basically, it just doesn't get better than Hamilton's as far as a pub with an extensive beer selection (mostly microbrews from Green Flassh, Stone, Coronado, and more locals) and amazing cuisine. Once you walk in, you notice the BIG BOARD as i refer to it that has everything that's on tap currently, this changes constantly so there's always something new to try. It's got the Name of the Beer, It's style (IPA, Belgian, etc.), the ABV and price. What else could you want? oh you're hungry to? well why don't you try something DELICIOUS from the kitchen, from Hop Sausage to what my friend referred to as the greatest Pulled Pork Sandwich he's ever eaten. The whole atmosphere is amazing. Awesome people, good music, 2 pool tables, free shuffleboard. Oh and I didn't mention, every saturday is cask night and they pick a local brewery and have something special on tap from them plus usually a special food for the evening. I would like to mention though, it gets pretty packed after about 6 on weekdays so if you want table space or a booth, you'll have to show up a bit early.

    (5)

  • Eric R.

    One of the best (if not THE best) beer/ale lists I've ever seen! But even more impressive is the VALUE. In San Francisco these same identical beverages are priced at least 20-30% higher. Only complaint is that the music was too loud for my tastes (conversation required great effort).

    (5)

  • Vince M.

    A beer snob's paradise! Craft beers from around our tiny little globe to wet the palette.

    (4)

  • Walter P.

    I have changed my previous review, sometimes Hamiltons is still OK. At 3 in the afternoon, or no later than 5:30. I also realized that when it is insanely busy (always, after 6pm) if you are a local to ye olde south park you probably know the neighborhood pretty well and instead of standing around like a goon waiting for the bathroom, just go outside and pee in someone's yard. Like I said if you are a local you should know which houses are full of people who pay attention and which don't. But still, fuck Hamiltons. This is exactly what happens when a "dive" bar is safe for wimpy, yuppie, white people. Maybe Hamilton's needs a few bar brawls to really punctuate the idea that this is a "dive" bar. Hamilton's a dive bar, Ha! More like a support group for aging hipsters.

    (2)

  • Selina H.

    Love the tap handles on the ceiling. Two pool tables and shuffle board. Too bad the shuffle board was hoarded. The decor is fun (random handles in the bathroom window, tilted mirror, tap as decoration, etc) and just conducive to a good time. Super dog friendly. With a little doggie water bowl. Saw 4 different dog and owners hanging out, which is exactly what I want to do. Love it. (Would they get in trouble the fact I posted this...? Hmmm...)

    (4)

  • Sara S.

    I love Hamiltons. Great beer, delicious food, friendly people, and SHUFFLEBOARD. Yay.

    (5)

  • Tara W.

    Hamilton's is really worn in and city like having a superb beer lineup and great bartenders. The location contains two areas, you enter into one where the bar and seating are, and to the opposite there is a side space with pool, and a couple other games together with some extra seating. The bar area ceiling is full of tap handles hanging from the rafters. The beer menu isn't printed, there's a chalk written lineup above the bar simply because the taps change so fast.

    (5)

  • Marvin L.

    Gotta have the Jamilton. Your life will never be the same. True story...

    (5)

  • Harn C.

    Love this place! Only place I've found so far that feels like a proper dive, and great selection of brews! The Place - It's a dive bar, so watch out for sticky tables. There are unexpected ramps, also... but just the whole atmosphere is great! Look for the food window in the far back corner. Friendly people (dog-friendly!) and football's always on when it should be. Ask the staff if you want shuffleboard/pool table stuff. The Service - Pretty awesome :) The owners live across the street, and go drink on their patio when it gets too crowded, bartenders friendly accurate and efficient. The Food - Great! The food window's in the far back corner, the cafe is next door... Gotta love their huge selection- and even the non beer-drinkers are always happy with the cider. Recommended - Highly! Just go, we'll see you there :) ** Every 2nd Sat of the month is a special event- free food! This last time Green Flash brews were half off (or something similar) and the food was DELICIOUS. There was a bit of a line though, which a spirit-crusher when you think you're just heading out for a beer. But again: food- amazing! I wasn't even drunk yet! Be prepared for the line on special occasions though :)

    (5)

  • Eddie P.

    I honestly don't get it. I don't have to like a place for it's hole-in-the-wall feel. I don't have to go here because everyone else does. Hamilton's is so far outside the mainstream that it has a group of it's own patrons on the other end of the stream--I'll call it the hipster-stream. Let the hate mail roll in. "Don't call me a hipster, you gook!" Well, too bad, you are. Go buy some trendy, retro hipster clothes from Flashbacks and drink your damn hipster beer Chimay while listening to the Rapture's incandescent indie-hipster music. It's too bloody far away for me to ever go there "just to go." It's got a hip crowd... the real blue-collar American and the kids living on the edge of forever also maintain that Hamilton's is a good pub. Inside, it resembles an old NYC bar, with low ceilings and crap everywhere. It's quaint. Why four stars? The food isn't too bad, the prices are decent, and it's you're average main-stay pub in the middle of a hip neighborhood. This review is based on the fact that it's there, it's there to stay, and people love it for what it is, even though I find it to be a far outside my realm. I highly recommend it if you're in the area, but you'll have to deal with that pretentious South Park and Golden Hill crowd--they pretty much keep to themselves anyway. Also, parking sucks.

    (4)

  • Hoa T.

    Beers galore! Reminds me of Delirium in Belgium except on a smaller scale. They serve beer in the right glasses which is what a good beer bar is suppose to do. The first time I ate here, the food definitely surprised me. They have a pretty decent menu with upgraded bar food. The downside to this place is that its always crowded and parking is usually a hassle.

    (4)

  • Addy M.

    Damn good burgers and great selection of beer! Enough said!

    (5)

  • Pickles Y.

    My best bud lives in North Park area and brought me here! Wow, what a craft beer scene it is! Blown away by a pint of Pliny, rest of the evening was a fog of beer and more beer.

    (5)

  • Luis F.

    One of the best bars in town, with the best beer selection! good juke box..awesome bar tenders! It gets crowded, but it's always fun!

    (5)

  • Andrea S.

    I grew-up a few doors down from this bar, back when it was Sparkys. It was always fun to have drunks wander down and pass out on our lawn, or crash through our fence with their trucks. But when I got older, I liked the place, it was bright as your livingroom and very laid back. Hamiltons is a nicer establishment than the previous bar. At first, I was a little put-off by it's fancyness... But it's grown on me. They have an excellent beer selection, and it's the perfect neighborhood hangout bar. Since they've taken over the restuarant next door and french fries are even easier to aquire, it has become even better. French fries and beer are essential to one another. My only complaint: The juke box gets way too loud after 9. I go to this bar to hang out and have conversations! It's not a DJ bar for gosh sakes. When it gets too loud, I leave. Crud. I just told a bar to turn down the music. I am officially old.

    (4)

  • Roger W.

    w00t. introduced to Hamilton's by the Rossiâ„¢! man do I love tap brews. what a crazy selection. awesome decor too. tons of old handles hanging around. Has pool tables x2 and shuffle board! So I learned to play that :). didn't try the food, but i hear the burgers are great. enjoyed the music selection. also dog friendly!

    (5)

  • Maureen J.

    A well kept secret! It's a small establishment, but none the less my new favorite bar. The beers on draft on constantly changing so there is always a chance to try something new. The food is way better then your typical bar food. The best part... THEY HAVE LOTS OF VEGETARIAN OPTIONS!!! I had the blind tiger grilled cheese with apple slices, bac'n/bacon, and was a rosemary sourdough. Soooo tastey. Another plus is that they are dog friendly. I know what you are thinking, "Wait! So you're saying that I can have a beer, chill with my dog, AND be a veg head without being limited to a salad?!" YES!!! That is exactly what I am saying! Try to go on "off" days and times since it gets fairly cramp. If you feel like waiting for a table to open up, play some pool or try to count the draft handles on the ceiling.

    (5)

  • Samantha L.

    This place is good. Really good, actually. They have an epic beer selection and a nice bottle collection too. The decor is fun (love the beer taps hanging from the ceiling). And there's pool, shuffleboard, and foosball. On the downside, it gets CROWDED. Oh, oh, so crowded. And there is only a single stall ladies' room. I understand this is standard at a lot of SD watering holes but, for somewhere that gets this packed, this is a huge minus. My night goes from great to craptastic pretty damn quick if I have to wait more than 10 minutes to pee. The bartenders are alright. None of them have been explicitly rude, but they can be a little snide. The door guys are great though; they're always super cool. I haven't tried the food yet, but I hear good things. I am going to take advantage of some vacation time next week and poke my head in during the (presumably) less busy daylight hours and have some eats. I will report back.

    (4)

  • Mellissa S.

    The beer selection is wonderful. The food is just as good. The crowds give me mini anxiety attacks.

    (4)

  • Christina G.

    Closest thing to a Sconnie bar that I've found in San Diego. Hammy's, you know your beer, and for that, this Sconnie beer snob undoubtedly adores you. Your bar food (yeah, I'm taking to you, Ninja Grilled Cheese) is sublime! Kudos for your hound policy as well, much appreciated by a person with a people-dog. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Declan M.

    Been back and then came back and go back. Back. back. back! Edwin, you are must be a tard, man. Ham's crowd is diverse it's no douche central. What a dweeb. I also find it hard to take how people make such a hard time about it's crowded. Ive been here on Monday afternoons, Wednesday evening, saturday nights and of course it's more crowded on the weekend aka thurs-saturd. I love it because of what it is, what it brings to the area and my love for the ale. The bartenders are always awesome and it's like a new gen cheers with awesome beer. The less snooty hypocritical Jen and Edwin's that come in prolly means the better overall experience/ If you want massive HD tv's head to trophy's for the game. If you want six pack abs and fist fights well go downtown. Hooray hammies and the saturday brewery celebrations!

    (5)

  • Chris c.

    If you love good beer than look no further. This place is one of the best San Diego has to offer. Hamilton's has a fantastic bottle list with many rare brews and always has a great list of beers on draft. They server most of their beers in the proper glass which is a quality you only find in high quality beer bars that know about the beers they are serving. They stock beers from all over the world and have a great selection of American craft beers. They sometimes have hard to find rarities like Firestone Walker 12 and Russian River's Pliny The Younger. This place has a great atmosphere and the best juke box of any pub I have been to in So Cal. Friday night seemed like everyone was living out their Guns N Roses years since it was in constant rotation. There is a good mix of classic rock and other great drinking songs. The price for their beers is what I would expect for beer of this quality. I have been to other bars where they over price Belgian ales but Hamilton's is more than fair in their pricing. The craft beers are at a good price point as well. The food is what I would expect in a bar. Greasy and satisfying. Their hop sausage is a must taste. I have to admit that when I first heard about sausage with hops in it I was thinking "oh hell no" but after trying it I can safely say it is worth trying. I am also a big fan of their grilled cheese sandwiches and the pub chips. If talking with people isn't your thing they have pool tables and a shuffle board game. Friday nights are very crowded so you might want to pick a different night to hang if you like smaller crowds. Go to Hamilton's! You won't be sorry!

    (5)

  • Mike R.

    I've been to Hamilton's at least 10 times now, so I figured it was time to write a review, even though everything that needs to be said is pretty much said. If you're looking for good beers, this is one of the places in San Diego to check out. A selection of 40+ taps that rotates a bit to keep things exciting. You're not going to find any horse piss swill here, a lot of American microbrews and foreign beers on tap and a good selection of foreign beers in bottle too if you're looking for that extra special tripel. The bartenders are friendly, the crowd is casual and laid back, and they have a shuffle board table (big plus in my book!). Decor is standard pub, they have a few TVs and will toss up the football/baseball games or some cool old movies (Jason and the Argonauts? AWESOME!) I haven't sampled much of the food, but it seems to be upgraded standard bar fare. At least not just frozen stuff from costco. One strong point of San Diego is the beer (certainly not the food selections here). San Diego has a lot of GREAT local brews and a lot of GREAT places to enjoy them. Unfortunately, too many places think they can toss a Stone IPA and Ballast Point on tap and call themselves a "beer bar". Hamilton's is not that. Hamilton's is true to allowing people to enjoy a great variety of beer...just don't come here looking for a Dos Equis clone and you'll be fine!

    (4)

  • Nate M.

    This is THE place to indulge in your gree-zee cravings. Creative grilled cheeses, fries and hushpuppies that will weigh-in like a ton of bricks in your belly...but dang is it delicious. If you've never had pickles in your grilled cheese, it's about time you start- order the West Coast Grilled Cheese. Without giving an entire play-by-play of the entire menu, absolutely worth mentioning is the fakin' bacon and potato patty on a ciabatta roll nestled upon a bed of fries is also a grease-laden paradise. Combine the above with a crew of good pals, but also a cool lunch/dinner date joint. For extreme fun place your order at the cafe and pickup the edibles at the window shared by tavern next door for a delicious pairing with craft beers. Easy-greasy and very reasonably priced. If the menu doesn't have you salivating you might need to check for a pulse.

    (5)

  • Aaron B.

    Great beer selection and atmosphere! Great bar for any season !

    (4)

  • Ly N.

    I wanted a casual place to have a beer and food and this was it. What's better than a great selection of local beers, juicy bleu cheese burger, and... shuffleboard!?! I loved ordering in the little peephole window. I stuck my head in there and it smelled soooooo good I wanted to crawl in the rest of the way and ravage their kitchen. Coming back for sure. Gotta hone my shuffleboard skillzzzz.

    (4)

  • Jon B.

    This place is a hidden gem in south park for sure. For one, its open until 2, and last time I was there I counted 28 taps, with a very wide variety. Prices ranged from $4.50-7 per pint. There's an Avg amount of seating but on the weekends is standing room only. My FAVORITE thing about hamiltons: their kitchen. Their food is incredible! I wasn't expecting much judging by the dive bar feel of the place and the ceiling covered in tap handles (which looks really cool), but I was blown away when I got my food by how great it tasted. I would go back just to eat! The staff is really knowledgeable about their craft selection and willing to give input and tasters. I really like this place, and as long as you don't mind hipsters and a younger crowd you will too . There's 2 pool tables and a shuffleboard set up in here as well.

    (5)

  • Ian C.

    i've grown a lot since i wrote my first review here. i've loved. i've lost. i've been happy. i've been sad. now that i've gone through the healing process, i've learned. my overall views for this place are mostly the same. but now that i have a deeper appreciation for beer. i have a deeper admiration for this place. one mo star. i've been inspired. go here if you like beer.

    (4)

  • Matt S.

    I have a new favorite place to be on any given night, and no it's not your mom's pants. It's Hamilton's. Where do I begin? Do I start by applauding the absolutely mind-blowing craft beer tap selection, or do I laud the most extensive bottle selection I've EVER seen? Perhaps sing a sweet song of praise for the blissful Blind Tiger grilled cheese sandwich and the indulgent beer cheese soup, followed by a mournful elegy for my moribund arteries? Do I pay tribute to the cordial barkeeps and overall friendly vibes, or do I plaudit the hundreds of taps hanging from the ceiling like so many sparkling stars of beer? Hamilton's, sweet Hamilton's, I yearn to praise thee but know not how...

    (5)

  • Nick S.

    I absolutely love this place. If I lived in San Diego I would no doubt be a regular, but alas, I don't. Luckily, a good friend of mine lives walking distance which means any time I visit I know where I'll spending at least one night...yep...you guessed it; HAMILTONS!!! Everything about this bar is awesome. Obviously, number 1 is the great beer selection. I personally didn't bother with the chalkboard, just told the bartender to surprise me with a new IPA every time I needed a drink. The setup is great too. Nice, long bar, some tables for the sittin, some tables for the pool playin' and a free shuffleboard table as well. I also love the nice touch of hanging all the old beer tappers from the ceiling. Very cool. And AND they have a change machine! I have long wondered why bars with pool tables and the like don't have change machines, that way you don't have to wait to bother the bartender to ask for change. Finally, a bar smart enough to do it. If you like beer, good times or both, then Hamilton's is the place for you.

    (5)

  • Dustin B.

    I love Hamilton's...obviously, I gave it five stars. They always have great beer to choose from, both on tap and bottled. Barkeeps are always friendly and attentive. The crowd is a good mix, young and old. They have a foosball table, a shuffleboard, and two pool tables. Last I checked, you could play foosball and shuffleboard for free, you just had to give them our driver's license while you play. Pool is $1, which I feel is a little steep for a pool game, but whatever. I don't know what it is, but every time I set foot in this place the juke box plays Roadhouse Blues by The Doors.

    (5)

  • Teresa S.

    Seriously! The beer selection here is amazingly extensive, the bartenders are friendly and relatively quick considering the massive crowd on weekends. The wide variety of beers are priced very well. They have something for every palate ranging from a chocolate porter or strong IPA to a fruit beer or oatmeal stout and everything in-between. I believe there is over 150 different types of beer. This is the place to go to have good beers with good company. On the weekdays, it is less crowded but this tavern has a loyal following so it is still pretty lively in there. There are two pool tables, a shuffleboard and a jukebox. This is one of my favorite places to go to. If you sincerely love beer, this tavern will blow your mind. Also, the food is really good here. There are a lot of vegetarian options at the cafe as well! Come here to enjoy good food and great beer with friends. Cheers.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth E.

    How I wish this place were in my neighborhood and not on the other side of the country. Excellent beer, beyond excellent bar food, and a solid game of shuffle-puck. The bartender was super helpful in pointing us to the best of the local beers that we'd never heard of, and my Blind Tiger grilled cheese was so, so good. On several occasions in our few hours there, my boyfriend sighed and said, "Let's move to California." He also suggested that if we ever find ourselves with nothing to do for the duration of our visit to San Diego, we should just go to Hamilton's. I agree. EDITED TO ADD: We actually did end up going to Hamilton's when we had more downtime. My West Coast wasn't as awesome as the Blind Tiger, and it was SO LOUD that we ended up leaving after dinner - but Hamilton's still gets five stars and a special place in my heart.

    (5)

  • J Evan M.

    Lots of beer options

    (4)

  • Larissa H.

    The only bad thing I have to say about this place is the parking situation, which is street-only. That's not really reviewing Hamilton's though, that's reviewing the location. Anyway. Once you find parking, it's just a cool place. If you like beer - REAL beer, the good stuff - this is the place for you. A majillion beers on tap and they've got food as well. Chili-cheese hash browns? What? I don't love chili-cheese anything but for those of you who do, I'm sure it's tasty, judging from the looks of everything else I saw floating by. The fries were great, and a huge portion. The jukebox has some good sounds for sure, and must I mention again how tasty the beer was? It's nice. Very nice. And the decor is cool. The bar is also dog-friendly - INSIDE. There were lots of purse-puppies and a couple larger dogs, all leashed, all social and friendly (same with their owners). You know what else, the bartenders were all cool as well - friendly, patient, good at their job. It gets crowded, but that was kind of something to be expected on a Friday night. In any case, it's close to home and I see this place getting added in to my rotation. Props to this place!

    (4)

  • Geoffrey B.

    So many beers, so many beers, so many beers. Do you like beer? If you can't find one here then you should not be drinking you fool. BTW, their grilled cheese sandwiches are a gym workout.

    (3)

  • Amy H.

    What an interesting little place. It's quite small, and a bit crowded, but it's not so bad if you are able to score a table. It's very much a typical pub, until you see dogs. Not just any dogs, but large dogs..like the size of bears. Very strange. Not sure I feel super comfortable having dogs in a place that serves food, but I suppose that appeals to some people. I thought they had an excellent and reasonably priced beer selection. I also really enjoyed the western burger I ordered. Everyone at my table appeared to enjoy their burgers and grilled cheese. People were saying the Hamilton burger is the best, but it just had too much crazyness on it for me to enjoy. As far as price goes, my roommate and I orderd a burger, grilled cheese, and 4 beers, and it was only $30. They also have 2 pool tables and shuffleboard...at most bars you ahve to wait to play, but there seemed to be constant availability. It was really fun, and I would certainly go back.

    (4)

  • Natasha C.

    Great place to hang out! Love it even more since they let you bring dogs :) The menu is online so I'm not going to repeat it here. I always order the Nekkid wings ($9.25 for a pound, which is about 10 wings) with a side of pub chips with toasted garlic ($3 with any order). The first time I had these wings I was in love, but on a second trip they just weren't the same. Perhaps I need to ask for more of that "beer candy" glaze! Don't order the pub chips with toasted garlic if you're on a first date or are OCD about your breath smelling, because they load those things up with garlic and everything about you will scare vampires after you eat them, trust me!! Either way, this is a dive you don't want to miss. Lots of TV's to watch the game and other random shows simultaneously -- good place to bring your date if he/she is a bore haha!

    (4)

  • Andrew N.

    I like to refer to this place as 'Toronado with character'. The bartenders here are always on the top of their game and more than happy to help you with your questions, usually giving you a couple samples just to make sure you're happy with your decision. MNF = 25 cent wings which I think are some of the best in San Diego. -1 star because the restaurant isn't what it used to be :( PS: Ballast Point Dorado when will you come back to me? ;(

    (4)

  • Taaduh I.

    The lightless, mellow vibe that's usually hanging in the air over friendly neighborhood patrons and their pooches, make this one of my favorite bars in town. There is always something good on the jukebox, usually classic rock but some newer stuff too. I guess it gets a little crowded on weekend nights, but any other time it's pretty comfortable. The beer selection is huge and impressive and offered at reasonable prices. The bar staff is always attentive and willing to help you make the tough decision of what to order. They know what they talking about, tell them what you like and ask them to recommend something new. Hamilton's offers up some great bar food. You should definitely try one of the varieties of wings and don't miss the homemade Hop-Sausage. But don't wait for anyone to take your order, you have to get off your butt and go order it yourself at the window, it's worth it. And it's historical too. They have been serving up spirits in this charming part of South Park for over 75 years. I can only imagine the stories those walls could tell, why not go and make a story for your self?

    (4)

  • Creative N.

    I love Hamilton's and everything about it. Owner is awesome, bartenders are some of the best in town, food is delicious and the beer is right up my alley (ie: they always have Pliny on tap). Is there anything more to say!! Seriously, doesn't that sum it up? Oh yeah, one more thing... when I did the 3-day walk last year, Hamilton's bent over backwards to host our team's (Leave it to Cleavage) fundraiser at the bar. Dennis and Blair made everything run smoothly and it was an extremely successful event. Their support was PARAMOUNT to the success of the event and for that $6500 raised in one day, I will forever be grateful! You rock Hamilton's and everyone who works there!

    (5)

  • Jack P.

    Just had dinner at Hamiltons. Great hot wings.....the hush puppies were a little over done... The homeade sausage was frickin awesome..... Great vibe for a gastro pub....really love the place....might be a suitable replacement for Moes and Joe's......but I doubt it......

    (4)

  • Alex F.

    Okay, now that I've been here a few times and remembered it... Awesome. The beer selection is tops; I got a bottle of Old Rasputin XII and it was delicious. The tenders are great and attentive when they need to be, the place is divey in the way a good beer bar should be: no BS, no layer of gloss. The food is amazing; I think I'm addicted to the hot wings now. Hell, the second time I went, Tom Waits was playing on the juke box! Seriously, this place rocks.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    I will preface this by saying we always come during daytime hours, so we usually avoid the crazy crowds that this place can attract. We have always loved the beer, staff, food, and shuffle board. We usually come here after disc golfing around the corner at Morley field. Only once did I have a bad experience with a server, he was just a little short/rude, but most of them are very helpful and friendly. We always order the "fast" irish nachos and deer hunter wings. The witchfyre grilled cheese is also a favorite.

    (5)

  • Katie M.

    If you follow my reviews at all then you know that I hang out with a group of foodies and beeries. This bar has won over my group of friends simply by having a great beer selection, fair prices and good vibes. I will agree with some yelpers that the food selection is a bit lacking. There's a tiny window that you shout your order through, and the wait can take as long as 30 minutes on a Thursday night for a grilled cheese. And then it comes out very greasy. But hey, it's bar food, I can't expect it to be super health conscious. It's a little on the pricey side for food too. I paid around $8 for a greasy grilled cheese and soggy/cold fries. Five stars regardless of food!

    (5)

  • john w.

    This place is insane - beer is all that they do! I've never seen a better beer selection, and they've got great knowledge of what they're serving up. Strongly recommended for beer lovers. The food situation sucks, though - they've got a little server window, take forever, and I think I saw a cockroach. I'll be back next time I'm in SD!

    (5)

  • Cody T.

    Best beer selection, best food and best staff in the entire state. Best buffalo style wings hands down, they beat any place you will go in this town. San Diego is lucky to have Hamilton's in our city. One of my favorite places to be.

    (5)

  • lauren c.

    Tap--- tap--tap___ Telegraph white__ served on tap- tap____ Like Ahab in search of his white whale, I was Rehab in search of my white ale. I had heard of this rarity, this Telegraph white, but was not prepared for a smoky glass of liquid barbeque. This hickory switch (up) stung my senses and branded beer its own food group, which seemed to be the norm at Hamilton's Tavern*. *Makings of a modern day beer hall: 1) Beer tap studded ceilings. 2) Belgian craft beers, local and microbrews. 3) Over 130 bottles, along with unlikely tap features like, Port Party Pants. 4) Pool tables, fuse ball tables, darts and shuffleboard. 5) Greasy bar treats. Food orders were placed through a window manned by the surly, female chow-slinger who reminded me of a speakeasy bouncer that had just received the wrong password. It was worth her glowering: Beer soup- Learn it, live it, love it. You might leave ten pounds heavier if you actually treated it like a bowl of Campbell's with its heavy cheddar and beer base, but it's a fry's best friend and random spoonfuls washed down my burger like an oyster shooter's beefy cousin. The bowl was bigger then my head, bigger than Frankenstein's head, bigger than Great Grape Ape's head....Four of us shared a bowl and still didn't come close to finishing. Burgers- I debated between the Hamilton (avocado, bacon, manchengo, onion jam and house bbq sauce- yum!) and l'america burger (cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle), so I went with the choice that would make Uncle Sam proud (and I felt obligated since he was sipping an Anchorsteam in the corner.) L' America was a two handed burger, but didn't have an insurmountable wall of meat (1/2 lb.) All bites were balanced with precise burger to bun ratios and its distinct char easily made it one of the best in town. Wings- I adored the wings, but my standards are different than most. I like them petite and crunchy (no disgusting, wobble skin), so they might be too small for some, but for my needs they were first rate (battered in Wahoo wheat beer and homemade wing sauce.) 6) Jukebox- Wow, when was the last time I heard, "Stairway to Heaven?" Probably when it turned 100,000 on the odometer of my eardrums, just as, "Shook me all night long" had left the party sometime during high school. But their comfortable lyrics were like sliding into a favorite T-shirt that had been pushed to the back of the drawer and by the end we were howling a rousing rendition of, "Stand by your man." Come early if you want a table (only four in total, along with three booths by the pool tables) and dogs seem to be welcome patrons. Call me Ishmael...For I will regale this tale to the masses. Call me a cab... I might be at Port Party Pants for a while.

    (4)

  • Marc G.

    Great Place! San Diego is quite a great beer mecca, and this place is high on the list. In somewhat of a residential area, but a true craft beer lover's paradise dive bar.

    (5)

  • Gary R.

    Remember before it closed and then re-opened and there used to be a giant black penis statue? They didn't keep that when they re-opened, and that thing was hilarious. -1 star. I rolled in with some friends a few months ago and rolled up and asked if they had newcastle on draft. The answer was no. -1/2 star. So I said ok I'll get 5 newcastles in a bottle then. And that girl said they didn't have any newcastle AT ALL. And I was like "WTF?" and then I said "Me and my posse are out then, holmes" and that girl was like "whatever". -2 1/2 stars for NO NEWCASTLE AT ALL. I remember her being kinda hot though. +1/2 star Anyways, I have not been back since, because I love me some newcastle and when its miller time thats all I want to drink. so "BEER BAR" my ass, you don't have newcastle and my posse does not patronize your establishment because they would have to put up with me bitching about no newcastle. One of them even moved to NYC. I guess he had nothing to keep him here after that shit, yo. 2 stars. You get some newcastle in that bitch and I'll give you 5, except I'm moving outta the hood anyways, so I guess I'll never know. I guess I had nothing to keep me here after that shit, son.

    (2)

  • Mel C.

    I've been wanting to try Hamilton's Tavern for a while now, and I am glad we did. I got to try some yummy and seriously strong beers. They have a huge IPA selection, which fulfill's Mike's criteria for a good bar, and the prices are not bad. We didn't try the food- there was no where to sit when we entered and I was starting to feel claustrophobic. After a couple beers, I didn't notice the stuffiness at all. I was surprised to see customers bring in their dogs- how cool is that? I tried the beer breakfast stout and a ballast point red ale, and Mike got the Maharaja IPA and an English IPA. We will be back and next time we'll try the food.

    (4)

  • Tanya R.

    People seemed cool, and it was a chill scene, but stars based on the fact that it's not a full bar. Need my hard liquor. T

    (2)

  • Brandon L.

    Only place I know where you can get rare beers and fleas at the same time... They are dog friendly, have pool tables, and a great beer selection. A favorite spot in South Park. Last time I came was for the Bear Racer 5 cask night, which was soooo good! Cant wait till they come back, but until then there will be plenty of other great casks I'm sure.

    (4)

  • Humberto R.

    I love, love, LOVE, this place! Well, I dig the beer. I've had a couple of the food items, and while the burgers are good, they aren't great. But the beer: Oh good god, the beer. They've got all kinds from all over the place and the menu is never the same. Drinks are reasonably priced and it's a pretty chill spot mostly visited by the locals, but it does the crowded around the typical happy hour times. OH, and you gotta love a place that allows dogs

    (4)

  • Pat M.

    Hamilton's has a good vibe and lots of beer choices. The atmosphere and crowd seem completely unpretentious. The food was excellent for a bar and there are a lot of interesting options, including many for vegetarians. I had the classic American Burger and my wife had the classic Grilled Cheese on Texas Toast. Both were well worth it. The layout creates some "traffic flow" problems, but everyone seemed accommodating and considerate, which is rare for a crowded bar. I just went for the first time last night, but they seem to have a lot of specials making almost any night of the week worth dropping in. South Park is an interesting and eclectic neighborhood, and Hamilton's Tavern reflects its Community well.

    (5)

  • Alvin Y.

    This is a BEER ONLY bar. With 2 pool tables, and a shuffle board....... Fun if this is your thing. simple fun

    (3)

  • ryan b.

    Good ol' Hammy's. It can salvage any shitty day, believe me. Look, it's a *beer* bar, not just a bar. This means that they specialize in one item: beer, but they do it better than anyone else in San Diego. If you're as elitist as I am when it comes to beers, this is your place. They have a rotating menu (different each day), but they are sure to have something to hit the spot every night. not sure what to get? ask for a sample. still not sure? go with any local brew. not into microbrews? stick on the (*vomit*) safe side and get your familiar bud light. love this place!

    (5)

  • GMoney D.

    This place is great. If you like, nay, love beer, then this is the beer bar for you. They have a massive selection of beers from ales to stouts and everything in between. I didn't try the food but I seen some people next to me eating what appeared to be a gigantic very appetizing looking sandwich. The bartenders were really cool and helpful. I sampled a few beers before I settled on a wheat ale that was delicious. Another cool thing about this place is that they are totally dog friendly. I went to this place with my little Beagle buddy Henry. I had a great time drinking some beers and talking to friendly locals, while Henry met new canine friends. Henry and I will definitely go back to this place.

    (4)

  • Madison B.

    I came here for the first time on my birthday this past year. The beer selection is amazing, and there was plenty of seating. Everyone was friendly, the bartender gave me a few free drinks, and boy do i love fooze ball. the wooden booths are a little uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as the conversation that the loud annoying group was having in back of us. Overall, I love Hamilton's.

    (4)

  • Walt D.

    good place to grab a beer. only fault i feel is that it can get way too packed in here for no reason. i guess that is only a testament to how much other people love the place.

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    Went there Thanksgiving Saturday, pretty crowded, 2-3 pool tables and shuffle board. Bartender was pretty efficient and taking my order as I entered, even when it was packed. It is wine and beer only, no hard stuff. No soda, other than Mexican Coke A Cola at the cafe in the back. Looks like Beer snobs could enjoy it. They got Double Bastard and a s-load of others. Good crowd I thought, it is south enough that its not a Boy bar if you know what I mean. Beers are about 5 buck per Guiness and Bastard. Didn't try the food.

    (4)

  • Jae A.

    If you beat the rush and snag one of the 3 booths, this is a great place to head after work for some brews. I've only been on a Friday and Thursday night, and it's been pretty packed. Without a booth to define my (and my friends') personal space, I don't think I could hang very long. The beer selection is fantastic. If I could stomach more than 3 beers, I'd make it a goal to try 'em all. The tavern itself is pretty small. There are 2 pool tables (that obviously can't be utilized on a packed night) and a shuffle board, several bar tables, and a dozen or so bar stools. I say junk the pool tables and put up more booths. As for the food, I've had better. I tried the Spicy Hop Sausage, and while the sausage itself was good, I didn't enjoy the mustard. It was way overpowering. The fries were good, though. For the price, though, I'd prefer to get my meal elsewhere and just come for the brews. I'll probably be back again - I've been twice in the last week - but, with beers ranging from $4-$8, I'm not sure how often I can hit this place up. Ssome happy hour specials would be a nice touch.

    (3)

  • Isabel M.

    A dog-friendly bar that serves awesome beer? Sounds like an establishment after my own heart! Hung out here on a trip to San Diego and wish I could bring Hamilton's back to LA with me. A laid-back friendly place with great prices, good booze, and good times!

    (5)

  • charles s.

    Pretty basic bar. Not really a lounge. Great selection of beers on tap and some wine selection. Not one of my faves.

    (3)

  • Tom A.

    I am now a official huge fan of Hamiltons. I liked it before but after seeing how this establishment treats its customers I am sold. Their selection of west coast beers is always so good. Especially when they have Pliney on tap, seriously my favorite beer right now. Do yourself a favor and go down and try the grilled cheese sandwhiches. It is the next level or grilled cheese and it is worth the money, trust me on this.

    (5)

  • Steven Z.

    DÉCOR: 5 OUT OF 5 (COOL IN A DIVE BAR WAY) FOOD: 3.5 OUT OF 5 (GREAT BAR FOOD) SERVICE 4 OUT OF 5 We had talked about checking out Hamilton's for a while and finally went for a beer and a quick bite the other night. Keep in mind you are walking into a neighborhood bar when you enter. There are used taps hanging from the ceiling which adds to the atmosphere. There is a great beer selection and their menu consists of burgers, variations on the grilled cheese, sandwiches that were made with potato pancakes (which looked very interesting) and your usual bar snacks. We are now definitely fans of Hamilton's and will be returning in the near future.

    (4)

  • Patricia A.

    Hamiltons deserves every ounce of their 4.5 star yelp rating. I am continually impressed with their rotating tap and commitment to serving the highest quality beers brewed locally in California. I think they have about 25 beers on tap at any given time. Really, just look up some of the ratings these beers get on beeradvocate.com - - $5 for a pint of Pliny the Elder is a complete steal. They're also really great about hosting lots of fun events to mix it up and the games (shuffleboard, anyone?) really make a difference. And their nachos are delish! You should come here if: 1. You love quality and interesting beers and don't want to pay a premium for them. 2. You're looking for an unassuming, neighborhood feel. You should NOT come here if: 1. You have a popped collar and you're trolling for ass. 2. Your favorite beer is Bud Lite. I saw a few guys there with bottles of Bud Lite one time; they looked quite put out with the whole scene.

    (5)

  • Lisa A.

    I have loved Hamiltons for 2 years now. I went away for a bit and then I came back and I still see familiar faces! It has s a proper local pub feel with one of the best selection of beers in San Diego! Last night I went there and the Christmas selection was fabulous. I drank the anchor steam one and it tasted like christmas in a pint glass. Not that anyone will know what I am talking about but the only reason I didn't give it 5 starts (which is perhaps a little unfair since it is a beer bar) is because the ciders they have on are RUBBISH!!! Blackthorn and Babycham?? Ok it is a better effort than most bars in San Diego but any actual cider lovers will tell you...YUCK! Anyways.....back to the beer.... :-) It is fantastic!

    (4)

  • Eli A.

    This is a bar for beer lovers only. If you want wine or mixed drinks, go elsewhere. If you don't like Hamilton's you abdicate all rights to say you like beer. The food is very good too. Grilled Cheese!

    (5)

  • chris c.

    One week ago this would have gotten a four star review from me but now it gets two. As some other reviewers have indicated, they have raised their prices dramatically. The prices are close to the levels that you would be paying at a baseball game or amusement park. I mean the food is good and all but when it comes down to it, it is bar food and it really won't be anything more. I asked the girl why they raised the prices and her response was "we were practically giving away the food before." I think not. From now on I am not going to feel bad at all about bringing in my own food to the bar...

    (2)

  • Holly B.

    Okay here's the thing; We all love a cool neighborhood bar. I've eaten here a couple of times and was actually impressed with the food. A Grilled cheese of some sort once then a cheeseburger the second time. Of course it is not fine dining but it wasn't oil nation like Small Bar and the portions are very generous. I don't live in North Park and even if I were to try I don't think I would be allowed. This is because apparently bars here only have five seats and allow dogs in. Not an animal person (I'm sorry) but a dog licking a broken glass while it's owner drinks beer and chats up his buds is a bummer. The good thing is the dogs are never barking or hyper. So maybe it's only mild mannered dogs that are allowed inside. At any rate it gets crowded standing room only and very hot. The music is usually good - classic rock etc. They have a lot of crazy beers that I am not cool enough to know about and a bathroom that is single person. I have heard of a couple of people complaining about service but everyone has been nice every time I go there despite the fact I don't have anything witty or relaxed/vintage style on. So I think it may just be random. It's cool here, my advice would be to come before the crowds and secure a seat! Because if you don't there's not even walls to lean on. I mean they have walls there just isn't wall SPACE for you to lean on.

    (3)

  • Toby B.

    One of my favorite bars. Some of the best craft beer in town. Incredible selection. You can get any kind of beer you like. The food is amazing. I recommend the wings and burgers. Two pool tables. Friendly staff. Great crowd. Juke box is LOUD. It gets a little too crowded for me on the weekends. I try to only go on the weekdays.

    (5)

  • Brad H.

    When I was in college I started a brewing club, brewed over 30 batches of beer and drank only the finest beers from around the world, call me a beer snob if you must. Upon moving down to San Diego from San Luis Obispo I was introduced to Hamilton's Tavern and upon entering the doorway I knew I would love it. In a very unassuming neighborhood of San Diego, Golden Hills, I did not expect too much but it was everything I dreamed of when I arrived... Relaxed atmosphere (people wearing shorts and sandals), even the occasional dog strolling around the bar, a juke box full of classic rock hits, 2 pool tables, a few benches for you to drink and socialize at, a shuffleboard table. Every time I have gone to Hamilton's tavern I have made friends either with the other people there or with the bartenders. Now, lets talk about the beer.... They must have about 40 taps and another 50 types of beers in the bottle. Now I doubt that they have any budweisser or miller so if that is what you fancy go to PB, this is not the place for you. They have a wide array of beer types from dark German stouts to San Diego Microbrews and many seasonal choices that may go up to 12% alcohol. They certainly have a Belgium selection for you to choose from and to tell you the truth, if you are in the mood for a certain type of beer, just ask the bartender what his or her favorite beer is in that type and they will smile and serve you! Hamilton's Tavern is a place not to be missed, go there, drink there, take pictures because you will be talking about the bar for a long time!

    (5)

  • Machka V.

    Went on a Saturday night. This "hipster" bar was very crowded and obviously popular. There was a good beer selection but the atmosphere was not great. Also, be warned that this is a very young crowd. So if you are over 30 be ready for the youngsters :).

    (3)

  • Just saying C.

    This tap bar has no SD rival. Hamiltons' has the latest and greatest. It is fresh and exciting. While the selection is largley US and European, I really appreciate the local San Diego and NorCal brews that are available. This is what local business is all about and the locals know it. It get can get crowded and noisy at times---especially at popular events. Somewhat of a dive bar but it does serve decent food. This nieghborhood bar is an outstanding choice for tasting premium craft beer.

    (5)

  • Matthew J.

    Bring back Sparky's! Good beer but not worth the crowd and the crowdedness. You better learn to sign because you're not going to be able to talk. I guess for me this place falls due to its own success. I would like it and grace them with my presents if it was not so packed. Go and enjoy yourself, I'll catch you up the road. If you like this place: you'll love True North

    (2)

  • Mandy Y.

    I love this bar (Thanks Tobey Keith) and I love the experiences I have there. There are three booths, quite a few tables, a pretty good juke box, food, an amazing beer selection, foos ball, quirky bathrooms, and laid back clientele. Best of all, there are DOGS!!! I can't have a dog in my tiny apartment, so thanks to all of you kind patrons of Hamiltons who are willing to share your pooch with the rest of us. I especially appreciate the chuckles I get when I witness a small pup urinating on the leg of a pool table (I know I should see that as gross, but I found it endearing). There are some enormous dogs who frequent the bar as well, Great Danes, Bull Mastiffs, etc. who are as friendly as they are large. My complaints are, though, that this place can get pretty busy at times, and there really isn't much for sitting arrangements when it comes down to it. But, when I'm in a patient mood, I can usually stand it out until a table or booth is open for the snagging. Also, the service can be slow at times, depending on the bartender. On Thursdays, I have had to wait a ridiculous amount of time to get a beer. This must be because of Hamilton's employment of only one bartender on these nights, though they seem to be the busiest. I don't even try Hamilton's on a Friday night--way too busy. But, this is still probably my most favorite bar in San Diego right now.

    (4)

  • Missy E.

    Just okay - beer selection was good, but there are a lot of place that have good selection nowadays. Food was fine, not outstanding. Parking is residential. I'm sure if I lived in the area I would be a regular, but I won't drive to this place otherwise.

    (3)

  • R D.

    It's no wonder this place is packed at 3:00 on a weekday. They have an AMAZING beer selection & by far the best bar food I've ever had. Our out-of-town friends were highly impressed with the selections & service. Our pub crawl that night ended up consisting of 1. Hamilton's. 2. .... The only reason I don't give it a 5 star rating is that even thinking about going to Hamilton's makes me anxious and a bit claustrophobic. If you can't get off work early to reserve a spot, good luck finding a seat. People don't tend to bar hop away from there...

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Welcome to my new drinking home. The ceiling is lined with beer tabs, the place is packed with friendly folks, and the music playing is classic rock. The chalk menu on the wall not only carries an amazing selection of craft beers (and a few wines), but also lists the alcohol content (so you really know what you're getting into). Bar food is also excellent. The sausage sandwich is too big to eat alone, and the "nachos" are french fries loaded down with all the heart-stopping toppings. I was a bit surprised when a man and his mastiff entered - the place is dog friendly. But overall, an excellent choice!

    (5)

  • Molly S.

    I LOVE friendly, genuine service, but that's not something I expect to receive at hole in the wall bars. It's not even something I'm too bothered by if I don't get it. So when I was at Hamilton's on a busy Sat night, I was left speechless at the genuine, good nature of the bartenders AND the women in the kitchen. What a wonderful staff!!! It really made my night. I love this bar anyways. It's warm and cozy and has a fun, hipster crowd. Great beer and food. But really...sometimes when a stranger greets you with a smile, it makes the day that much better.

    (5)

  • Maria I.

    I can't believe I hadn't been there before. Loved it! Loved that they have so many beers that you can't even decide what you want. Loved that the bartenders are super nice and help you decide (and get you water when you need it). Loved that the crowd is pretty mellow and random. Loved that there is a tiny little window in the back right corner that offers delicious goodies (apple-bacon- grilled Gouda cheese), like magic!

    (5)

  • Jason K.

    One of my favorite local dives. Many great beer choices and a fun atmosphere. Great place to go for Sunday Football, especially for Chargers games. (When they remember the San Diego Supercharger song, they place erupts) My only nit pick, is due to the kitchen you smell like grease if you spend more than about 20 minutes inside.

    (4)

  • Jason T.

    Cool place. Lots of great beers.

    (3)

  • koa h.

    Hamiltons. Yeah. Fun, loud, dark, cheerful, good food, tv's, beer's for days, games, crowded, sweaty in winter, cold in summer, drink quality beers into the dark oblivion then wake up the next morning missing a flip flop.

    (5)

  • Jack T.

    I have been coming here for YEARS! Best beer selection, good jukebox, nice TV's, AND it's dog friendly! I woud've left 5 stars BUT I came in on a Friday night with my dog and the older doorman said that they don't allow dogs anymore on Fridays and Saturday nights because it gets too crowded. He said it's a 'new rule' which is understandable. So I walk in and what do I see? A lady "holding" her dog. Whatever. Not going to make a big deal about it but seriously, that was just wack. Besides that, Hamilton's has the best beer in South Park and I guess I will just bring my dog Sunday-Thursday until I get a smaller dog. lol

    (4)

  • Christian B.

    My favorite place to relax. I have a routine on Saturday afternoons. South Park Dog Park, South Bark Dog Wash, then to Hamilton's for a beer and a pulled BBQ Chicken Sammie with the dog. I mean, you can bring dogs in here. Could it get any better? Yes - Pliney the Elder on tap. The beer selection is second only to Toronado, but Hamiltons has far more character. Solid juke box. Second Saturday fests are a blast with free food, show case beers, music specials! In June, they played 2 hours of Cheap Trick while the US Open was on. The staff is cool and there is always a great mix of interesting people. Ever since they opened I have been raving about the place. Good job!

    (5)

  • Eveline A.

    It's always five o'clock somewhere, right? Just kidding...at the risk of sounding alcoholic, it's actually best to avoid Hamilton's at peak drunkening time. The beer list here is impressive, as others have stated repeatedly, but it does get super crowded at night on the weekends. Hamilton's is better enjoyed in the late afternoon, when you can actually talk to the bartenders, who are knowledgeable and can recommend new brews to try. The vibe is pretty cool, as they have beer taps covering the ceiling, but with the crowds, it can be hard to find any place to stand where you won't get stabbed in the abdomen by a pool cue, or in my case, elbowed in the face because I'm too damn short (but still old enough) to be in this bar.

    (5)

  • giovanni g.

    Great beer selection but a complete sausage fest! I should have known since it's a dive/beer bar and doesn't cater to the ladies....or at least the type of ladies that don't look like they need a shower! Would go back for a brew but couldn't stay too long and stand shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of hipster dudes! Gets 3 stars from me on beer selection alone...

    (3)

  • Tom B.

    This is a destination not to be missed. If you like beer and grilled cheese, and are not afraid of a dark crowded bar -- get yourself down here!

    (5)

  • Laura B.

    Hamiton's Tavern is a wonderful little dive bar. My friends and I went there yesterday, a first for me. They had a great beer collection which pleases the boyfriend. I was excited by the low key atmosphere and by the fact that they let our four legged doggy friends join in on the party. We brought our 1 year old mutt Sunshine and she got to meet a cute as a button pug and a big black fellow mutt. I whole heartedly love this place. We will be coming back.

    (4)

  • Adam Z.

    This place actually has decent food. Better than your average pub grub. But it's full of flaws. For one, they are always completely understaffed. This makes the employees working always freak out and then they become rude. And it can take an hour or more for your food(for a grilled cheese sandwich!). The worst part is that they just raised the prices on everything on the menu $3-4 per item. I can see maybe raising a dollar or so, but in one day jack the price up that much? Food is definately not worth the price.

    (2)

  • Sean B.

    I love this bar during the weekday. I refuse to go on a Friday or Saturday night. It's gets overloaded with knuckleheads, that think ordering a 9.5% beer is "gonna make me ripped" That said, they have a great beer selection. The bartenders are really nice people, when you actually can talk with them. I love being able to order from the cafe next door and sitting at the bar.

    (5)

  • Moe H.

    I live dangerously close to this place! It can get a bit busy on weekends but its a great neighborhood bar to hit up. The beers on tap are always changing so don't expect to have the same beer twice in a row. They even have a window back by the pool tables that you can order food and charge it to your tab. They will give you a buzzer and you just come back when its ready. I recommend the Fast Nachos with fake bacon, Yummy!

    (5)

  • Loran H.

    Absolutely love the brew selection at this place, I make a stop here for a pint or five every time I come visit friends in SD. Happened to stop by on Alesmith night one time, was absolutely fantastic. One of the best constantly rotating selections I've seen in SoCal. Great dive bar but not dirty feel, very much a tavern combined with pool tables and shuffleboard. Always a great place to check out if you want to try a new brew. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Bee G.

    Lots of Beer! Lots...definitely a place for some good ol' fashion experimenting. Although, I have had some beer where it wasn't to my liking, but I'm all up for new experiences. I love how the ceiling is decorated with all the different taps they've had in the past. Talk about an homage to the Beer Gods. Get's really crowded but once you find a place to sit, it's all good. Shuffle board, pool and food. I'll be coming back to Hammies.

    (4)

  • Jacques D.

    Best bar, best beer.....haven't tried the food yet. There are great games (pool and shuffle board), and a great atmosphere. It's always fun trying all the new beers on tap. We always stop here whenever we're in South Park.

    (5)

  • Bruce W.

    Dear Hamilton's, I love you. Sincerely, Bruce

    (5)

  • Kenneth S.

    Great place for some great beer!

    (4)

  • amber a.

    Hammies is bar far one of my favorite bars in SD... great beer selection and SHUFFLEBOARD!! nuff said.

    (4)

  • Petra R.

    Delicious and expansive beer list, friendly staff and their pub grub is unbeatable. Try the pulled pork sammi with the side of beans. I get hungry just thinking about it. Dog friendly, which is great for us and shuffleboard tables in the back. What's not to like?

    (5)

  • Marci A.

    Some of the best greasy, bar food ever! LOVE the grilled cheese! The ladies who take the order from the bar are so sweet, and did I mention the grilled cheese sandwich?! Totally affordable and hearty.

    (5)

  • Nathan H.

    Ninja wytchfire burned the shit outta my mouth, but in the good way! Awesome food. I use this place as a constant excuse to go to the bar, but it is an interchangeable excuse that brings me to the bar so I can end up feeding myself, too. Delicious!

    (5)

  • Vero B.

    I'm ashamed for never stepping foot into this bar...until last night. This place is 'stache central! I entered Hamilton's as a marker for my "bar research." Instead, I found myself immersed in the jaw-dropping collection of beer, the mouth-watering smells of the cafe next door and the cool mix of people. Estoy enamorada [I'm in love]. The crowd wasn't obnoxious or rude which made this beer geek (coined by Ryan) feel comfortable. I suggest you save a couple of bucks for some grub next door (the fries are phenomenal). The ratio of male to female is favorable for the ladies, but this is not to say that it should be a hunt for a date. If anything, everyone seems to just kick back and relax. Put those hunter-gatherer ambitions away. But, the next time I set up a date, I'm bringing him here. Hamilton's, you have a new fan.

    (5)

  • adam and maggi w.

    Maggi says: the only reason why this place gets three stars is because on one other occasion I've had a grilled cheese that was good. today i made i mistake and ordered a vegetarian baja dog. they gave me two which fell apart in my hands immediately. really? come on buy some better buns. it was disgusting. i will never ever ever order that again. on the other hand the bar is cool with a good beer selection. seen better but what the hell i live in the neighborhood. I'll be back but not for the dogs. Lil' brittle says: their chicken Sammie left much to be desired. I'll go back for the grill cheese only because i live across the street. the bar...not worth leaving your neighborhood for.

    (3)

  • Debbie L.

    No matter what, I always have a great time here. excellent beer, food, pool, foosball.. shuffleboard.. there is no way you can go wrong. It does get a little noisy sometimes, but I don't think you can expect anything less at a place like this. there is a good laid back crowd. The food here is good and decently priced. The fries here are really salty though (but otherwise really good), so I recommend getting them without seasoning.. or at least with less seasoning. I asked for a cup of water here once, and they actually gave me bottled water. A+ for service.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth A.

    Cool little bar with LOTS of beer to choose from. I'm not really a beer person but they had lambic (raspberry) so I was fine. They have a few pool tables, foosball, and shuffle board. There were like 4 dogs in the bar so that was kinda random and weird. lol. Parking is nice because it's in a little neighborhood so you don't have to worry about finding a stupid spot and paying up the wazoo for it.

    (4)

  • Kari M.

    Music way tooooooooooooo loud. If it was turned down about 5 decibels this place would be my favorite. Turn it down!!!

    (1)

  • Jeff W.

    So a few Saturdays ago I decide to grab a pizza from Lefty's. I drive from Coronado and stop in at Hamilton's for a beer. Guess what was being featured that weekend... that's right, beer from the CORONADO BREWING CO.. What were the chances. Anyway I had a few Belgian beers and just dug the feel of the place. Definitely a beer lovers haven!!!

    (4)

  • Oshin K.

    This joint gives me a hangover. This is not the bars problem, and is due to my inherent lack of self control. I went last Friday night and I had a great time. The beer selection is just ridiculous. I wasn't even really looking to get tipsy, but there were so many good beers on tap it just kind of happened :/ This is one of those places that will turn me into the town drunk from some old Irish novel. The vibe in this place is good. The people are very friendly, the music is good, and the bartender was awesome and attentive even though she was swamped. This is how neighborhood bars should be.

    (5)

  • Jeni K.

    I do like this place, but not as much as I used to. It's gotten way too loud and crowded. I can hardly hear myself think...or maybe I'm just getting old.

    (3)

  • Camie K.

    Going to Hamilton's Tavern is like walking over to your good ol' next door neighbor's house to watch a game while downing 6-packs of beer. You are bound to have a jolly time because you know a) it is comfortable, b) you get to choose what beer you want (from their astoundingly long list of taps), and c) the company is great. Service is decent and not pushy. The bartendar is knowledgeable of the taps and helpful with selecting the right beer to fulfill your peculiar tastes. Just tell her what types of beer you like and trust in her ability to find something to suit your needs. Ambience is chill and has a "cleaner" vibe compared to your average dive bar. Folks that go there seem to be frequent regulars. Pets are welcomed too. There are two pool tables and one shuffleboard. Even if you come out alone, you can easily get one of the folks to chime in. I am sure they are always up for a game. Do... ask nicely though. Since Hamilton is trapped in a quiet neighborhood, it is easy to miss. There is not much going on outside, but as soon as you enter you will want to make plans for your next trip.

    (4)

  • adam y.

    One of the best places in central or outer San Diego to get a good beer. I can't say it any better. There is a dizzying array of bottled beers in the cases; enough that you could try a new one every day and not repeat yourself for at least a few months. The taps are clean and the beer list changes very regularly. I've seen new beers added daily. Hamilton's favors IPAs so if hops aren't your thing, be on the lookout. Thankfully the taps list has the name, style, percentage and price all on a big board, visible from across the room. The cafe next door literally has a hole in the wall through which orders for tasty pub grub can be placed. I recommend an order each of the fries and beer cheese soup. Health concerns be damned, it's the perfect snack to go along with many of the beers. The cafe supplies you with a buzzer so you don't have to wait around the window to have your name called. Nice touch. The barkeeps are all friendly and, for the most part, quick to serve. Sometimes when things get busy you can get overlooked but just be patient as they always come around. If it's slower don't be afraid to ask for suggestions. Even if their suggestions stink they conversation is usually good. Let's not forget the games. Free fussball? Check. Free shuffleboard? Check. Free pool? Che--wait, no. Pool is a dollar. Guess they have to make the money back somewhere. Swap in your ID for a set of shuffleboard discs or a fussball....ball. Easy. Stop reading this review. Go to Hamilton's. Remember why beer was created. And.....GO!

    (5)

  • Dr Victoria M.

    at less then 2 blocks from my house, how can I NOT love hamiltons!! I like tuesdays, not very busy and get to play a game of pool while listening to good music on the jukebox and sipping on a cold beer! Any night here is fun, the weekends get pretty busy, but the crowd is fun.....I've never had a bad night here! And I love the bartenders!!

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    I like Hamilton's - Great place to grab a beer or a $10 1/2 bottle of pinot noir. Amazing rock'n'roll jukebox and always playing classic movies. It can get crowed on the weekends so if you're planning on getting a drinking group together, then you might want to get there early to secure a spot. Food is good too. Since I've eaten there, they've expanded they're menu to have all different type of hot dogs, Including the Tijuana hotdog - I even saw a TJ veggie dog - can't wait to try that one. But the one time a did order food, I had a killer grilled cheese and my friend macked a big juicy burger.

    (3)

  • diane k.

    Cattle Decapitation!!!!!! Sooooo delish!!! and spicy!!! I loved the atmosphere!!!!

    (5)

  • mamminger z.

    I love this place. It's definitely for beer-lovers and people who pretty much want to chill out and have a good time. The crowd here can become a hodgepodge of sorts, which I don't mind: it keeps the place interesting. If you don't plan on being a regular, I highly suggest being adventurous and trying out a beer that you never had before or heard of. I don't know any other places that offer as extensive a selection, and it would be a waste to not take advantage of it.

    (5)

  • R D.

    This place is for beer lovers. ...be cautious the beers are potent.

    (5)

  • Candace M.

    Can't help it, but I have to respond to Edwin R.'s review about the Hamilton's clientele - if you LOVE the people you meet in the bars downtown or in PB, then you may agree with him. But I've lived in South Park for almost 4 years now, and the Hamilton's crowd is the best I know. Friendly people who are always willing to buy you a beer or lend you a cigarette. People who really care about the people and the world around them. And of course, people who like to drink beer! So, Edwin, I am more than happy to leave downtown and PB to you and your kind - I'll take Hamilton's anyday!

    (5)

  • Ken W.

    Great beer-centric hangout. Shuffleboard is fun and the pool tables are quite nice. Food is pretty tasty. Bartenders are very nice. Three tvs to enjoy sports. My previous review mentioned a few negative characteristics but they seem to all have been resolved. I think I might just live come here after work every evening and sleep in my wagon.... save on housing costs. In the movie "Titanic" there is a scene where Leo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet have dinner with the folks in the upstairs where the upper class eat. It is a formal, stuffy, boring meal. Then they go downstairs into 3rd class steerage, which is a no frills spartan type environment, and everyone is laughing and having a great time. This bar is the downstairs party... enjoy!

    (4)

  • Brooke C.

    We stopped by here on the SD beer bus tour. I liked the neighborhood feel to it; everyone just seemed so happy drinking beer! The beer selection was massive. Not knowing much about beer, I asked the bartender to help me decide and he picked something (Rascal something or other?) that I ended up really enjoying. I love that they are dog friendly! It's not everyday that you see dogs chillin' inside a bar =)

    (4)

  • Carolina S.

    Great beer, great food, great local vibe AND you can bring your dog. Just watch out for Saturday nights - get there early!

    (4)

  • Kaisar Nova K.

    Hamilton's is a cool neighborhood bar, tucked away, with a good, warm, friendly vibe. It felt like I was transported to a fresh of breath air ;-) This spot has the goods: booths, beer selection, wine, chill staff, shuffleboard (kegs underneath), two pool tables, fooz, jukebox, sports on the tele, etc. Sporting a sweatshirt on a cool autumn night in SD, I can't say I really felt the heat. Its a dog-friendly joint, but I didn't see any this Thursday night. Rumor had it the canines were home reading the paper. If dogs ruled the world? But, what I did see was people having a really good time. The chatter had a nice pitch. Lots of smiles here and you have to digg that. Spots like Blue Foot, Triple Crown, Turf and Hamilton's are cool alternatives for local cats who have outgrown PB and Gaslamp life. SD is growing, and there are a lot of cookie-cutter joints, but if you look real hard, you might find a precious gem or two. Need to take a break from your dissertation or hipster-ville? Come down to Hamilton's. Ciao.

    (4)

  • Penny L.

    Incredible beer selection and friendly atmosphere. Dogs are allowed inside which is also a plus. I took my hubby there for his bday to have fun trying the different beers. I wad jealous because I am pregnant. Funny though the atmosphere on a Wed night was busy but not too noisy or overcrowded that I wanted to die. I was sober and had a great experience. Can't wait to go back and sip on some delish unique beer.

    (4)

  • D B.

    Amazing... even more amazing because I live within walking distance. They only serve beer here and some wine. Since i am a beer drinker it's like heaven. The selection is great. Nothing like going to a small tavern, grabbing a booth and some beers with friends, and playing a "friendly" game of shuffle board or pool. There's also a cafe next door where you can order food and bring it in to the bar. Perfect for tipsey munchies.

    (5)

  • Kim P.

    We were only here long enough for one beer, but had we stayed longer I could probably have fairly rated this with an extra star. EXCELLENT beers on tap, dog friendly. We each had a double IPA.

    (4)

  • Kim S.

    Hamiltons has legitimately made me want to move to South Park. No actually. Not just South Park. I would like to move somewhere on 30th street, preferably between Beech & Cedar. I already love that whole general area (South & North Park), but really I just want to be able leave my house whenever I want, walk down the street and enjoy one of the best beer selections possible, a delicious grilled cheese, wings, tater tots, or a hamburger and play some pool or shuffleboard while petting some cute dogs and meeting cool people. Seriously, everytime I come here, I fall more in love. I've had the Blind Tiger, West Coast and Cumin Gouda Jr. All good, but the Blind Tiger is really where its at. Cheese, apples, grilled onions & bacon. BOMB. Their BBQ sauce is also delicious, especially on the pulled chicken wimpy. AND they have burgers made with tater tots instead of meat. AMAZING idea. And so delicious. Now lets talk about the beer....actually. Nevermind. I can't even put into words how happy it makes me. I'm speechless everytime I see their beer selection and usually stand there for at least 5 minutes deciding which I want first. They always have lots of beers I've never even heard of and theres something for everyone. And they're not expensive by any means. I LOVE that dogs are allowed and love playing shuffleboard. I could go on and on but all in all, Just go. Go now. Go tomorrow. Go everyday. I'm moving in next door asap so I'll see you there.

    (5)

  • Stephanie D.

    This is one of my favorite bars even though it's beer only. I always feel like I'm walking into someone's house when I come here which isn't a bad thing. The vibe is chill and there's almost always a place to sit even when it's busy. The bartenders are really friendly and have always helped me choose a yummy beer when I've been indecisive. This place is kind of out of the way for me, but is almost always my first choice when I'm in the area for good reason.

    (4)

  • Kimberly P.

    Yes, Hamilton's has an amazing selection of frosty bevs. I can blissfully choose from various sour and red ales all day long, to my delight. What really blew me away here was the food, it's damn tasty. I like that they stick to bar food, burgers, grilled cheese, fries, nachos, wings, because after all, it is a bar. They definitely do bar food right, with their own saucy style, my grilled cheese rocked, I guess the food has to be good to compete with all the delicious beers flowing out of their taps. Bonus...they even have hush puppies!!!! (I was really excited at first, but they did not rock my world) the cook also forgot about my order of said hp's, so I had to wait foreva, but they gave them to me for free, so it all worked out in the end ;) It is dark inside, even during the day, so if your over sunny San Diego, this would be your perfect retreat.

    (4)

  • Sega S.

    Fircken Friday Cask night is awesome! Always good beer on tap. It gets packed after 5pm, but you can usually find a chair along the wall if you didn't catch a table or seat at the bar. I like the dim atmosphere, and the loud music is a plus, if you like that sort of thing. Food menu looks good. I recommend the garlic fries and the grilled cheese if you looking for an appetizer to share.

    (5)

  • Baja S.

    Great beer. Great people. Great atmosphere. Only reason I do not give a 5 is because the food selection is limited and the designated driver does not have much of a selection (e.g. no tea). Otherwise I think this place is great.

    (4)

  • Rob P.

    I can see why people dig this place... cozy little beer bar in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Everyone seemed super nice, both staff and patrons. Shuffleboard in the back is always a big plus. Unfortunately, I'm a liquor kind of guy and this place only serves beer, but they do have a huge selection, so it worked. It's like the indie of Yard Houses.

    (4)

  • Emma M.

    I wish I lived in the South Park neighborhood so I could enjoy this local hangout more often. It has a great atmosphere, friendly staff, a shuffle board, pool tables, a detailed and extensive list of beers and only beer. It is rumored they are adding a restaurant part next store so that would be pretty neat too. Hopefully, I'll be back one day. I really enjoyed the Avery White Rascal wietbier.

    (4)

  • Andy Z.

    My favorite bar so long as Pliny is on tap. For food, the burgers are great, but I am partial to the hot wings. Try the deer hunter.

    (5)

  • Albert H.

    Great combination of pub fare with amazing craft beers. Atmosphere was very dark with a youthful crowd, and dogs are allowed too. Major downside for me was the loud music so I'll be sure to visit earlier in the day on future visits. Pub fare was fairly good, but then again it was so dark that I couldn't really see what I was eating!

    (5)

  • Ami C.

    Great bar with so many delicious choices on tap. I didn't get to stay for long, but I can't wait til my friend's and I go back. It was really fun.

    (4)

  • Jonathan F.

    I like beer. Hooray beer! It's the cause of and yet solution to all of life's problems. I actually came here by accident, I was supposed to meet some buddies at the Whistle Stop for trivia night, and for some reason I had Hamilton's stuck in my head. Before I found out I was at the wrong place, I tried the Ballast Point Wahoo Wheat. Very tasty. Also had a Coronado Mother Pucker, a strong and flavorful red ale. I'm not going to go into great detail about the beers, because their website ( hamiltonstavern.com/onta… ) will do a much better job than I could. They also have a huge bottle selection, including my favorite beer, Franziskaner Hefe-weisse ( franziskaner.com ). Just take one look at that monk on the label, holding the mug with one hand and the other hand on his belly. He looks like a monk that knows good beer. Anyway, if you like beer, hit this place up. I'm not sure about the crowd, I went on a Monday night and then walked over the Whistle Stop after about an hour. I've heard it draws a very hipster crowd, so you can judge that for yourself. If it's busy, it might take a bit to get your drink of choice, but isn't that true of any bar that's crowded? There's a reason it's crowded--maybe because it's good?

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    The beer is amazing and served by people who enjoy it. Thiis place deserves your hard earned money and patronage in this beer Shangri La. The only issue is all the damn hipsters. They should open an Urban Outfitters a mile a way or so to keep them distracted like moths.

    (5)

  • Alex A.

    Good place to hang out with friends & a great selection of cervezas! I'll be back again & again. Might even bring the pups....

    (4)

  • lori p.

    Okay, I used to drink socially. Then I was put on meds that make it near impossible to imbibe. Hmmmm..... health or booze? Health won. We go to Hamilton's last night, my husband wants a good beer with his food. I get..... water! WATER! Not even a hipster soda was to be found. Fuck that. Plus we would have to walk next door to get food, where they were apparently they were out of soda. They do have an excellent selection of brews. The bartender was very nice. What do they allow dogs in there?

    (2)

  • Carey P.

    I love this place. The beer selection is outstanding, a lot of great kinds you won't find elsewhere in San Diego (at least not easily). The food, although "bar fare" is very good and not standard stuff - it is well prepared and tasty. And they allow dogs! This makes me so happy, and I don't even own one. It gives it a real neighborhood vibe. Friendly and fun staff (Dennis rocks) and great atmosphere (love the taps hanging from the ceiling).

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    Always a great craft beer selection at this place. If you want hard liquor, you best find another spot but if you appreciate the greatness of beer, then pull up a stool and hang out for a bit. Super casual, with a ton of taps hanging from the ceiling. Love how patrons can bring their dogs in as well, just adds to the atmosphere of chill. Love their second Saturday events, that they are a stopping point on Drink About and their Firkin Fridays. Can get really crowded but if you are lucky enough to find a table, definately a spot to hang your hat for a bit and pour a few back.

    (4)

  • Cavan P.

    I find it strange everyone keeps calling this a dive bar on yelp, it's not. Maybe, if you were the Prince of Wales or something. This place is what it is, a beer bar; scratch that, a beer overload bar. So much to choose from, and a lively diverse crowd always make it interesting. Much better when you can wrangle a booth. If not you have to learn how to juggle your beer. They also have food, which is unfortunately kind of rare in San Diego. Oh yeah and it is dog friendly, if you have trouble meeting girls without a four legged friend magnet.

    (4)

  • James H.

    This place has a decent crowd on a Saturday night. GREAT beer selection. Pool tables and shuffleboard can get competitive juices flowing while you sip down the sweet nectar served at the bar.

    (3)

  • Robert P.

    This place is fantastic, really a gem in the South Park neighborhood. It's got an incredible beer selection- honestly it's a little overwhelming. When you walk on there, you see a huge chalk board with every beer they have on tap and then there's the three coolers with several (by several I mean closer to 70) different kinds of beer. It's a great place to go after work, and grab a pint and probably run into a guy you know, or watch THE GAME, as they have 3 good sized High-def tv's that are always playing SPORTS. I was going to give this place four stars, but my gripe really isn't enough to justify it. The one knock from me is I'm personally no fan of IPAs or drinking dark, heavy beers during the day time and it feels like the Pale Ale selection on tap could use 1-2 more beers,.

    (5)

  • M K.

    This place basically started my love-affair with shuffleboard. If I ever make my eventual millions and create the adult-playground of my dreams, "buy a shuffleboard table" would be #2 on my list right after "build exotic tiger sanctuary tended by lingerie models." I don't think you need much else than what you get here. Great f'ing beer (try and get in on their periodic Alesmith cask releases), good crowd, and did I mention this already? SHUFFLEBOARD.

    (4)

  • Joey L.

    Got the word from Mathew V. that this joint served Trappiste de Rochefort 10, so I headed over here early on a Saturday night. Wife: "IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO OUT FOR 2 HOURS YOU BETTER BRING BACK SOME ICE CREAM!" SuperJoe: "Alright babe." I used to live in South Park and would drop in now and then for some $2 coronas. I remember it as the prototypical neighborhood dive bar that I would only go when I was piss poor. Hole...lee...shit! This ain't the same bar; that was Sparky's. The new owner transformed it into Hamilton's and added the most prestigious beers, both on tap and in a glass-door fridge, that I've seen in God knows when. I walked in and quickly moved to the end of the bar by the the fridge that showcased these European babies. Female bartender: "HEY, IF YOU WANT ME TO HELP YOU, YOU NEED TO BE IN FRONT OF THE BAR!" SuperJoe: : "Oh, I'm sorry. I just wanted to see what you had in the fridge." Female bartender: "Oh, okay. I also have a beer list. Let me get it" Nice move SuperJoe. You turned a pissed off woman into a friend for the next hour on the drop of a hat. Wish I could do the same with my wife (just kidding Honey, you know I love ya!). Trappiste de Rochefort 8 (didn't want to do 10 'cause I need to drive home) served in a goblet. Oooooooh mama, me likey, effen beautiful. Oh shit...the Daily Scoop will be closing in 20 minutes, gotta go. Can't wait to come again.

    (5)

  • Lee K.

    Hamilton's is one of the best craft beer bars in America, hidden in the skin of a ordinary dive bar. Though it can be dimly lit, inside hides one of the best tap lists around with a surprisingly pretty top notch menu of cheapish pub grub. The weekend tap list with the firkin tappings will showcase the reasons that California is one of the best states for craft beer. And the prices? Holy shit, are they affordable. This is also one of the few bars I ran into in SD this year that had Pliny on tap. Note that you should get there early on a Friday or Saturday if you're planning on eating. Tables and bar space fills up fast. About half of the place is pool tables and shuffleboards. Also, this area of 30th in South Park is chill AF. I wish I could ride my bike here and make it my neighborhood bar. If you like beer and are in San Diego, go to Hamilton's.

    (5)

  • Gretzen L.

    You can always count on Hamilton's to be open til 2am! They have TV's at the bar, for big games. There's also a shuffle board, my kinda game. And 2 pool tables. Hang out at a booth, one of the side tables or at the bat. If your hungry they also serve food, until a certain time (maybe 10pm???). Their burgers are pretty tasty, and you can never go wrong with their tots!

    (4)

  • Alex T.

    My favorite beer bar in San Diego. Whether you're a beer fanatic or newbie you'll find the place easy going. Beer is constantly rotating. I recommend you trying it out during the earlier hours, you'll be able to get free samples of beer and really hone your beer taste buds. The busier hours (7pm-10pm) it gets crazy packed, but that doesn't matter because it's HAMILTON'S! Get your beer(s) and sink in the ambience. This place doesn't only serves fantastic beers, the food is outstanding! Grilled cheese w/ fries is a go to. If you're looking for an upgrade in your grilled cheese experience, try the Blind Tiger. Holy Crap it's amazing. You're mouth will be grateful. Also, the Hamilton Burger is delicious. Also, also, their french fries are legit. Also, Also, Also, hot wings are a thing of wonder. Just do it.

    (5)

  • Maurice N.

    For the craft beer lover, Hamilton's is an institution. After enjoying a cold beer on the patio over at South Park Brewing Company next door, my friend and I wanted over to Hamilton's for another beer. Entering into this dark bar, you immediately notice the crowds of people filling the place with an energetic vibe. As we wandered over to the bar we noticed that it was Pizza Port tap takeover, so they had an extensive list of offerings of craft beer not normally found. I settled on the Port Shark Bite Hoppy Red Ale while my friend chose the very unique mango inspired IPA on nitro that was complex while very drinkable. You will not beat their prices for amazing craft beer. While many places are starting to charge $7 or $8 for pints of craft beer, Hamilton's range more like $4-6 per pint. Luckily, we were to find two seats at the bar in front of the beer case, where they offer additional rare, imported beers in bottle. The aroma of busy kitchen could be detected wafting from the rear of the bar. My friend told me the grilled cheese is the way to go, so next time I am in there I will need to give it a try!

    (5)

  • Zachary M.

    Hamiltons is right down the street from my house. This place is always packed at night regardless. All I have to say about the decor is look up once you get inside. The sight is rad! The bar is a little pretentious just like any other hipsterish bar in San Diego, whatever. The bar has two pools tables and a shuffle board so you can easily play games while there. The kitchen is split with new neighbor Southpark brewing and fish house. The bartenders and kitchen window give great service. Its tough to find a spot to sit if you want to eat and the entire menu looks delicious. Give it a shot, it is one of San Diego's classics- owned by the same guys who do monkey paw and small bar.

    (4)

  • Sonia S.

    This is by far my favorite beer bar in San Diego. Idk why but just the beer board, service, (GRILLED CHEESES), and ambiance, I just like way better than Toronado, Monkey Paw, Regal Beagle and all those other ones. They have a great beer selection with rotating taps, and really good food with a little side restaurant that you can hit up if you aren't in the mood for the whole pub vibe and just want food. Always a good time at Hamilton's.

    (5)

  • Sylvia H.

    #NAME?

    (4)

  • Ran K.

    If you meet Nate and Sam, I love them, and the rest of the bartenders they are really cool.. I lived in south park a year and moved to kensington.. came back here after months and there was two guys standing outside on a Friday night.. the fat one stares at my ID for 5 min.. then I walk in.. my gf walks in . Later and says the dude that looks like a lady (bish with the long curly, girly bish hair) said to her, "that's my manager, so don't fuck up," I'm pretty sure he was talking some shit too as we got out of the cab.. WE.. real dumb.. I loved this place.. no need for me to come back tho.. I chose to on this night and these guys.. you got alllll BAR PINK on me... not cool bruh!

    (1)

  • Paul S.

    Been to a few places in the Golden Hill area in the past to dine and hangout. The area just doesn't disappoint. With the cool neighborhood vibe- pretty friendly people, dogs everywhere and well kepted renovated houses. Golden Hills is a place I like to go to from time to time. One place I visited for the first time is Hamilton's Tavern. On a Saturday, the streets where filled with home improvement vendors. A block or two were filled with hundreds of people looking at new windows and doors to furniture and any else house related. We were early and Hamilton's opened at 1 PM. So we had time to burn so we looked at new front doors ourselves. Once 1 PM rolled around. We saw a guy walk into Hamilton's. So we took that as a cue that they were open because we didn't see a OPEN sign posted. Not sure if we missed it or not. Inside was a beer drinkers wet dream. A chalkboard on the bar wall lists the many beers on tap as well as two large big window coolers with bottles of more beer to choose from. The selection was crazy. Many of the well known craft beers and some not so well known are there to drink. It didn't take long for the place to get filled. I am guessing mostly locals. Hanging from the ceiling are taps from beers that they serve or have served in the past. A pretty impressive collection. They also had a couple of pool tables and a shuffle board. Also a few big TV's behind the bar wall. So besides drinking. You can play some games as well as watch the game. On this day. The golf U.S. Open was on. Man, I loved golf more when Mickelson was playing better. Father Time seemed to have taken Phil's game away. As far as food offerings. The food was decent. The grub is burgers and hotdogs, tater tots, chili and fries in big portions. Definitely kills any hunger and soaks up all the beer you are drinking. To order food, you had to go to a small window near the shuffleboard table. A bearded dude took my order. Wasn't sure if he was having a bad day or he didn't want to be at work or both but he wasn't friendly at all. I guess he didn't get the friendly Golden Hill vibe memo. Dude, it wouldn't kill you to smile. Overall, a solid neighborhood bar with tons of character. Okay food. Outstanding beer selection. Mostly nice people working there. The bartenders were very cool. Very dog friendly. Thinking about bringing Bella next time.

    (4)

  • Cicely A.

    Do you enjoy craft beer, an unpretentious/chill atmosphere, playing pool/shuffleboard and bar food? If you said "yes" to anything on this list, this place is worth checking out. This is a popular alehouse dive located in South Park. There are waves of tap handles that emblazon the ceiling as an homage to all the beers they have ever served. For the beer connoisseur, they have a chalkboard menu with the name, flavor description, ABV and price of their brews (all handwritten in various colors). I gravitate to the milk stout. Although they are open until "nothing good happens after 2am" be sure to order food before 10pm because that is when the kitchen closes. I've only tried the "fast nachos." They were mediocre but not terrible. Probably try something else next time. They have tables, mostly two and four tops with pub height bar stools. You can play pool and shuffleboard for $Free.99 on Sundays while jamming to jukebox classics.

    (4)

  • GT W.

    Similar ambiance to Kickbacks in Jacksonville, FL. Major dive bar with almost a biker feel. Pool tables, bench seating, dark lighting around the bar. Men's restroom has no lock and is a one person stall - good luck. Tap list when I was there was impressive with a focus on SD local breweries - a huge chalkboard filled with nearly 40 taps running the gamut of styles and local producers. Specialties and one-offs common. Bottle list is huge with a lot of good stuff like Avery sours, Cantillon Mamouche, Ruination 10th Anniversary, Dugges Idjit. Cool place. I'd come back to raid the bottle list. A large bar food menu is available with sausages, burgers, etc. Didn't eat here. I'd expect decent pub grub. Service is exceptionally attentive and nice.

    (4)

  • Brett S.

    I thought they had a really good beer selection and decor was pretty unique with all the taps on the ceiling. With shuffleboard and pool this could be a fun night.

    (4)

  • Lina P.

    Ummm....how does this place have 4 1/2 stars and over 1000 reviews?!?! We came in at 7:30pm on a Saturday...opened the door and there were lots of people but no music. So awkward. They did have a lot of beer options and I tried one that was good, but did not purchase a glass because we left right away. Our group could just not handle the boringness going on inside... Play your music Hamiltons!

    (2)

  • Nikita J.

    Hamilton's!!!!! One of my favorite bars in South Park. I hesitate to classify this place as a dive bar... its defiantly not ritzy, tis a little dark, and there are no windows. Maybe more of a divey Ale House?! Nailed it! Seriously tho Hamiltons has an incredible craft beer selection, tons of dark corners, an amazing history and pulls a great crowd ;) This place has been around for over 75 years! They're the oldest beer & wine licensed bar in all of the land of San Diego! If you're looking for proof, feel free to just look up while your walking in. Hanging from their ceiling is a sea of old tap handles from all the beers they've served since they 1st opened their doors. There are two pool tables and a few TVs for people in need of activities or distractions. They also serve food which I have yet to sample! I've heard wonderful things about their burgers and whispers of tater-tots which I plan to try soon. I love me a good burger!! Add some tots and a sexy craft beer and I'm in heaven! Over all its a great bar with a WONDERFUL local beer selection! I highly recommend it!

    (4)

  • Cortney K.

    Awesome little dive spot in the neighborhood. Beer and wine only, but all the pool and shuffleboard you could ask for. A juke box with 100 songs total, but only 50 cents a play and all classics. Food service through the window that connects it to the cafe. Best part is that dogs are allowed!

    (4)

  • Abby W.

    As far as dive bars go, this place is pretty awesome! We stopped in for New Year's Eve and were lucky enough to snag a small table around 8 p.m. As the night went on, the bar got slightly more crowded but never over-packed. It was a great middle ground between staying home and going all out. In addition to having a large beer menu, Hamilton's also offers a couple of cider choices, which is perfect if you're like me and don't drink beer. My friends all love the beer though and I heard that Pliny the Elder was the favorite of the night. Hungry? There's a small order window at the back of the bar where you can place your orders for a variety of bar food that is actually a few steps up from regular bar food. The grilled cheese sandwiches were delicious! I stuck with the classic grilled cheese with tater tots. Although I asked for a side of ranch to go with my tots, I found that the beer cheddar soup proved to be a better dipping sauce. I highly recommend this $1 upgrade to any meal. The grilled cheese also tasted great dipped in the cheddar soup. More cheese! There were a couple pool tables and a shuffleboard table too. If I lived closer to South Park, I could see this being a cool place to check out on the regular. Too bad that it's a little too far for me in Del Mar.

    (4)

  • Jeff T.

    I've always had a great time at Hamilton's Tavern. A few friends of mine used to live very close by and it was our standby spot to grab a craft beer and just enjoy each others company. It can get crowded and rowdy late at night, but that's part of it's charm. The amount of craft beer that they have at Hamilton's is outstanding and it's always rotating. The bartenders are helpful and don't hesitate to give you a taste or suggest something based on your taste preferences. Everyone who works there or even comes there to grab a beer is always in such a good mood and everyone is having a lot of fun. They have a dog friendly policy too, so hopefully you aren't scared. So stop on by, grab a beer or three and play some pool or shuffleboard! Hamilton's is an AWESOME dive.

    (4)

  • Matthew C.

    Dive Bar or Craft Beer Heaven? Maybe both? Seating is very limited in this windowless establishment. Two crowded pool tables and an awesome shuffle board take up 40% of the floor space. Taps hang from the rafters, reminding you of all the awesome beer there. Service is a little snobby with a heavy dose of "locals only bro" smeared in your face. Despite all this, the beer selection rocks. From Russian River brews to the massive list of Belgian bottled beer - this place has it all. Prices are reasonable. Don't forget the kitchen! The hot wings are awesome - especially if you like to play russian roullette... All in all, you should definitely go here. Whether or not you'll like it is an open question. With so many great watering holes in San Diego, it's hard to stand out.

    (4)

  • Shalayna A.

    I came here on a Saturday night after having dinner nearby. It was pretty full, but we still found a table. I went up to order us drinks at the bar, and found it in a bit of chaos. There was no rhyme or reason to how to get a drink. I lucked out and someone felt sorry for me, lending me their seat at the bar for a minute while I ordered (this appeared to be the only way to get the bartenders attention, as they couldn't see me behind the people sitting down). The bartenders were nice but clearly in a hurry, when I ordered a cider they were nice enough to tell me that the cider comes in a huge bottle, and I might want to order something smaller. We ended up with two white beers (forgot the name - st archers or something), and two glasses of red wine. We all must have ordered wrong, as they were not that good (I think the wine had been sitting out a few days, it was undrinkable). We did get to play a few games of pool, which saved the night. They have a change machine which was nice and made things easier. I saw people having fun with the shuffleboard, and the vibe was laid back which was nice. They were even playing Supertroopers on the TV which was awesome. Divey bars are usually where I feel the most comfortable, but the stress (and time) of trying to fight the crowd at the bar was too much for me to want to try this place again. There must be a better way!

    (3)

  • Peijean T.

    "Look in the kitchen," urged my friend, nodding toward the little corner window where the food orders came up. I did. "What?" (me) "Look INSIDE the kitchen." "Ohmigawd." "Yeah, he looks like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite, right?" "I'll bet he's training to be a caged fighter." [Real conversation from last night, upon arriving to meet some friends] This place is darn cool and the crowd was unpretentious and friendly on my visit this weekend. It was packed Saturday night, but there was still space to hang and we even found chairs along the wall eventually. When you walk in you can see the gazillions of tap handles just hanging from the ceiling, and then to your left is the massive chalkboard of beers. I was excited to see a hard ginger beer listed -- I've only ever had ginger beer at Hess Brewing Company last fall, and they don't have it at Hess anymore. Prices were great for the craft beer; I think most were under $5 or $6. The shuffle board is against the wall and the longest I've ever seen. It's so tempting to just lean over and reach in and grab the puck. Who does that?! It's kind of like having the urge to scream in church.

    (4)

  • Christine P.

    While craft beer is their specialty, the food is five-star quality. I always get the "Blind Tiger" - cartelized apples, onions, and bacon - another form of "pig candy" - with the perfect pairing of cheese. Or, you could try Hamilton's own bartender, Matt, for his own recipe for Steak and Egg Poutine - yummmmo! Love their support of their own talent!

    (5)

  • Michelle B.

    Hamilton's does not need my 5 star review but given that I've been here numerous times and it's one of my top 5 bars for a good craft beer I must write a review. I've visited Hamilton's with a small group of friends, bigger group of friends with just one friend and every single time it's a good time. I enjoy the ambiance of everyone just having some good beers and enjoying themselves. People are friendly and willing to share a table with you if you ask nicely. The nice thing about Hamilton's is that it doesn't feel like your stereotypical San Diego bar. You come across people with similar interests to yours. Who would of thought?! Oh yeah, the beer selection is superb. I'm obligated the step out of my Pilsner and Saison comfort zone but totally worth it!

    (5)

  • Karen G.

    Choose this place FOR SURE!!!!! Hubby and I were leaving the Zoo. Saw this place on Yelp. My grilled cheese with an added burger party was UH-mazing!!! Amazing draft craft beer list. Has a "dive" feel but it's soul is top notch. No waiters. Order food at the window, beers at the bar.

    (5)

  • Kong N.

    great craft beer choice. Friendly bartenders. Great place to relax and catch up with friends

    (5)

  • Mr V.

    GREAT Selection of ON-TAP Beers. One Word: PLINY Friendly Staff. Great Atmosphere. Spectacular Grilled Cheese!!!

    (5)

  • Jack L.

    If I had come solely for the beer and the company, this would be a wonderful dive bar location. Because I was hungry and wanted to eat, this was a poor choice. Ordered the banh mi sandwich and was grossed out by the off-putting weird stale taste of the butter on the bread. I already came prepared not to compare to real banh mi but the sandwich was still unacceptable. The tots were nice, but I really don't think they can ever be bad. Will not return for the food.

    (2)

  • Brian Y.

    Great mix of people inside and loved the interior with the handle taps hanging from the ceiling and low-light-red-tinged dive bar vibe. Really nice beer selection that favors SD brews which I appreciated. My only wish is that they had a drink vessel picture or oz amount next to the beers, I was disappointed to get a 4.5% Modern Times gose poured in a 10 oz glass. Shuffle puck! and pool to keep the fun going. Average bar food but that will do if you just need to line your stomach to drink more.

    (3)

  • Lee L.

    We visited Hamilton's on a recent beer-focused visit to San Diego. We had been to about 12 different breweries and several different bars, and everywhere we went people told us to make sure we visited Hamilton's. We were extremely happy we ended our last night in town here. There are hundreds if not a couple thousand tap handles adorning the ceiling. They have a perfectly curated beer list that is 95% comprised of beer from San Diego, the Bay area, and Oregon. It's a bit dive-y with pool tables, and they were literally playing Sharknado 2 on the televisions. We ordered a couple of local rarities to start, but after getting completely sucked into Sharknado 2, me and my SO split a 750 of Cascade. Besides the great atmosphere and beer, the staff was spot on. They were laid back, not pretentious, and very knowledgable about the beer.

    (5)

  • Love Z.

    Fabulous. Best tavern in San Diego (and half our population knows it -- the place is always crowded). Great selection of local and non-local drafts. Terrific atmosphere. And fabulous location. They also give out pizza and other treats during certain happy hours. And it is always delicious.

    (4)

  • Tom K.

    The Mary Poppins of bars. Come for the beer, stay for the food. Love the taps, shuffleboard, and pool. I just wish it was in my neighborhood. They have some of the best beers on tap you can find anywhere, and they must cycle daily because it's hard to get a repeat. They always seem to have a sour on tap which is awesome and hard to find, and their bottle selection is really great too. Just recently I had the El Segundo IPA that is amazing, and the Karl Strauss Under the Stairs Sour with Fig. Yummmmmmm. Also ate the Steak & Egg Poutine (Freaking amazing) and the Hammy Hash which was so unbelieveable I had to go back to the kitchen get the chef out and give him in person gratitude on one of the most amazing sammiches i've ever had, let alone at a bar. The decor is dark and it's usually crowded, but good places should be. The only negative is that this place is extremely habit forming.

    (5)

  • Johana T.

    Beeeeeeer! That's all they have.. beer, beer, and more beer.. yey!! This is such a laid back bar, it's refreshing to go to one of these instead of the normal hillcrest/northpark/downtown areas. They let you taste any of their beers they have and they have a BUNCH of IPAs. My favorite though is a snakebite,which is apple cider and guiness. YUM!! So it can get pretty crowded but I've always been able to find a stool up at the bar though. This is definitely a new spot I'm going to hit up more :)

    (5)

  • Rebecca L.

    A divey bar free of undergrads where you can take a date to impress her with your shuffleboard skills or ability to distinguish one craft beer from another. Not my usual scene but it's one of my friend's fave places to drink and I can see why. There's pool, shuffleboard, sports on the multiple tvs and, of course, an impressive array of craft beers. Pliny the Elder is their most sought after draught. Fans of piney beer with medium body would love this (I loved it!) We just came here for drinks but the food menu looks impressive, and according to a blurb at the top literally everything in the bar has beer infused in it (even the paint on the walls!) Come here for a low key date (earlier in the evening before the rowdies come out) or to kick it with old friends.

    (4)

  • Kathia M.

    Favorite bar by far here in San Diego! Been to a lot of places but I always seem to come back here!

    (5)

  • Chris V.

    I went to South Park, and I had myself a time. Hamilton's is a great local bar with a bit of a dive-y feel, but it serves a lot of craft beers. They make me sad that I'm not actually a connoisseur. The menu shows an impressive array of beers with varying alcohol content and price listed for each, and I probably would've wanted more than one beer too if we didn't have such a busy day ahead of us. I decided that I wanted a red beer and got the Alpine Red Card, which was actually appropriate for the occasion. We had walked into a bit of a World Cup viewing party, specifically the extra time in the Netherlands vs. Costa Rica quarterfinals match. Very energetic atmosphere with most people pulling for the underdog. And if soccer isn't your thing, then I guess you can Google "red card" and figure that out. I wish that we weren't still full from lunch. I am certain that I would have enjoyed the fruity notes in my beer more if only I'd ordered something, anything, to wipe away the bitter aftertaste. Alas, I resigned myself to swallowing a bit of a torturous pint. Compounding my dilemma was my phone, which picked up a signal again and told me that I'd picked a pretty highly rated beer. Oh well, there's a lesson every time. The ceiling was pretty nice to look at too. If I'd actually recognized any of those names of tap beers on the handles, I probably would've been geeking out. I'm glad we got to see this place when it wasn't packed wall to wall and when it had that live sporting event vibe. I think every city could use a tavern like Hamilton's, so congrats to South Park. Er, I mean San Diego.

    (5)

  • Jennifer V.

    I LOVE this place. They have so many craft beers on tap, not to mention their menu caters to those who are vegetarian (I am not a Vegetarian but I used to be and still enjoy having the option). I took 2 friends and my boyfriend here on New Year's Eve and it was their first time (not mine). They seemed unconvinced that this place could possibly serve good food and I didn't blame them. At first site, Hamilton's appears to look like any ordinary dive bar, but I promised them good eats and that's what we got! For dinner, I ordered the American Burger, while my boyfriend got the Adios, Mexico. Our friends ordered some special grilled cheeses (I don't remember what kinds they got). The portions were huge and the food seemed fresh. I like that they don't make the food overly greasy like most bars do. Everyone was satisfied with their meals. As for the beer, there's a wide variety and I think the list changes often. I don't believe they serve hard alcohol but surprisingly, I did see Sake on the menu! My favorite beer of the night was the Double Bastard Ale by Stone Brewing Company - delicious! The staff was really approachable too. We asked one employee to take our picture what seemed like 100 times because we had issues with our flash but he was cracking jokes and having fun with us, while most people would be annoyed I'm sure. The bartenders were pretty nice too and quick to serve even when it became more crowded. The person working the café wasn't a big talker, but he was professional enough and got our food out really fast. I even called Hamilton's before I left my house to see how busy they were and the male I spoke with was so helpful and invited me to call back right before we were ready to head over to see if was busier than before. For New Year's Eve, it wasn't nearly as packed as I expected it to be but by 10 pm, the place was starting to fill up and people were starting to wait for a place to sit. I guess we got there at the perfect time. We even parked right next to the bar! My only criticism is that the tables are way too tiny. They only offer 3 or 4 large tables so if you aren't lucky enough to score one of those, you're stuck cramming at one of the little tables (which is okay if you're not eating). That's all.

    (5)

  • Sammy J.

    Best beer bar in San Diego. Goes way back when the SD beer scene was picking up steam in 2005. Don't depend on the bar staff to know much, or remember you after frequent visits. Could be a bit pretentious and too cool for school kind of service. Great place to sip on some tasty local and domestic quality barley juice. They carry a good selection of specialty imports as well. Love hamilton, but not a complete package. Once you have some decent bar staff that can make everybody feel welcome, then you may be americas best beer bar.

    (4)

  • Sonia S.

    On our overnight trip to SD, we were lucky to visit and partake in some delicious brews at Hamilton's Tavern. Moose Drool, Bell's Porter, Pliny the Elder to name a few.. My cousin said Hamilton's is THE hottest bar in SD. He was right on the money! From the minute we walked in, I knew I'd love this place. Quaint, cozy, dimly lit with a super chill vibe. One of those places where everyone knows your name. The Bartender was super cool. Service was awesome. The ceiling was decorated with tap handles up the ying yang...sweet. We got there late, so we weren't able to taste the food. The menu looked legit though.. from hush puppies to chili cheese tater tots to even a sammy named Mothertrucker. We are definitely making our way back. Stay thirsty, my friends..

    (4)

  • Nicole G.

    Fantastic beer bar, but you knew that already. Fabulous tap list, yup, I think that's been covered. Dogs in the bar? Of course. But delightfully, delightful fancy grilled cheese sandwiches with brie and apple and god knows what other kind of saucey sauce, whoa I don't think we covered that enough. Just keep in mind, when you're frequenting one of the best little brew houses in SD that they've got some awesome carbs to go with those carbs. Just sidle up to the little window like you know what you're doing and order that cheese, grilled, with all the fixin's. We already knew you could do beer well, my favorite of all favorite places, but with the food -- you've won my heart forever.

    (5)

  • Arlene P.

    Cool place, but crowded! But I guess it just means it's popular! But I really don't like feeling crowded and that I'm elbowing for room or hunting for a seat... They have a great selection of beers and a couple of booths and a couple of pool tables... I don't know, maybe I'm just getting old for crowded dive bars. 3 stars for the beer selection and coolness factor. Minus 2 for the just yucky crowded feeling.

    (3)

  • Tito J.

    I was assaulted and then kicked out for punching the wall. This bar serves a (non-food) prank dish called Russian Roulette Chicken Wings. The dish contains one wing that is dipped in pepper spray (ghost peppers?). My friend ordered the dish not understanding how hot the one wing really was and offered to share, not telling me about the poisoned wing. I had the misfortune of gobbling down the poisoned wing. My eyes started spewing pepper spray and I was momentarily blinded. My breathing became erradic. I ran to the bathroom in a panic, trying to flush out my eyes, which made it worse. I punched the wall in response to the intense pain in my eyes. Then I got kicked out for punching the wall in my panicked state. I was sick for several hours later. If the bar serves poisoned prank food, they should be prepared to deal with customers going into shock. It's totally uncool to serve a prank dish and then be hardasses when customers freak out. It was the bar's fault I punched the wall. I caused no damage to the bar and had no idea what was happening to me. I can forgive the assault, but not the rude reaction to my freak out. Talk about adding insult to injury! Other than the poisoned food prank dishes, and totally unchill management, the bar is fine. I will never be going back to this bar. Don't eat the food. Some of it may be deliberately poisoned.

    (1)

  • Jodi H.

    It's really in the middle of nowhere. Unless you're a local, you'll find yourself looking super lost and really out-of-place. My friend and I ventured out here on night for a good beer and burger, and we ordered our burger in a small area behind a screen door next door to the actual bar. The girl taking out order wasn't super friendly, and seemed like she really wanted to get off her shift--I get it gurl, I work in dining too...but service is service, and you definitely need to work on pleasing the customers despite whatever emotions you're going through. Moving past that first encounter, my friend and I were eager to see this so-called-unique bar for ourselves. After greeting the friendly bouncer, we walked into a warm and toasty environment of bar people that gave off a lumberjack and woodsy vibe. We picked up our burgers through a speakeasy sort of window that connected the bar with the next door kitchen (by the billiard tables). We ate at the bar, and a sweet bartender took really good care of us and got us ketchup even though he had a line of patrons at the bar ordering drinks--thanks dude, you rock!! I very much so enjoyed my potato patty burger (vegetarians, this is your ish) and beer. The environment was much more intimate--so come here with a group of friends--it's not so much a meet-new-people type of environment. Not being from this area, my friend and I felt lucky that we came here together and could hold an intimate conversation amidst the loud chatter and hearty laughter. You feel comfortable here, but also a bit invisible, if that makes any sense. Nothing negative about Hamilton's and there's nothing they did wrong, but I don't think this place fits my vibes and what I enjoy in a bar.

    (2)

  • Erin M.

    I'm not a small bit surprised that Hamiton's has a nearly perfect rating with almost 900 reviews. It's outstanding, and I'm happy that on my first visit to SD, I got to visit it's best bar. I was lucky to come here on Second Saturday. The second Saturday of every month features a special brewery. For me, the brewery was Ale Smith. Beers are $4.00, and they offer a delicious spread of food starting at 5:00pm. FO FREE. I can't think of a better combo. And this food is super well rounded. Ham, yams, scalopped potatoes, and a salad with freshity fresh greens. All in all, delicious beers, deliciuos food, great vibe. Great jukebox. Great owner, Scotty. Great manager, Ian. This place is a home run.

    (5)

  • Beatriz T.

    I don't understand why establishments think because they serve alcohol they can lack in customer service. I don't drink beer but i came with my friends and so what I had to do is eat food and 45 minutes later nothing. I go up to ask for my food and they say I'm next but have no idea what my order is, finally i get my food and I would have legitimately wanted to order more food but because of the ridiculous time I had to wait for food and the plain chance that I would have to wait another 45 minutes for food was ridiculous. Just forget it.

    (1)

  • Jorgeanne C.

    If you enjoy craft beers, lots of seating at a bar, a bar with good food, and even more craft beer then Hamilton's it is. First time i came here was for their Second Saturday event featuring a few LA breweries. First off when you walk in (and you must be super early if coming for Second Saturday) you immediately notice the beer taps all on the ceiling and lots of it. Not only do they have the event's beer options but they also have many more options available so don't be discouraged if you are a beer snob and can only have this or that option. They have many options. Plus many seats! But with that said its a small bar but they managed to make it comfy for lots of people. Also food here is delish. Plus it's free during second satuday. Even better. Beer check. Food check. Neighborhood feel. check. Definitely my new favorite.

    (5)

  • Marc P.

    Fantastic selection of craft beers on tap, and a good vibe. My friends and I admired the hundreds of taps adorning the ceiling (could there be over a thousand?). They have two coin-op pool tables, and a shuffleboard table. I don't know if it was an optical illusion, but they appeared to be smaller than any other bar tables I have ever played on. The shuffleboard was fun, but they need to order a can of "shuffleboard wax" (aka the gliding sand) because there were way too many dead spots due to the dearth of wax/sand on the table.

    (5)

  • Zabour W.

    I love this place, and have eaten and drunk here many times. We came on a Wednesday night for some drinks and a bite, and it took 1hr to receive our food. When we finally got buzzed, the order was incorrect. We didn't complain, however when I went to the window to pick up our fixed order, I politely said... "Normally I wouldn't say anything, but it took an hour for us to receive our food."... (awkward silent pause). The girl looked at me and quickly said "Thank you.", turned and walked away. Awesome! Guess that's what you get to do when the customer pays first. Bar service is still great, but an hour for a grilled cheese and tots? Kitchen staff needs a reality check!

    (1)

  • Lindsay H.

    After a long hiatus from this great bar, I returned for my first time attending their second saturday. This is definitely a cannot-miss event! November featured Marin brewing company, and I enjoyed their saison very much! Having arrived early, my friends and I were able to snag a couple seats at the bar where we were able to enjoy the delicious free food!!! What a great, generous event. This place has a great great beer selection on a daily base, and has a very laid-back/heavily-bearded man kind of feel so come and hang out in your plaid shirt.

    (4)

  • Natalia L.

    Came here for a girls night out on a Wednesday. For being a first timer I was pretty impressed for their wide variety of beer selection. Tried the monkey paw. Also ordered the grilled cheese and tater tots. Service was good, no complaints. Will definitely be coming back again :)

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    There is a reason why this place is a top beer bar in the U.S. every year: the beer selection is the shiz! Super dog friendly and good, greasy, bar food.

    (5)

  • Erik G.

    One of my top 3 favorite Craft Beer bars in all of San Diego. Their beer list is dope, broad and constantly changing! It keeps you wanting to come back. It can get tough to find a seat at the bar sometimes, but there is plenty high-top tables and bar stools on the other half of the restaurant. I haven't tried too much on their food menu (which you order separately from the side of the restaurant opposite the bar), but it has been very good for times I've ordered. I love the neighborhood feel here, as well as the dark tavern like feel. Definitely will always try to make my way around this neck of the woods for a good beer and atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Melissa N.

    I'm shocked I haven't reviewed this place yet! If you're a beer lover, you MUST stop by Hamilton's! They have a wide selection of beer for low prices, so get ready to buy a round for your friends ;). My friends and I came here on a Monday night and it was probably one of the best nights I had there! They're usually busy and crowded during the weekends, but on Monday, there wasn't any of the awkward shuffling between people or trying to track down an empty stool. We easily found a table and fit in two games of pool. Hamilton's is also SUPER nice! My boyfriend left his card there overnight, and when he went back to retrieve it the next morning, they didn't charge him any extra fees! Usually, most bars would charge 20% of the tab, but nope, not here!

    (5)

  • Garrett Kaeo W.

    This is the kingdom of craft beers. You can get pretty much the best of the best craft beers here, along with tons of new things that get rotated on. From draught to bottles or even some cans, you will pretty much find the one beer you absolute love and probably at least 2 or 3 more you are going to. The beers are about $6 or more depending on what you get. The atmosphere here is amazing very dark light, just like a great dive bar, and from the looks on the outside, you would suggest the exact same. But once you step in and your eyes dilate, your are welcomed into the kingdom of beers by a massive chalkboard with beers for days. They have 2 pool tables, and two shuffle board tables as well with a juke box. This place is simply the best place to grab some pints of the best beer in the world.

    (5)

  • Patrick D.

    The ultimate beer bar. If you are a beer snob or just someone who loves a great craft beer. This is the place to be. With reasonable prices and a friendly staff why not go. If you dont have time to stop at all the local breweries, just go here and grab the beers. They also have a shuffle board table as well as two pool tables, and enough seating for a good amount of people. Their draft list was probably around 30 beers (some on nitro) with a bottle list that would make you weep with excitement. Are you in the area? Do you want a beer? Go here now.

    (5)

  • Mario S.

    I appreciate the vegan food options. Good bar. Gets packed, so weeknights and early on the weekends work best for me. I love that I can bus it straight home from the stop right outside. Forget Uber and surge pricing. Can't beat 2.25 for a ride home.

    (4)

  • Frank H.

    By far the best bar in South Park always have rotating beers on tap their burgers are to die for especially the Hamilton burger also there Grill cheese too. The beer tenders really know their beers not like most beer bars they'll take their time to explain the beers to you. Hammy's Is the place to be on a Friday and Saturday night alway a great crowd friendly. Great staff behind the bar and in the kitchen .

    (5)

  • Gray W.

    Do you like craft beer? Of course you do because if you didn't you would be a communist cannibal and no one likes communist cannibals if you are worried you might be a communist cannibal get yourself over to Hamilton's for their extensive array of craft beers and sample yourself some of the great micro brews from far and near with something every beer lover can hold dear, the kitchen serves up some tasty bar menu meals with its own house twist, the staff is nice and never throws fits, the ambience is hipster but you won't be judged, there's pool to play and you can shuffle board too as you drink the night away. Great beer selection 5/5 Foods tasty 3/5 Service is good 3/5 Décor is great and they literal have the entire ceiling covered in old beer taps and folks a nice great mix of tap house and neighborhood bar 4/5.

    (4)

  • Kristian Z.

    If there's only 1 craft beer bar you stop at in San Diego, make it Hamilton's, the quintessential beer bar in my opinion. Jefferson and Sam are easily the 2 sexiest bartenders, EVER. I can't believe they're not Calvin Klein models. Maybe they are?! You will never find a better tap line up, and try to make their special events. Always something cool and rare on tap to go with your amazing grilled cheese.

    (5)

  • Stefanie C.

    This place is so fun! Pool tables and craft beers? Heck yes! Cute place to hang out with friends or bring a date. They have a huge selection of beers on the menu, so take your pick. It's super chill to be here, and there are plenty of places to either sit or stand. It can get pretty crowded, but you can just wait around for a tiny table or barstool seats. Or just arrive during less busy times. You can even play some pool in the meantime! I heard the food is pretty good too, but I haven't tried anything yet.

    (4)

  • Michelle V.

    I want to give Hamiltons 5 stars, but I'm consistently disappointed with their customer service. The bartenders are great! BUT the rest of their staff are completely rude. A few months back a busser called out my table for not bringing our empty glasses back to the bar. Not in a funny "haha you're lazy" kind of way, in an extremely rude way. Also, the kitchen staff looks at you like you are an idiot for wanting to order food. They act like they are doing you a huuuggeee favor for taking your order. Like this place but won't be coming back if they continue to treat their customers this way.

    (3)

  • Kristin M.

    I originally was going to give this place 5 stars and I used to frequent it quite a bit until one night late last year my friends and I had a pretty horrible experience. It was the door guy. I don't know his name....nor did I care to find out. We had arrived approximately 45 minutes earlier. We all ordered our first round and hung around inside where we had managed to grab a table. My friend had one beer - ONE beer total for the night. We walked outside to meet another friend who was smoking when my friend suddenly felt ill. She did get sick (not related to alcohol) and she threw up outside of the front of the building on the street. She was really embarrassed (it is embarrassing to vomit in public, especially when you are basically sober). To add to that the bouncer then approached and berated her for vomiting and gave her a huge guilt trip about how he had to clean it up. He then opened the side door to the kitchen area and had someone who worked in there come clean it up for him. He was a complete dick to us and would not allow her to re-enter the bar for her driver's license. She was CLEARLY not intoxicated. Now, I understand that bars have rules about letting people who have gotten sick back inside....I'm pretty sure there's no rule that says you have to be a complete douchebag about it though. Anyway, I will never come here again, nor will anyone who was with us that night. It's obviously not hurting their business, so I doubt they will care. I was just cruising yelp and suddenly remembered how pissed I was about this entire incident. My 2 cents (which I'm sure he cares nothing about)....having unkempt facial hair, a beanie, tons of tattoos, excessive body odor, and a door to guard does not make you cool. I realize you thought it did for some reason....but no. I know many people with some or all of those qualities and none of them think they are entitled to treat people that poorly. That is all.

    (1)

  • Valerie P.

    Classic pub environment. Lively crowd. Outstanding food. We had the firecracker - a spicy steak sandwich and deluxe burger. Fries are delicious. And beat of all, great selection of craft brews with lots of local choices.

    (4)

  • Elysse P.

    Bar seating, a few tables for small groups, and pool tables. Chill, local spot with lots of goooood-tasting craft beer on tap. I'm an I.P.A. girl and they got tons. I've been a few times, but I prefer weekdays just because it's less crowded/loud.

    (4)

  • Brennan W.

    Always GREAT Beer selection. Pliny the elder seems to be here more than most places. Surprisingly Great food as well. Super dark once you walk in but your eyes adjust. Friendly atmosphere. Feels like an upscale dive bar. Pretty great. No complaints

    (5)

  • Cody P.

    Couldnt have been more pleased to stumble upon this gem. Amazing beer menu, fantastic, friendly bartenders, pool tables, and incredibly dog friendly. I highly recommend the karl strauss strawberry sour...lip puckeringly delicious.

    (5)

  • Chris O.

    Of the thousands upon thousands of dollars I've spent between Hamilton's, Monkey Paw, and SPBC, I'll never go back to any of them. After closing out about a dozen or so smaller transactions this night, turns out my bank shut my debit card down for too many transactions. The guy at the door was talking to me like I was bailing out on the tab, and pulled his phone out to call the poilce. Had a credit card in my truck, but if I walked away he was going to call the police. Not cool. Good thing i had a friend with me to cover me. Never ever going back to any of them. Lost my business.

    (2)

  • Chris B.

    This is your standard no frills bar so don't expect anything extremely exciting. The atmosphere is very lively and inviting though so it's still a good spot to park yourself and hang out for food and drinks. With that being said however, San Diego has many places that offers the same thing but so I would say they're just meh. As for the food, I tried the burger which wasn't the best I've had but still decent nonetheless. What really sucked though was the bahn mi. I asked for hop sausage and they were out and I asked if there was any other meat that they can replace it with. They offered a standard bahn mi so I agreed to that. I wish they told me that the standard bahn mi didn't include any meat!!! If I wanted an enormous piece of bread slathered with sauce with a sliver of veggies I really would've opted for another burger or something. Clearly I wasn't a vegetarian since I asked for a meat alternative. So they lose a star for that since that was one extremely unsatisfying sandwich.

    (2)

  • Andrea A.

    Really cool and funky bar. The decor plays into the history. Definitely somewhere to bring a beer buff. It was crowded even on a Monday night but we found a table easily.

    (5)

  • Tien N.

    This is a really great spot if you're beer snob. Or you're somewhat interested in beer. Or are just a snob. Lots of variety for very reasonable prices and great service to boot, not much more you can ask for. It gets crowded at times so if you want a seat get here early-ish on weekends (before 9).

    (5)

  • David S.

    The place was packed and standing room only, but a great selection of beers on the wall and lots of beer taps on the ceiling.

    (4)

  • Irma A.

    Ok... I finally ate here... Had the Blind Tiger grilled cheese... DELICIOUS!!! Absolutely loved it.. The fries were so tasty... Tuesday night and it's a little loud in here at 5:30, have never been in here when it's this loud, but none the less, beer is great and relaxed atmosphere is great! Pool tables busy, and the music is perfect, not even too loud. The beer in here is constantly changing, so if you find a beer you love, write the name down! This place is a beer lovers paradise!

    (5)

  • Angel L.

    One of my favorite bars to go to in this area. They have a great wide variety of craft beer to choose from, even beer from other countries not just local craft beer. They have a pool table, and even the food is even finger licking good! Can't go wrong with the tater tots, or anything really on their food menu. Only thing I recommend is arriving before 9pm, because by then it's packed, and you ain't finding a seat for a while.

    (5)

  • Jack M.

    I heard they made a mean grilled cheese, and given I have been working on a list for San Diego grilled cheese sandwiches, I ended up here for dinner. I ordered their the "West Coast," that had sharp cheddar, sliced avocados, tomatoes, and pickles gridded up on some sourdough bread with fresh rosemary for $7.75. I had tater tots with beer cheese sauce and an order of their Hush Puppies served with a raspberry chipotle sauce for $5.50. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hami… ) You got to love a comforting grilled cheese sandwich, and this one in particular hit the spot. Although, I found the pickles an interesting choice, they actually worked with their sourness. The grilled cheese was an handsome specimen and the tater tots were just beckoning ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hami… ). The grilled cheese was great and had a great crust peppered with rosemary sprigs which added great flavor to the whole sandwich. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hami… ) All the ingredients, were well layered and tasted great, but what surprising brought this grilled cheese together were those pickles! ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hami… ) Sounds odd, but there they were. Oh yes, dipping the grilled cheese in the beer cheese sauce, just made for an over the top experience. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hami… ) The tater tots were great. A perfect crunchy exterior with spot on seasoning and a soft moist center was in order, with these little golden nuggets ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hami… ), not to mention dipping them in that wonderful cheesy beer sauce I keep coming back to....( yelp.com/biz_photos/hami… ) The hush puppies are made made Johnny on the spot fresh from batter made in house. As a result, are great hard and crunchy exterior and soft center packed with great corn flavor and a hint of herb. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hami… ) Seriously, I made these puppies disappear rather quickly. They were that good, and dipping them in the spicy chipotle raspberry sauce was almost a sinful indulgent. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hami… ) on second thought, it was.... The place inside is small and not much to look at ( yelp.com/biz_photos/hami… ), but I did not even care because I was very focused on the food, and remember you can eat in the main bar next door. The girl who took my order and brought me my food was great. I loved her tats and friendly demeanor. A grilled cheese score...!

    (4)

  • Moran E.

    Great please to hang out and try some amazing craft beer !!!! Love it ( knee high ) btw was my beer of choice , it is out of this world ! Great service btw even tho they wore packed , good job boys :)

    (5)

  • Mike K.

    I love the location of this, San Diego's oldest beer bar. Their tap list is always wide ranging and their food is great. The southwestern burger is so good. They have shuffle board as well which is a great pub game. It's usually packed so get there early if you want to sit.

    (4)

  • Veronica B.

    Love that they had Pliny the Elder on tap! Cool bar with a great beer selection. The ambiance in here is really lay back, nice decor, and a couple of pool tables. It gets packed, so it's tough to find a space to be at if you're with a group of more than 4. Enjoyed it & will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Kandy D.

    Beer is good. Food is good. Location, also good. Bartenders, all good. Crowd, sometimes good, sometimes good mixed with douche. Service, good. If you don't like this place, then you're an asshole. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Hamilton's. Welcome.

    (5)

  • Krystah S.

    I love Hammys. Started coming last year and made it a Wednesday night thing for me and a few friends. Well then I met my now husband here. Love over first beer. Classy I know. But every Wednesday we go back. Love it! Great beer, food and atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    Old Faithful! This place just never lets me down! I have no idea why I never introduced my husband to this place but on Valentines Day we decided to cancel our formal date and have a nice relaxing fun date. I suggested this place. It was casks night Friday and the beer they were casking fit perfectly to the theme of the night "My bloody Valentine" This was the last beer that I had and wish I would of made it my first! We got some bites Tots and beer cheese soup for me. My husband had a hard time choosing what he wanted he chose some sort of sandwich but then asked the guy taking the order which one he liked best. The guy told him his favorite was the chicken artichoke sandwich so my husband went with it. He's since ordered it over and over again and raves about this being his new favorite sandwich. We've come to Hammys 3 times in the past 2 weeks because my husband just can't get enough of it now! LOL! This is now our go to spot for date night.

    (5)

  • chris s.

    I would have given Hamilton's five stars for obvious reasons if you have ever been there but, the last time i was there they kicked out my buddy who had his six month old with him. She didn't make a sound. Not saying she might later but, they always have a few misbehaving dogs and the day I was there, a bunch of construction workers were carrying one, being louder than anyone I have heard there before and talking about f@$%ing people in the a$$ at the top of their lungs and apparently that is acceptable behavior.

    (4)

  • Ric B.

    Yes, it's a dive. It's hella dark inside and a little stuffy. But it has an extensive beer selection, great food, and very attentive bar staff who are eager to please. Shared a buffalo grilled cheese and beer wings with friends, everyone seemed satisfied but where was the "beer candy" we were promised on the wings??

    (4)

  • Andy G.

    I've avoided reviewing Hamilton's for the selfish reason that I don't want you to know about it. I've been frequenting this location since the year they opened and they continue to impress me with their beer rotation, highlighted brewery events, and consistently high quality food. Don't go here... because I don't want you taking my seat.

    (5)

  • Elisia A.

    Went here for the first time ever last Friday. Cute local South Park spot. Seemed like decent prices (I didnt pay). It's small but not stuffy. They have 2 pools tables. I'm not a huge beer drinker but they let you sample each beer which i thought was awesome. The one I chose was pretty good. We got there right at 3pm when they opened and my cousins and friends wanted to eat but the kitchen didn't open till 5 and it was a limited menu because they're under construction. I wouldn't say I'd go back because I live in CV & it's a little far but it was a great place and if I was invited, I'd go back.

    (4)

  • Chase C.

    This is the kind of place where it can feel like the middle of the night in the middle of the afternoon. It has a great dive bar feel but with great craft beer and delicious food! Seriously, their grilled cheese sandwiches are amazing. The craft beer selection is also top-notch.

    (5)

  • Alma G.

    I love Hamiltons Tavern! For many reasons, the main one being the beer selection. The service here is so friendly! My husband & I got a free beer after we told our very friendly bartender (Sam) that we had just got married the previous week! We live super close so we come here at least three times a week & it never disappoints. Thanks to Hamiltons, I have been able to try so many different craft beers. Hands down my favorite bar in San Diego.

    (5)

  • Marreola A.

    About damn time I write a review about Hamiltons. I love this place!!! Great craft beer selection, my goal is to try a new beer each time. The staff if friendly, the bartenders will help you out if your having trouble deciding on a beer. I warn you they don't have; Bud light, coronas, Heineken those type of beers so don't even bother lol. It's a pet friendly shop and the crowd is diverse, I've had no problem with anyone nor have I seen an argument escalade. They have two pool tables and one shuffle board all on one side of the pub. One more thing to mention is the food, great hamburgers with tots you should definitely try them out. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Lan N.

    Holy Moly Second Saturday was packed. They feature different beers for the evening and if you're lucky you come early enough for the cask duels. I missed it =( and I came right when they ran out of food pairing but it all looked amazing. Now that I know how busy it gets, I'll be coming early. We still had a great time!

    (4)

  • Stevie K.

    Food is good! Beer is better! Great spot to relax and meet up the guys. Grab a table pull up a stool and try some craft beers that you normally wouldn't ! A little adventure never hurt anyone! Prepare to order food, once you smell it .... It will be hard to resist! Cheers!

    (4)

  • Daniel R.

    55 minutes for an order of wings and a hamburger. Fries were cold and the hamburger was stacked poorly. Normally I can overlook the poor customer service but that much wait for cold food is truly sad.

    (3)

  • Rebekah T.

    It's no surprise that Hamilton's is a busy bar. They have taps up front and bottles in cases going all the way to the back. I love looking at bottles and seeing if there were any rare picks, but they won't let you near the bottles. I'd like to consider myself a fan of beer. This is why Mariela brought me and my sister here, we all can enjoy a nice beer. I love to research local craft breweries, try imported styles and try new beers. Being that it was overly crowded, a confusing chalkboard, with only one beer list (book size really), I felt I missed out on the opportunity to see what they really had. I decided to venture out and order something I thought I would enjoy, a high apv belgian style local beer - even the name was experimental. It turned out to be too sour for any of our tastes, the bartender gladly switched it out to a nice crisp pilsner. That was the first time, I've ever tried something I actually couldn't drink. I loved the place and the collection. Next time, I'd like to come back and see what they really have and try out a few new beers.

    (4)

  • Amber G.

    This place kicks women out of the bar for using the men's restroom. We aren't regulars, didn't know the rule, and without even a warning my friend was kicked out after walking out of the men's restroom. After waiting at least 10 minutes in the women's restroom line, opted for the men's instead, like many women do! It's gross, but sometimes we're desperate! Really? San Diego has plenty of craft beer bars with more chivalrous people than this place. Won't be back.

    (1)

  • BeardedAsain S.

    In response to Lauren V... I was there that Thursday night and your facts aren't straight. Maybe all of that yummy beer clouded your memory. The bartender you speak of very calmly cut off your friend who was drunk, ordering beers while slurring and falling over. I've seen your friend with the backpack kicked out before for the same type of behavior. He also has been drunk and inappropriate towards women in the bar. It's simple... If you appear drunk, you get cut off. If you're cut off, you can't have your friend give you beers. Basic rules in bars. I appreciate the bartenders at this place, not only for giving knowledgable service and pouring delicious beers.... But also for maintaining a comfortable, safe, and welcoming environment. No bar fights, drunk guys groping girls, or puking on the floor allowed. Cheers to the diversity on both sides of the bar here... And on the tap list. EDIT: Yelp is for reviews, not silly arguments...For people to read and decide if they want to come here. So here are the facts for anyone curious about stopping by for a beer 1. I do not work at Hamiltons. I never have. 2. The guy with the backpack has been asked to leave before. 3. The other guy was giving his beer to a guy that had been cut off. When asked not to do so, he asked the bartender to step outside to fight. 4. Only the two guys were asked to leave. 5. Try the beer and service and make up your own mind.

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    Sweet divey styled bar. Loved the beer taps bolted to the ceiling! Cool effect. Great post up bar at the front door. 28 differing beers to sample food was also great. Loved the home made fries with my pulled pork burger. Service was a little slow with just one dude on who wasn't really giving it his all. But apart from the slow service it's a legit place in my eyes.

    (4)

  • Buck C.

    It's so dark the servers ignore you or is it just attitude ....?Not a fan of this hipster kingdom. Burgers are alright just get them to go.

    (1)

  • Sylvia G.

    My husband and I have commited to do something different every weekend, so this time we decided to check the famous bar in South Park. You walk in on Sunday late afternoon and the place is packed with age group between 25 and 50. Amazing selection of beer and even few choices of cider. Pool tables, good music, nice bartenders. It feels a bit dark but the atmosphere feels cozy. Ceiling full of draft beer handles/holders which looks pretty darn cool. They even sell comfort American food (burgers/fries etc). The place just felt really cool and laid back. Not exactly a dive bar....way more than that. I just wish I lived in walking distance to this "joint" ...not many of those in San Diego.

    (5)

  • Cat T.

    I love this place! They have great beer, great tater tots, and AMAZEBALL sandwiches. It's never busy when we go (weekday afternoons) and always get a booth to sit in. The bartenders are always super friendly :) Parking isn't so bad if you're okay circling around a couple times to find space on the street. Great place for after work beers and tots!

    (5)

  • Aileen C.

    I've been here a couple times. The door can be hard to find at night (or maybe there's just something wrong with me)... and I'm not into pub-y places but the food here is amazing. I've tried the garlic honey chicken wings (super garlicky), blind tiger sandwich, hamilton burger, and stoner burger (for jalapeño lovers). omgggg all those carbs and fats making your taste buds get turnt up... so delicious. They also have a huge selection of beers, both domestic and imported. I rate all the above 5/5. The bartenders I've encountered are pretty nice and laid back. It can get crowded and hard to find seats after 8pm. Parking is on the street.

    (5)

  • Isbel Z.

    Great ambiance! Good beer, they have a huge selection of craft beers. It's nice that they have a juke box, good selection of music.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    Came here on a Friday night and the place was packed! We got super lucky and found a big table for our group in only a few minutes. I love the beers at Hamilton's! So many great choices to choose from. You could stick with your regular go-to's or branch out and try something new. It's like walking into beer Disneyland! My friend and I split their tater tots (yes, I love tots) and they were delicious. I also stole some of my other friend's fries, and those were not as good. A bit soggy and undercooked. But all in all, Hamilton's is great. It has a wonderful vibe and a very eclectic crowd. Just in case you want to test your eye-hand coordination after a few beers, they've got two pool tables and a shuffleboard table. The bartenders are super friendly and try to help you as quick as they can. My only gripe is that it gets super hot inside when it gets crowded. There's no air flowing through, so it starts getting a bit smelly. Food, body odor, spilled beer. You get the idea. Overall though, Hamilton's is an awesome place to go for some great craft beer and food.

    (4)

  • Brian R.

    Its just another run-of-the-mill dive bar. Nothing to distinguish it from any other. It does have the now San Diego standard tap variety that many people crave and pool tables.

    (3)

  • Mark T.

    This was an excellent local bar. I wanted to try a Pliny the Elder since I have heard so much about it but never found it. The Russian River web site didn't show any on tap in San Diego, but Untappd showed Hamilton's had it. I found the bar but had difficulty finding a parking spot. After driving around a few times I finally found street parking. I walked in and the place was packed. It was very dark and it was loud. The bar is very dog friendly, so don't be surprised to see some dogs inside. I took a spot at the bar with several locals. I was impressed by the size of the tap menu and the flyers of upcoming events. Scanning the board and the taps I saw Pliny the Elder and was excited to try it. To go with the drink I ordered the house special sausage and fries from the little window in the wall. The food was great, the people next to me were fun, and the servers were excellent. The Pliny was very good and I was glad to check it off the list, but rather than order another one I went for Societe Brewing Co's The Pupil. It was very similar to the Pliny and both were among the better IPAs I have had, which is saying something since that is my favorite style. I really loved the atmosphere of the bar and would have loved to stay and have a couple more, hang with the locals, but I left with a t-shirt, and a good experience. As I left, I was suddenly jealous I don't live in San Diego.

    (5)

  • Raymond. H.

    Nice place. My second time here. Well they have food this time and I ordered some nachos and ended up with french fries some play on words they're using. & I got charged full price on a happy hour drink.

    (2)

  • Ryan G.

    This place has nice ambiance. Ceiling covered with bolted taps. Couple of pool tables and about 30 beers on tap. Pliny the elder was there that night but they ran out of Enjoy By. I went with the Jamilton burger, a spicy burger with caramelized onions, bacon, fried egg, ranch, raspberry flavors, and hot sauces. One of the best burgers I ever had. Love beers and burgers? Well then head over here.

    (5)

  • Yara Z.

    JUKEBOX! POOL! SHUFFLEBOARD! COOL STAFF! GOOD FOOD! BEER FLIGHTS THAT ARE ALL OVER 10% AND GOT ME A BIT MORE DRUNK THAN I EXPECTED! THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL! Also, it's nice that it's secluded so you don't get wasted club people. The staff is awesome - one of them was looking through shirts different breweries sent him and I said the Green Flash one looked cool and he just gave it to me. whaaaa. Basically, if you're cool, go here. Also, while it is dog friendly there are generally a lot of people in the small space so if your dog doesn't work well in crowds probably best to leave him at home.

    (5)

  • Cornelius Y.

    Just landed from nyc, I heard this was the bar to be for great craft. YELP did not disappoint. Coming from the east coast, having Pliny on tap was a dream. Very inviting atmosphere. MATT, was awesome in recommending me great beers. The burgers here with tots are a must have. Going back before I leave.

    (5)

  • Alicia B.

    I LOVE their grilled cheeses. Obviously their beer selection is HUGE and a bit overwhelming even. But it's perfect for all the beer connoisseurs out there or anyone who is looking to discover something new. Dogs are allowed INSIDE! :) Be warned, it can get so crowded. They hold lots of cool events too, so ask them what is coming up.

    (4)

  • Jason P.

    Chill place to grab a craft beer and a tasty burger or to just shoot the shit with your friends. Friendly bartenders and cool beers to try on tap.

    (4)

  • Lucy V.

    I love the food and beer but im sick of the raicial mistreatment!! This is ridiculous the only fat guy that works there refuses to serve people who are racially different im sick of being mistreated because of my age and race its ridiculous. SADLY THE LAST TIME I GO HERE IM OVER THE RACISM!

    (1)

  • Justin A.

    Beer Stop 79 ----- I really wanted to like Hamiltons Tavern, but it fell incredibly short for me. While the beer and bottle list were elaborate, some of the prices were laughable. $12.50 for Pannepot on tap? WOW. Besides that, the vibe is nice and the service is friendly. All the bartenders were very knowledgeable about beer and easy to approach. They were very patient when speaking to people who didn't know much about beer, which was nice to see. I like this place, but some of the prices were insane.

    (3)

  • Kiyono A.

    I love everything about Hamilton's. Well, everything except for the crowd of like-minded people who swarm to this place on the weekends. I wish I could have kept this place as my little secret, but alas, you can't keep something this great a secret. They have tons of craft beers on tap, as well as a couple sake options (I want to say they have a couple wines too, but I've never ordered that, so don't quote me on it). On top of that, they have flippin amazing food! I love the vegan chili, and if you have friends to share with, I'd suggest one of their tot options. So good. And they give you a little buzzer, so you can play a game if pool or shuffleboard while you wait for your food to be prepared. It's one of my favorite spots in the area to go to to hang out with my friends.

    (5)

  • Jo S.

    Nice beer selection but terrible service (we waited 20 min for beer and were never offered food) and limited seating. I'll go again when a game isn't on for the beer selection.

    (3)

  • Dale D.

    Not at all what I thought I was going to. I thought I was going to a Gastropub. Not! This is s bar with the option of food. Now having said that......this is a great place to grab a craft beer. Lots of choices ( they seam to love their Ale Smith) and a very knowledgeable staff. I will be back soon for a beer and some pool.

    (4)

  • JT C.

    The only reason I'm giving this place 3 stars instead of 2 is because they are dog friendly. Servers were extremely unfriendly and seemed like they hated life. On the bright side they had a great beer selection and the nachos weren't half bad.

    (3)

  • Victor L.

    Is definitely in my top 3 favorite bars to visit. They always have the best selection and microbrew and the ambient is just. I'd recommend this place to anyone who enjoys a good beer selection

    (5)

  • Tina P.

    Everyone should visit Hamiltons at least once in their life. Their iconic hanging taps from the ceiling, delicious grilled cheeses and amazing selection of beers. I would suggest going when it's crappy weather outside as it's DARK inside. They have pool tables and shuffle board and even a jukebox. Great hangout spot or for a nightcap.

    (5)

  • Miss Garcia G.

    This is heaven for the beer connoisseur. Or for the hipster. I'm really feelin the juke box. You will definitely not hear top 40 here. I love that. Lots of men with beards and mustaches. Yes there is certainly bike parking for you. Didn't get to shower after work? No problem! Casual as f$%^! and you can even bring your dog. You can play pool and other games. Good greasy bar food.

    (4)

  • Meiko H.

    Eb wanted to lunch close to her salon so I checked my bookmarks to see what looked good. She always lets me choose and today I felt like a burger. i felt confident after reading reviews that I would get a decent burger here. It's a small, dive cafe attached to a bar but all I cared about was the burger. The guys working the food side were great but all I cared about was the burger. I ordered the American which came with hand cut fries that I would kill for - after the burger. They gave us a buzzer so we could eat over at the bar where football was on as well as the a/c. Hurry up with that burger. 8 or so minutes of meaningless conversation went by so slow but finally...the burger. I ate a couple fries first and put ketchup on my burger so I didn't look like I was so excited to tear into the burger but that burger knew what was up. First bite was a little bready(my word) but that bread could do no wrong. Second bite was when I knew I was in love. Perfectly medium/med well, thick melty cheese, crisp lettuce, meaty tomatoes and that briochy bready bun...de-freakin-licious! The fries made me so happy I don't even have words to describe them. The bar may think it's running the show but the food being put out in this cafe is clearly paying most of the bills! It's like the bar is the man and the cafe is the woman. He thinks he's in charge because she lets him think that but everyone knows the truth. That burger and fries is the truth.

    (4)

  • Aaron H.

    I've been here at least a dozen times and the only thing I get down with is the Deer Hunter wings. These are the best wings in SD and the best concept ever for wings. Perfect heat with balanced flavor. They could crisp them up a bit more, but whatever. The super hot one will dent even the best person you know who likes hot food. Go next door afterwards and get drunk on the best beer selection in SD.

    (4)

  • Monet R.

    I LOVE HAMILTONS, even when its packed or when people have their dogs with them! When I want to drink Pliny, there is only one place to go.. HERE! The beer list here is always amazing. Everytime I go to Hamiltons i look forward to what new beer i can try next. It can get super packed at times, but the crowd seems to always be good people who want to drink good beer. Nothing comes close to a Hamiltons Burger! The raspberry sauce is not something i would ever order on a burger.. yet when i tried it on the Hamiltons burger my life changed forever! I have ordered the burger everytime I go and everytime it taste incredible!

    (5)

  • Miguel S.

    Excellent dive bar vibe but with a truly elite tap-list. Excellent to find Saint Archer's Double IPA there. Stopped by for a few before diner in Little Italy. It was my life partner's birthday and the bar-tender gave her a free pint! Really excellent selection of IPA's and DIPA's! Staff was friendly and relaxed. Wish parking in the area was more abundant, but that's how it is in the city! Will be back.

    (5)

  • Farrah A.

    This is an awesome craft beer house in a quaint, quiet and fancy lil' neighborhood. A kickin' jukebox - a REAL jukebox - dog friendly, locals, pool, shuffle board ... if they had garage-style doors, this would be a true Texas ice house. I really like this bar. The bartenders were friendly, knowledgable and let me sip on a few beers to try before I committed to a glass - or three.

    (4)

  • Alfredo C.

    Nothing really I can say that hasn't been said already. So I'll keep it simple. You walk in, you order a craft beer, you find a comfortable place to sit or stand, and you take in everything that is Hamilton's. Special. Simple. Oh, and just in case, when you're there, look up.

    (5)

  • Brad B.

    A nice cold beer makes everyone feel better and I have been feeling pretty darn dandy lately with Hamilton's in the neighborhood. This is by far the best beer bar in all of San Diego and can take credit for a lot of what is going on in San Diego when it come to all of the delicious frosty brews. My favorite part about Hamilton's is that if you did not know it was there, you would drive right by. It appears to have windows from the outside but you definitely can't see through them from either inside or out. Once you have cleared the frothy front gates of this place it is an explosion of beer lovers fighting for standing room or coveted table space. This really is the only reason why I am giving Hamilton's four stars instead of five as there have been times that I have had to wait over 20 minutes for a beer just to enjoy it in a tight corner. The beers are constantly changing but represented well on the chalkboard behind the bar. Since I can't keep up with what new or who just released an epic keg of something in limited release, I simply ask the knowledgeable bartenders to pour me what they like best at the moment. They know their s#!t so trust them if you are in the same boat as me. You'll be fine and remember they are more than happy to pour you a little taster before selling you a 12% IPA prefaced with a "you sure you can handle this?" warning. Dogs love beer too so bring them along! As a dog friendly beer bar don't be surprised if you sit next to a Great Dane at the bar or trip over a weiner on the way to the bathroom. It is all part of Hamilton's charm.

    (4)

  • Jason N.

    I want to live here. aka I never want to leave. Great beer. Great food. Great service. End of story.

    (5)

  • Kimmy Y.

    I've been here a couple of times and it hasn't been awful but it hasn't been jaw dropping amazing. i do admit I love their selection of beer. their food is pretty decent too. It's a really mellow place. Last time I went, a lot of people had their dogs in the bar which was really cool! It's pretty small and in a random area so parking is a bit tricky towards the end and tables are hard to come by. They have 2 billiards tables and a shuffle board. Their food is pretty good. I tried their burgers and it's pretty big and DEFF can get you full. Deff a fun place if you're not looking into getting anything too crazy.

    (4)

  • Herb A.

    Definitely a staple in the South Park neighborhood. I love their food! You seriously cannot go wrong with anything on their menu. I also love that this place has pool tables and shuffleboard to help people socialize. You really cannot go wrong if you're a craft beer enthusiast to check out this place. I just found out that they only serve beer and wine. Which is a little bit of a drag, and a lot of their beers seems to tap out fairly quickly. My suggestion is to come here in the middle of the week so you have more options to choose from. Plus they have a really good happy hour which is $1 off any craft beer.

    (4)

  • Courtney M.

    Love the beer selection and knowledgeable bartenders that are never too cool or too busy to help you find an a awesome new beer. Shuffle board is a plus but be warned they are cash only! Also bring your dogs along for the adventure! Also TOTS!

    (5)

  • Jonathan R.

    Quite possibly my favorite bar in san diego. Tucked away in south park, Hamilton's has a great beer selection, fun bar games, and decent food as well. The atmosphere is always lively and the place attracts all sorts of people. The bartneders work hard and grab your drink in a timely manner. Only thing I can critique is Hamilton's location. It is a little far from the other bars and businesses in what looks to be a residential area. However, as a stand alone bar this place rocks.

    (5)

  • Fye H.

    Hamilton's is a lovely bar set in the neighborhood of South Park. I don't know what it is, but South Park seems to have the most welcoming and chill shops, bars, and coffee shops - Hamilton's is no exception. My favorite aspect of the bar were the games. According to their website, all vintage games are free to play - and I certainly took advantage of this. After a few drinks, Hamilton's shuffle board will be your best friend! For those not into shuffle board or foosball - there are coin operated pool tables - and apparently - a Playstation2. I haven't seen the Playstation, but if they say they have it, why not make use of it?

    (4)

  • Anjie P.

    Came here on a Monday afternoon, for some happy hour beer and late lunch. Pretty quiet, but service was good and food was great, Local beer + an awesome grilled cheese and burgers at decent prices. Great laid back atmosphere, like how you order at the speakeasy window adjacent to the cafe nextdoor. 4 good beers and two meals for less than $40 sounds good to me. Only wish is that thay had an outside patio to enjoy the SD sun, but ill def will be back for more.

    (5)

  • Courtney D.

    Sunday night, and it was packed. The bar is warm and a bit dark...in a pleasant relaxing way. It's dive-bar meets hipster-joint. I had a Russian Imperial Stout that was awesome...and 12.6% alcohol. One beer and I was pretty much good for a couple hours, heh. This place has a fun beer selection for all you discriminating tasters out there. All the "hipster" folk will feel right at home. Hamilton's has a nice, friendly atmosphere though...Mr. Hamilton plays sports on the tv's and hangs out with his patrons. I truly appreciate him busting out the mop for my two boys who couldn't seem to keep pint glasses from breaking while playing games in the back. Very laid back, low key bar. Fun to people watch-it attracts all types. When crowded it's fairly close quarters and folks will be your next best friend...but hey, who doesn't need more of those?

    (5)

  • Jenna G.

    Love this bar! The beer selection is amazing and changes sometimes. The first time I went I was overwhelmed with the selection! It took me forever to order. Thankfully, they had the Redskins game on and this guy said he would buy everyone a drink if they scored on the next possession. By the time I figured out what to get, they scored! I got a free beer and a nice introduction to Hamilton's! We ordered food from the cafe next door. I got a Tuna Melt with the fries and it was so tasty! I love that you can get food to bring in. This place has a pretty cool juke box and some cool games. The atmosphere is nice and people are cool. No bar fights or hoochies trying to dry hump every man in sight! No loud club music, just pure classic rock and roll. It feels like you are in a mountain town hitting up the neighborhood bar!

    (5)

  • Chuck C.

    Fantastic ever changing beer selection. The place was packed but if your willing to wait tables will open up. The definition of what a pub should be. Great beer, good food and decent service. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was the service could have been better. Will be back.

    (4)

  • Suzanna L.

    This place was four stars until my experience last night. There was a line when we got there. What the eff?! A place is no longer chill if there is a line outside. And THEN, I wanted to take a look around the place to make sure that once we got in there would be enough room for us to move around (especially since one member of our party was wheeling himself around), so I go up to the bouncer and ask, "Do you mind if I take a look around?" His response: "Yes." Me, aghast at his curt response: "Are you serious?" Bouncer dude: "yes." So I walked off. I understand not being able to enter because of crowd control reasons, but I do not comprehend this douchebag bouncer's need to be so rude in answering such a benign question. I would've been perfectly satisfied if he response was, "No, I'm sorry but we're at maximum capacity." Is that so hard? His propensity for smoking cigars (I think?) while on the job probably has zapped so many brain cells that he can no longer manage to formulate statements that contain more than one syllable. So we left, went to another bar, then came back at around 12:00. The line was gone, and we managed to grab a seat inside. There beer selection is very good (unfortunately, they only have a couple of ciders if you're not a fan of beer, like one in our party). Everyone on the inside is very friendly and polite, quite on the contrary to Mr. Bouncer. However, it is beyond me why the women's toilet never seems to work. It is so unsanitary to be required to stick your hand in the tank and lift the bar to flush the toilet. And beyond gross too. Please invest in a more powerful toilet, thanks.

    (3)

  • Kurt W.

    Hands down my favourite bar in San Diego. Amazing crowd, awesome draft and bottled beer selection (with tap specials all the time!), good tunes, never overly crowded. Their kitchen is impressive and I always leave Hamiltons happy. Cocktail chasers, be warned: (delicious) beer only!

    (5)

  • Ali S.

    Oh, I miss this place already. Lived in South Park within 5 blocks of the place for as long as it's been open, then had to move to Ocean Beach. Great owners, staff, regulars, beers, and now even food at Hamiltons Cafe next door. As another reviewer indicated the only "problem" is that the place has become popular, so you can't always get the mellow vibe you were used to if you come in on a weekend night. But the "amateur-night types" are all over SD on weekends, and unless you plan to stay home you'll just have to deal with them even in places like Hamilton's. A place you can chill and watch a game or one of their eclectic selection of movies while trying out new local beers...a place you can meet a veritable "Who's Who of SD Breweries"....or a place you can take your mom for a cool wheat beer and introduce her to the bar's namesake (Herman Hamilton, a great guy and WWII Marines veteran just featured in a local TV community-interest news story this weekend). Off the beaten path but in a developing local-indie-beer-and-food scene along the 30th St route to North Park. Note...if you do a pubcrawl with endpoints here and at the new Toronado SD, you will need a cab or a stretcher!!!!

    (5)

  • Ryan R.

    For those of you who didn't get the memo, pink is the new black and beer is the new wine. In recent years, the craft beer or micro brewing community has spawned an entire new consumer demographic. They have essentially created an untamed monster in "The beer snob". I never thought I would see the day when the words beer and snob were used together to describe a human being. In fact, I never thought I would see a day when my roommates referred to me as such a snob. I like to correct them with beer expert or beer aficionado. You see I try to find the good in every beer. If I don't like a beer, I will still finish it because I am 24 and wasting booze is a taboo. I like to think of myself as a beer ambassador of sorts. Yeah, thats it... Hamilton's has become a lair for these so-called beer snobs. I like Hamilton's; I like their selection of good beers and the general lay out of the bar. However, lately I have noticed beersexual tension around the bar. It feels like everyone is having a metaphorical pissing contest over who has tried more or can educate you more about different beers. It's almost cliquey... I have one thing to say in response to this. Ehhh ummm.... Being a beer geek will not land you chicks or dudes for that matter. It is the alcoholic equivalent of playing Magic Cards in your basement.

    (5)

  • Raudel E.

    This bar is a great experience if you are into trying variety and quality in beers. I have had the chance to discover amazing local breweries in this bar, with variety in styles, alcohol level (yes, they write the level next to the beer so you get an idea of how fast you're gonna get wasted) and good prizes. And, the fun doesnt stop there, as this bar has a Cafe next door with awesome food. They have very good vegetarian options, which i am a fan of, and unfortunately they stopped making the best veggie dos i have ever had, they still have the vegan chilli, the veggie sandwiches and more! Highly recomment trying this place out, do it during the week or the weekend if you feel like being around LOTS of people :D Oh, did i mention the kick ass music? No, i just read my review and noticed i did not, so they have great music and show weird movies every now and then.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth K.

    Very chill atmosphere on sunday night. Had apple cider which was 5 bucks. Friend ordered tots and fries and i dnt knw the price of tat since she bought it. Played shuffle board for first time and had amazing game with some fun people!parking was pretty easy to find for street parking. Arrived here at 9:30pmish on a thursday night and pretty busy but not crowded. Liked the crowd there too

    (5)

  • Ameer N.

    my sister told me about this place after i put "belgian beer" on my xmas list. if you're coming here to drink bud light, then turn around (after eating a bacon wrapped hot dog, or their special sausage of the day of course) and head somewhere else. two pool tables and shuffle board keep the antsy interested, while a small window in the back corner of the room connects hamilton's bar to the cafe. you can order through the window post 5pm. upon reading [skimming] yelp reviews prior to hamilton's, i thought this place would be a total hipster hangout. i anticipated fedoras, white belts, and tight pants to obstruct my view of the chalkboard beer menu. after my visit i feel as if that's not so. i'm not sure hipster is the word i'd use to describe this establishement. the gentleman on my left hand side had to be 50, and the one on my right with his wife, late 40s. the only person in a fedora was the bar tender. they even mark the alcoholic content of each beer on the chalk board, in case you feel like getting crazy.

    (4)

  • Tim W.

    It has a local dive feel BUT you feel very welcome by all the regulars. Think "Cheers" for the 8%-10%+++ ABV crowd. They have a tap beer selection a craft beer connoisseur would appreciate and a ton of others choices by the bottle. I think 90% of the choices were new to me. Definitely not a place to go watch some NASCAR and choke down some silver bullet but if you appreciate fine craft beers this is a place you have to visit at least once in your life if you live in SD. They also have table shuffle board, pool tables, foosball and dogs are very welcome. The day I was here they had a cask beer choice for $3.75 a pint! and shark week was on the flat screen. A restaurant next door that I think they own but I didn't order as I was just there for an hour.

    (4)

  • Wadsworth B.

    I don't even know why I'm telling you guys about this place, because the last thing it needs is even more people in there. Long bar line on a Friday is about the only thing wrong with Hamiltons. If you like the experience of a small east-coast looking bar where they have every type of beer, good food/music, and let you bring your dog in to hang out while you play shuffleboard or foosball, then you might just love this place to death like I do. No tourists here, just a combo of hip/laid-back peaceful people enjoying each other's company.

    (5)

  • Lizzie W.

    Went to Hamilton's last Thursday night. It was pretty lively for a San Diego locale on a semi-week night, and there was just one table left (for us of course, woohoo). We brought our pooch, which was a major perk and reason we even went out cuz usually we feel guilty leaving her home alone on weeknights (since she's home alone all day already). We ordered a couple of beers we'd never tried (they were both great) plus fries from the Cafe. The whole cafe with a window into the bar that serves GOOD hot food and is open late thing, well that just all rocks. I like to eat, and all too often I'm out at a bar, and there is just no eating to be had, only drinks, so Hamilton's gets 5 stars just for having hot food. Oh, and the fries were great, btw. I've read a few reviews of folks complaining about the cost of their food, and you know, I can empathize with someone who's really drunk and just wants to eat and doesn't care where the food came from. But that same drunk person, when sober, SHOULD care where their food comes from, and most food comes from, well, really gnarly places. The fact that Hamilton's is being responsible about where they source their food (meat specifically) is awesome, and I for one am more than happy to pay for that. And, just in case you're still annoyed by the prices, Americans spend WAY less than the rest of the world on food, so step up and support responsible choices... Percentage of income spent on food internationally: "The U.S. percentage is 6.1 percent. The next lowest figure comes from consumers in the United Kingdom at 8.3 percent. German consumers spend 10.9 percent of their disposable income on food at home, followed by Japan (13.4 percent), South Korea (13.4 percent), and France (13.6 percent) among high income countries. Middle income countries include South Africa (17.5 percent) and Mexico (21.7 percent). China (28.3 percent) and Russia (36.7 percent) are seeing rapid decreases in food expenditure percentages but are still relatively high. India (39.4 percent) and Indonesia (49.9 percent) are among the highest when it comes to the amount of disposable income spent on food. It all points back to something Americans often take for granted. "There are few other places in the world where you can get the diversity and the amount of food for the dollar you spend than the United States," says Searle." salem-news.com/articles/…

    (5)

  • braNDY L.

    Swig down during weekdays and hammer on the weekends. Great people (too much sometimes), great beer (huge selection) and good food, (extremely edible at the least) great on a thursday night. ps. the piles of french fries are awesome

    (4)

  • Luda K.

    Hamilton's is an adventure full of surprises! Seriously, since this humble-ish tavern is in the "beer scene," you never know which amazing brews will be on tap. (Oh please, God, let them have Speedway and The Raj and Monk's Cafe!) But you also never know... How sandy the shufflepuck table will be, and thus, whether your skills from last night will transfer over (doesn't matter/they won't). How many other American Apparel contrast hoodies (aka SoCal tuxedos) will show up (the crowd wavers between hip-ish and just kinda dorky). How many songs will play before your picks from the hott jukebox (between zero and all of them). How many minutes before 2 am the off-shift bartenders sitting at the bar will start yelling that you better get the eff out unless you're sleeping with one of them (14... minus a star).

    (4)

  • Chris P.

    Awesome laid back pub. Don't expect to find your staple beers here because your staple beers suck. Hamilton's serves an awesome selection of micro-brews, belgians, strong ales and some unique import beers. Also has a nice bottle selection. Solid grungy bar atmosphere. One of my favorite spots to drink in SD.

    (5)

  • Scott S.

    This is by far the best bar in San Diego and my favorite, and fortunately for me it's walking distance from my house. The staff is awesome, the food is amazing, and it has a great atmosphere. Hamilton's is the shit!

    (5)

  • Stacie S.

    To be fair, I'm only giving Hamilton's a 3-star rating because it's not quite my style. On the upside, they have a phenomenal selection of beers and, if you're in the mood for a gut-bomb, their menu offers you many options. I had the Blind Tiger grilled cheese, but didn't care for it much because it was so bread and onion heavy that I couldn't taste the bacon, apple, or cheese. The person I was there with had the Rip Taylor, which was much tastier than my choice. Their fries are pretty good, if not a bit over salted. I left smelling like a greasy spoon, which I really hate. And, like most bars, the din was unbelievably loud (especially when you factor in some of the jukebox choices) and there isn't a ton of room, so people are loitering on the prowl for your table (if you were lucky enough to get one). If you have a dog, the good news is that you can bring your pooch right on in. There was a German Shepherd that greeted me as soon as I came in the door and a large shaggy dog that came in later. All said, I would personally pick Blind Lady over Hamilton's.

    (3)

  • Portia K.

    Hamiton's is our new Sunday night hangout ! last night we went there on a whim looking for a fun place to eat and have a beer or two! the food is great the people are nice and service to die for. we will be going back asap

    (5)

  • Elbert G.

    This place is great!!! Great beer selection and very yummy food.The only down side is that it can get super packed. But even then still an enjoyable place to hang out.

    (4)

  • sharon f.

    Okay I'm just piling on because this place already has lots of deserved good reviews. The beer selection is crazy, and I like the way they keep the chalkboard with beer details up to date. While I was sitting there, one of the bartenders filled a pitcher with a nice Belgian and asked me if I wanted a free beer. Duh! It's all pretty low key; people talking, dogs wandering, good beer flowing. The food my friend and I tried was awesome too - Vegan Patty and Sauteed Mushrooms. I've never really hung out in SP - great 'hood. If you like beer, definitely check this place out!

    (4)

  • Stacy S.

    I hesitate in writing such a review, only because I want the secret kept quiet. Hamilton's has it all..great beers, great food, great crowd, outstanding bar staff, and ambiance is 5 stars. Everyone talks about the selection, but let's talk about how knowledgeable the bar staff is...sniff a beer and they can give you a run down that is the sommolier's equivalent. AND attentive...the place gets crazy busy, but they always know who's next without feeling like you have to elbow your way up to the bar. The crowd is super eclectic-Elvis Costello meets the Ramones meets the Jones'. Never a dull moment and regardless if you try or not, you'll leave with new friends or at least a great story of the "randoms" you met. Recommend the Hamilton Burger and Hush Puppies...never go wrong!

    (5)

  • Ray R.

    I only wish I lived nearby so I could go every day. I've only been here once, and it was great! Its a little tight inside when its a full house, but that must mean its a great establishment, right!? Our waitress was very nice and attentive for as busy as it was. We were allllll the way down at the far end of the bar by the jukebox and she'd make sure to come down that way every 15 minutes or so to make sure we were doing fine. The beer selection here is awesome. Great selection of on tap beers, and the bottled choices are even more dreamy. Prices are not bad either, I got myself a Guiness and took a gamble and chose one of the bottled beers from the coolers, Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, thinking it was going to be $7 or $8 a bottle. My total bill turned out to be just over $10, very surprised. Also the music selection is pretty good here, and one of the cooler things about this place is all the old beer tap handles hanging from the ceiling. I have not been back to try the food from next door, but one of these days I plan on it.

    (5)

  • Derek T.

    Great dive bar - bring your dog! Even if it's HUGE! Feels like a friend's living room (well, worn out kinda, 70s furniture lookin'). Very nice selection of beer on tap (love the fact that the chalkboard with the list tells you the alcohol content of each beer). No pretentiousness and no meatmarket here. Just a place to have a drink, maybe before you go next door to dine at Alchemy (though think twice about dining at Alchemy - see my review). Only downside to Hamilton's is no cocktails, just beer and wine.

    (5)

  • Matthew H.

    Hamilton's is a beer, wine, and saki bar in the South Park neighborhood. The great selection of draft and bottled beers is really broad, ranging from Coors Light to obscure Belgian ales (where's the Leffe though?) I'm not partial to saki, so I won't comment on the selection of that stuff, but the beer choices can be overwhelming, (mostly in a good way). The wine list is adequate for a place like this, but the focus is obviously on the beer. There are two pool tables, foosball, a hockey game, and shuffleboard. The jukebox is pretty good too (if a bit loud). They've got Black Sabbath, so it can't be too bad. The staff is friendly and the crowd is easy going, slightly less "hip" than places like Whistle Stop or Bluefoot (that's not a dig at anyone, but just a means of comparison...) Overall a really good beer bar!

    (4)

  • John S.

    I loved this place. Went there for the first time last week. Very cool crowd and great beer. The Grilled cheese sammys were awesome. I would like to experience this place a couple of more times and I'll add to my review pics and updates. I think I'll be going back here allot. The only thing is on Fridays it's standing room only unless you get there early. I went here based on other Yelper's reviews and was not disappointed! WOW, Yelp really does work.. imagine that.. I officially give this pub the Thumbs Up!!!

    (4)

  • Sara K.

    Wow! Get the pulled pork, or pulled chicken sandwich served with fries. They usually have either or on their special board and boy is it special. I devour it every time.

    (5)

  • Aqua Caliente C.

    Not much more you can say about Hamilton's. It's like a hidden treasure in the middle of a residential area. I can only wish that I live right down the block or across the street. Good beer. Good people. Now, I just use Hamilton as a measure stick to compare other pubs to. So far, Hamilton is still on the top of the list. But definitely not a place for everyone. If you don't love beer, it's not for you. If you are trying to get your groove on, it's not for you. If you are trying to get your mack on, good luck because most people are just hanging out there over a couple of brews. But if you are on a long walk with your dog on a Wed evening and need a break, a couple of brews and a friendly conversation with strangers, this is the place to be!! Oh yah, I don't know why not all pubs serve sausages...??

    (5)

  • Lisa C.

    Hamilton's has quite the beer selection. The food's tasty. The vibe's chill. There are a couple pool tables. And if you have a dog, bring 'em along they are very K9 friendly...

    (4)

  • cody c.

    Heaven on Earth!! Food is spectacular... atmosphere is amazing.. Great people great beer. They even have my favorite beer from Montana that only a handful of places in san diego even serve. Love this place!!!!

    (5)

  • Carolina B.

    Amazing food and beer. I had the chili pub chips and it was delicious! I loved that you had vegan options as well for some of the foods. Red Flanders ale...the selection was incredible

    (4)

  • matt t.

    Everytime I go out around town I seem to end up here. I've never had a bad time here. I love the fact that since its off the beaten path it still has that neighborhood bar vibe, you know where everybody know's your name, and your dog too.

    (5)

  • Scott C.

    Hamilton's and O'Brien's are the two best beer bars in San Diego. The draught selection here is fabulous, and the bottle selection is truly ridiculous. These guys are passionate about their brews, and it shows. A great location for a weekend (or weekday) night out.

    (5)

  • Auhsoj V.

    I used to love walking down to this little gem. I'd walk up to the door and there was Jim and his cigarettes. Walk up to the bar and order a Guiness, they'd slow poor and use a spoon. walk over to the foosball table with my pint and be satisfied for the night. But they got rid of the foosball table (as well as the old style hocky table) and extended the bar to add more selections. Hamilton's will always be a great place to have a different beer each time you walk up to order. The staff has and always have been great. The food from their newly acquired cafe next door is excellent. I definitely recommend getting the cauldron of cheese soup and fries for you and your group while trying to get rid of the taste of a Green Flash or Speedway. It gets crowded here easily, and the groups vary strangely. Now-a-days I have to stand in the middle of the aisle b/c it's so crowded, always next to some frat boy, foreigner, or some guy who smells. But at least they offer 2 quarter tables, a shuffleboard, and many upon many selections of beer. Oh and come in and try a soju shot, go ahead, try one. heh heh.

    (3)

  • Steven M.

    Hamilton's is, quite simply, the reason I moved to San Diego. A robust selection of beers, a smart-but-not-quite-hip crowd, and they even serve decent late night grub. I'm reluctant to call this the best bar in San Diego (the search continues) but they will all be compared to Hamilton's.

    (4)

  • brian b.

    This is a world class beer bar, 24 or so taps, one or two casks, and at least a 250-300 bottle range. Excellent staff, very cool vibe. I'd be here weekly if I lived nearby. Pool table, maybe some darts. DVD of Animal House on the TV's with the sound off (who needs sound on that one anyway). Located very near people's homes, so please keep the noise down leaving to keep the peace. Cheers! Brian NY

    (5)

  • Jessie C.

    You got to love a neighborhood bar with great beer. Really a random group of people--not hipster. The best thing about it? They just took over the cafe next door and you can get high-quality pub grub (like mussels for goodness sake) in the cafe or in the bar. The shuffle board is pretty awesome too. One really off-putting experience: a cute dog shat in the corner. Yikes. They cleaned it up right away but I guess that's what you get when you have a pooch-friendly bar. Never get so schloshed that you loose your shoes.

    (4)

  • Jake B.

    This place rules. Totally chill bar that you can go to on any night and have a good time. I have seen absolutely every type of person here (all ages, shapes, sizes, and colors) and yet everybody is always cool as long as you're there to have a good time. Everything a bar should be!

    (5)

  • Vanessa I.

    My "Cheer's" bar!! Love it!!

    (5)

  • Susana G.

    This is a great palce to come grab a beer after work and just chill. Or it's a good place to come to on weekends and have a fun relaxed time. I have gone on days when it's packed in there and you are lucky to get a table but even then the bartenders are friendly and helpful... The only problem I ever had was that the tables next to the pool tables are too close to them so when people are playing it's kindn of uncomfortable to sit there. Their food is good, huge burgers and delicious grilled cheese, althogh the fries are a bit salty. But I will definitely be back

    (4)

  • Susan O.

    Beer was good (but I'm not much of a drinker, so I'd be happy if they served just Caronas). I'm writing because this is a cozy casual place with YUMMY food. Greasy food. I had a potato burger kind of thing and fries, both were awesome. Others had veggie sandwiches, deluxed grilled cheese... just yummy greasy foods with all the other good stuff people mentioned in their reviews. Check it out!

    (4)

  • Kelly H.

    I love Hamiltons like a fat kid loves cake, like a dog loves his bone, like a kitty loves her nip, like a guido loves his hair gel, like a SoCal dude loves his fake boobies, like an addict loves his smack, like a Tarzan loves his Jane, like a Lone Ranger love his Tonto...and yes, like a drunk loves his booze.

    (4)

  • Brian D.

    Almost popping out of nowhere from the middle of a row of houses what is this place? How great would it be to live right across the street from this place, it would be like hey I'm out of beer oh well I will just walk across the street they a shitload of beer. This is a great local beer bar it does get very crowded even on the weekdays so finding a table can be tough at times. However its well worth the wait they have a ton of local beers, the service at the bar can be hit or miss since its so busy people get lined up two or three deep waiting for a beer at times, but well worth the wait. The beer list changes daily so plenty of good local variety. I go at least once a month and the cafe with the little port hole has great burgers and great fries not just plain old crap. The poppers are pretty damn good also hard to find a good popper. However if you one of those people who get pissed off paying more money for better quality food, just pay the extra buck, shit your going to pay 6-7 bucks at jack in the box this is way better!

    (4)

  • Melanie T.

    I have only been here twice, but my husband has been more often. The service is friendly and quick, even on a crowded night. The food is simple and delicious (although maybe a little pricey, but still decent), and we didn't have to walk next store like Lori P. did; we just went to a cut out window in the bar and ordered. The beer selection made my husband salivate; he even has been there for a "beer tasting" bachelor party. It is a place you can be loud, where dogs can hang out, and where you can have a good time. I am a fan, and we're actually taking clients there on Sunday. :)

    (5)

  • Irene S.

    food is decent. decorations are sweet. service is terrible.

    (2)

  • Andrew L.

    I hope Hamiltons' owners treat the ladies that tend bar on Saturday night well, because they are the best bartenders in town.

    (4)

  • Jacquelyne M.

    a good establishment has a lot of business and i know this BUT its ridiculously packed here i cant order a beer let alone stand away from the bar because i cant get through. i like it but i just want to relax and have a beer. its too much for me but if you like a good diverse selection of beer and a really lively atmosphere then do it!

    (3)

  • Matthew J.

    Stopped by Hamilton's Tavern on a Sat. night. Wow was it busy. I do enjoy the selection of craft beers. The bartenders did a good job dealing with everyone. Standing behind a couple rows of people I was able to get my brews. Music was good. Just very difficult to find a seat. I may be back just not on a busy night.

    (3)

  • Andy C.

    Love it, Love it, Love it! Great local beers. It can get very packed, so I don't recommend going on Friday to play pool or anything, but the beer is awesome and the food is even better! Grilled cheese sandwiches and Burgers are off the hook! I've really never had that good of a burger in my life. Plus, hot wings will make you cry... Really, someone came and asked me if I was Ok. They thought I had just gotten dumped or something.

    (5)

  • Courtney K.

    Hamilton's is by far the best "dive bar" I've been to. Not really sure if you can consider it a dive bar - what are the requirements anyway? Kinda dark inside. Lots of stuff everywhere. Juke box full of classic rock. 2 pool tables. 1 shuffle board table. Small bathrooms. No cover. I guess that would cover the requirements of a dive right? They have a huge selection of beers. I'm not really a beer connoisseur so the large chalk board listing all the beers really helped. Hmmm. Lets see here..... they list the beer name, the beer type, the price, and the alcohol percentage. Alright! I'll take the cheapest, most heavily intoxicating beer please! *kidding. I had a couple of glasses of the Red Mermaid. Mostly because I liked the tap. How else do you decide? The guy next to me ordered some Lightening something or other because he is a Charger fan. Another plus about this bar is the fact that they let dogs in. Dogs just liven up a place. It was so chill to see these dogs wandering around, sniffing peoples legs, getting all kinds of attention from strangers. The mix of people here are really chill. Made some new friends. Both of the two legged and four legged kind. I'll definitely be coming back to Hamiltons.

    (4)

  • Milkman A.

    Hamilton's is a comfortable, friendly and unpretentious temple of beer, looks like they have about thirty options rotating through the taps. Lots of thoughtful and creative sandwiches on the menu. I opted for the spicy hop sausage because that appeared to be the house special, but it was not quite up to my expectations for craft charcuterie. The grilled cheese selection looks amazing and will certainly command my attention on my next visit.

    (4)

  • kim C.

    Love Hamilton's!!! Amazing beer and good people! Always a new variety of beer on tap. Food is excellent! Great burgers/veggie burgers.

    (5)

  • Greg F.

    I wouldn't go out of my way to go here, but it's fun to go occasionally. It always seems to be super-crowded. Great beer selection.

    (3)

  • Mike S.

    Fair or not, this place gets docked a star right off the bat because it isn't Sparky's. Sparky's was my absolute favorite bar in SD without question, so I had high hopes once it re-opened. Hamilton's is great in its own right, but it's a very different atmosphere than Sparky's, and so I couldn't help but be a little let down. That said, you can't fault the beer knowledge and beer love that this place has. Lots of great, unique, and hard to find beers. Very decent jukebox, nice wooden booths and counters, although it can be pretty hard to find a place to plunk your keester down, as this place can get crowded. It's great that they have food, because so many SD bars don't, but it's still a bit pricey for me (although the quality is better than your run-of-the-mill pub grub). I'm still waiting for the SD neighborhood bar with normal-to-cheap beer and food options, instead of more trendy places with nothing but craft beers (not that I'm opposed!) and fancy-schmancy foods. All that said, Hamilton's ain't a bad place, it's a great location, parking is never a problem (despite what previous reviewers said - that's a puzzler), and they've got lots of good beer. You just can't get your $5 pitcher of PBR and a can of Pringles for $2 anymore...*sniff*.

    (3)

  • Friedrich C.

    I've only been in on weeknights and cannot speak for the weekend crowds, but Hamilton's has become a fast favorite of mine. Sublime drinkables on constantly rotating taps keep my tastebuds wildly entertained, my homebrew fantasies spun into high gear; totally decent jukebox plays at a totally reasonable level, insinuating a little Mick Jagger shimmy into my book n' beer time; Animal House on the tele, shuffleboard in the gamesroom, friendly canines sniffing around...I'm only withholding a star 'cuz I haven't tried the victuals, and would just hate to have to downgrade my rating - hoping I can report back soon with a truly glowing 2nd review.

    (4)

  • Amber L.

    Hamilton's (or "Camel Toe's" as I mistakenly heard it one day) is awesome! They have one of the best selections of beer on tap in San Diego if not THE best. It can get a little crowded in there but I've never had to wait too, too long to steal a table from someone. They have yummy grilled cheese sandwiches and I once crashed a wedding here (I think I may have turned up in the pictures where they were cutting the cake... sorry kids!) People seem really cool here... I always randomly run into someone I haven't seen in years... and I bet if I actually got enough liquid courage into my system I could meet some of the interesting hotties that frequent the place... Note to self: More Belgian beers (YAY high alcohol content!)

    (5)

  • Max B.

    love this spot! eat some tots and get drunk with your dog, and other peoples' dogs too! don't be a dick. get your dog a beer.

    (5)

  • michelle d.

    I love this place! I remember when it was Sparky's (the owner sold it to Blair, one of the owners of Hamilton's), and although I enjoyed Sparky's atmosphere and bartenders, when compared to Hamilton's, it doesn't measure up. The beer selection is wonderful. I have taught myself to sip on the stronger percentage beers, which allows for more time spent in the cozy, friendly, and beer memorabilia filled surroundings. There's a great jukebox, pool tables and shuffle board, and bar food. And even once a month, Hamilton's changes ALL their taps (this is not a light task for a bar that has about 20) to a single brewery, charges $3.50 for all of them (for a few hours), and serves free food! As one can probably imagine, this draws an extremely large crowd. The food is gone within the 1st hour, there's a line to get in for a while, and it is completely filled with people. If one is determined enough, it can become a cheap, yet quality-filled, night. This bar also gets crowded on weekend nights as it's becoming more and more popular. Nonetheless, I always enjoy my time spent here! Oh, and not many people kknow this, but Hamilton's is named for the older gentleman whom lives next door.

    (5)

  • Kristen M.

    Born, raised and sauced up in San DIego, I have authority to deem this the best bar in town. Hamilton's is stumbling distance from my house, so I've been known to frequent the place an unhealthy amount, but proximity isn't the only draw... In no particular order... (1) They let me bring my Labranard (St. Bernard/Lab). Needless to say, he doesn't fit in a carrier so he sprawls out, spread eagle across the cement bar floor. They don't mind a bit. (2) Beer selection is incredible. (3) Juke box is amazing. Very rarely do you come across a bad song. Lately however people have been ditching Tom Waits for Alice in Chains. Can't blame the bar, just the increasing patronage. (4) Bartenders are quick and friendly. Plenty of samples, recommendations and cookies to go around. (5) FOOD. The fries and grilled cheese are amazing. But what really gets me are the HOT WINGS. I suppose I don't have a sophisticated palate because hot wings are definitely in my top 5 (next to pumpkin pie). That being said, these are quite possibly the best. The only thing preventing me from giving them the "Best Wing" ribbon, is a lifelong loyalty to Wings n' Things, which has more to do with quantity and breadsticks than anything else. (6) Atmosphere can't be beat. For the most part, Hamilton's draws good people and fosters a completely warm and relaxed environment. I credit this to location and the fact that they don't serve liquor. I hope they never do. If you want the hard stuff go to Small Bar (owned by the same), it is also excellent.

    (5)

  • Ashley H.

    This is another excellent local spot. They only serve beer and wine, but they have a huge beer list...all beers that are unique and different (you won't find a bud light or anything...which i've totally tried to do haha). They have shuffle board and pool also which is always fun, especially when you're drinking! :)

    (5)

  • lisa c.

    My local watering hole...one of the few bars I could take a long stroll home from. I prefer the weeknights here because as of late it seems to draw in a decent sized crowd even then wheras the weekends you can barely move inside now! I also like this place for their shuffle board, draft beer selection, and the fact that I always get served quickly, even with my fairly short stature which usually poses problems. Other pluses...their dog friendly policy (although I have yet to dare to bring my five pound pup in for fear he'll be trampled) and its usually more male populated! They've also recently added Hamilton's cafe next door which they serve through a window at the end of the shuffleboard table. I have yet to order anything here but have heard great things, although I miss the days of order a pizza from Luigi's and just bringing that in!

    (4)

  • kimberly m.

    Hamilton's a true local (pub). They serve beer, beer, more beer, some wine, ciders, and champers, and more beer. They like beer there. They also like dogs. I like dogs. They're pretty friendly and I like it when they chase their tails. Folks there are pretty low key. I like low key people. They're pretty friendly and I like it when they chase their ales. Friday & Saturday nights are ususally pretty packed which is fun. Local characters come out of the wood works and all of a sudden reality shows seem weak compared to what's right in front of you. I like live,human TV. The jukebox is sometimes cool, sometimes hilarious (It's pretty damn funny when the dirt rock comes on and all of a sudden pool sticks become microphones & guitars...and you're the person using them) Week nights are great too- It's one of those places you can sit, read (yeah, really...read..or do the crossword puzzle), enjoy an ale, and appreciate the good company.

    (4)

  • greg r.

    Beer and shuffleboard! What more can a man ask for! Ladies? they have those too! :)

    (4)

  • Jammie J.

    i LOVE LOVE LOVE this bar! Great selection of beer!!! They change their taps often and support local brews which is awesome because they make some of the best beer..Great eclectic crowd, totally random sometimes. I come here often and its always a good time. The staff is SUPER fun, especially the bartender Chris! Its one of my fave places to frequent. A great thing about this place is that you can also order food from the cafe next door. They have a little window that you can order from and they give you one of those vibrating things to let you know when its ready. The food is super good, I LOVE the Ninja Withfrye...its on Fire!!! Well it makes your mouth feel like it :) Anyways everyone should try this place out, i guarantee you a good time!

    (5)

  • Brooke a.

    It is a fun, chill atmosphere. Great food and entertainment with shuffle board and pool. Can get over crowded on weekends. Great beer selection!

    (4)

  • Bryan P.

    This place is pretty chill and they have a Foosball table which is a major plus. I somehow manged to go undefeated while getting totally wasted off their great selection of high percentage beers. It's a nice alternative to the usual gettin' hyphy in the club downtown sort of thing. Now all I need are some tattoos and black rim glasses and I'm MONEY!

    (4)

  • Tram P.

    I just moved to golden hill a couple of months ago and was told that Hamilton's is a great local bar within walking distance. This bar is awesome! good juke box, food, stellar beer selection, pool, etc. All of the bartenders are very socialable and fun! very cool...gotta check it out if you haven't been!

    (5)

  • Sahil E.

    Cool fun environment. Lots of beer really sold this place for me but it also has some pretty damn good food. I liked the mix of people in there, nobody too pretentious. It was busy although i have only been twice so far but will continue to go.

    (4)

  • Tracie U.

    LOVE...that's the word that comes to mind when i hear hamilton's. i have such affection for this place (choked up...talk amongst yourselves)...hands down THE best beer selection in san diego. The jukebox is great and you can bring your dog... for all you crazy socal dog lovers out there! It's also a really friendly bar so if you're new to san diego this is great place to pull up a chair and strike up a conversation with your neighbor. i'll talk to you for sure....i will be the loud curly haired girl with green glasses :)

    (5)

  • A. E.

    I love this place, the staff is super nice, my husband loves their beer selection, and it's really hard to find a good dive bar with shuffleboard and pool and everything that hasn't been taken over by the local homeless! Definitely returning!

    (5)

  • Anthony H.

    HOOOOOOOOOOOOOLY CRAP!!!!! No one told me about this place...and why not...because unfortunately humanity at large is still oblivious to the greatness and beer this fine establishment purveys.... HOOOOOOOOOOOOOLY CRAP!!!!! My socks were not knocked off...instead they are gently removed as the barmaid poured me, my girlfriend, and our two friends our beers and then made sweet love to me, my girlfriend, and our two friends in a most fashionable fashion... HOOOOOOOOOOOOOLY CRAP!!!!! The beer was so good I was turned on...i couldn't believe it...i do love the Aero...but now my love is torn and leaning in a South Park direction...i'm sure Aero will understand...and even if she doesn't i still say HOOOOOOOOOOOOOLY CRAP!!!!! if you live in San Diego or in the Milky Way Galaxy you should go here and bring money...then set the money on the bar proclaiming loudly and proudly "I want the barmaid to gently and lovingly rock my socks off whilst pouring me the aphrodisiac known only as beer"...and they will my friend...they will... HOOOOOOOOOOOOOLY CRAP!!!!!

    (5)

  • Morley J.

    I'm not sure how to articulate why this place is cool. This isn't a place you go to to pick up chicks. It's more of a beer afficionado's heaven. Admittedly, I'm not very knowledgeable about beer, but the overall layout of the place is nice. The people are friendly, there's a big chalkboard that clearly lays out different types of beers, their alcohol content, etc. The bartenders are nice. And they also have a weird sliding game thing (?) and two pool tables in the bar. They also have GREAT deals on burgers/fries... for $9 you get a decently sized burger and a ton of fries! Just a great, chill place to hang out. :)

    (4)

  • Deanna C.

    I went last night with some girlfriends and really enjoyed myself. It's very laid-back and seems like it draws in a good crowd. It was a tad hot though so I think it would have been better if the a/c was running a little more. The food was friggin amazing! Kind of dangerous..I don't like it when french fries taste that good :P I will definitly re-visit this place soon.

    (4)

  • Pamela s.

    yummy yummy beer hops and barley in my tummy. the menu can be a bit intimidating, but take your time selecting and you'll be good to go. or just tell the tender what you like and they'll help you out. also try their "nachos," damn delicioso!!!! it's fries covered in some amazing/magical cheesy sauce with bacon. muahahaha, that's the deal breaker right there, what's not good if it's got bacon in it?!?! i dunno any other place that's got shuffleboard for free, and beware, they don't carry had alki, just the beer and some vino.

    (4)

  • liane p.

    Ok, first of all: Hamilton's Tavern is named after an old Montford Point Marine who lives in this neighborhood. For those of you not up on your black history, the Montford Point Marines were the first African-American unit in Marine Corps history. Secondly: Back in the 70's when Mr. Hamilton lived in this neighborhood, his skin color kept him out of this very same building. It's a class act to name the place after him. You'll find him in the bar often, with his name plate on the table and drinking water (he doesn't drink). For his story alone this bar is a great stop. BUT....as has already been shouted from the rooftops, Hamilton's boasts the 'best beer selection in San Diego'. I agree. I like to have something on tap. Or perhaps I feel like perusing the lengthy beer menu. Maybe some days I stare intently into the cooler at the end of the bar, hoping a label will shout at me. Other times I ask the bartender to surprise me. Like the night I had already had a Belgian ale, but asked the Bartender her recommendation: She came back with Avery Brewing Company Mephistopholes. She said one bottle would kick my ass. She was right. I don't think I would drink the Avery Demon collection very often. BUT...the bar also has a shuffleboard and a foosball table in addition to the obligatory pool table. And they just recently opened the cafe next door. I have yet to eat there, but the people who frequent the bar from the neighborhood are again not those you would see lined up for a hoity-toity meat market in the Gaslamp. That is also worth 5 stars. This is a great place. I hope notoriety doesn't kill it!

    (5)

  • chris r.

    I must say this has got to be the best dive bar is SD. They have a whole crap load of beers all from micro brews or overseas. As I am a huge fan of beer (mmm Beer) this is the spot for me. Not to mention free grub on sunday, and free pool as well.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey L.

    Came here on a Sunday afternoon after the Padres game as always to grab some wings and beer. We usually love this place, but this time, the food service was horrible. This new girl has realy bad attitude, is impatient while taking order. We have waited over an hour for an order of wigs and fried mushrooms... Still waiting as we speak.. And the plac isn't crowded at all. I love you Hamilton's but this experience will definitely make me think twice before coming again

    (1)

  • Hope W.

    I really love this bar! It has a great atmosphere and an amazing beer selection. The owner is super nice and knowledgeable and has been known to randomly buy you a beer. Another reviewer described him as "beligerant" and a "train wreck," I haven't experienced anything bad from him. He does like to drink a lot but has always been very respectful! I love having this bar in my neighborhood and I love their new cafe! I wish they didn't let dogs in, however, because it's often really loud and is probably terrifying for the poor little mutts!

    (5)

  • Kerin S.

    this is like a divey beer wine steals.....eh? Bad analogy- but it is so great- i love beer- i freaking love beer- i mean I REALLY LIKE beer. they have pliny the elder. one of my buddies LOVES this beer and introduced me to it- so I love it and they have it on tap, i was stoked.....i got a hef...and they dont' have oranges- why not? don't worry i had one in my purse, ha i really did... i had the mothertrucker a potato hammy sandwich- it was my heaven on bread....it was awesome :)

    (5)

  • Scott R.

    I used to love this place. Really great, creative beer selection on tap and in bottles. But they have so many "special events" now that it's always way, way overcrowded. Add to that the bar has the SLOWEST BARTENDERS ON THE PLANET. How hard is it to pull a tap handle? Yet you'll have a packed bar with a couple of dozen people waiting to order, and you'll have the bartender chatting with some customer about the differences between one IPA and another. So these days I avoid Hamilton's, which is unfortunate.

    (3)

  • Ric B.

    Went last night. What a great bar! Tons of good beers, fun games, good sports on the tube, and good people. The service is good too. The same chick that bartenders at Urban Solace sometimes, tends bar here too. Hamilton's Cafe serves up good grub. All around a good time.

    (5)

  • Siobhan B.

    I love Hamilton's! The dude that works the door literally represents the human version of Popeye. I half expected him to bust out a can of spinach. He is the definition of awesome. This place has a ton of regulars that live and breathe Hamilton's. I got wasted enough to meet many of them because when I drink I don't know how to shut the hell up. I'm all up in everyone else's business. Anyway, the people here are super sweet and super mellow. If you're looking for fake boobs and scantily clad clientele this really isn't your place. It's about cool people drinking tasty brew and playing foosball, pool, and shuffle board. They have an excellent array of beers. I highly recommend the double IPA that is a measly $5. If you haven't checked this place out you must!

    (5)

  • David W.

    A fine selection of beers, but the staff has too much attitude the make it worth suffering through them. I had a wheat beer and asked for a slice of lemon and they shrugged their shoulders and said that they don't stock fruit. Then at about 7 pm they turn up the music so loud that you have to yell into someone's ear to have a conversation. No thanks--I'll go up the road to the Blue Foot, quieter, friendlier, and much more relaxing.

    (2)

  • Heidi D.

    SUCKS!!!! The owner or manager was a total jerk. I walked in with a serious need to use the ladies room. I couldn't wait in line (I was in a bad need). My husband told me to use the men's. He held the door open for me and I walked in and he closed the door. My husband was verbally attacked by the owner/manager and he was screaming at me and banging at the door for me to get out! (Overreact much?) I didn't have a second to do anything before I heard the yelling and banging and I tried to get out of the men's to get him to stop freaking out. He was blocking the door and yelling at my husband. I was in a bad need so when they set me free I ran to the ladies as fast as I could. When I was done I found several people surrounding my husband. We are peaceful people so we didn't get into it but they asked us to leave, it was shockingly rude and it messed up our entire night. I have never used the men's room before but this was dire. It was our friend's birthday celebration and we wanted him to have fun so we left and didn't stay for the birthday. I will never set foot in this place again.

    (1)

  • David R.

    My favorite bar in SD hands down. Incredible beer selection, great food and selection, good tunes on the jukebox at all times, and really friendly people and laid back atmosphere. Chicken wimpy sandwich is pure bbq deliciousness.

    (5)

  • Stephanie T.

    Scott (Blair) knows how to put together a cool bar. Used to go when it was Sparky's and I lived down the street. Now: Great Beer selection. Awesome menu next door, and I like that you can order thru the window. Prices are reasonable. Also, Blair let us have a super sweet fundraiser for the Breast Cancer 3 Day, and it was a great show of community support!!! Cool Juke Box. Shuffle board is BALLS!!!. Good for after work, I mirror many others when I say get there early. Crowded on weekends (and pretty scenester). I don't get the appeal of skinny jeans. If you are shaped like an egg, don't wear them. And Dude, if you're old enough to remember the 80's, maybe you shouldn't be rocking the ridiculous outfits of the 80's. That about sums up the weekend nights there. Good for people watching though.

    (5)

  • jessica c.

    Hamilton's Tavern is a rare delight in San Diego, they are a beer drinker's wet dream. I looove IPAs, and they went as far as to carry more than 4 DOUBLE IPAs, and at about 5 bucks a pint, it's a FANTASTIC deal. Cuz let's admit it, drinking ONE pint of a double IPA is about the equivalent of 3 disgusting Bud Light Pints. They are bitter, crisp, and delicious. The Atmosphere is super laid back, there was even someone with a Rottweiler dog in there! They have a few pool tables, there is never a wait for a drink, and a super creative bar menu! Cheese soup doused nachos or fries, goodness!!!! You certainly want to try those out after a few pints... The place is covered in different beer suppliers handles on the cieling, and it's nice and green, THE color for a good ol'fashioning tavern. It didn't seem elitist at all, parking was fairly easy to find in South Park, and best of all, the were playing the Olympics!!! I almost didn't go out bc of the women's gymnastics finale, but hey, they had some nice flat screen TVs and everyone was cheering inside. Honestly, they have beers for all kind of enthusiasts, and if you don't appreciate microbrewed beers and only want nasty watered down miller or bud, then don't even bother! You won't fit in.Great place to relax w/out worrying about a dress code, a cover, and well it's just the best place to hang out with your friends and have a good drunken time! This place is GREAT! Check it outtt! NOWWWW!

    (5)

  • Kate O.

    I wanted to love Hamilton's Cafe. I love Hamilton's Tavern, but tonight I tried the cafe and was very disappointed. We shared a burger that was way overhandled and compressed, and an extremely greasy Monte Cristo. I am going to go back and try the mushrooms and the soup, and hope that they improve my opinion.

    (2)

  • Vinh P.

    So my best friend frank is a grilled cheese aficionado. I swear he lives off that stuff. So when he heard about this place he was pretty excited. I have to admit i was too, since i love cheese in all forms! So we went on Sunday and discovered that we were the only ones there. Everyone else was at the bar next door watching the Charger game. Hamilton's is split into two spaces: a bar and a cafe. We didn't' want to mess with the crowd so we went for the cafe. The decor was a mix between a country farmhouse and your grandma's kitchen. Plates hung on the walls, benches for table and a couple a stools. Pretty small place and old fashion. Now to the nitty gritty.... The food. Unfortunately the food was a big disappointment. I ordered a bratwurst sandwich w/fries, my sis go the monte cristo, and frankdogg got the Blilnd Tiger (Sharp cheddar, roasted apples, bacon, and onion. served with fries) I know it sounds good but it was far from what was described. The bratwurst was the saddest thing ever. It was small, super dry, and mostly bland. Not must taste. On top of that the bread felt old and really dry. It was possible one of the saddest sandwiches I've ever had. My friend said to me "dood i can see the disappointment on your face" The grilled cheese as described by frank (grilled cheese expert)....."dood i can make this better at home." I took a bite to confirm and i must concur. It was decent but just not what i was expecting for $7.50 So would I come back: Nope ! Go Chargers !!!!

    (2)

  • Lauri S.

    Ah, Hamilton's, how do I love thee? I showed up here for a Karl Strauss night with a bunch of friends. We had a really fun time- great beer, great friends, and super fun shuffleboard. We even managed to snake a table for all of us, which was even better. Great crowd, pretty mixed, which makes it that much more fun. If you like beer, this is the place to be, their beer board is pretty impressive. I hope to increase my Beer IQ through serious study at Hamilton's in the future.

    (4)

  • Jessica G.

    I have been here once to have a beer and the prices are fare. They have a descent selection of beer and air conditioning! Perfect for a hot day!!

    (3)

  • Jim C.

    Despite being hot as hell and the fact that I was the D.D. Hamilton's gets rave reviews... being the DD it was more like a beer tasting than a night out (a sip here, a sip there...) but I can definitely vouch for the amazing selection of brews.

    (4)

  • Charlotte B.

    The prices are not too bad when you consider that tax is included in the price. The guys that work here are nice, but they have (several times) run out of menu items and if you allow them to innovate you get some really strange stuff, better to just make an alternate selection. I wouldn't bother to eat in the cafe. Go into Hammy-town and get a beer, order and eat there. You will be happier.

    (3)

  • Seung L.

    Seems like everyone loves this place so I will chime in with only new info. Yes, awesome beer list. Food is good and interesting and definitely above standard for a bar and good enough to go try out in itself. The sausages are good and always changing. The quality of the ingredients are high and they don't skimp on anything in name of "healthy food." They cook it like it was meant to be done. The only problem, if you can call it that, is that it's a sausage fest and I'm not talking about the menu. And sometimes the girls are more gnarly than half the dudes. One cool thing is that they allow you to bring your dog but it's really packed so half-expect your chiuhuahua to get stepped on.

    (4)

  • Kim S.

    Let me get this out of the way: Blair, for the love of jebus, don't turn the music up so effin' loud! Or at the very least, turn the treble down. Maybe you can remove the speakers on one of the sides so that there's a slightly quieter corner. I'm tired of ringing ears and a sore throat from shouting over the music and everybody else who's shouting over the music. Plus, how many times does Axl need to Welcome me to the Jungle? Aside from that, I love the wide variety of beers. It's pretty rare that I can't find something new and interesting on draught. As a slight detraction, sometimes there are plenty of new, interesting beers but they are incompatible with driving home safely. The owner Blair seems to be obsessed with high alcohol beers, especially of the DIPA (aka IIPA) and Belgian styles. I don't have a problem with that, but it seems that there could be more rotation of beers with ABV below 6%. As of this writing, four of 24 beers on draught are DIPAs, three more are American or English IPAs, and an additional ten are 6% ABV or higher. I think it's actually looking a bit better than usual at the moment. I suppose there's always bottles (of which they have an extensive selection,) and a new cooler is just about to go into service! Kudos to Blair for fostering a relationship with the local brewing community (including my homebrew club). Also several kudos to the bartenders that are kind enough to offer samples of draught beers. (I feel better about asking when it's not packed.) Most of them are quite helpful. As far as when to go, Friday and Saturday nights are not good if you're claustrophobic, and it's also highly likely that Blair will be dropping in to Pump Up the Jams. (See above: me no likey!) The rest of the time it's generally much more amenable. Unfortunately for me, the time to hang out with friends is usually a Friday or Saturday night. I'd score a five if these nights were less of a pain. I'm not a football fan, but I'd probably enjoy Hamilton's during Chargers game time if I were. I don't know about the food plus dogs business. (Do they skirt the law by bringing food around from the cafe through the front door?) Dogs in bars don't bother me, but occasionally there's a large dog that doesn't quite know how to behave with large crowds. I guess that's the owner's fault...

    (4)

  • Kristopher C.

    This place was pretty cool. Alot of people on a Thursday night. We were lucky enough to get a table n chat it up with the homies. Werent able to play pool but were able to kept the bartenders pretty busy with our drink orders. They had quite the selection of craft beers, especially the kind thatll make a normal man cringe. like them sour ass beers. im not talking about dark beer, im talking about beer that smells like dirty gym socks and tastes just as good. definitely a good place to check out when youre in the area. Go northpark!

    (3)

  • Tyler H.

    They are doing good. Seeing the cafe evolve into a functioning place is exciting. Decent veggie pub food options. I'm glad to see the larger font on the menu's and the 'buzzers' that ring when your food is ready at the Hamilton's window. Keep on improving!

    (4)

  • Amy H.

    Love love love! My only regret is that they don't have Russian Imperial Stout on tap EVERY DAY. But the beers are always amazing and shuffle board is great fun. The jukebox is also great! You really can't go wrong with this bar..

    (5)

  • Bumble B.

    Its my friend's favorite pub. I would recommend this place if you are a true beer drinker, its like those real pub that serves real beer, there is no "light beer" here. You will see 11% + beer which you don't see much around. Since i wasn't a beer drinker, i was thinking i would have to get some bitter beer and not enjoy it but they actually had some fruit beer which tastes like wine cooler but more delicious. I had both Apple and Rasberry. If you like sweet drinks like me, try it out!

    (4)

  • Josh K.

    This is a great bar with an amazing selection of beer. The variety of choices reminds me of Toronado in San Francisco, but the atmosphere here is so much more comfortable. Great warm feeling + dog friendly + good beer selection = easy call to make when one is considering where to spend a few hours with friends catching up. I only discovered this place because I was trying to meet up with friends at the Whistle Stop and there was a line around the corner and some random gal suggested we try Hamilton's. Thank you, random girl.

    (5)

  • angie k.

    delicious beer that makes me happy. want a bud light? go away!! want some great dark beers and a burger! go here!

    (5)

  • Michelle R.

    K, so grilled cheese sanwhiches, to me, remind me of theat phase in college when you are too poor/unskilled in the culinary arts to make much else --- somewhere between spaghetti and ramen noodles. Till I tried them here, that is. Creative and delicious -- Several different kinds with ingredients never found in my college fridge: pulled chicken, jalapeño bread, brie, and all with a side of Old Bay fries! They also recently started making some killer hot wings. My husband loves wings and tries them at any restaurant that has them, and he hates it when they use mostly vinegar for the heat, and that's all you taste. Not here though. The Deer Hunter is their take on a Russian Roulette, and it's a great game to see who will end up with the fiery one. To be honest in the time I've lived in the neighborhood the Cafe has been kinda up and down with both prices and quality. That said, on my recent trips this place has been deeelicious. We head over when the Hamilton's Tavern is too busy, but you can also order from a cool connecty-window at the bar. Between this place and the bar, my favorite after work hangout here in South Park!

    (5)

  • Jason T.

    I love this bar, it was part of the reason I moved to south park. The beer selection changes all the time, so if you go regularly you get to sample new beers each time. They feature beers from SDs great breweries and usually have some interesting Belgian beers too. Every time I go, I find several new beers that I really like. The last time I was in I loved the vanilla porter from coronado brewing co.

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    GET RID OF THE FREAKING DOGS! Seriously I love this place, and I love dogs, but last weekend during the Chargers game I got totally turned off by this place. Someone dogs decided to take a nice hot shit on the floor inside. Then I realized today that the bug bits I have on my ankles are from the fleas that were at this place! My buddy that went with me to the game has the same bites, and he said it must have been from one of the mutts that was there that day. Isn't a health code violation to have dogs and food in the same place? I can't give this place a higher ranking than 3 starts because of the fucking dogs they allow in. I was there once and two of the dogs got into a fight, and the people that worked there acted like nothing happened. What happens a dogs bites someone? Do you really need to bring your dog to a bar while you get piss drunk? Yeah I didn't think so. Oh and I love the sign on the front door now that says: "Please have your dog on a leash."

    (1)

  • james c.

    Awesome beer bar that has great people, an awesome jute box, fun games, and there are always dogs in there. It rules, nuff said

    (5)

  • anthony d.

    Wow, I had a great time here the other day. The beer selection is awesome. The beers on tap is loaded with micro brews and a nice absence of the big domestic beers (Bud, Miller, Coors, etc.). The price is right as well. The bartenders are friendly and attentive. The atmosphere here is great too, I just loved it and cannot wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Jonathan G.

    I had the hop sausage sandwich, or "Sannich" as they endearingly call it on their menu. It was pretty delicious. They make the sausage in-house. It was greasy and delicious. The fries were so-so, not crispy and light as your typical processed fast-food fries are, but potato-y and a little soggy like In n Out fries are. I happen to like processed, but some people swear by In n Out fries, so whatever floats your boat. Was it worth $8.25? I'm not going to come here every weekend, but combined with the great selection of beers on tap next door, it's definitely worth visiting if you're in the area.

    (4)

  • Robert D.

    SO -- I've been sick for the last few days. Nothing serious, just a bad cold - but it's kept me pretty down and out. So today was my birthday and last night my neighbors had me over for wine and chatter. When I got home it was close to 10pm and I was like 'there's no f'in way i'm goin into my B.D. hangin on the freakin couch". So even though I'm solo, I get my ass in the car and drive down to South Park. I went to a couple places and ended-up at Hamilton's. I've never been there before but have read about it on Yelp and knew I would love it from the descriptions as well as the beer selection that I knew about from a beer brewing newsletter I get. I walk in, wait a bit to be served, and the beertender then tells me there are something like 5 IPA's (my drug) on tap. I choose one I hadn't had before (Scopel ? sp). It was kickin. Really good. Then I scope out the pool tables, foosball, shuffleboard (or whatever). Really good ambience and well thought out place. I play pool, foosball, chit-chat with like 5 or 6 random people. It was very cool. OK, now I've been there like 90 minutes, had about 4 pints -- not including the wine I had earlier, the couple pints at the Whistle Stop, and the single-malt I had at home b4 I left -- and I become more drunk-guy mellow, so I sit at the bar and order another. As I'm sitting there, the guy next to me starts chatting with me, beginning with "I'm not gay...". This guy turns out to be the most wack guy I've met in a long time - and that's saying alot. Over the next hour or so, I became incredibly sad because I didn't have a tape recorder. This was like being at a Richard Pryor concert all alone and then trying to describe it to people afterwards. Loses something in the translation. If I was a lady, or a smaller guy this guy would have been intimidating, but since I'm not I hung with him for the amusement value. Now the damn shame is that I didn't have that tape recorder, and I know my short term memory is umm -- well -- um, what was the question ? So, I knew I would not be able to accurately depict the experience the next day (now). So instead of attempting to remember the whole thing, I decided to TRY to remember SOME of the words/phrases the guy used in our 'conversation' (it was one-way). Here are a (very) few of them: -restraining order (like 6 times) -prison -Mom (as in "living with") -5-year-old daughter ... (haven't seen in 2 years) -parole -"women are all bitches" -probation officer -"this fucking pilsner is great" (he's drinking a stout) -fucking screws (prison guards?) -"I used to date that hot bartender" (she wouldn't let him listen to her pee on a flat rock if he were the last man on Earth). -"They don't know how to manage this bar" (he's a doorman at a honkey tonk nearby). -"Cops are all assholes." -"I really wasn't lookin in the damn window, I was just walkin by..." -"Rightous dude" (like 10 times) Damn, I forgot all the good ones. It's a bitch to lose your memory -- or was it the 4 gallons of alcohol ? Anyway, this place is the bomb. Really love it. Will be more fun when I return with friends instead of solo. That's probably why only 4 stars. Just not feeling the love enough for the big FIVE, but I WILL be back and it is very possible that the number will move up a notch. Go here. Drink. Play. Drink. Tell prison stories. Drink.

    (4)

  • Brian L.

    Choice beer menu, great atmosphere, and typically packed. What more could you want in a bar?

    (5)

  • Mimi L.

    It was pouring like the world was ending, but once you stepped inside the world was dry and fun! I was here with a few friends and we definitely enjoyed ourselves here. The beer list was insane and the staff was very knowledgeable. They even allow dogs inside, which adds a little more to this place and that suits me just fine.

    (4)

  • Dave J.

    Great beer selection, SHUFFLEBOARD, and great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    Hamilton's cafe is the shit. I had the best barbecue chicken sandwich of my life (I'm not too into em so I was shock and awed).

    (5)

  • Olive R.

    Tucked away in South Park, Hamilton's is by far my favorite bar in all of San Diego. Always a great crowd of people and they cook up some of the best burgers and french fries anyone could ask for. On top of that, I'm a beer lover and they offer a large selection of great beer daily. Get there early on the weekends and dogs are welcomed!

    (5)

  • Laura E.

    I've been going here for over three years now. Great crew great beer selection, compares to Obrian's for variety and amount, this place is great for beer lovers, if you aren't sure what you want ask the bartender for a taster and suggestions, they are amazing about helping make sure you have the right hops. This is one of the only dog bars as well in SD and love to be able to pet the puppies while enjoying great company, if you dont like dogs you may want to go elsewhere, if you aren't a dog lover you suck anyways.. ;). jukebox selection is good and they have pool and shuffleboard as well. Oh be sure to say hi the the original Hamilton when you are there! He lives next door, ask about his story while you are there, as for food they have beer cheese soup, grilled cheese, and burgers.

    (5)

  • Shane B.

    wonderful beer selection. the location is a bit annoying and the locals around this area are opinionated about their beer selectors. good prices on unique beers and i have heard the veggie food options are good too. will definitely be back

    (4)

  • Jason L.

    loud, too many kids trying to act cool. rude staff. but its awesome if youre into that.

    (2)

  • Tania N.

    Good times were had. The service was a bit slow at times, but the beer made up for it. Pool table available, enough seating. the only thing that really disapointed me was the music selection. they need to add more of a selection!

    (3)

  • Brandon H.

    One of my favorite local neighborhood haunts. Hamilton's is great because it's not trendy, pretentious and has comfortable vibe. Great prices, great selection of beer and a great crowd.

    (5)

  • Liana V.

    Great beer, fun games, good food. I like to bicycle here with my friends after watching Tuesday night races at the Velodrome.

    (5)

  • An L.

    Cool vibe. Not much seating relative to the popularity.

    (4)

  • Honest Opinion D.

    If it is a Gin & Tonic night, you've picked the wrong place as this is beer only. Their beer selection is quite good, with only a few international gaps to patch. It can take 15 minutes to get a beer at the bar (no table service), so you have to be extremely patient. While waiting, steer clear of the grunge-style owner named Blair who is usually plastered, sitting in one of the bar stools, and making annoying comments to you as you wait to indirectly give him your money. The bar might be better if you sobered him up, gave him a tic tac, and put him behind the bar as additional help to more rapidly serve the patrons. 2 stars because I like the place, but I could skip it just as easily any night of the week. 95% of the time it is a sausage fest and overcrowded. Just the other day, I tried to give it a try at 7pm. I walked in and there was no where to move. 2 stars is generous for this place.

    (2)

  • Ken I.

    Good beer and good people! The staff is helpfull and friendly. Not sure what to order? Just ask and they will help decide.

    (5)

  • Chris N.

    Pretty much perfect food to go with beer(s). My favorites are the baja dogs and the hammy hash. Just typing hammy hash makes me want to drive over for one now.

    (5)

  • Brett d.

    I really like this spot. Great food, ridiculously large beer selection, a couple pool tables and shuffle board to keep you entertained. Bartenders and barbacks seem pretty cool too.

    (5)

  • Laura T.

    great beer bar in a great neighborhood. i come with my man who is a regular and we love candice the bartender! the food is SO FREAKING DELICIOUS its ridiculous. our faves are the hammy hash and jalepeno poppers. i wish the bar was bigger though, its hard to shoot pool when you constantly have to say, "excuse me" to the people sitting right next to it. you gotta make sure you dont poke some dude in the balls with your stick! LOL i also played shuffleboard for the first time in my life there-pretty cool (except when theres peeps monopolizing it ALL night-irritating. have some manners!) mixture of locals and kids post downtown clubbing. you never know what kind of night its gonna be at hammy's :) oh and they take cc's which is awesome because most beer pubs are cash only.

    (4)

  • Logovo L.

    Bad service but good food. A place to go only after preparing yourself for rudeness. Do-take out, it is worth the effort.

    (2)

  • Emyllia d.

    We got to Hamilton's around 5:30pm on Monday night to watch some football. The place was not too crowded and the game was on, which would be fine for me. Lots o' beers to choose and they had BLACKTHORN Cider!! WHoo HHooo so happy now. Now, the deal was my friends wanted more of a "sports bar" (ie carneracia with football jerseys) so we didn't stay for the game. But who cares, I got my cider :)

    (5)

  • Todd R.

    Best beer bar in San Diego. If you truly appreciate a good beer you'll love the selection at Hamiltons. I have read other reviews and I agree that it does get packed and it's sometimes hard to get a beer but if it wasn't so good, it wouldn't be so popular. I don't go as much as I used to for that reason alone but, if you can get a seat at a table or the bar, you'll appreciate it much more.

    (5)

  • Andrew p.

    Oh how I love hamiltons let me count the ways: 1. Awesome bar food 2. Great selection of beer. A little ipa heavy but what bar isn't in San diego. 18 beers on tap right now + 100s of bottles in the cooler. 3. Shuffle board nessecary bar game in my book 4. Did I mention the best jallapeno Beer cheese soup on the planet. Get a cup for dipping the fries. 5. A few blocks from my house. 6. Really friendly bar feel. 7. Old school jukebox none of that mp3 bs with britney spears on it!

    (5)

  • Erika K.

    i am a bit shocked by the complaints here. i am also not quite sure what a "hipster" is...according to my observations, and ive been to hamiltons dozens of times, every single one of you under the age of 40 is a hipster. and what is so wrong with hipsters anyways? stupid fashion aside, they introduce you to good and obscure music. they have typically read classic literature. they don't watch much TV. they paint and write songs. they can talk politics and philosophy. you really want to trade them for piss drunk hobos and rednecks? go to the jewel box. its not that far away. anyhow, back to hamiltons. my husband and i typically go here for dinner and a few beers. if you aren't trying to find the "party" at midnight, you won't hit the raucous crowds. you will encounter a sleepy, mellow mix of old dog owners, college gays, 30-somethings catching up with their parents, couples of all stripes...i even saw a group of deaf people in there once. and for all of you "scenester" haters, it is clearly a "scene" you are looking for based on the time and day of the week you hit up this place. anyhow, the beer, food and crowd are what make this place. i feel like a kid in a candy store looking at that menu. as a lager drinker, i wish they wouldnt go so heavy on the ales. but trumer and bitburger are always there as backups. and the FOOD. i am a vegetarian, which is why the food is so enticing (ooh...i guess i must be a HIPSTER because im a vegetarian). they have veg-friendly pub fair (veggie dogs, veggie burgers, chili, grilled cheese, etc.) which is reliably tasty. the people running the hamilton's cafe put heart and creativity into their food. im not sure who is behind it all, but they are wonderful -- keep up the funny menu quips and experimentation. and tip these people, guys! there is too much GnR on the jukebox IMO. they have the pogues, which is awesome. i agree that it can be a bit too loud. anyhow, i hope this place doesnt get taken over by non-hill dwellers like the turf club did. i will be happy for its success, but as a local, i will be forlorn. maybe i will write an emo song about it and dedicate it to all the self loathing scenester-hating scenesters on yelp...

    (5)

  • Matt V.

    Lots of different kinds of beers, good shuffleboard table (not great, it's a little warped), friendly people. 'nuff said

    (5)

  • kathryn s.

    i was impressed! i could not believe the selection of beers. from the outside it looks as if it is just another hole in the wall place to grab a drink. very deceiving! the bartender, who seemed to have quite an extensive knowledge of all things beer, may have been the owner. very nice guy. we all chatted for a bit about the bacon beer that he had tried and the process that the brewer used to make it. on a sunday afternoon there were several patrons and their dogs. (dog friendly bar) there was also a huge collection of beer tap handles hanging from the ceiling. a great place for a beer enthusiast to frequent.

    (5)

  • Marcus W.

    Very hip place for the Northpark crowd but really nothing special and a hell of a dangerous location for DUI s for those that like to get a little tipsy. Place is very clicky i guess if i lived in the neighborhood i would feel different

    (2)

  • Jessica U.

    This place is A-mazing. One of my friends from the East coast, also a total beer elitist, was visiting San Diego for the first time so I OF COURSE felt obligated to show him the few best-kept secrets the city has to offer, this bar being one of them. Weary at first, the copious selection of fine drafts lined-up, along with a detailed board describing the beers and alcohol content left him in a whirlwind of tough decisions. A beer snob AND a pool shark, he was also pleasantly surprised to find 2 open pool tables! So once he finally decides what he wants and the bartender meticulously pours a couple of fruity IPA's, the bartender then hands us our beers and says: "I'll ring you guys up in 10....that's when happy hour starts." Seriously Bartender man? You rule! I don't know you're name and vaguely remember what you look like, but you're awesome! And then of coarse there is the little convenient window leading towards Hamilton's cafe. Both being the happy drunken vegetarians we are, order the vegetarian chile cheese fries. Perfect way to end the evening, leaving one impressed Bostonite. Thanks Hammies...

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    I am naming my first child Hamilton and I can only hope that he is half as cool as this place. The beer selection is redic and the bartenders are cool....fun games good times and plenty of rockin tunes... I am going there tonight to get blitzed and if you see me there make sure you remind me that I have to pick my buddy up at the airport tomorrow in the morning and that I shouldn't be at Hamilton's because you know how I get and that I will be in no condition to pick my friend up then buy me a beer. OK that's it if you ha vent been here go and if you dint like this place good because we dint want you here anyways.......out!

    (5)

  • Josh J.

    It can get crazy busy in there but the beer is good and you can bring in dogs. Also, get the "deer hunter" when with a group of people.

    (4)

  • Daniel S.

    amazing pub grub. get the cheese soup and dip your fries!!!!

    (5)

  • orco x.

    used to be great like 4 years ago now theres too many people and they dont have the hockey fooz-ball table anymore

    (2)

  • David L.

    One of the best little spots in San Diego. This place is so dog-friendly, it's like a dog park with beer. And the beer consists of high-quality beer-snob-approved microbrews, including lots of local selections. The food is excellent...one of the best burgers in town. And the "nachos" are ridiculous: pub fries, covered in beer cheese soup, with bacon, sour cream, and some green onions (got to get something green in there so you know it's healthy).

    (5)

  • sara l.

    Definitely a local's hangout. It's a hidden gem, nestled in a neighborhood setting. It's a dark & dirty bar in a good way - it's their signature characteristic. Wide selection of brew, some bar food (ordered through the secret window) which is not too shabby. Pool tables, limited seating as it does get crowded. I don't know what their dog policy is, but I have seen some chillin' inside with their owners, which doesn't bother me one bit. Plus, you can take the number 2 to get there (it's the route bus, for those that aren't familiar). I rely on Hamilton's to remind me that skinny jeans and mod haircuts, both increasingly familiar to this part of town, aren't all that bad.

    (4)

  • lizzie c.

    I love this place! Great crowd, good prices, amazing beers!!! 28 beers on tap, shuffle board, pool, music, food-what else could you ask for? They have hush puppies here with a raspberry chipotle sauce that is so good! The staff is great- always quick, fun, and curteous. This bar is very welcoming and has an overall great vibe. If you like beer and having fun, this is the place for you!

    (5)

  • Alex H.

    i love this place best beer selection in town always have a good time when i go.

    (5)

  • Megan P.

    i would give it another star if trying to find a place to sit wasn't always a hurdle. they have food that they serve between certain hours that is better then bar food but it is heavy and pairs well with a beer. they serve tater tots which for me a huge deal! always have a great selection of beers which is fantastic and they're not overpriced. they allow dogs which is awesome as well. it's a great local spot or a nice place to meet your coworkers for a beer. has a very neighborhood feel about it. parking isn't usually too hard to find which is a bonus. they have bar games too so you have something to do while you're there if you don't want to sit and talk. but again it's generally crowded enough that finding a place to sit is not easy and you can usually get through a beer before you find a seat. you can eat next door where you're food comes from but you can't drink in there. : ( oh well. they're beer cheese and tots make up for that!

    (3)

  • Janine D.

    I love Hamiliton's - the feel, the dive-ness and the beer list. I highly recommend this as one of the best beer bars in San Diego.

    (5)

  • JJ J.

    Delicious! Big Kitchen closes at 2pm and Hamilton's Cafe opens at 3pm. The food is amazing. My compliments to the chef.

    (5)

  • Angie B.

    I have come to love Hamilton's. I've now been there well over 25 times and I seem to like it more and more each time I go. The draft beer selection is plentiful, consists of great beers, and is always changing. There is a huge bottled craft beer selection as well. The patrons for the most part are friendly. The bartenders are happy to help beer newbies find a draft choice they will like.

    (5)

  • michael c.

    like a 3.5. beer selection is unbelievable. great selection of Iron Maiden on the juke. amazing. the size/space/layout of the place kills it. i'm always wanting to go hang here on a weekend night but i dread the idea of standing elbow to elbow with a sea of skinny jeans.

    (4)

  • comment dit-o n.

    I'm not a beer drinker. But my (admittedly snobby) beer drinker friends swear that this is the best selection in San Diego (rivaled only by Liars' in PB). And this has shuffleboard, pool tables, and foosball, too.

    (4)

  • Dustin H.

    In fear of the repercussions that may be sent my way due to a poor review of the local drinking hole for many a friend of mine, I can stand by no longer. Yes, they have a nice beer selection, one of the best in the city. The location is good only in that this neighborhood was starved prior to this place converting over from the swill dive it once was. I could get past the unavailable street parking if it was the only downfall. Not to mention the flat wooden bench seats. Who designed these things? Gumby? The number one reason I will not return is the service. Even when the place is nearly empty, the elitist attitude from the staff is unbearable. How can you expect a return customer if you insult your clientele? The bartender snatched up my glass and plunged it into the wash tub, only to ridicule me for suggesting I was not finished. In a feeble effort to appease me, he slid a 1/4 full goblet of mystery beer in it's place while muttering remarks of stupidity. Belittling your customers is no way to run a business. Despite my craving for goo, local beer, I can not patronize an establishment that does not appreciate its customers, as non-regular as they may be.

    (2)

  • Steven B.

    Good beer selection. Trying to play bubble hockey (even while sober) is impossible, and you have to bring your own foosball if you want to play the table. Pool tables have good bumpers, but there are some sharks that swim amonst the hipsters so keep an eye on your wallet. I appreciated the party lights wrapped around the rafters.

    (4)

  • KURT M.

    was here on a sunday. if you are a beer person, this is your place. they have a good list of beers on tap(with alcohol percentages) bar menu, which i ended up getting some pub chips(fries) which were great. jukebox was good, and to top it off pool tables are free on Sunday. def will be back.

    (4)

  • Chrissie H.

    My go-to bar in San Diego. Good beer and decent food. Chill vibe. Not enough seating. They have a weird policy with checking IDs though: they wouldn't let me use my passport to get in.

    (4)

  • Joshua K.

    They know and they love beer. My body agrees with my mind that beer is good on a majority of the nights of any given week. In moderation. My mouth punished my body by eating their hot wings! My lips are still tingling hot! Wash it down with Alesmith's Evil Dead Red (6.66% abv, he he). I asked the barmaid to pour me one of her choice, and she happily gave me a pint of Rubicon Rosebud. It is classified as Old Ale, and I had never tasted anything like it. Delicious. It helped quench the inferno that was ragin in my throat, but more than that, it kept its flavor after it was finished. That is a good sign. This place was surprisingly well lit (as were most of the patrons). People were enjoying their pool tables, and shuffleboard was waiting to be played. ***Another bonus- they were showing the Presidential Debate "en vivo" on Telemundo. What hip dive bar would do that? this one. South Park. A hidden gem.

    (5)

  • Jennifer F.

    Incredible selection of beer. Loud, pub-like atmosphere. Friendly, hip staff. Excellent bar food (but don't come here on a diet). Their grilled cheese sandwiches are out of this world - the one with cheese, tomato, avocado, and pickles is a winner! Served with a large basket of fries, you can't go wrong.

    (4)

  • Sarah F.

    I have big love for Hammie's, really I do. My only gripe is that it's so damn popular now that I can barely open the door even at 5:30pm on a Tuesday. I know that translates to $$$ for H's and so I support that completely....just being selfish. It is truly a first-rate tavern. Amazing beers on tap, friendly service, great prices, cool ambiance. Oh yeah, and the grilled cheese sammies??? Dear Lord!!!!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • L.E. H.

    Hamilton's Tavern is one of my favorite dive bars without being that much of a dive in my opinion. It has the look, but the staff is friendly, the bathroom works, and it doesn't smell of stale beer that's absorbed into a wooden floor for half a century. I relocated from DC, and that town has great saloons, taverns and pubs, but literally, many of them have been around since the Kennedy Administration, and they smell like it. Hamilton's has only been open a few years, but I'm told it was another local hang before that--good restoration, because it still feels like it's been in the neighborhood for many. It has a few booths and plenty of games to occupy while you chose one of their many beers. That's perhaps why I like it so much, the variety. Variety of beer, patrons and even pets. Yes, there were a couple of the cutest dogs roaming the place while I was there last time. I also like it because it's really chill. I went last Sunday, ordered a couple beers, and parked it in a booth off to the side. It was great. No one cared that I was there 3 hours reading a book. It's just that laid back. My kind of place. If I lived in South Park, then I suspect this tavern would be my home away from home.

    (4)

  • Doobly D.

    On the night I visited Hamilton's the tap selection didn't lend itself to what I normally like to drink, but despite this it has enough taps where I'm sure there are several nights when they have great lists - bottle list was excellent, had a few bottles. Two pool tables, several tvs, an awesome food menu, foosball table, and a shuffleboard table give it plenty of distractions (some dude played shuffleboard by himself for like 2 hours). They also allow dogs. Good atmosphere. Only complaint is that the pint prices can get a little high.

    (5)

  • Jon A.

    If you're impressing a Beer Man named Randy from North Carolina, then I'm on your side. Seeing baffled faces of beer drinkers amongst me (me included), by their tap list & their laid back-ness. Tap lines were pristine & clean. Their service was immediate. Their glassware was solid. I really don't know what else other to say than: I was brought here, it was the perfect post roadtrip to SD beer decompression & provided me with Societe's The Butcher Imperial Stout where I won't find anywhere near my home. Note: you may think that tap handle collection is ornamental, but in fact... I saw it put to use where a beertender had to find one of the ceiling to switch over.

    (5)

  • Kimberly B.

    One of my favorite bars in SD. Cheap drinks, huge beer selection, and good food. Teriyaki wings... DELICIOUS. The crowd here is super chill and everyone is really nice. The kitchen closes early on weekdays so be sure to remember that! My roommates love this place too and come for their monthly Saturday dinners, which I still have to check out. Hamilton's will surely be one of your favorite places once you start coming here!

    (5)

  • Nick J.

    It is Hamilton's. Not much to say other than GREAT beers and awesome food! It gets packed pretty often and there is a reason why. Just go and enjoy one of San Diego's best craft brew pubs!

    (5)

  • Briana V.

    This place is pretty awesome I'd have to say.. I liked the beer tap ceiling! They have a lot of different choices in beer and they allow dogs! (If I knew that before I woulda brought mine along!) anyway, it's a nice place to grab a beer I didn't try the food because I just ate but it looked pretty tasty so next time I'll come and try the food and let you all know how it is! Also they have a jukebox which is pretty cool too :) I'll be coming back here!

    (4)

  • Llyn S.

    Excellent craft beer selection, on tap and by the bottle. They've also got two pool tables, a verrrrrrrry looooonnnnngggg shuffle board table, and food service til 10PM. Did I mention you can bring your pup here anytime during the week, and til 10PM Friday and Saturday? Sweet. I knocked a star off because I'm just not a fan of sports tv's in bars, but that's probably your thing, right? Another great thing about this bar is their jukebox. Gotta love it.

    (4)

  • Christopher R.

    This place is awesome. The selection of craft beer is always changing and it always great. This is a great place to hang out with friends, try new beers or play some games. The music is usually good but it does get crowded. I usually go on Wednesdays and it's hard to find seats if you're in a group. In such a small place you will be shuffling through the crowds to get a drink. Being only a few blocks away, it's dangerously too close.

    (4)

  • Kaitlin J.

    Dog friendly + awesome beers + shuffleboard = happy happy Kaitlin :) Yummy food too! The Nachos are french fires in stead of chips. It had a spicy kick to it too, you couldn't stop munching on them.

    (5)

  • David Y.

    This is a great place for the right person. If you love beer, I imagine this is heaven. They have an awesome collection of beer tap handles hanging from the beams on the ceiling. That probably says everything you need to know about this place. The vibe was definitely positive, everyone doing their thing and having a good time, playing pool or shuffle board. Kim P's review from 3/21/12 is right on. She is definitely younger (or at least younger at heart) than me. Unfortunately, I am passed the age where I want to sit for very long yelling to have a conversation with the person next to me. This is the kind of place I would enjoy more sitting by myself at the bar after work catching up on the sports scores for the day.

    (3)

  • Royce Y.

    OVERALL RATING = 9 / 10 the EATs: Grilled Cheese: Blind Tiger = 10 Tator Tots = 8 the BEERs: Alpine Bad Boy IPA = 9 Bear Republic Vermicious Knid = 7 ATMOSPHERE = 8 SERVICE = 7 APPEAL = 10 Avoid this place if you... A. hate good beer B. hate jovial, and crowded, bar atmosphere C. hate hipsters Otherwise, there's no reason not to swing by on a weekly basis. And regarding point C, the crowd's actually quite diverse. Whether its college kids after an exam or someone celebrating just coming into retirement, awesome craft beer and grilled cheese sandwiches don't discriminate and Hammy's nails em both. The Tiger - Sharp cheddar, beer candy apples, beer candy bacon, and grilled onions. The beer candy apples added an interesting sweetness that balanced out the fatty-ness of the bacon and the sharp cheddar. Couldn't tell what kind of onion they used. My initial thought was Maui, but I could just be confusing the sweetness from the beer candied ingredients.

    (5)

  • Charlie R.

    I wont even flower this up with sensationalist verbage...It's simply the best kept secret for beer connoisseurs in San Diego. Over 100 beers available either on cask, tap, or in the bottle. A local neighborhood gathering, this place is a hot bed for locals in Golden Hill hidden amidst the neighborhood of any resemblance of a main street. You really have to search for this one, but the oasis that awaits will quench many-a-thirst. It's a legal speakeasy with plenty of local charm, foosball, pool tables, and friendly locals. Mostly 30-somethings frequent this place, but the crowd is very open and engaging most days. A cool refreshing departure from the downtown clubs and scenester bars...a local cheers-like watering hole with plasma screens that play Rugby games from time to time. Call me up and order me a Flanders Red or Oatmeal stout of any sort and i'll meet you in 5...If i hadn't moved up to North County, i'd probably be there right now instead of writing a review about the place...

    (5)

  • Daniela E.

    My fiance and I went there last night on a whim. The food was good, but not fantastic. I had the west coast grill (liked it) and he had some sort of sausage ( he thought it was ok but not great). We both agreed, the fries rocked, I'm just not sure i would go to the cafe again and maybe just order from the bar. Honestly though i don't want to support such bad attitudes. The service was HORRIBLE. We walked in and wasn't even greeted with a grunt from the girl. She gave us the dirtiest look when i asked if we ordered at the register or sat down first. Give me a break - we had never been there before. We ordered the food and a coke. We received a luke warm bottle of coke - no glass no offer of ice - nothin. We sat down. I went up to the register to ask if they had any ice and she turned and walked away from me. A few minutes later after having sat back down - she put a cup on the table and told me that i would have to go next door to get the ice. Now I can understand when someone is having a bad day or if someone called in sick or whatever - but give me a break - she was rude if not just mean and the guy who worked there was just as bad. Some girl went to the window from the bar to order and he acted pissed off. She was apologetic for putting him out! Last I heard - a restaurant is a service industry - it's their job to take the order provide some basics. I get better service from my neighborhood Robertos. This is horrible service and it would take a lot for me to ever give them my money again. Advice to the folks who work there- get a different job or check the attitude - it's ugly and not necessary.

    (1)

  • Martin N.

    me drinko

    (5)

  • Roger C.

    i love this place there are simply not enough words to describe the great beer selection the absolute best staff there come in on Sunday Candace will take great care of you!

    (5)

  • Jeff J.

    Man, I am so tired of going to bars where everyone gets their drinks in a friendly and expedient manner. My life is defined by a steady ascent up the hipster caste system, and I just won't sleep at night knowing that people who aren't as fucking cool as me are getting the same service. I'll be damned if some square Banana Republic-wearing web designer who's too "proper" to do lines off an amputee's vagina is going to get served before me. I have to walk around town with this ridiculous ironic haircut, and I'm infertile due to years of wearing skinny jeans, but it's all worth it if the bartenders at Hamilton's will recognize my efforts and begin to treat me like an actual human being. Sure, I know they still won't look in my direction until I've been standing at the bar for at least 20 minutes, but it's cool, because just 6 months ago I was waiting like 30 minutes. Some day I'll be up there with the management at the Linkery and those hot tattooed lesbians holding court at the East end of the bar. And on that day, I will be treated like a GOD.

    (2)

  • maci b.

    Been there a few times, never been impressed. Beer isn't great and the staff are stuck up. Probably would only go again if every other bar in San Diego was closed

    (2)

  • gabe i.

    The burgers here are great and its worth it to go there just for the beer cheese soup fries. I always just pick a random beer from the chalk board and have always been happy. It gets crowded and that sucks if you're trying to eat a messy burger without a seat. People have always been nice enough to share a table, you just can't be shy about it.

    (4)

  • amber c.

    yay for good and unusual brews, the roaming golden retriever, and the pool table... boo for out-of-the-way location, unnervingly bright lighting, and slowwwww service.

    (4)

  • Stephanie F.

    Hamilton's is a great place to hang out and this is coming from a chick who doesn't drink. Actually, I wish they had a few more non-alcoholic drinks available but it is a bar so I understand. There is shuffle board, Foosball and pool. The jukebox is pretty good and the bar tenders are funny and nice. You can order food from the cafe next door via a connecting door. I haven't had any of the food but I've heard that it's delicious. Check it out1

    (4)

  • laura g.

    the drinkin hole of a lifetime. sooo many beers to choose from for all you beer snobs. i used to always go with whatever had the highest percent alcohol...but uh ya. the best thing about this joint is the shuffleboard table. i love it,even tho im not so skilled. pool tables are a plus, and i like the crowd bc its very casual and lax...minus the bitch who kicked my ass in pool! arg. this is a good bar any day of the wk.

    (5)

  • W G.

    i'd love to tell you hamilton's is what every hipster bar should be...devoid of hipsters but i don't think anyone wants me to start lying in these reviews. so, i'll do my best to avoid spending too much time on the brooding, inked-up misanthropes wearing their younger sister's black jeans or their over-medicated girlfriends who still think daniel johnston is culturally relevant but can't let go of the pain of being mired in san diego long enough to form complete sentences 'cause you wouldn't understand anyway. instead, i'll focus on the good stuff. hamilton's underwent a recent conversion from a dusty outpost for toothless rummys to a dusty outpost for toothless rummys full of a bunch of kids. ok, sure they dolled the place up, slapped some new fixtures around, added some fun and games(BUBBLE HOCKEY!) and expanded the beer menu by leaps and bounds. but, deep down, under the floorboards where it smells like a hobo pissed himself in a wool sleeping bag, it is still hamilton's. and isn't that the measure of a true bar? well that and lots of beer. ---------------- upon further review, the bar staff here sucks. either they were used to the bar when 12 people was considered a big night or they think all the new people are there because of them. also, they apparently have a "barware shortage" so, no, you can't have a glass of ice water. you can, however, purchase a bottle of water. how convenient. any way you look at it, customers are your business. stop basking in the glow of your own ego and start pouring some drinks. and when i tell you the pen you gave me to sign my CC receipt doesn't work, don't take the receipt from me, use your pen to double the tip and walk away. JCTSFR: 2.86

    (1)

  • Andy H.

    We went to the Old House Fair this weekend and decided my rumblings needed a quick fix, a hot dog or something. There was Hamilton's Cafe and not a soul in sight so I'm thinking this is my solution. Their "special" was the bratwurst and kraut on a bun and some "special" mustard. Perfect I thought, maybe not for $7 but ok, I'm starving. We ordered, waited, waited, waited....about 15 minutes into the wait we ask if there was a brat on its' way. Yes, the friendly cook said, it's fresh made and we want to make sure it's cooked properly, yadda yadda. OK, a little more wait. Let's say another 20 minutes! People came in and ordered the same and were warned it would take about 15 before it was finished. 40 minutes later we got our 'fresh made" brat. Too large for the stale bun so it rolled out onto the plate while it was being served, spilling the paltry amount of kraut and the thin stripe of the "special mustard" too. Some who had those little buzzers were coming in asking if they had lost their order? They were hungry and tired of waiting. While the brat itself was tastey, the rest wasn't and for seven freakin' dollars, come on! The other bad thing about having to wait was seeing how bad the place looked. Dirt on the floor behind the open door. I mean when the little yellow sign that warns you about a wet floor is dirty....not too appetizing. It was so nice when it was Lei Back, now it's a pit. Dirty window, scuffed up floor, bad paint job on the walls...yuck. Not going to return ever. Just enjoy the beers at Hamilton's Tavern, sans food.

    (1)

  • Nino R.

    this is one of the best pubs in SD in terms of selection and good food. get there early on a weekend ( I stop by for a beer and and a sandwich with my girlfriend for lunch). good fun and good food. check it...

    (5)

  • Mark B.

    I am in total disbelief regarding the number of positive reviews of this place. In a nutshell, our outing to Hamilton's late on a Friday Afternoon was a disaster from the get go. I swear, most of the good reviews of this place must have been written under the influence of way too many pints of barley wine. Things went south for our party of four as soon as we arrived. Although we did manage to find a free table it took us a while to realize that we were going to have to order at the crowded bar, and even that was slow since the whole place is only staffed by two people. When we asked about where to order some grub the bartender muttered that we should know better, and it took us a while to figure out that we had to circumnavigate the pool tables to place our order in a tiny hole in the wall at the far end of the bar. And we ordered up a storm - regular burgers, veggie burgers, nachos and grilled cheese sandwiches. When the food was ready we picked up the order and tucked in. Yikes! Talk about grease - you could make enough bio-diesel from our order to drive your car to someplace where they would actually serve you decent food. The fries were limp and greasy, the nachos were nothing more than the same greasy fries swimming in a pool of even greasier beer cheese soup, and the "home made" veggie burger was short on veggies and high on, you guessed it, grease. Don't even ask about the grilled grease sandwiches. Ugh, man I felt like I was back at the Minnesota state fair - all that was missing was the deep fried Twinkies. And to top it off, while eating our grease a la mode we had to watch some guy put his dog on a table so that it could sloppily lap up something that was probably better than our chow. Oh, and as to the famous jukebox - please, it was tinny and oh so lame. Anyway, at least the brews were good, but we took our leave and headed out to the Aero Club bar which was so much nicer. No way will any of us ever darken the doorway of Hamilton's ever again.

    (1)

  • Dan P.

    5 stars for beer selection and tasty wings (oh belgian tripels, how i love thee), minus one star for allowing dogs in the bar. gross. having a bunch of slobbering pets in a bar doesn't increase dive/pub street cred. slobbering drunks do.

    (4)

  • lisa s.

    same rating, but last night, the volume was so much better. and i tried the old bay pub fries. best fries in the neighborhood, maybe in all of san diego. they have a new menu, and it's quite an improvement. really great veggie burger with potatoes, black beans, corn, and a delightfully spicy sauce. The curry dipping sauce for the fries is top notch, too. The Banh Mi was on the small side, but tasted good, mostly in part to that same spicy sauce. Good cheap eats and great beer. Great place for a late weekday night dinner.

    (4)

  • Kim P.

    okokokok you get it... the beer is great and wonderful... so in addition to this news... its loud. its young people. its dirty at times. its every college town's college town bar but its not in a college town. to put it simply, its cool trashy chic. good for happy hours and late night smoke sesh's outside and stumbling down the sidewalk and probably taking a nap on the yard with the boat in the driveway the people arent exceptionally beautiful and the beer isnt exceptionally cheap. but if you keep drinking them, youll discover just why Hammies is so awesome.

    (5)

  • Kai D.

    Went here with my buddy Christmas eve '12 specifically to introduce him to sour beers. Having been here many times before, I knew that their beer selection would not disappoint. The Fare: Four Starz. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 Starz across the board is that they stop serving food too early. The phenomenal beer selection is complemented well by the typical bar food. Didn't indulge this time though since it was after 10. Tried ordering a Lost Abbey sour but somehow miscomunicated with the bar keep and ended up with "The Angels Share", a $24 12 oz bottle, which ended up not being that bad actually. It's a nutty brown with a stout consistency, quite flavorful. After finishing that we moved on to the Dutchess De Bourgogne, one of my go to sour beers. My friend wasn't a fan but sours are my fav so I gladly finished what he could not. The Ambiance: Four Starz. A cross between a dive bar, a hipster haven and a British pub. The hundred or so taps hanging from the ceiling added a charm that went well with the shuffle board table and lock less bathroom. The Help: Five Starz! I wish I could remember the guys name that helped us but I was very envious of his beer knowledge, which he did not hesitate to indulge me with after absorbing my barrage of questions. He was a young white kid with a bushy beard and skinny jeans (shocking for that area, I know. Lol) very helpful and happy give his recommendations. The ideal bartender, patient, knowledgable, confident, I could go on and on. All in All. Never a dull moment at one of my fav local beer bars. Highly recommend.

    (4)

  • Daisy C.

    Great beer selection Decently priced Good atmosphere Friendly bar tenders Typical bar games available

    (4)

  • James F.

    Absolutely love this place. Couldn't ask for a better place to spend an afternoon. This place has a amazing selection of beers. All of the burgers are delicious here and you can get tots with beer cheese dipping sauces. Beers are the reason to come here. Lots of local beers as well as extensive selection of beers on tap. Seems like they are always running a special and everyone here is friendly. They have shuffleboard as well. Its nice to go in here drink some good beers and lose track of time and enjoy the company, drinks, and food. Definitely recommend going and giving this place a try.

    (5)

  • Jeremy A.

    This place has a ridiculous beer selection and is easily one of the best around in San Diego. It can get pretty damn busy here and loud so don't be shy to shuffle up to the bar to get your grog ;) Shuffleboard table, Jukebox and great food, what else do you need. San Diego is definitely a mecca for hop heads and Hamiltons prides itself in being one of the best places to get a great pint.

    (5)

  • Angelo F.

    Heard about their grilled cheese sandwiches and gave it a try.... I do have to say, last night, we had about 3 different dinners since we were bar hopping South Park and eating everywhere. So as a last stop after Hamiltons Tavern (Next Door), we decided to drop in and split a grilled cheese sandwich to try out the hype. Of all that is good and pure, it was awesome! I thought I made some bomb a$$ grilled cheese sandwiches at home but the one we ordered was delish! It had cheddar cheese, avocado and tomato's... I never would've thought to add avocado and tomato's to a grilled cheese sandwich! The sandwich came with fries and those too were excellent! Excellent grub to go with a good beer!

    (4)

  • Mitchal Q.

    This place is AWESOME! My cousin told me about this place and i got a little scared because my expectations were really high. After finally coming All my expectations were met and even exceeded. The beer selection is just amazing. The ambiance is really great (they have pool tables and a shuffle board). The food is really really good too. The blind tiger grilled cheese sandwich is probably the BEST grilled cheese I've ever had in my life. I hear the burgers are great, so im definitely going to be coming back to try it. Definitely go to hamiltons, beer/food/people/layout is great!

    (5)

  • Priscilla N.

    Beer selection Amaze, Dog friendly yes, pure locals mmhm, pool & other games yup, food pretty darn good! All around this a great SD spot that many don't know about...too bad. it's D) all of the above and more. Fun place, make the stop.

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    I've tried a good deal of their food menu and have never not liked anything. The wings are amazing, hop sausage, burgers, even the vegan food! My favorite is the Rip Taylor grilled cheese (all my friends got jealous when I let them try a piece, except for my vegan friend who refused - its got chicken) and the honey garlic wings. Sooo much garlic! Great beers bottled and on tap at relatively cheaper prices than any of the other beer places around. If you're having trouble committing to a beer on tap, they let you sample without getting weird if you wanna try more than one. If you're like me and into barrel-aged beers, barley wines, or any other beer usually served in a goblet, you'll be happy to know that unlike other places, they fill it to the top, usually over-flowing! We usually sit belly-up because the bartenders are pretty cool. Only thing I would recommend is go a bit early or go on a rainy day cuz it fills up pretty quick!

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    Buh-bye Sophia W!!! We will miss youuuuuuuuuuu!!! I had heard about this place and this was the perfect opportunity to visit since Sophia's Rossi frequents this pub a lot. So, we decided to hold Sophia's going away gathering here (less teh Rossi and teh Daniel). For a weeknight, this place gets pretty packed. I'm not a divey bar, pub kinda girl, but I was actually diggin' this place. I was pleasantly surprised to see doggies roaming around - what a trip! I wasn't sure what I wanted and the bartender was cool enough to let me sample several beers. Even the chick beside me was giving me recs on the beers on tap. When I finally found "the one", I was happy - Heff on tap. Very impressed with the service and friendliness of the staff! Nice sized bar, several tall tables/chairs, a couple booths, pool tables, and a shuffle board. Small, but just enough intimacy to converse with patrons and have a good time. Shout outs to Sophia, Travis, Mike, Melanio, Chun, Son, teh Rog, Ian, and Nick for the fun times!!! Good luck Sophia!!!

    (4)

  • Stephanie P.

    This is my go-to bar. The beer selection is exceptional as well as rotating. Its definitely my favorite bar to go to. The ambiance is laid back and very chill, love the jukebox and service!

    (5)

  • Tiffany L.

    Beer lover? Have you been here? No? .....why the hell not? Quite possibly one of the best selections of beer in San Diego. You'd think you'd died and gone to heaven. A heaven that's full of awesome beer, and if we get any say in what our heaven looks like, mine sure would be. This place gets very, very crowded, even on weekdays, so be prepared to stand or wait for a table. No frills kind of place, just beer and pretty good food. Food can take a while once ordered, but it's definitely quality bar grub. Mmm, Hush Puppies! This is the perfect place to try a beer you've never heard of and become a fan of something new. Prices are right and you can bring your pup! That's right, you can get drunk with your best friends, and if your best friend happens to have four legs like mine does, do not fret -- they're allowed!

    (4)

  • Nick N.

    By far one of San Diego's best dive bars! Hamilton's has one of the better beer selections in the city, and the food you order from the hole in the wall is tasty. I highly recommend the ninja grilled cheese with the upgraded garlic fries (although only if you REALLY like garlic.)

    (5)

  • Adam T.

    Obviously this is a fantastic beer bar. I have never been anything less than impressed by their offerings. They have great specials, get lots of casks, cool tap takeovers, and a solid staff. I am usually a pretty big fan of their food, but I have to say, last night I went there for Monday night football and was not happy. I ordered their Cattle Decapitation burger which is usually a delicious homemade veggie burger made with black beans and it comes with some tasty sauces and a good portion of fries. Last night however my burger and fries were luke warm and the patty seemed like it was never cooked. It was soft and fell apart all over the place when usually it is a little crispy and has a good bite to it. It was a little busy but they should have known it would be busy on a Monday night and had some more help in the kitchen. If that was my first time I would have written them off as far as food goes and then I would just be choosing between a bunch of other good beer bars when going out.

    (4)

  • Robert K.

    Great beer, great food, great scene! Who could ask for more?

    (4)

  • Lainey S.

    I LOVE THIS BAR! It's such a cool, kick back place, plus the beer selection is amazing! I have to be careful when I go to South Park, because I have yet to make a trip there without stopping at Hamiltons. =}

    (5)

  • Zlata P.

    I like everything about this place! So many beers to choose from! Atmosphere is great and so is service! They have pool tables which is also great. Overall, great hang out spot!

    (5)

  • Janet D.

    I love that this place is so popular...it's classic neighborhood hipster dive bar with a huge selection of craft beers. My problem? I'm 40+ and I like conversation way more than beer...so consider the source when you read this review of their Happy Hour. FOOD - This is an alehouse. Food is next door at the café. DRINKS - I'm going to risk sounding like a complete idiot. You REALLY have to like beer to come here. If you do, it's kinda like Heaven. AMBIANCE - Dark interior that requires shouting. Boyfriend and I came here with (40-something) friends and couldn't hear ourselves think, let alone talk, so we hovered for a bit then made a U-turn. Definitely Room Mom territory. SERVICE - Busy, busy, busy. They do their best. I did not feel cool when I left here...tail tucked snugly between my arthritic legs.

    (2)

  • Bethany J.

    We just moved to the neighborhood and while pub crawling on NYE we ran into this place. If you love Small Bar you are going to love Hamilton's. They have an amazing selection on tap and an even larger bottle selection! Prices are good as well. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the bar staff. They were so friendly and very quick even though the bar was petty busy. Talk to Hannah, she is very knowledgeable about the beer selection and can help you pick a good beer for you.

    (5)

  • Cynthia C.

    I LOVE me some Hammie's. Love love love. This is where I take all my visiting amigos from out of town, this is where I go when I want to relax, this is where I go when I want the best grilled cheese ever, this is where I go when I want a good beer from an unpretentious locale. These guys are fan-freakin-tastic! Minus one star for not allowing my friend's pup inside (because it was too crowded?) EVEN WITH A SERVICE DOG CREDENTIAL this past weekend... Not cool bros. Don't hate on the ones who might need an extra hand (and not because their other hand has a beer in it).

    (4)

  • Sumi P.

    Hamilton's fans are plenty, including myself. Great local neighborhood pub-like atmosphere that is dog friendly too! Come in jeans and a t-shirt and you'll fit right in, expect to share your personal space because the place gets cozy-crowded but still manageable...bring your appetite so you can order tater tots and San Diego's yummiest grilled cheese sandwiches (from next door...through the shared window) to go with your ice cold draft micro brew or beer :)

    (5)

  • Kell R.

    I heart this place! The beer is local (and cheap) - Pliny the Elder is my new favorite and when you pair it with one of their equally incredible grilled cheese and tots you are in for a treat! I've only been here twice, but it's enough for me to know I want to drink/eat here as often as I can. Australians love to have a bar they can come to, find a seat without any worries, and drink at regularly (which they then call their "local") and so this place is my ideal local, for sure.

    (5)

  • Nette B.

    A hole in the wall bar.. ..Came here with some fellow yelpers after having brunch. This place is really busy but chill. I'm not a beer drinker but I had a beer that was recommend to me. (I wish I remember what it was called) I ate a bacon cheeseburger and some fries (even though we just came from brunch) and it too was pretty good. I was a little surprise that they allow dogs in there. There's also pool tables and some dart boards. Nice chill place and I would definitely return when I'm in the SouthPark area.

    (4)

  • Bridgette B.

    Thank you for being awesome!!! I love Hamiltons. Always great staff, great food, and great priced beer!!! Seems cheap compare to other places. It's also nice to be able to bring my dog when it's not busy of course!!

    (5)

  • Mer L.

    A very kind bartender at a Gaslamp pub recommended this place to us. As Pacific Northwesterners, we felt very much at home here. Friendly service, awesome beer selection. It was totally worth the trek from downtown.

    (5)

  • Adam W.

    Best brew pub in San Diego. Hands down. And puppies are allowed in there. Not on busy weekend nights though. So thats cool.

    (5)

  • Jimmy D.

    The place that made me a beer snob. So many beers on tap that you don't even know where to begin. They have a rotating tap, so there's always a new and exciting beer to try. It's a different experience every time I go here. Bartenders are very knowledgeable about the beer and will gladly help you pick something out or answer any questions you have. They have excellent bar food (burgers, sandwiches, wings, tots). I specifically like the tater tots a lot. It's crispy on the outside and just melts in your mouth as you bite into it. Take a look up at the ceiling and it's christmas every night :)

    (5)

  • Kjirsten K.

    This is my kind of place; dark, dank, and lots of good beer. We went shortly after they opened and found plenty of seating available, a sprinkling of customers, and a bar so dark you forget that it's still light outside. I was visiting my sister in South Park for five days and made sure we went there twice during the week so I could get my Pliny the Elder fix. If I lived in the area, I would definitely be a regular.

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    So what happens if your family is not in the area and you have to work the next day here in San Diego during Thanksgiving weekend? (Thanks gov ment) Well, obviously you stick around in SD during Thanksgiving looking for a place to just hang out...even with complete strangers. Luckily Hamilton's was open. Sure it's like a 25 minute drive, and I had a decent/so-so experience the last time I was here. But I just wanted some beer; and I didn't care what happened in the past, just as long as there was beer and football on the tube..that's all it really matters to me. Yes, they were open for Thanksgiving day, and yes, happy hour still applied. The plus....they even had a FREE turkey dinner. Turkey, mashed potatoes, with gravy, pumpkin and pecan pie. Now that's service. The attention to detail was different this time. Better attention, better service, and the fact that they were open during Thanksgiving day was just awesome. Of course I got some beers with my Thanksgiving dinner. Went with the Blackthorn apple cider, this time it wasn't flat. Also went with the Danny's Irish red and Greenflash/Hamilton's pumpkin ale. The Irish red was very good, maybe even better than Killian's Irish red. And as for the pumpkin ale...well, I wanted to go with the Thanksgiving motif, and it was pretty decent. Again, very hospitable staff today, greeting everyone Happy Thanksgiving and stuff. I'm glad I came back. I'm glad I got to re-review this place. It definitely deserved a second look, especially if they are willing to open to us single folks especially during a time where people spend time with family and loved ones. Also, people wonder if I ever have given a 5 star to a bar/dive bar before. Well here you go people; this is what you have been waiting for. It can't get any better than this.

    (5)

  • Di A.

    Great atmosphere! Awesome brews! Nice people and good food!

    (5)

  • Adam J.

    As stated, space is at a premium here. Just find a place and park it please. Stop wandering around. There are always at least 3 beers that I'm interested in trying. The prices are fairly reasonable, but every now and then, some seem overpriced ($7 for a Festina Peche?). Then again, they'll also often have $3 cask specials. The food is pretty dang good, but I'd recommend drinking at least 2 beers before ordering, and then a 3rd with your meal. The food is not nearly as good when fully sober (this is not a knock to the food though, you just won't get the full experience). They have many vegetarian and meat options, but a the Classic Grilled Cheese is really all you need. It's huge and is served with fries that are hard to not finish. Save the money for that 3rd or 4th beer and walk home.

    (4)

  • Summer K.

    This is craft beer dive bar nirvana! Dark, eclectic crowd, great beer list. We didn't eat, so I can't speak to the food. The bartender also turned us on to Alpine (which they didn't currently have on their list), for which I can't decide if I'm grateful or not since it is phenomenal, but not available back home on the east coast. If you're a beer lover and in SD, this is where you should drink beer.

    (5)

  • David G.

    Hot damn. Do you like beer? Do you like pub grub? If you answered "yes" to either of those questions, you have to high-tail it to Hamilton's Tavern, which has the absolute BEST in San Diego. I had the pleasure of being introduced to Hamilton's at Kim L's state-side homecoming/UYE (miss you!). The place was absolutely mobbed at 8pm on a Thursday night. (In all fairness, it was the eve of New Year's Eve, so everyone was probably getting a head start on the weekend.) We still managed to snag a table because a couple guys were leaving and actually *offered* us the table, since they noticed that we were standing and looked hungry. (I guess chivalry isn't dead, after all.) First of all -- cool vibe! Love the sprawling beer menu. Love the ceiling with hundreds of taps. Love the dogs wandering around (all of whom, miraculously, were perfectly behaved despite the sensory over-stimulation of being in a packed-to-capacity bar). Dinner started off with a Ballast Point Sextant Stout. I don't usually drink much beer, but this was absolutely delicious. In fact, I think I have a new favorite beer. It was so earthy and smooth, with only the slightest hint of an alcohol taste. (Apparently I wasn't the only one who dug it, since the Sextant Stout was the first beer that night to sell out!) I was starving, so I hopped over to the Hamilton's Cafe counter next door. I opted for the "chicken wimpy" sandwich, while my dining companion went for the "west coast" grilled cheese sandwich. Both came on a generous bed of fries. And both were absolutely perfect. The chicken wimpy was huge and laden with some of the most tangy and tasty BBQ sauce that I've come across. The chicken was cooked perfectly and oh so tender. Dare I say that this sandwich even manages to give Phil's a run for its money. I must've broken some kind of speed record as I inhaled that thing. I only had a taste of the grilled cheese, but it, too, was outstanding. The bread had a perfect crisp, the cheese was warm and delightfully gooey, and the generous layers of avocados, tomatoes, and pickles gave it lots of flavor. The best grilled cheese in San Diego? No doubt about it. I rounded out my dinner with a very different kind of beer: the Stone Double Bastard ale. I'm not sure what makes it so bastardly. Is it the 11% alcohol content? Either way, this beer was quite tasty. Lots of tanginess that was almost cider-like in flavor. It's probably more of an acquired taste than the Sextant Stout, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. What else can I add about a fantastic local biz where everything is spot-on? No wonder why this place has legions of loyal regulars. Hamilton's manages to find the perfect balance: * great food * great beer * great vibe * great people ...great everything, really. I can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Melanio F.

    Nice place for a beer with friends and visiting friends. Came here to see a friend returning for the holidays from Europe. The selection is great for any beer lover from the tap. I had at least 3 different types of beer on tap. The company was great, the bar crowded and there is food available next door delivered to you. I had the bacon and cheese sandwich which was delicioso. The fries were the bomb too! So with all of this, one plus - you can bring fifi or waldo or whatever your dog is. I didn't bring Apricot this time because it would be too crowded but dogs are allowed to come with you to this bar. Next time, I will bring a designated driver so I can drink more! Hoorah.

    (4)

  • Jack H.

    My favorite beer bar in San Diego, and really the standard to which every other bar I go to is judged. Awesome beer on tap and an extensive bottle list (the list is available if you ask any of the bartenders). The food is spot on, Jamilton burger with tots and some beer cheese soup? Done and Done. Also you can bring Fido as long as its not Friday or Saturday night/anytime it's really crowded.

    (5)

  • Orlando D.

    Best selection of IPA in San Diego great atmosphere had the dodger game on which was fun in San Diego where they hate dodgers. Oh yea and the best grilled cheese I have ever had

    (5)

  • Jason C.

    Beers - 4 star. great selection and variety of beer Ambiance - 5 star. Went in a Wednesday night during San Diego Beer Week. Bar was packed, great music, 2 pool tables, long shuffle board, fun staff that are passionate about their beer, and great prices. Food - 3 star. did not like the grilled cheese, I'm not sure if people on here are ordering the grilled cheese with extras, but the grilled cheese on it's own wasn't very good. Next time I'd order a burger because those looked amazing. Great prices for food though.

    (4)

  • Karina G.

    I reviewed this place already but I decided that since another year has passed why not rate it again? Well, nothing's changed! They are still amazing! The staff was nice enough to give me a beer on the house on my wedding day :) If you don't love beer and talking with drunk strangers then this isn't the place for you. Not everyone is gonna like it, but I think that's what makes this place so great. I never have a bad time at Hamilton's. Never. It is still one of my favorites!

    (5)

  • Teresa F.

    This is the first time I've been, but I've heard good things about it before. It's a tavern, so there's only beer and brews here. But they have quite a variety and even if you don't like beer, there will be something here for you that you will like! And they have ciders here! There's a huge blackboard listing everything that's on tap including the price and alcohol %. I tried the Big Sky Moose Drool just cuz I liked the name, and it turned out to be pretty good. It was dark stout, but not super strong. They let you try samples, so you're bound to find something good. There's two pool tables and a shuffleboard. We were kinda just messing around on the pool tables, but there are a few pool sharks that play the game seriously. They were pretty nice though and gave us a few pointers. Tables are hard to come by. I went on a Sunday, and we had to hawk around before we found a table. We went with a big crowd though. All in all, it's a great place to just hang out. It's real low key, and try a few different (and unique) beers!

    (4)

  • Albert W.

    Our hero and his posse parked at the Polish American Society on 30th, and asked a guy smoking outside a Mexican quinceanera how far of a walk it was to Hamilton's. "About 5 minutes." It was more like 15. Perhaps that man was a competitive speed walker. Upon entry, it was love at first sight. A massive chalkboard displaying the name, style, alcohol content, and price of exotic liquids drew a "WOW" from our hero's lips. Ales, lagers, pilsners, stouts, and tripels, oh my! Several beers on the list had alcoholic contents in the double digits. A multitude of strange taps hung from the ceiling, including one for hemp beer. It wasn't long before our hero gave into to the concupiscence of mating his tongue with a magnificently fruity Green Flash Palate Wrecker double IPA. If you're looking for a neighborhood bar that looks like it was built in someone's front yard with a dizzying array of fine beers, look no further. Hamilton's has beers grander than Toronado's, with better explanations, and none of the pretentious attitude or sterile decor. PROS: - Fast, friendly service and they take credit cards with no minimum charge! - A rotating selection of some of the best microbrews and imports across 25 taps. - Really reasonable prices for high quality beers. CONS: - Very loud music played in here, making it difficult to hold a conversation.

    (5)

  • Elika E.

    Not even going to sugar coat it- my gf and I stopped in one night after jogging the Southpark hood because we'd heard good things and a beer sounded good. Well good things and good beer and knowledgeable friendly bartenders equates to- we got trashed here on a Monday night. They let us sample every beer we asked, whether sincerely curious of the flavor or not, offered suggestions, answered our dumb craft beer questions etc. Cool low key vibe but happening place for a Monday! Wow. We haven't been back since(a few months ago), but I'm definitely down to go back. Southpark is on my radar, love the vibe there.

    (4)

  • Amber M.

    They have cider on draft. Need I say more.

    (5)

  • S H L.

    This is like the local hangout. Crowded during weekend nights but good selection of beers. There's pool tables and ample seating. Be prepare to talk louder than normal.

    (4)

  • Sarah G.

    Feel like hanging out with a bunch of pretentious hipsters and their pooches? Then head over to Hamilton's! I've gotta say, the one time I'd been here before recently I was too drunk to remember the atmosphere. But I returned here recently with friends and was slightly disappointed. First off, there's not enough seats, even at an odd hour. I ended up squashed on the side of a wall, sitting on a keg. You read it right: A keg. Then the crowd is overbearingly handlebar mustache-y, and while I appreciate some hipsta action, this was not one of those times. The bartenders were obnoxious as well, sporting mullets and a dickish 'tude on the side. I will say, sweet beer selection! But it's got a bitter aftertaste when the place is too crowded to grab the glass off the bar.

    (3)

  • Alisa M.

    Let me start off this review by saying I am sorry Hamilton's for bringing my friend who ordered a *gasp* Bud Light at your fine beer drinking establishment. The nerve!!! OK having that out of the way I finally popped my Hamilton's cherry. I came here with a few friends and my husband on what we thought would be too early for it to be packed. Wrong!!! Big wrong. Packed to the gills. But the bartenders were on top of their game and I got a recommendation and a beer right away. I let the bartender pick for me after describing the type of beer that I like and he was right on par with Firestone Solace. I loved it. And later on when they ran out of that one another bartender recommended the Pilsner and I loved that one too. Other highlights are the awesome selection of music in the jukebox and the grilled cheese. I'm telling you it's the perfect thing to eat when you are imbibing in some tasty beer. My only complaint about this place is that some of the patrons were kind of snotty. But I can't blame the establishment for that. Snotty people like great joints like this too. If I lived closer I could totally see this being my regular bar. But alas it is not to be.

    (4)

  • Charlotte C.

    My first trip to Hamiltons went something like this: it's Happy Hour on a weeknight and it's literally packed elbow to elbow. Can't see past the first mush of bodies blocking the front door, but looking up there are hundreds of tap handles on the ceiling. After shoving my way inside it's no easier to move. Trying to navigate past the bar and through the incredibly dense crowd was like trying to part sand dunes, where one gap opened another body slipped in. I also had a beer promptly poured down my shirt. Fun. Pros: Juke Box! Tons of beers on tap. Good Happy Hour prices. Decent availblity of free street parking near by. Burgers looked great, although I didnt try any. And the local crowd was pleasant, even friendly, though everyone had had to YELL to hear each other (even before drinking). Cons: As mentioned above, this place is way too TINY to be so full of people. It was very very loud, unpleasantly so for my preference. There were very few tables, maybe 3 or 4 by the pool tables. Essentially it's standing room only. And my food order was suuuuper slow, it took 45+ minuets for an order of Hush Puppies which turned out to be over fried and gross. Overall - meh - not my scene.

    (3)

  • Amy S.

    Somehow this place manages to be dive-y yet trendy. They're known for their wide variety of beers. I managed to find ciders on tap, which is rare. We also found a delightful array of excellent food, ranging from traditional pub to relatively gourmet. Great prices. My major drawback was simply the crowdedness. Seating was difficult to find and it was too loud to really talk to mingle. There wasn't even room to play the games properly without whacking or poking someone: in fact it was dangerous. If they expand their premises to double, I'll be a regular. The bar tenders were very attentive.

    (3)

  • Vince S.

    Dark, lots of memorabilia, lots of coasters, good seating and drinking at 4 PM. Age of the clientele is toward younger side. Got to ordered 1 beer from Moonlight Brewery, I was lucky. Should've came here when they happen to have a better tap list, must've came in during a slow week as most of the item they got I've tried already. It's a happy party place. Enjoy this neighborhood bar. Didn't have the food, as usual.

    (4)

  • Jon S.

    Really nice beer selection and great bar food. The ambiance is dark and divy, but it has a nice friendly feel. Tap selection is top notch.

    (5)

  • Vicky S.

    So, no one tells you that this place has no table service. You should know that. It has no table service. And no one will greet you or pay attention to you when you enter. BUT then you'll find your courage and you'll mosey up to the bar, gazing at the beautiful displays of no-longer-in-use beer tappers hanging elegantly from the ceilings, and you'll order a beer from their HUGE beer menu, and you'll feel slightly better. This place is dark and cozy, and you order your food from a window in the back corner and have to get it yourself when it's ready, but somehow, it's worth it. My grilled cheese sandwich was out of this world delicious, though the fries were nothing special. And we had a huge booth to ourselves with a good view of the shuffleboard table. It does feel a little odd to be in that dark space when it's sunny and gorgeous outside, but I somehow know that if I lived in SD, I'd be here all the time.

    (4)

  • Edgar N.

    Ah, Hamilton's. I already miss you. They say that you never know what you have until it's gone. Nothing could be truer in my case in knowing I can't walk down the street or take a quick drive to my favorite neighborhood beer bar, Hamilton's Tavern. This is a proper beer bar in every way. The umpteen-million tap handles hanging off the ceiling, the immense bottle selection and, of course, the carefully curated tap list by Scot Blair & co. You can walk in on any given night and get a cold glass of brew that'll rock your world, be it a familiar favorite or a new or rare brew you've only heard about through friends. Case in point: I walked in on a random Friday night after work, looking for a drink to ease my mind of my hellish work week. I take a quick glance at the tap list and see what I initially think is Pliny the Elder, a standout IPA and a regular on the Ham's beer list. Upon closer inspection, though, I see it's in fact Pliny the Younger. Yes, the beer that often runs out within an hour flat of tapping. Needless to say, I ordered two glasses. A review of Ham's wouldn't be complete without bringing up their beer-infused food menu. There's something to complement every beer sensibility, from TJ-style hot dogs to fries (called "pub chips") to my favorite item on the menu...their hot wings. I've scoured San Diego for the best wings in town and, for my money, Ham's serves up my favorites. If you're feeling adventurous, order some "Deer Hunter" wings. Just don't get scared off by the waiver you have to sign. If you live in San Diego, you owe it to yourself to check out Hamilton's Tavern. Do it. Now. Yes, stop reading this, get into your car or take a cab and GO!

    (5)

  • Brianna S.

    Three stars... Because they only serve beer! Most people love that, but I'm more of a whiskey drinker. So my main complaint is that there is nothing for us non beer drinkers to drink here besides what I was offered, which was still a beer, "but a sweet beer." I have had to come here with avid beer drinkers and wish they would serve me a damn Marker's and diet. When I can walk in and get some hard liquor here they would get two more stars. For now I will continue to smuggle my own flask in to pass the time.

    (3)

  • Acacia B.

    I love you, bar.

    (5)

  • Odette S.

    I am a Hammies Junkie. First off, I love the fact that they are dog friendly and that I can take my pug there and spend some quality time together. Secondly, they have a very good variety of local beer, veryy good. Top notch. Pretty much the reason for my 5 stars, I can go and on.. but I'm afraid I might go on for too long... Thirdly, well, I'm vegetarian, so the Baja Dogs are really good, as well as the Cattle Decapitation veggie burger.. Garlic Fries a must... their veggie chilli .. not so amazing to my personal taste, but very close to.. Definitely an excellent place to hang out with friends and listen to some good music (the juke box has a good variety and well, you can jam to whatever you choose), have some good food and also enjoy the VERY nice bartenders there.. I go there often, and i don't plan to stop!

    (5)

  • Rob K.

    Microbrews, check. Greasy bar food that feels like sex in your mouth, check. Shuffleboard, check. That's the trifecta right there. Overall, cool place to try new beers, shoot some pool and hang with friends. The food is great and the staff is cool. If you're trying to sit down and eat I would recommend getting there a little early. Getting a table is like finding a rare beanie baby during Christmas in 1995, good luck, unless you're a ninja.

    (4)

  • Kyle T.

    Hamiltons: Once a great little secret in South Park; now: a great little well-known bar in South Park. They have an amazing beer selection, great food, fun events, and shuffleboard! The only downside to South Park, is that it gets extremely crowded. If you plan on attending any events here, make sure to show up early!

    (4)

  • Adam K.

    It's divey and small but decent. Without the great selection of beers, I probably wouldn't come back. With that said, I don't exactly live down the street from the bar. The staff is great and the atmosphere is okay. It's a good bar. I'd give it another star if there were more places to sit down; stools or table tops.

    (3)

  • John B.

    This bar was recommended to me by a local, and boy was I glad that we talked to him. This is my favorite kind of bar- one step above a dive with great food. I arrived at Hamilton's at about 9pm on a Tuesday night. It was very busy! My wife and I grabbed a seat at the bar and were immediately waited upon despite how busy the bar was. The bartender was friendly and helpful. Warning! If you are not a beer drinker (like my wife), they do not have wine or liquor options! My wife was in the mood for a drink and the bartender helped us find a cider that she might enjoy. She ended up with a pear cider. Beer lovers will love this place- They have a ton of options on tap and even more in bottles. And prices aren't bad at all. On to the food, which really is the highlight of Hamilton's! They have a pretty extensive menu, but the highlights are their gourmet grilled cheeses and burgers. When you are ready to order, you go to a window in the back of the bar. They will give you a buzzer that will go off when your order is ready to pick up. It only took about 15 minutes to get our order even though the bar was very busy. I got the Rip Taylor- a grilled cheese that had pesto and chicken. My wife got the Ninja Witchfyre- which was AMAZING! It had siracha sauce, a pepper mix, fried egg, and cheese. It was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth! Please know that if you are looking for a quiet, romantic meal, you aren't going to find it here. At its heart, it is a bar filled with college students. This probably isn't a date night spot. Hit up Hamilton's any night of the week for drinks and/or dinner. The drunk college students will give you great people watching and the food will leave you totally satisfied. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Shy A.

    My cousin told me this was his favorite bar in San Diego. My cousin doesn't ever really steer me wrong when it comes to sweet bars and great beer. He wasn't wrong about Hamilton's. Pretty cool.....even if your not a trendy hipster. Service was nice and attentive. I love that there are tons of beer choices and that it's laid back and so un-fussy. They have pool tables and shuffle board which is a plus. Love the tap handles on the ceiling, it's pretty awesome just looking at them. The place was packed even for a Monday night. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Randall N.

    Love love love this hipster bar Beer beer beer beer taps on the ceiling beer beer cool people awesomely bad movies playing while drinking and listening to fantabulous music. Can't really add anything to the Hamilton's Review world here on Yelp. It does get super uber rediculously crowded but hey it's a cool place with a rockin beer selection and laid back people. What do you expect? I still love the place.

    (5)

  • Erika G.

    This is my fave beer place ever. I wish it wasnt so crowded just BC im being selfish, but at the same time Im really happy for the owners.... I just liked those days, many many years ago when I could enjoy an awesome beer without this place being so crowded. The eye of the tiger is the best grilleed cheese ever and I love how many sour's they always have in stock. Oh hammies, I love you!

    (5)

  • Summer C.

    Came upon this beer establishment on mine and my boyfriends "quest to hit all the best beer spots in san diego in one day" adventure. We came on a late Saturday afternoon, and only had enough time to have one beer, but it was just enough to satisfy my beer taste buds. Found two seats at the bar, and the bartender greeted me promptly. I didn't have my contacts in, so I couldn't see the huge chalkboard menu of beers on taps (I think they have 28 taps and a cask). I told him "I can't see what's on the board, but I love sours!" He served me St. Louis Geuze, which was right up my alley. Their bottle list is LONG and full of some quality gems (Cantillon, Lost Abbey, Avery, Dogfish Head, Brewdog, Rogue, Brouwerij, Cascade, oh ok you get the idea it is freaking long!) Anyways, this joint is a must-have on a beer tasting tour. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Derek S.

    The Hop Sausage Sammy is pretty bomb. The Potato Hammy Sammy is pretty bomb. The Fast Nachos are pretty bomb and enough to feed 2 or 3 people. I order from the window on the Tavern side and drink delicious craft beer until the food is ready.

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    The best way to describe the food at Hamilton's Tavern is "Bowling Alley Gourmet." They've somehow managed to construct a menu which simultaneously makes my arteries scream "UNCLE!" while my mouth whispers "Oh my...." Here's the sitch: after a particularly grueling hump day at the officina, my cohorts and I hauled ass over to Hamilton's, hit our glasses of Chimay HARD, and grabbed a bite. After spending quite a bit of time rooting around for anything involving a vegetable, I threw my proverbial hands in the air and ordered a Wimpy with a side of the Beer Cheese Soup. OH MY GOD, seriously, SO good. I mean.... Oh, oops, hold on a second. I've gotta wring out my panties because my food boner just got the best of me. Here's my one problem with the place: the menu is super confusing. What is NUT YEAST and does it belong in chili? Why would something with bacon come smothered in "WAHOO WHEAT CHIPOTLE RASPBERRY BBQ SAUCE" and served on JALAPENO CHEESE BREAD? Most importantly, why is everything IN CAPS??? Regardless of my naiveté regarding their unorthodox culinary combinations, I trust that Hamilton's knows what they're doing. Don't hesitate to scope out Hammies and, on the real, bring your Lactaid. You're going to need it.

    (4)

  • Angie L.

    They were friendly enough, atmosphere was clean and divey enough.. beer selection was pretty good. Food was not bad, typical bar food, decent selection. Tried the deer hunter wings, you get hot wings, and 1 of them is potentially lethally hot... but you don't know which... so good luck with that. I was the lucky Russian rouletter and barely ate a piece and was foaming from the mouth from the spiciness. It burned like nothing I've ever eaten before. I accidentally dabbed some of the residual hot sauce near my eye and holy mug it burned like no other.. needless to say it was a fun concept, if you really think spiciness doesn't phase you, I dare you, it's gonna whoop your butt.

    (4)

  • Vic C.

    This place is like Disneyland for beer-aholics! Four years I've been frequenting this establishment now and I don't live anywhere close to here. Hamilton's Tavern has been around since 2006. Of course, there's a back-story to how this tavern was named. Mr. Hamilton is an African-American veteran who served in the Marine Corps during the 60's. When he returned home, and tried to visit the bar next door to where he lived (back then named Sparky's)... he was ultimately refused. Five years ago when Blair purchased this place, he named it in his honor; he still lived next door. Mr. Hamilton passed away last month. Please pour one out for him. - - - Here's the skinny for people who don't know about this place: I. Every 2nd Saturday of the month is their promo event, where they serve loads of free food to complement a featured brewer. The beer is cheap, and that includes cask beer also. Of course, this gets packed with patrons and leechers, so go early. II. Menu has been revised recently, they still have some items reminiscent to the Liar's Club menu of halcyon days. But they've now put that concept on blast, and it's pretty gnarly on the kinds of food they serve. PS... ask for the PCS sauce! PPS... Vegan friendly -- YES. III. Free pool on Sundays, bring it on. Please do not put your beer on the pool table. They also have shuffle board.

    (4)

  • Sammie V.

    This place is amazing!!!!! Let me keep this short and sweet because I could go on and on about this place. Pros: -You can bring your furry children (dogs). Yay! -Their beer is ALWAYS on point. I love the fact that they post the alcohol percentages and allow you to try samples. -The food is mouth-watering deliciousness. You will NOT be disappointed with anything. I love the wings, and especially the burgers. Ohhhh booyyyy -Did I mention FREE FOOD ON THE SECOND SATURDAY of every month! WHAT!!!? -The crowd in here is chill and awesome. I never have a problem with anyone in here and really love the atmosphere. -Games! Cons: -A little pricey -CROWDED -Dark and vampire-esque. The cons don't even matter. Haha, this place is awesome. CHECK IT OUT!

    (5)

  • John L.

    Great selection of food and beer here. I can't really add anything that hasn't been said in the almost 800 reviews except... They have a good mix of local and more well-known music in the jukebox, including what is in my humble opinion the greatest rock band from San Diego, Lucy's Fur Coat.

    (5)

  • Ed K.

    AMAZING place. Hamilton's is definitely my bar to go whenever I'm in the 30th street area! Yes Hamilton's is in the middle of a neighborhood, but please do not be intimidated by that. The beer selection is amazing and there's always something for everyone. The selection changes frequently so everything you visit there's always going to be something different for you and your friends to try out. Now the food... AWESOME! The grilled cheese is out of this world and the fries we're just as amazing and tasty. The burgers are as good and recommend trying them out as well whenever you have a chance. There's events happening at Hamilton's all the time. Second Saturday is a MUST visit every month.

    (5)

  • Jourdan G.

    Decided to come here for the Chargers game, and SO glad we did! Very laid back, dog friendly which I LOVE, an awesome beer selection, and delicious pub food. What more can you ask for?! I will definitely be returning!

    (5)

  • Eddy C.

    If Hamilton's was a woman, I'd marry her (as long as she changed her name from being Hamilton cause that'd be weird) Deep in the heart of South park lays a place I'm willing to bet is one of the best places for beer lovers across the entire US. Why do I love it so much, you ask???? let me break it on down. At first I loved Hamilton's for their large selection of rotating beers on draft. Stuff I hadn't heard of. A very large selection of bottled beer. The beer taps hanging from the ceiling. The dive bar feel which you lose yourself in and forget that the sun is shining when you step outside during the day. I've tried some beers here that I'll probably never get a chance to try again. Then I loved Hamilton's because I gave their menu a shot. They have a very unique and super delicious menu. They're known as the home of the hop sausage. YES HOP SAUSAGE. AS IN BEER HOPS!!! I had a few interesting grilled cheese sammiches but when it comes down to it.... nothing beats the WIMPY'S REVENGE. Pulled chicken, with a rasberry like BBQ sauce, on grilled jalapeno bread and served with shoe string fries. Don't act like you don't want one right now. Then I loved Hamilton's because I went on a Monday night football night. It was also keep the glass night and they have dollar hot dogs and 50 cent chicken wings. Although it gets super crowded during Charger games. Then I loved Hamilton's for their 2nd Saturdays. The second Saturday of the month Hamilton's features a certain brewery, cracks open a cask, and feeds all their patrons FOR FREE (the food is free that is) And I'm not talking about Costco burger pattys and Little Caesar's pizza. I'm talking, tri tip, guiness cupcakes, tacos de lengua, gator bites, shrimp cocktail, Thanksgiving grub, etc etc... the list goes on. They always have a theme to the food and it never disappoints. The only problem with Hamilton's is that it's gotten so popular that it's often packed, and when you can't find a place to sit and enjoy your drink or food because you're rubbing elbos with random people, you might get annoyed. Not me tho. I love this place. Oh and it's dog friendly. Tadow!

    (5)

  • Heather W.

    ooooh hammy's, thank you for welcoming this jewnostic girl on easter sunday. i had come to you a few times prior (twice i believe) but still hadn't felt the warm fuzzy feeling the entire yelp universe expresses on a daily basis. but i knew it was there. though not publicly announced, it appeared all beers on tap were $1 off when we came. rockin. I actually could not believe how reasonably priced most of the beer is. The bartenders are more than happy to give you samples before you decide on your beverage of choice...nice for a person like me who tends to get overwhelmed by the unfamiliarity of extensive microbrew selections. I had been feeling nostalgic and missing of a good red beer. Alpine red to the rescue! I really liked it...Mchillheny's Irish Red to be exact. but what really sold me on this visit was the food. ooooomiiiiigooooodnesss their sandwiches are AMAZING. glutinous. flavorful. unique. pure. goodness. devil in consumption-form BLIND TIGER - YES RIP TAYLOR - DOUBLE YES SOUTHWESTERN BURGER - TRIPLE YESSS (said with eyes partially closed) and hammy's: congratulations, this was my first intentional ordering of a hamburger in my entire life. and i loved it. possibly even more than the blind tiger (i split each with a friend) their grilled cheeses are prepared on rosemary sourdough bread and appear to be buttered with oil. its amazing. Just look at the photo. I can't believe the photo album is so lacking of food pictures! Obviously I came on a sunday evening...holiday no less. It wasn't extremely crowded, which was nice. Mainly locals just chillin out. Chill at the bar, eat at a table, play pool or shuffleboard - good times all around. --- Oh, and watch out for ugly sweater girl. She hangs out at the pool table area and thinks she owns the joint. But she's all talk in the end. haha good times.

    (5)

  • Amanda S.

    Hammmmmy's, I love thee. My best friend told me about this place..."the grilled cheese place". Immediately, i was not excited. I definitely am not a grilled cheese....or any sort of cheese for that matter, kinda gal. So when we came during the day to get drunk and have lunch, i wasn't really expecting much, other than delicious beers of course. I don't know about you, but i'm perfectly fine with getting full solely off of beer. Food shmood. It's pretty satisfying if you ask me. BUT when i had a chance to look through their menu, i actually saw a bunchhh of stuff that i wanted to try. They have lots of unique sandwiches and snacks, lotssss of vegetarian options, and basically everything looked delicious and was making my mouth water....yes, even the grilled cheeses. I know, I'm ashamed to admit it but it's true. 6 words: Wahoo Wheat Chipotle Raspberry BBQ Sauce. Seriously, i could have smothered that shit on a dirty sock and i would have eaten it and enjoyed every bite. Lucky for me, i got to smother it all over my Pulled Chicken Wimpy which was arguably one of the most delicious sandwiches I've had in years. The beers were all really reasonably priced. I don't think there were any beers over $6 if i remember right. And they had a fannntastic selection, I was quite impressed (and to be honest, it takes a lot to impress me when it comes to having a legit beer selection.) There were so many that i wanted to try but i couldn't because i got drunk after 4, and after practically chugging a gallon of their BBQ sauce, I literally had no more room in my little stomach. Next time I'm in SD, this is definitely on the top of my list. I need to come back and conquer the rest of their beer list, and play a few more rounds of shuffleboard, because that shit's addicting. If you live in San Diego, stop reading this review immediately, get your ass in your car, drive here, and drink up. Now. Thanks. (P.S. I'm jealous.) :[ Damn you, L.A.!

    (5)

  • Cynthia G.

    let's make it simple: Great beer, good simple food, great welcoming vibe. its never quiet., but serves the most amazing grilled cheese.. you know you want it, just do it!

    (5)

  • Daniel L.

    SO MANY VARIETIES OF LOCAL BEER HERE. that should be all I say but... I'll add a few more details... - Their kitchen actually makes really decent food. I had a monstorous burger there. -every 2nd saturday (I think?) they have free food here. My friend sent me a picture of him munching on free lobster here once while I was unable to come down to Hamiltons. I screamed with rage and pain that I was so far away. -Really crowded here, but it's because it's that good. Go on a weekday if crowds make you cringe.

    (5)

  • Josh F.

    Great beer selection and 2 tvs to watch football on. It can get pretty crowded but the beer selection is well worth it and everyone that comes is here for the beer. Great place.

    (4)

  • Grill Talk z.

    Hamiltons "Where only the cool people get pizza" Now, to set the stage, I used to go to this place when it was Sparky's, nice mellow neighborhood bar. So the other night in here, I roll in with a buddy to check it out and get a beer. Immediately I wonder what happened to the normal crowd I'd see in here--people looking for a good beer and a game of pool or shuffleboard. It's packed with what looks like a GAP catalog with a few streetwear goons peppered in. A fedora is visible. There's no wait at the bar, yet the blond, aging Yeti bartending ignores me and serves some goofball next to me--I paid no mind to this at first. At the end of the bar, my friend and I notice the barback receiving three large pizzas, my buddy makes a funny comment that Hamilton's it trying to be like Livewire with free pizza for its patrons. The barback takes the pies into the employee room--I assume they're for the bar staff. Minutes later, the burnt ogre bartender is walking down the bar with one of the pies, AFTER HE PASSES BY MY FRIEND AND I, he opens the box and offers slices to everyone else at the bar. I was fucking shocked. What the fuck did we do to him? Is it because we're not familiar faces to this knob that he snubbed us? He then proceeds to walk out onto the floor and offer slices to the Abercrombie 5 top behind us. It was a wrap at that point. We bounced and I'll never go back to Hamilton's again. If you just moved to South Park or San Diego for that matter, I apologize on behalf of this bar--I swear it used to be cool. I've never experienced such disrespect in a bar in the town that I grew up in. Whoever manages this place (god forbid it's him) I'd urge you to terminate this washed-up try-hard Matthew McConaughey lookin' ass bartender. Maybe I shouldn't be so shocked, every neighborhood that used to be cool (North Park, South Park, Golden Hill) is getting rinsed and gentrified by all these yuppies and transplant douchebags. Y'all can have it. PS, I just noticed the other reviews for 'Hammies.' Fucking comedy. Good example of their current clientele. bunch of fucking lame chicks that bring their pugs there...

    (1)

  • Karen M.

    After nine months searching for a local bar filled with amazing drinks, food, and people I've finally come to realize that Hamilton's is the place for me. Moving from Norfolk, Virginia had me longing for a bar with darkened windows, excellent and affordable beer selection, and good music. Thank you, Hamilton's, for being yourself. Your pool tables, shuffle board, and grilled cheese make my life better. I love you, and true love lasts a lifetime.

    (5)

  • Marcus O.

    if you're a fan of beer, this is a premier location. they sport quite the wall of beer to choose from. when you get tired of that (what?) entertain yourself by pretending to know how to shoot pool on tables that pretend to be in good shape. this place gets crazy crowded. frenetic energy abound. my kind of place. love it. thanks rex for the introduction...

    (5)

  • Curtis P.

    Incredible beer selection! The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable of everything they serve. Great atmosphere, I love all the taps on the ceiling. Great bars have just the right amount of grime and this place is the perfect balance of it. No crappy pop music on the juke box either, just the classics, huge plus! Not quite a dive bar (beware of the hipsters), just a great place in the south park neighborhood, not ghetto by any means. My only complaint is all the idiots who think it's cool to bring their dogs to the bar. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs. Pit bulls, pugs and poodles, but it is a freaking bar people, leave your damn pets at home! There is barely any room to squeeze past each other in here on the weekends and it is rather annoying when I am half-drunkenly trying to make it to the bar or bathroom, to constantly be looking down to make sure I am not stepping on your poor animals. I've tried the food several times before, the hamiltons burger and the hushpuppies. It can be great sometimes and just ok on other occasions, not very consistent, but when it is, it will make it a night to remember!

    (4)

  • Jessica L.

    Soooo.... Hamilton's is a fantastic beer bar. But bloody hell, you have to get there around 5PM if you want a seat. So we did, and had dinner. Which was great! For bar food. I had the Cattle Decapatation, a vegan dish although I'm not vegan, and it was great. A little spicy. As always, Hamilton's never disappoints with a massive beer selection and hipster crowd. The happy hour was $1 off local beers, which suited me just fine as SD has a plethora of microbrews. The beer selection is displayed on a massive chalkboard, and thousands of taps are on display on the ceiling. Mondays they host a pool tournament, which I've won the ladies division before, and it only costs $6. Hamilton's is great, but bring your black rimmed glasses, skinny jeans, and dont even think about ordering a PBR.

    (4)

  • Anna E.

    Delicious juicy burger with chili: check Awesome beer list: check Eclectic crowd: check That's really all you need to know!!

    (4)

  • Stephanie H.

    5 stars for ultimate beer selection! This place is a dream come true if you have your eye out for something special on the beer scene. I have had experiences parallel to none at Hamilton's: Kumquat witbier - delicious! The mustard ale I had been looking for, for four years! Found it! Local brews from Alpine, mmm. and so, so much more Now for the spicy options! Fresh garlic all over the fries (or tots!) are fantastic. It really makes me feel like I'm making a relatively healthy choice when I get fries covered in garlic. The ultimate for my spicy sensibilities.. the "Stoner" burger! It comes with serranos! Now, let me get picky for a moment.. I do have some things to say about the way this burger is prepared. First of all, content is excellent. I love the sweet and spicy combination of serranos and (raspberry?) jelly. However, there are two ways the serranos have been prepared and neither are my ultimate preference. Usually, the serrano is roasted and then cut in half length wise and spread, with seeds remaining, across the burger. I prefer this way, though my ultimate wish is that they would remove the seeds inside.. I like spicy.. but not burning! Let me have the serrano without the mega spice of the inside spawn. Most recently, Hamilton's has presented the serrano simply chopped up into circular slices, still with the seeds inside, and dispersed on the whole burger (probably a whole serrano is on there!) It's good.. but it could be better my way! Here is how: 1. slice the serrano length-wise, 2. pull out the seeds (but ask customers, some may want them) 3. roast until it loses some crunch and gets hot and floppy (like the way you guys used to do it!) 4. apply to delicious stoner burger 5. feed to stephanie love you guys!

    (5)

  • Suzy S.

    Woot woot hipsters! What else would you expect in South Park? Great decor, lots of stuff to look at on the walls and on the ceilings, awesome drink selection, pool tables, shuffleboard, friendly bartenders! I also got to try a new cider! It was crowded on a Monday night, and rumor has it that's how it always is. Can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Anton T.

    Microbrew Mecca. Extensive selection of craft brew and delicious pub grub in an intimate, specialty beer-lovers paradise. Approximately 2 dozen taps of great mirco brew with what appears to be an emphasis on West Coast craft beer, usually a cask or two which have always poured delightful cask conditioned ale, and a large selection of bottled beer. Bottle selection is impressive; with a seeming emphasis on Belgian style ales. Individual serving size bottles of some highly regarded Belgian ales such as La Chouffe as well as Tripel Karmeliet. A few flavors of lambics matured with fruit. We had a bottle of Danish Mead (ie, honey wine). Underberg digestif bitters available. "Bottle selection" even includes some canned beers of specialty brew such as Maui Brewing's Coconut Porter. Countless varieties of bottled craft beer to satisfy numerous tastes and desires. Appetizing gastropub fare, including some items prepared with beer. Hop sausage, made in house with hop leaves, was amazing. This sausage in a bun sitting atop a huge order of fries was a massive meal - it is highly recommended to consume a couple aperitifs before attempting to eat the entire order. Welcoming atmosphere and lovely ambiance is marked by comfortable crowdedness, hundreds of upside keg handles from beers they have had on tap over the years, and a few dogs that leisure beside their owners who indulge in fine craft beer. It is worth noting the dogs here tend to be friendly and I've, thus far, never heard any loud barking or seen overly excited activity by the canines. Slight gripe about the environment is that on weekend nights, the volume of the music can be a bit excessive. Limited setting. Plan to arrive at Hamilton's early on weekends for a small chance of finding a place for your group to sit. Otherwise, it will be safe to assume that standing will be required the majority of the night.

    (5)

  • Eric T.

    Walked in here post work and immediately felt out of place in business casual, but the bartenders and crowd are super laid back so I felt super comfortable despite it all. Great list of beers on tap, bartenders are super chill and know their stuff. Got a free commemorative glass with Ruination IPA X Anniversary!

    (4)

  • Leslie C.

    I have a soft spot for taverns with a great selection of beer and devoid of pretentious attitude. Thank you Hamilton's for falling into that category. My grilled cheese sandwich tasted delicious, the guy at the counter/window thing was really sweet, and I loved that I could actually recognize a good portion of the beers on tap after my awesome experience at the Beerfest at the SD County Fair! Gotta recommend the Green Flash Palate Wrecker; while true to its name, this beer is magically flavorful and I can't get enough. Final brownie points for having a pool table, I love smoking guys while drinking amazing beer ;) I can't wait to come back and share a booth and some pints with friends.

    (5)

  • Joann C.

    What's better than beer? Beer with Beer food! Ok this is what you should expect if it's your first time. It's small and extra crowded on everyday that ends in a Y. But that should be no surprise. They have a vast list of local and tap beers are chalked up on a chalkboard with flavor description, alcohol content, and price. I can spend so much time here trying out new beers. And to help me stay that long I usually consume some grub. You can order food through this cut out window that connects to the cafe next door. Hamburgers, grilled cheese, hot wings. I recommend everything on their menu. Many good times and laughs have been shared here. If you like beer this is your place. If you drink Coors try another place or come here to taste real beer.

    (5)

  • Bradford S.

    If you have not been to this place yet you are definitely missing out. I came here and was apprehensive at first because It was really crowded and I generally don't like crowded places. However, this place works better crowded. It gives it more of a local feel and makes it seem like you know the guy or gal next to you. They have some of the best beers out there. When it comes to selection and quality of beer this place is VERY hard to beat. It can be pretty loud in there but if you have any questions about their beer or beer in general, ask the staff as they are extremely knowledgable on the subject and give great advice. They also have really good food. As an avid billiards player I wish they had better tables as the two they have are atrocious. They also have shuffle board which is great. If you like the local scene and are craving that hidden gem of a beer you NEED to visit this place.

    (5)

  • Stella A.

    Ive been here twice. Once on a crowded Friday night, and another time on a less crowded Tuesday night and I enjoyed both times. I like the vibe which is laid back. People are friendly and not pretentious. The bartenders were great and knew each beer on and off tap which is impressive, due to their wide selection. The only downside was that one of the employees wanted to walk around and bark at people for standing too close to the pool tables and accidentally placing their drinks on it, which I thought was rediculous, because afterall, its a bar! Regarless I enjoyed myself and would definately go back. It really is the best bar Ive been to in SD.

    (4)

  • Frank D.

    To this date one of thee coolest bars I have ever been to. Killer tap and bottle selection of tantalizing craft beers. This place is a craft beer Mecca! On the day I walked in there it was Battle of the Sculpin's on cask event. Sitra Sculpin vs. Mango Sculpin. $5 a beer! HYFR!!! Both of which were amazingly satisfying in their own way. Apparently the night before they cracked two casks of Pliny the Younger.They were dry in 15 minutes. :::Sigh::: The food is all the way off the chain! Scrumptious selection of burgers, grilled cheeses, and hop sausage made in house. I had the Stoner burger and it was sheer burger nirvana. :::Drool::: Chill vibe from everyone from employee to patron alike. There was a sea of craft beer enthusiasts. it was standing room only. Although I am not a fan of insanely packed bars, I cannot wait to go back. Instant favorite. Worth standing for a sip of delicious nectar and a belly full of beef!!!

    (5)

  • Man D.

    Please stay open late! I biked uphill from downtown for a delicious night cap and was told at 1:40 the bar stopped serving 15 minutes prior. Glasses were full and all seemed jolly. When is last call on a Wednesday? I am already home and it is 1:50.

    (5)

  • Frank R.

    Small little dive bar with an excellent beer selection. Don't come in here looking for a couple of Budlights cause I don't think they have them... If they do I didn't see anyone with them. It is a small place with not a lot of room to sit/stand but a cool bar none the less. While I was there my buddy told me that you are allowed to sample the beer before you buy... and of course I saw a guy sampling like 5 beers and annoying the bartender... DON'T BE THAT GUY... If you sample at least buy one that you sample.

    (4)

  • Cara I.

    My husband and I stopped here during our California honeymoon beer trip. Really cool place. Great atmosphere. They have a great tap list and an impressive bottle selection. Probably one of the best I've seen in a pub. The food was just ok. Standard pub food I guess. The servers were cool. Overall a great beer spot for sure.

    (5)

  • Ryan K.

    Like Vegas - you go in and have not idea how long you've spend inside. And, yeah, best beer selection in So/No Park

    (5)

  • L. D.

    Hamilton's should issue a training manual as required reading before entering. First, be ready for a dark room. I came in from a sunny afternoon and couldn't see a thing. I could barely see people a foot in front of me. Then I almost fell while walking through the pool table area as there is a drop I couldn't see. That said, once the eyes adjusted to the darkness things rapidly improved. Second, the training manual should inform customers they need to order food from restaurant next door until 5pm when a window opens from the restaurant to the bar area. We shared an Italian Sausage sandwich which was AMAZING!!! Split between two people it was a GREAT meal. Hamilton's is pet friendly - perhaps too much so. We had some guy's dog roaming under our table while we were eating. All said - Hamilton's is a good, energetic pub. I'll be back, perhaps with a flashlight.

    (4)

  • Diana M.

    Amazing beer selection, chill place, good vibe. I love coming here! I don't have to dress up, everything is casual and you can bring your dog. Everyone there is nice and the food is fantastic. One of the must to go spots in San Diego.

    (5)

  • Jake S.

    This place is a great bar. That said, it is a bar. Its loud and rowdy and a lot of fun. So if your looking for a quiet evening this isnt your place. My only complaint is that the food is expensive. It was like $7 for an order of fries. Bottom line: Great noisy bar, great beer, great bar games, pricey food.

    (4)

  • Danny W.

    Everyone's been at that awkward stage of a relationship where it becomes time to take things to a physical level. In many cases, the pre sex gitters are chased away with a few stiff drinks to lighten the mood. It takes away the nervousness, but also decreases the overall enjoyment of the actual deed. While still fun, it has been my experience that being on the better side of sober is the way to go with bow-chicka-bow wow and now Hamiltons. Thus far I've had 2 experiences with Hammies. The first one was a rowdy one night stand after several previous stops and shots. We hooked up at the very end of the night, I barely remembered it , didn't take a phone number, and left without even saying goodbye (due to being blacked out). It was still fun, but I didn't quite remember it. Several months later a fellow yelper threw a UYE for me here after hearing that I had never or at least thought I had never been. As soon as I walked in it all came back to me and I realized how much of a schmuck I was. Had I not been so hammered I would have seen all of its great qualities and made it one of my regulars long before. It's got beers for days. If you like suds this place will rock you like a hurricane! I was feeling festive so I went with the seasonal Hoppy Holidays. Similar to the Jimmy Stewart X-mas classic it was "A Wonderful Beer". The food is top-notch bar bites with a burger selection that has more accessories than an Orange County housewife. It has my second favorite bar game ever (shuffleboard) which automatically puts it on my go-to list. I could play this game with the most annoying person in the world and I think it'd still be fun times. They also allow K-9s in here, and are more relaxed about it than other Fido-friendly places I've been to. They're so chill I think I even saw one dog belly up to the bar next to his owner. Hamilton's seemingly has it all, but for X-mas they could ask for a full liquor license. I know it's more of a tame beer bar, but even the chillest of folks get a craving to do a bomb or shot of Jamo every once in awhile. That'd be my only request for improvement but other than that this place is solid gold.

    (5)

  • Ashley R.

    Love it! Very hipster. Never had the food, but beer selection is great. Always have a great time here.

    (5)

  • Monique F.

    This place is awesome. Great crowd. Better food. Pool tables and drinks. Win win. I don't do beer but they have wine so thats good. Also I wish they had more stiffer drinks, but cuz of the area I know thats not possible, so wine is just fine!

    (5)

  • John S.

    A great bar with a great selection of beer. It's especially awesome because you can bring your dog in with you to have a beer too. It was a little more crowded than I'd hoped, but that's ok. We still had a great time. There were people everywhere trying to get beer, but the bartenders were very good at keeping things flowing at a quick pace while still being courteous. After only a minute or two of standing behind some folks seated at the bar, the beermeister got to us and had our beer in no time. Plenty of standing room, but finding seats can be a challenge. At least one pool table was open the whole time we were there, so it seems like you can always rack a few if you want. Again, HUGE beer list and it's very obvious they support their San Diego breweries and "Good for them!" says I! They have all their tap handles not currently being used hanging from the ceiling. I dig it. Also, it's named after a Montford Point Marine...the first African Americans in the Marine Corps. In my opinion it just makes it that much cooler that it's named after such an American.

    (4)

  • Kenny C.

    Hands down best Beer Hall and Best Burger Joint combined into 1. Even if they only served beer, or only served burgers, you will never find a better burger or beer place. If you are ever in San Diego on vacation, business, or you live here, you must go to Hamilton's at least once. no joke.

    (5)

  • Jamie H.

    I had read some reviews about Hamilton's on Yelp and wasn't sure what to make of it. But after checking their website ( hamiltonstavern.com ) I was more than happy to give it a try. It was my first visit to the area of South Park which isn't surprising as this is mainly a residential area. The area itself looked very quaint, not the ghetto but not million dollar mansions either. Nice houses, clean streets, an area you wouldn't mind buying your first house in, or for that matter raising your kids. After some searching Hamilton's was found and there is plenty of on street parking in the area. The bar, which I'd describe more as a pub, sits (more or less) itself and doesn't look like much from the outside. Dont let this fool you!!! Upon entering I noticed that the pub had a strong smell of disinfectant, which at least (I'd like to hope) means that its clean. The ceiling is entirely covered by beer taps, a tribute to the range of beers that they have had in. It's interesting to look round and reminisce about beers of times gone by. The atmosphere in the pub itself is friendly, the music is good and it didn't appear to me to be too "hipster" or "clicky." This bar has a similar type of appearance and quantity of beers as somewhere like Small Bar, but without having the "regulars only" feeling. It has two pool tables which are league size and are, a very reasonable, $1 per game. Right onto the main event, the beer itself. Whatever your taste is, you are not going to be disappointed at Hamilton's. There is a massive selection of IPA's (local and imported), lager's, pilsner's, stout, bitter, ciders and bottled beers. If you're looking for ........ light, I wouldn't bother going to Hamilton's. If on the other hand you like your beer selection varied, not too pricey and to taste like beer; this bar..... Sorry PUB, is a must visit. As far as I can make out this bar is owned by the same group who own Monkey Paw in downtown and Small Bar in North Park. Does this make it "hipster"...... I'll let you decide. As an extra, the bar food isn't too shabby either, it's good beer food, but nothing to write home about. My tip; try the Lagunitas Pilsner

    (4)

  • Cassandra L.

    Amazing, always changing beer selection! It's dog friendly. The food is solid, but not a lot of green stuff. I wish they had a salad. I'm not vegetarian but I love the veggie Tijuana dogs. They also have a variety of tasty grilled cheese sandwich options. It gets packed in here on the weekends so be prepared to stand or jostle for a place at the bar.

    (4)

  • Harlot C.

    Best beer bar everrrrrr. Huge selection... good, greasy eats... friendly staff. Only problem: everyone seemed to discover Hammy's at the same time (myself included), so it tends to get insanely packed on weekend nights. However -- come here on a hot afternoon, and you'll quickly cool off with a brew & whatever's playing on TV. (I once had the pleasure of watching "Independence Day" here... beer + Jeff Goldblum = GOLD.) And the jukebox selection ain't bad either. Although too many Bright Eyes songs in a row might make me cry.

    (4)

  • Kitty K.

    Awesome place for beer. Great selection.

    (5)

  • Mary Y.

    I have a love-hate relationship with this place. On a good day I am obsessed with their beer selection, especially a good framboise, delish grilled cheese, and dog-friendly atmosphere. On a bad day, I hate it here because it smells like beard sweat and I am annoyed that I can hardly move, much less find a table. Not to mention, I've had several beers split on me, which lost it's appeal sometime during spring break circa 2003. On those days, I would rate Hamilton's one star. For me, it's all about going here at the right time for the optimal experience. I have a small dog, so she doesn't do well when it's crowded (like mama like doggy). Perfect for happy hour or overcast Sunday when I don't mind being inside. The selection of drinks is awesome and it definitely has a fun vibe.

    (4)

  • Alexandra C.

    I heart this place so much. Easy parking. So much beer. Yummy food. Shuffleboard. Good times. Sometimes super crowded. Thus the four stars. But hey, it's an amazing place.

    (4)

  • Jennifer A.

    Lots of beers on tap, friendly bartenders, affordable prices, chill environment...overall a pretty good deal. Can get a little crowded inside, so hope you don't mind standing. Pool tables to keep you entertained!

    (3)

  • Greg G.

    Great beer selection. Great bar service. They have TV's which is nice for Sunday, Monday, and Thursday football. Ordering food is a little strange but overall I recommend this place for any beer connoisseur.

    (4)

  • Vanessa T.

    This is the only 'bar' in San Diego we actually enjoy going to. It's a local neighborhood "gastro bar" where you can get excellent beers on tap along with tasty meals. I am craving the grilled cheese FANCYPANTS. It is made of BRIE, ORANGE BLOSSOM HONEY, CHOPPED WALNUTS and APPLE on on buttered rosemary bread. Now the beer, I am not much of a beer lover but I do love trying the different beers they have on tap. I love ciders so I guess that is the only suggestion I have is to have more of a selection. Oh and you also gotta try the Fast Nachos or Irish Nachos, I think thats how my husband calls them.

    (5)

  • Phillip W.

    The "Go-To" place. Always full, never dull. Best beer selection I have ever experienced. Open at 10 am During football season to catch the game.

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    Although the wet dog stench upon entry is bit shocking (you get used to it almost instantly), it does not shake my opinion that this is one of the best beer bars ever. I came here twice while vacationing to enjoy some beers that I can't get at home, specifically, Pliny. If I lived here, this would be my go to place. Cool dark vibe and a great beer selection. Can't wait to return!

    (5)

  • Alex S.

    Still trying to learn San Diego and the San Diego beer scene and this place was amazing. Great beer selection, great service. Sam was very helpful and knowledgable in helping us order a beer. Will be back.

    (5)

  • Traci W.

    I'm giving them two huge props for being vegetarian/vegan friendly and for allowing dogs. (Frankly, that was my favorite part of the experience...running around and petting everyone's doggies.) If you are vegetarian or vegan, you have to be really careful. The options that are marked with a V or a VV can be MADE vegetarian, but aren't necessarily ALREADY vegetarian. There were many options listed as vegan that had cheese, and the Cumin Gouda Jr. Sandwich was listed as vegetarian, but also listed bacon as an ingredient. Many of the burgers also note a big "V" (if you substitute a gardenburger), but also have bacon. I could be wrong, and these could be vegan cheese or veggie bacon, but generally restaurants will list that in order to prevent confusion. Especially since this is NOT a vegetarian-specific restaurant. To be safe, I just got tater tots, and they were pretty greasy. We rolled in after the SDBW fest earlier in the day. Upon our arrival at 4:00, it was pretty packed, and there was nowhere to stand that you didn't eventually get stabbed in the ass with a pool stick. There just isn't sufficient room for two pool tables and half a dozen half-top tables. Plus, this place is pretty dirty. Chicken wings and miscellaneous food items littered the floor -much to the dogs' excitement - and the tables were sticky. Don't get me wrong, the experience was still fairly enjoyable. But it kind of has the whole dive bar feel going for it. A dive bar with the addition of dogs and TONS of beer (I hear they have 300+ kinds), and even organic beer and cider. So perhaps it's best described as a dive bar with a twist?

    (2)

  • J W.

    Hamilton's is awesome! Great food, good service (You'll need to exercise a little patience when they are busy, which is often; and one of the best beer selections in Southern California make this an outstanding place to hang out, plus they allow dogs! Several TV screens show a variety of sporting events, the crowd is generally easy going and social. Great location in South Park just down the street from the Stone Company Store and easily accessible from the 94. Definitely a place that should be on your 'must-do' list of places to visit in San Diego.

    (5)

  • Angie H.

    We wanted to try some local beer and were informed that this was the place to do so. There was an enormous amount to choose from, and at $5 a pop, a great deal! It was super crowded and difficult to find a place to sit, which is the only reason I can't give it 5 stars. I guess, depending on how you look at it, that's a good thing. For a weary traveler, not so much. I had a hankering for a snack and decided on the tots and got the beer cheese "soup." It's really just a tasty dip and I highly recommend it. Look up when you're in the main bar area. It's neat. I'd totally go there again.

    (4)

  • Carrie O.

    Typical dive bar... But allows dogs, so I'm a fan! They have lots of vegan & veg options, but like Traci W. says, be careful how you order them if you're vegan! My husband and I split the West Coast grilled cheese (since we're only vegetarian), and it was good, albeit a bit greasy. The fries were quite greasy, but they weren't too bad. They have a HUGE selection of beer, and my husband was happy with his Blue Marlin porter. Plus, our doggies were welcome, and though they weren't too thrilled with how loud it was in there, they were really happy when they got to share our fries! Overall? We'd probably come back, and would recommend this place to others who have dogs!

    (4)

  • Sebastian F.

    Gotta agree with the reviews for this place. Hamilton's Tavern rocks! Here's why: 1. It's the first bar in the States that had a very very local beer from my home town of Berlin, Germany on the menu: Berliner Pilsner!!! I didn't trust my own eyes first. 2. Hamilton's has not only has two pool tables but also this shufflepuck-like long table (sorry forgot the name) 3. The crowd is cool, relaxed, and FUN. Great place to get hammered or watch sports, Bummer I'm not living in the area, but Hamilton's is worth the trip!

    (5)

  • George R.

    Hammy's!!! The selection of brews is more than enough to bring a fellow beer enthusiast around for a visit or three.

    (5)

  • Alex L.

    This is a great spot for beer lovers. They have the biggest selection I've ever seen. The atmosphere is laid back and unassuming. Not to mention dog friendly! I loved having two dogs next to me the last time I was there. Make sure to bring cash as the little restaurant inside is cash only. You'll definitely get the munchies after a few beers and smelling everyone else's food.

    (5)

  • Mandi D.

    Beer-galore. Great service, shuffleboard, and dog friendly. Will def be back

    (5)

  • Eric P.

    Well this place has 700+ reviews, don't know if I can help add to anything to what has already been said other than that fact I should have written a review about this place a very long time ago. Summed up, awesome pub with an amazing beer selection. If you have never been, the beer board can be a bit overwhelming when you first come in. If you need help, feel free to ask the bartenders, they are super helpful and can help narrow down a beer you will enjoy and probably haven't even had before. It can get somewhat crowded on a Fri or Sat night, so if you really need a spot to sit, get there a little early (before 9pm) or be prepared to get cozy at the bar or pool table area. Gosh, I really don't know what else to say other than if you have never been here, you are missing out!

    (5)

  • Andreena S.

    Best beer selection in town! I love how they have the alcohol percentages of all the beers listed. Sometimes, when I'm feeling like a challenge, I order the strongest IPA listed. That always makes for an interesting night, to say the least. Awesome bar food, jukebox, and shuffleboard. It can get really packed in here but the bartenders are always so quick.

    (5)

  • Scott P.

    This place is a very welcoming, local bar known for their awesome selection of great beers. My inner beer geek jumped for joy when I first walked into this mecca for beer. The location is pretty small, and it can get very packed as the night goes on, but the people are friendly, and the bartenders know their craft. They are really cool as well. They have a giant chalkboard (I know one of my favorite things to see at a bar) with all of the beers available at the time you enter. The list changes quickly as they tap kegs pretty fast here. One of my favorite beers I ever tried was the Rogue smoke ale that tasted sort of like barbecue with a great smokiness that can't be beat. I've had quite a few special local beers from Karl Strauss, Stone, Green Flash and almost any other microbrewery in between. So for a great bar with good people that's sure to be fun, try this place out.

    (4)

  • Julie S.

    I'm not a beer drinker, but they do have a drinkable beer for me SnakeBITE! Rawr... can't go wrong to spend $4.50 for a big glass of awesomeness. If you're short and the bartenders can't see you just stand on the stools people are sitting on, it worked for me. Hamilton's I love YOU! K THANKs BAI!

    (5)

  • Yoon P.

    HT is crowded but enjoyable, with vast selection of beer (300+ and counting!) for beer snobs and Organic strawberry beer for the ladies. ;) It is tucked away but boy, people love their beer! The place gets PACKED so be sure to come early and join in the fun in this dive-bar. I'm not a beer person but their beer is surprisingly GOOD. Organic, gluten-free, cider, espresso, you name it they have it. This place gets +1 star for being vegetarian-friendly, although I'm not sure if what I had was really vegan, because amazingly enough, it really did taste like bacon!! Also this place is dog-friendly. Hopefully people don't get too drunk to step on them or anything!! Good drinks, good fun, good food, and good friends. Definitely worth a visit. Yes, even for a beer noob like me, I was very glad I could make it out here. Yes, maybe I could learn to love beer. Thanks Hamilton's for opening my eyes!

    (4)

  • Meghan H.

    I had a really unpleasant experience here last night....It was my boyfriends birthday, and we decided to finish up a fun night at Hamiltons, for a beer and some tasty vegan burgers. The man who took my order made a joke about how everyone in my group should order the exact same thing to make it easier on the cook. (We had 4 people in our group). A strange request, but I smiled and agreed, ordering 4 Vegan witchfyre burgers. Then things went rapidly downhill....a nice girl delivered our food and we dug in. It was after my first bite that I realized the cook had accidentally put cheese on our vegan burgers. Don't get me wrong...I'm not "that' vegan. I work in the restaurant industry myself, and realize accidents happen all the time, no big deal. But the response I got after I told my server was mind-blowing. She told us that since other customers had ordered after us, their tickets were now first, and while the cook would remake our food, it would come out last, after everybody else was taken care of. My jaw dropped but it was my boyfriends birthday, so I tried to have a good attitude and didn't protest. I was also surprised the server hadn't even apologized for the error. Our server came back a few minutes later to sheepishly say the kitchen had now run out of buns for our food. I asked for my money back. After waiting almost 10 minutes without her returning with my money, my group walked up to the register. The man who took my order, and the cook who messed it up, refused to make eye contact with me or come to the register. Then, the two men instructed the female server to give us our money back...OUT OF HER OWN WALLET. She was clearly upset and muttered that she didn't even take our order. I was mortified. I have never been treated so poorly anywhere. I never got an apology for a simple mistake, which is really the only thing we were looking for. Like I said, we are happy vegans who don't "freak out" when we find a rogue piece of meat or dairy in our meals. I was flabbergasted at the fact that on a Friday night at a popular bar, this was the treatment I was getting. I think the management should know about how the Friday night kitchen crew operates. We had no other late night options for a veggie burger, so we had to head home. It really put a damper on the night. It was a crummy way to end a birthday celebration. The two guys working were so rude to their own co-worker, as well as to me and my guests. I won't be returning.

    (1)

  • Ramkumar S.

    Excellent beer. The pool table is a good time kill. Great hangout place with friends. Another plus is... it is open till 2AM.

    (5)

  • Fredd S.

    Hamilton's used to be the friendliest bar in the country. From bartenders to patrons, and even the occasional dog, everyone used to be extremely friendly. Hammies used to be the bar you wanted to go to. you could sit down, and just meet a friendly, random stranger that was there to enjoy a cold microbrew just like you. People there were actually regulars and there were dozens of them. People adopted Hamilton's all the way back since it used to be Sparky's. Now that crowd, the friendly, welcoming crowd, got pushed away by the loud jukebox, the skinny jeans, the stiff suits and the annoying "the world belongs to me" attitude. Hammies does have great cask events on a regular basis and if you're lucky to one during one of those events, you'll find a good, friendly crowd that loves beer and is extremely friendly and excited to share their knowledge and passion for beer with you. IN the mean time, avoid Hamilton's after dark on Friday's and Saturdays and enjoy the great atmosphere which hints of what this place used to be in the daytime, and early Saturday

    (4)

  • Beth W.

    It was my first time at Hamilton's and I had a great time even though my night was cut short due to food poisoning from Alchemy a few doors down. I should have eaten here instead! They have an insane selection of beers, cheap pool and a really chill crowd - all of which I appreciate! I hope to return soon.

    (4)

  • Nayeli A.

    Even though I wasn't obsessed with the "West Coast" grilled cheese, and my boyfriend said the jalapeño cheese dip tasted like the one at 7-Eleven, I gave this awesome place 5 stars because I didn't come for the food, I came for the beer!!!!! And damn was that beer GOOD! I am definetly coming back soon... when I get paid on Friday and I can drink away to my little hearts desire not like yesterday with my "2 drink limit" :(... I know there are lots of other yummy beers out there that are just dying to get in my belly!!!!! So, till next time Hamilton's! And I'll bring diva my mom's yorkie again... yey dog friendly!

    (5)

  • Guapalena C.

    Home sweet home! Best craft beer selection, Best bar food, (carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans unite!) Best bartenders. If you don't like it, I don't like you.

    (5)

  • Karma S.

    Nice bar in the South Park area. Not played out by any means, the place has character. I had the Hamilton Burger for my first time here & I was impressed. This is a first rate establishment.

    (4)

  • Jeanna W.

    A date took me to Hamilton's last night. I had been here once or twice prior with some Yelpers, but didn't feel that the evening justified writing a review because of course any place gone out with y'all is gonna be crackin'! Anyway. We walked up and the door guy immediately held his hand out motioning for identification and said, "It's crowded tonight." My date: "Ya, it is. What's going on?" Door guy: "It's the Drinkabout." My date: "Oh, right, where the buses come around to pick people up." Door guy (in a less than excited tone): "And bring the P.B. crowd here. Have fun..." So, yes, it was pretty crowded inside Hamilton's, but there was still a spot to squeeze into at the bar, and a pool table to be had. My date and I got the Alpine something or other beer and a blah blah something double Jack whatever then played a round of pool. It was $1, which is disappointing... But there is a quarter/change machine on the wall so it was easy to get more "tokens." Both the male and female 'tenders made me feel right at home. The first beer I had, the Jack one, was an IPA. So I says to the girl I says, "I like IPAs, but I'm looking for a dark beer." She nodded and said, "We just got a porter on tap that's [insert knowledgeable beer references here]." To this I said, "Yes." It was perfect. Porters are a little too coffee-like for me, but they do the trick. A couple of bus crew boys wanted to play doubles with my mate and I which was enjoyable. Final bus call sounded and the crowd was clearing out when holy shit I saw Sal from marching band there! All in all, a good time was had. One downside - the women's restroom looked like it was pillaged by heathens.

    (4)

  • Roy J.

    As I've been going here for about five years I figure I owe a little bit of appreciation for the good times I've enjoyed at Hamilton's, so I'm going to start off with the things I like and then go over the negatives. Pros: -Excellent beer selection, probably the best in SD. -Food is usually quick, tasty and well made. -Great jukebox, good tunes playing most of the night. -Cool special events, open sunday mornings for football. Cons: -Crowded doesn't even begin to describe this place most nights, PACKED is more like it. -Female bartender with dark curly hair is a GIANT b!tch. I've never bothered to ask her name but I've ordered from her dozens of times and she seems seriously annoyed to be working there. I used to tip a dollar or two on every beer until I got tired of her rolling her eyes at me, now I don't tip at all. -For such a busy place, allowing people to bring their dogs inside seems a bit silly, as I'm already tripping over and shoving people out of the way just to get close enough to the bar to order a beer. -Two giant pool tables take up almost half of the entire building and yet are rarely used because in order to play a game of pool you would have to be whacking people with your cue every time you take a shot -Incredibly expensive for a dive bar, the cheapest beers are around $5 and many are as high as $11-12. Average is probably $7. The beer is also never a round dollar amount, expect to pay $8.25 or $5.75 or $10.50 for a drink. I guess they aren't making enough money charging $20 for a beer and a burger, gotta get that extra change out of my pocket. I would give Hamilton's a solid 4 stars if it wasn't for the fact that the cumulative effect of the aforementioned cons have convinced most of my friends and family to never come here. It's not there aren't some great aspects to this place, it's just that the cons severely outweigh the pro's most of the time. I have to deduct another star because it seems that this place really attracts a ton of egotistical canine owners who seem to have gotten the impression that their dog deserves more personal space than the rest of the bars patrons. I've had people there ask me to move because I was encroaching on their dog's comfort zone. I'm sorry but if you don't have a drivers license you shouldn't be taking my seat at the bar.

    (2)

  • Maribel F.

    I'm not really a beer drinker, but any bar that allows your four legged friends in is okay with me. It really is a small, dark windowless bar, which makes you feel as if you walked into a time warp with the music playing on the jukebox and people playing pool and shuffle board. I was really surprised how busy this place was on a Sunday mid-day. They do have a good variation of brews and even have an organic strawberry beer for those non-beer drinkers. Of course, you can always order one of their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches from their tavern next door which will be delivered to you in the bar! But another great thing about Hamilton's is the people, both the staff and the patrons. Everyone is so friendly and there always seems to be certain regulars. Definitely a good place to get away from the pretentiousness of the Gaslamp.

    (3)

  • Spencer P.

    I really want to give this place one star, that's how much I hated my experience. But my sandwich (west coast - grilled cheese, avocado, tomato and pickle) was actually pretty decent so I have to give credit where credit is due. It's unbelievable how much this place turns me off. I honestly don't even know where to start. It's definitely not a cafe. It's the kitchen for Hamilton's bar next door, that happens to have a cash register and an old table in the corner. The place is run down and depressing, and there isn't even a menu posted on the wall, it's hidden next to the cash register and you have to ask for it! I walked in and was completely ignored for almost 5 minutes, not even greeted and told I would be helped shortly. There were two other people in the place waiting for their food. The main problem is that the people who work here obviously have duties next door as well. The only person who stays there all the time is the cook. So even though they probably don't look busy, prepare for a long wait for service and a longer wait for your food. When I was finally helped, I ordered my food and paid the girl before she told me, "oh, and we're running behind so it might be a while." When I asked how long, she said 25-30 minutes. It took 40 minutes to get my food, I timed it. I wanted to just walk 5 steps to the grill and cook it myself. When I had the audacity to ask the girl if my food might be ready soon, I was full on ignored and then blown off with a "hold on" as she hurried away. Several minutes later I received an update that my order was "next" and it came out 10 minutes later. Oh, and she asked if I wanted my meal "for here or to go." I almost laughed out loud. No chance in hell I'm staying another minute at that place and even if I wanted to there's no place to sit and eat comfortably. Final straw - when I FINALLY got my food I at least expected it to be nice and hot since clearly it was being made fresh, right? Well the moment I got my order I popped some pub fries in my mouth, and to my dismay they were barely even warm. I thought about asking for a refund but I realized that would take another 10 minutes to resolve, and I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. Never again. Almost forgot to add - they also had on horrible music the entire time I was there. I know everyone has their own tastes, but this junk was pure noise, and other people were commenting on how bad it was. Bleh.

    (2)

  • Luis G.

    Located in a quiet, friendly neighborhood? Check. Subtle but stylish decor? Present. (Who knew hammers, tap handles, and the color green worked so well together!) Dozens of great craft brews on tap? You betcha! Great food and fair pricing? Of course. Hosting Pliny the Younger this year? Priceless. Sure it's always crowded, but for the right reasons! I always have luck in finding a seat, and ordering my drink rather swiftly. Not only do I fully endorse this lovely establishment, I would be proud to call it my second home.

    (5)

  • Rachel E.

    Such a fun place to hang out. Everyone is super friendly plus... You can bring dog there!

    (4)

  • Joanna B.

    Love this place. Awesome selection of beer, dog friendly, best grilled cheese ever and, theres a pool table and shuffle board. The people here are super friendly and will let you try any beer on tap. They will give you good suggestions on what to try. But dont sit there asking to try every damn beer on tap. They also have a big selection of bottled beer. Ask to see that menu. Gets packed on the weekends. I love coming here on thanksgiving and christmas.

    (5)

  • Adam C.

    You come here for the free food, you stay for the beer. Every second saturday of the month, Hamilton's has a night of $3.50 beers and free (very good) food. The beer selection changes with a different featured brewery each time. In general, the beer selection is great and it's got a nice tavern atmosphere. Only problem is the place is continually PACKED. It's not very big, and the chances of getting seating is usually small.

    (5)

  • Matt R.

    Nobody is more passionate and generous about beer than Blair, and it shows in the selection. But even more important is the fact that there is no pretense to go with it. This is no longer the dive bar that Sparky's was, but it retains the neighborhood character and comfort. The only thing I'd bring back from the old bar is the couch (and maybe the big penis statue), and I certainly wouldn't relinquish the many many amazing brews for that. This joint is more than a good place for a coldie, it's a community asset. (And I like the new booths!)

    (5)

  • Ian M.

    My favorite bar in san diego. Great selection of beers and food. shuffleboard and pool tables available. You can bring your dog.

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    I will FOREVER be a fan of Hamilton's. As a last minute Memorial Day getaway, I dragged my boyfriend out of Starbucks and made it just in time for LOBSTERFEST. Free Lobster! $3.50 Shipyards on tap! I'm coming back next year - and every trip in between. Being from the East Coast, I felt right at home - especially w/ Flogging Molly playing as I sipped on my microbrew from Maine. Thanks, Jeff & Stephanie!

    (5)

  • Jonathan S.

    When God wanted to put another slice of heaven on Earth after he failed with the Garden of Eden, he created Hamilton's Tavern. Sure, it's known that God and Jesus are wine lovers (see the Eucharist), but I bet the 2 of them are closet beer junkies. What else would explain the plethora of delicious, taste bud pleasing beers at this divine location?! The angelic bartenders here are so knowledgeable about every beer on tap, they can recommend you the perfect beer just based on your taste preference alone and you would definitely like it. Actually, you will probably love it. With so many specialty brews of all types of beers and different casks from around the world, I'm pretty sure you can call the bouncer at the door St. Peter. God and Jesus stuck to their guns and kept this place humble. (Didn't you see Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? The Grail was a humble looking plain cup) You can find plenty of street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. The bar interior is nothing special, but it is highlighted with different taps on the ceiling. Awesome. You can even shoot some pool or play some shuffleboard if you'd like. Combine that with some pub grub from the funky kitchen window and good conversation with some fellow beer lovers, you for sure are going to have a pleasant night. I'm pretty sure I saw Indy here just the other night shooting the breeze his father over a couple pints. Probably laughing over their time with that hot but ridiculous Nazi Elsa. You can call this review blasphemous if you'd like, but I bet you'd only say that because you haven't been to Hamilton's yet. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Noriko J.

    Craft Beer lover's favorite spot to go!!! Get the Pliny of the elder or the Tower 20 IPA!! My boyfriend took me here on the saturday before valentine's day because he TOLD ME he was going to Dallas for a business trip so here I was, thinking it was our last meal for awhile.....NOT lol (he definitely fooled me, but thats an irrelevant story haha) We've been wanting to try this place out cuz of the GREAT reviews on Yelp!! The reviews DO NOT lie, because we thought this place was AWEEEEESOMMEE!! We had the Stoner Burger and the Chicken Pulled Sandwich!! Both were soo delicious and filling!! We actually wanted to try the sausage that they have on special, but I guess they ran out that evening...all the more reason to go back to this place ;) This place is packed with high energy people, really LOUD, and CROWDED so BEWARE!!! so for the two of us to come here as a date, was probably not the best choice. We were lucky that a group left and we were able to sit near the pool table and hoped we didnt get in peoples way. However, we were fully satisfied with our beers and food here so we were happy leaving this place. The adventure continues because my boyfriend was STILL hungry after all that bar food!!! I could not believe him LOL we ended up going to a jack in the box and got the BACON SHAKE!! Totally nasty, but we had a fun and enjoyable evening!!!

    (5)

  • Kristen S.

    This bar is always full of people. They have a great selection of local beer and dogs are welcome! You can order food from the restaurant next door through a counter inside the bar. The food is better than average bar fare. They have a few pool tables, but it can be hard to play when it gets crowded.

    (5)

  • Andrea R.

    DUDE. Seriously. The food here is effing incredible. I went this afternoon after a serious workout, and ordered "The Hamilton" as a Gardenburger. Holy Tasty, Batman. It was literally the best "burger" I've ever had in my life. My friends got a variety of things - burgers, sandwiches, etc, and it all looked (and tasted, according to them,) amazing. I love that you order and pay at the window - it's so much easier than trying to split the bill. To say they have a thorough selection of beer is an understatement. The ONLY drawback is that there weren't many healthy options on the menu - but still, you gotta love this place for what it is. OH! And the COOLEST thing? You can bring your dog along with you, due to the separation of bar and restaurant, AWESOME.

    (4)

  • Mat R.

    Great prices, tons of beer on tap, awesome food. Second Saturdays are very packed, so get there early (3:30 usually works for me). Their taps rotate on a regular basis and Dennis is the coolest guy with a ton of beer knowledge. Their sister bar Small Bar is epic too.

    (5)

  • Harri S.

    This was quite an awesome place in a rather suburban neighborhood. Amazingly this bar gets no bros or too many obnoxious "I'm always drunk off my ass," State kids, EVEN THOUGH it's off the 94. The drinks were diverse and cheap ($3.75-7.00) a sweet deal considering they had some pretty good stuff ( a fantastic variety of Belgians, and local beers too....hop heaven!!!). We got there around 11:00p on a Monday, the atmosphere was extremely laid back and their bathrooms extremely small. They have a jukebox, pool and shuffleboard (I wanted to only give it 4.5 stars, I hate paying for pool, but bar's gotta make money I guess...uncertain times and all that jazz). Great local bar. Didn't try any of the grub, but I'll go back for sure, so I'll give you an update.

    (5)

  • Brittany L.

    This place was tight. Totally gut-busting and totally good! The menu is chock full of naughty, fried fat ass food. Lots of vegetarian options, so we're still able to run with the big dogs.

    (4)

  • Elisabeth D.

    This was the first pub I visited when I moved to Golden Hill- and I must say, it was love at first drink and love at first bite. I am not typically a beer person, but the selection here is so vast and the bartenders are so helpful that my tastebuds are slowly changing. I started out with the strawberry ale (which has become one of my favorite drinks of all time) and I am slowly moving up to try Delirium. The food is hands down some of the best in San Diego. If you are looking for mouth-watering, unique burgers you must come to Hamiltons Tavern. The Stoner burger was probably the best I have ever had in my life. I recently became a vegetarian, and I don't have to give up my beloved Stoner- Hamiltons makes a full vegetarian version! They also have plenty of Vegan options and make a Vegan curry burger that I'm dying to try. And the best part of the bar? You can bring your dog inside!! This is the perfect staple in a dog-loving neighborhood. As all of the other yelpers are saying- if you live in San Diego GO TO HAMiLTONS! You will be so happy you did :)

    (5)

  • Luis K.

    The best bar food, great beer, nice staff, and awesome events. If you want to go for the first time avoid weekend nights though if you don't want to deal with a crowd.

    (5)

  • Van H.

    If you like dark places with great beer like I do, this is your place! The food is just O.K. I've tried just about everything on the menu, and just stick to the wings now. The beer variety and specials are great. The people and the jukebox are wonderful.

    (4)

  • James H.

    Probably my favorite bar in SD so far. THey have one of the best selections of beers I've ever seen.. They feature beers from all the brewerys in San Diego and has a great atmosphere. Beers range from 4- 7 dollars and I would recommend the Mother Earth or Speedway. The pros of this place is the crowd is very relax and easy to talk to. There's shuffleboard AND pool and it's super chill. The waitress was very attentive and super nice. She was able to give good recommnedations based on what I told her my preference for beer was.

    (5)

  • Jacob L.

    The food here was delicious. I ate here for the first time last weekend, parking was easy to find and it wasn't busy whatsoever. I had the Wimpy's Revenge. Basically a grilled cheese with pulled BBQ chicken. Definitely going back to try a burger. The pub chips that come with a sandwich were well seasoned and delicious although on initial viewing they don't look too appetizing. Pricing isn't too bad either.

    (5)

  • Jenifer N.

    This is the best place to go, or be, for a beer lover. Not only do they have an extensive selection of beer on tap, but they also have an extensive bottle list. There is a beer there for anyone! The staff is friendly and helpful. My boyfriend and I sat at the bar, ordered a bottle of the Pretty Things Jack D'Or Saison, and the bartender asked if we wanted to know the price before she opened it. That was awesome because we have gone places before that doesn't do that and the 750ml bottle ended up being uber expensive. The atmosphere is chill and the patrons are eclectic. Also, they have a jukebox with a decent selection of music, so bring your cash!

    (5)

  • Charissa D.

    This place is among my Top 5 bars to go to in S.D. I've been going here since I was of legal drinking age ( I'm now 23 [lol]), and it started my love for craft beers. The wide selection of beers never ceases to overwhelm me and satisfy my beer cravings. If you don't like anything that's on tap, ask for the bottle list, which is as extensive and varied as the ones on tap. I've learned to narrow my beer favorites down to darker ales--anything from brown ales, porters and stouts are hard not to like. Also, I have yet to try their food menu. For all you vegetarians out there, there's always something to choose from. Beware, the staffs get agitated when you become too drunk or loud since they convince themselves, and others, that this is not a place for such shenanigans.

    (5)

  • Aaronandkelley H.

    Zero stars... stop going here!!!!! STOP!!!!!! Especially after 8pm.... most especially after 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays... the place is the worst then... so you should probably go somewhere else and let me have your table... And stop drinking all my beer...

    (4)

  • Jeffrey J.

    The pros are that the place has an excellent tap selection and knowledgeable staff. They also have a lot of special events from breweries and will have rarities and casks from various craft breweries around the country, which is really neat. Another pro is the food - they make some really interesting stuff here including some interesting takes on grilled cheese. The con, which is unfortunately huge, is really only one - the place is completely packed at any time of the day, weekday or weekend, in which you would want to go there. As much as I like the other aspects of the bar, its just too much - half of the place is dominated by pool tables and shuffleboard regardless of the fact that the place is totally full every single night, which I really don't understand. While I don't blame the bar itself for its own popularity, it does affect how I view the place and they don't really arrange the place in a way that's conducive to relieving the problem - they certainly could just take out those pool tables and shuffleboard and put tables or standing space there. The place would be 5 stars if they expanded the room and/or moved those game tables out.,

    (3)

  • Jillian L.

    I really like this bar, parking isn't as bad as other spots down here. Pricing is reasonable so you won't feel like you got pick pocketed. The only down side is the place is very small and when you have a large group you have to relocate to another spot that can accompany your group which happened to us. There is a pool table here also in case you fancy shooting pool. You can order food next door and they will bring it to you also.

    (4)

  • Michael G.

    Stopped by here last night to celebrate my sister's bday. not sure why my sister never told me about this place knowing how much i love beer. Lived in SD and it was my first time going to Hamiltons last night. Bartenders are awesome, food is awesome, crowd is awesome. I defiantely plan on coming back to Hamiltons.

    (4)

  • Rudy D.

    Yay for beers on taps and tons of special events and Cask battles on Fridays. Boo for the crowdedness of it all. Its by no means a hidden joint, but if you want to find a rich white kid who lives in South Park but dresses like a poor white kid from the Appalachian trails circa 1950, this is your spot. LOVE the special events they have here, and trust me, there are many with FREE FOOD! Get there EARLY for those events (I missed out on the end of May Lobster this year! raaaaa)

    (4)

  • Danielle P.

    Thank god this place is walking distance from where I live. The best beer selection in San Diego. Awesome grilled cheese sandwiches. Tabletop shuffleboard. Relaxed atmosphere with people bringing their dogs in the bar. Events with free food. What more could you want?

    (5)

  • Laura S.

    Really good beer. Really nice Bartenders. Really Good food. Maybe the best French fries I've EVER eaten. Shuffleboard. Pool. Jukebox. DOGS! It's the dogs allowed inside that push it over the edge for me. Love it.

    (4)

  • Anh D.

    finally i've come to hamilton's. i've heard so many good things about it. the one major thing that stopped me from going was that i'd have to drive there. now that i have a dog i decided to check it out, since they let dogs in. I'm now a committed customer to both hamilton's and small bar. the food at both places are so good and the beer selection is huge. hamilton's is defeating my goal of having a six pack.

    (5)

  • Jeff H.

    This is probably my favorite bar in town. I liked it before I moved to the neighborhood, I love it since. It's a quick bike ride down the street from my house making it my most visited bar. They only have beer, which is fine by me at a place like this. They have about 20 taps and they're all small breweries and specialties beers. They often have a beer or two on cask also (unless they run out). Free shuffleboad, free pool on Sundays. They have a cafe that serves food until midnight. The bartenders are always super nice and friendly, recommending beers and giving samples. I haven't been on a friday or saturday night, but weeknights and sundays there is a good laid back crowd.

    (5)

  • Tania W.

    hamiltons is one of the best little beer bars in san diego. small, cozy and offering some of the finest beers on tap and in bottles. their jukebox is terrific and there are pool tables, and shuffleboard to amuse yourself with while sipping a cold one. if you feel like munching, i recommend the hamilton's burger or the grilled cheese - both are top notch and not your ordinary bar food fare. the owner is also the proprietor of small bar (same concept, but with a full bar) so if you sense similarities between the two, now you know why :)

    (4)

  • Cullen H.

    First off, Hamilton's isn't a dive bar. The problem with the influx of people like Edwin down there is the fact that they confuse neighborhood bars for dive bars. That should tell you a lot about his review, right off the bat. Great beer selection, friendly regulars...the worst thing I can say about the place is that its virtues have been discovered by non-neighborhood types. Good for business, bad for the general vibe. Oh well.

    (4)

  • Dorian J.

    great micro brew selection. No crappy macros.. Food was pretty good. It's a place to I will seriously try to make it over whenver I'm in San Diego. This review is reminder to me to make the slightly less than 2 hour drive soon.

    (5)

  • Michelle F.

    such a great bar, I love the ever changing selection of beer. south park is such a wonderful lil area, and this place makes me consider moving just so i could wonder home after having a few. I had this thing called the blind tiger (i think) it was grilled cheese with beer candy bacon and apples, uh wow! blew my mind, I plan to try everything on the menu as well as many of the beers as possible wo looking like an alcoholic while honing my shuffle board skills. I was there last night and they were packed to capacity which was kinda shitty once I got in but most of the time if you stand around a while it clears out enough to find a seat.

    (4)

  • Brian T.

    Hamilton's Tavern is for beer lovers. They constantly have a rotating lineup of wonderful beers and a cider on tap. Last night, I drank a double-IPA called Pizza Port Hop 15. It was by far the hoppiest beer I have ever consumed. It tasted like liquid pot, if such a thing was possible. Say, is such a thing possible??? Get those scientists working on double-THC brew, chop-chop! Anyhow, the Pizza Port Hop 15 was 10.5% alcohol and served in a pint glass for $4.50. I really dig the fact that Hamilton's has a chalk board with all the beers on tap listed, along with their style, their percentage alc%, and their price. The staff is very helpfull in helping you to decide and they even will give you a little sample before you buy one. It is like a beer university. Outside of the crazy amount of beers they serve greasy stomach padding pub grub. Fries, Burgers (veggie too), Grilled cheeses, Fries, and my current favorite, Beer Cheese Soup made with Green Flash beer and served with some toasted bread for dipping. This food may be kinda crappy for you, but it does the trick. The wooden ceiling is adorned with retired tap pulls and fake pine garland and christmas lights. There are 2 red poll tables, a semi-respectable jukebox, a fuSball table, 3 TVs playing sports sans volume, and the wonderful shuffleboard table. The staff is usually pretty cool about flipping a TV to a certain event for you. I watched my beloved Penguins play in some 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs and been watching Tour de France stages there as well. People bring their dogs in all the time and I pet their heads. The dogs, not the people. Well, if i had some strong beers in me, maybe the people. It is only a few blocks from my house and a nice mellow place to just chill with a small group of friends.

    (5)

  • Sandra B.

    Wanted to give it five stars because but they don't have a full bar... bummer only wine and beer here. But if your a beer drinker they know lot's about beer and will help you find one you love. They let us bring our dog INTO the bar, awesome! Overall, I will be back!

    (4)

  • Shane B.

    So, the perfect bar needs: great taps, great food, enough room to get a seat, a good jukebox, pool/darts/shufflepuck/etc, and a good staff. Decent parking and decor don't hurt either. Wouldn't you know it, Hamilton's has all of that. As a visitor to San Diego, I read reviews for Hamilton's here on Yelp and decided my partner and I should check it out. I'm so glad we did. On Thursday we got there around dinner time, and I chatted with the awesome bartender about beer and he gave me some things to try. They had an excellent draft selection of around 20 different brews with things both I and my partner liked quite a bit. The decor was cool - wooden half tables attached to the walls with stools, a nice long bar, lots of beer signs and schwag on the walls. The coolest part were the hundreds of tap pulls screwed into the ceiling rafters and white christmas style string lights. Across from the main bar area was a gaming area of two pool tables and a shufflepuck table, along with some booths. The jukebox featured mainly good classic rock and some good contemporary stuff as well. The extensive menu amusingly described the food, which was EXCELLENT. My GF got a killer bacon grilled cheese on Thursday and a pretty good one Friday, and I got a good Monte Cristo and amazing homemade sausages. Definitely top-tier bar food. I have to be honest and say that this is a "hipster" bar, which is fine for me and anyone else who doesn't want to deal with brah dudes and bitches. Thursday was more laid back and quieter, but Friday was definitely more crowded and louder - the juke was cranked and it was harder to talk to each other. However, for any beer lover it's a must-see. I seriously asked my GF if we could move to San Diego....

    (5)

  • Galen B.

    The best beer selection around, and great prices to boot. Plus I can bring my dogs to come drink with me.

    (5)

  • Tim W.

    Go to Ham's on a regular-but-still-not often-enough basis. Pluses: - Great beer. Selection and quality. $10+ for a bottle of import is steep, but ah well. - Great food. The menu just expanded and is still great. The burgers are awesome and the fries are some of the best in town - Dogs allowed. 'Nuff said. My pooch loves it there - Bartenders. Knowledgeable and courteous - People. It's a nice, mixed-up South Park crowd. Very eclectic. Also, although it's always busy, I've never seen it completely packed, which is also good Negatives - I wish the music were a little quieter - You have to wash your clothes after going there as they smell terribly of fried food Also, last time I was there, some douche threw rocks through the window. But everyone looked around to check everyone else was OK, and then just got back to their suds. That's the spirit. Yes, it's not the glitziest place in town, but if you really want that, go to Stingaree, where you're probably more welcome anyway.

    (4)

  • Melissa L.

    Hamilton's, how much do I love thee? Let me count the ways...one microbrew on tap, two microbrews on tap...how about twenty microbrews on tap?!? I could not believe the selection of beer at this bar -there were at least twenty good quality beers on tap, not to mention the gigantic frig of bottled beer. One of my pure snobbery traits is beer as cheap beer (Coors, Bud, etc) is brewed with corn syrup so I'm quite fond of microbrews. The bartender was very friendly, even gave us a couple of samples when we asked "How is the...?" I really enjoyed the Russian Imperial Stout and the Nutter Brown, if you like heavier beer. It was almost difficult to make a decision as the selection is so varied and expansive. The bar itself is a good size for a bar, with tables and booths in addition to a lot of seating room at the bar. Table top shuffleboard was the game of the night and the girls won, sending the boys home with slightly bruised egos. There were two pool tables and in addition, a couple of TVs were strategically placed around the bar and did not overwhelm conversation. I can't wait to go back to Hamilton's - we are planning a pub crawl and Hamilton's will make the list!

    (5)

  • Megan K.

    I can't be too critical of this place, because I didn't have a bad experience, and most of the reviews already written are very accurate. The beers are varied and they offer many imports and micros which is great if you're a beer snob who likes to hang out in a dive bar. The service was also wonderful, which I never underrate because it's so rare to find consistently good service anywhere--restaurant or otherwise. The atmosphere was pretty cool with all the tap pulls on the ceiling, a strong (and very loud) classic/indie rock presence on the jukebox and pretty down-to-earth people cruising around. However, I didn't really go to Hamilton's for the beer or the ambiance. I went for the burgers. I was told that the food here was really awesome, and that the burgers were the best in San Diego. I have to admit I was highly underwhelmed and this is why I'm not giving out more stars. I ordered The Stoner Burger which was listed as having: serranos, Sriracha, raspberry preserves, caramelized onions, bacon, Witchfyre mix (Jalapenos, pepperoncinis, anaheims), and American and provolone cheeses. Sounds delicious and spicy, right? I *love* spicy food so I thought this would be an awesome way to see what kind of variety they offered on the menu to make a unique and tasty burger. Wrong. This was was a completely tasteless burger because it was so overloaded with spicy components that I couldn't taste anything else in the burger (was looking forward to the raspberry preserves element... but no). It may well be that the burger itself was excellent, but the toppings were really poorly executed so that I was uncomfortable eating it and did not enjoy it at all. Maybe I am an idiot for ordering a spicy item off a menu that I wasn't familiar with, who knows. But to top it off, my two friends and I had to wait almost an hour for our burgers to come out, and when they finally did our fries were cold. Too bad too, because I bet the fries would be truly delicious hot and fresh. If you go to check out the burgers and beer at Hamilton's, order the Hamilton Burger the first time you go. My friends raved about theirs and I was scolded by veterans I was with for having ventured outside the box on that one. As a final note, there were at least two different patrons who brought their dogs into the bar last night. The dogs were well behaved and got a lot of attention, but it was kind of a bummer for us since I was with someone who is severely allergic to dogs, and had to keep a close eye on them so they didn't get too close.

    (3)

  • Jay G.

    best beer spot in SD. best way to spend your 2nd Saturday. best bartender around - Sean T. amazing food thats worth the wait. stop drinking yellow water... go enjoy craft beer.

    (5)

  • Peter T.

    So I'm pretty sure I fell in love with this place once I came back here my second time and stared up at the chalkboard and realized they had changed their beer line-up. It was as if this warm glow had surrounded me and taken me to a higher plane of existence. Ghandi and John Lennon were there, strumming away on the sitar, and there were all of these cool swirling colors and expanding floral patterns. Everyone was smiling and laughing and then someone yelled at me, "What do you want?" I came to and realized I was still at Hamilton's, looking at the bartender and the immense board of micro-brewed, handcrafted goodness. I forget which porter I got, but it was good I can assure you of that. They almost always are. Only place I've ever seen barley wines on tap as well. Amazing. The icing for Hamilton's consists of the fooz, shuffle, and pool tables. Jukebox sports some good, but not amazing selections, and it can be a little crowded by the door. Bartenders are friendly, totally cool with the fact they are usually waaaay understaffed for the throng of people there waiting on them. Only knock is that I wish the hockey game by the crapper (crappea in French) worked, and that they had more sand for the shuffle.

    (5)

  • Nick H.

    My new beer haven!!! Lots of great local and micro beets on tap. Food looks great, but the major draw has to be the beer...I'm definitely coming back soon!

    (5)

  • Cliff M.

    This place is fantastic. Great atmosphere, cool people and a huge selection of beer on tap and in bottles. The food is good too. This is the kind of place where you can get a "USA! USA!" chant going while watching the Olympics... just a cool, laid back and fun place to hang.

    (5)

  • Sarah W.

    Great place, great hangout especially if you are a beer-head. They have a TON of different beers on tap, and the food is good too. A word of caution that this joint is tiny and tends to get really crowded (as in, by 8pm you feel like you're in a tin of sardines) so you may want to get in around 6-7 and try to snag a table.

    (4)

  • Lucy L.

    I like that they have a ton of different beer options. This is definitely not a place for someone who isn't cool enough to drink beer. Although it is small, it still has a nice Boston bar feel to it. Everyone who works there is pretty friendly and the crowd is good mix. A few foreigners in the mix too. I had a few different porters. The Maui toasted Coconut Porter was pretty good. There was a dog or two in there as well. I love dogs!

    (4)

  • Faith S.

    A breath of fresh air from the Whistle Stop Bar. Immense beer selection. If you' have a penchant for IPAs, come here. Very chill. Happy hour is 4pm-8pm, so it's a good place to hang out with friend after work. And it's in the lovely neighborhood of South Park.

    (4)

  • Keith j.

    This place used to be Sparkys, a friendly everyone knows your name neighborhood bar. Now I heard is was bought by the same people involved with the whistlestop and whooopeee , congrats!, they have managed to turn it into the same sterile unfriendly to cool kinda place. Hey they tout it as a beer lovers bar, here's an idea on WED when the weekend is right around the corner and you are running out of guiness, you know guiness the "coors light" of the to cool crowd?, ORDER MORE. So on SAT when its wall to wall people you dont freaking RUN OUT at 9pm. Oh yeah, and dont bother with the beer being cold, we will drink it anyway. Oh yeah, and dont bother fixing your ATM there is not one across the street we can jet off too, its OK. Oh yeah and I know its beer and wine only but when other people dont know that, do me a favor and be real mean about it, dont say sorry or suggest the whistlestop only a few blocks away if they want spirits, pretend like you are the only game in town and just say "beer and wine only" in a very robotic tone. Oh yeah and when its packed, maybe the bartenders can NOT turn their back to the patrons for 10 minutes checking their text messages. "so srry wnt B back" SEND

    (1)

  • steve s.

    Great selection of craft and local beers with a window to Hamiltons cafe. Cafe offers gourmet hotdogs chicken wings and sandwiches. Do good.

    (5)

  • Belinda Z.

    As all places around my neighborhood become more and more gentrified, the crowds have gotten less and less tolerable. Don't get me wrong, Hamiltons is still a 5-star beer getaway with excellent food next door, just not on a Fri-Sun.

    (3)

  • Erik L.

    When Hamilton's is packed, it sucks. Otherwise, great spot for drinking and good times.

    (4)

  • Marie A.

    why exactly it's taken me 2 years to write this review is a mystery, especially since i'm here at least once a week. better late than never, so here goes: i am a san diego native and count ham's as one of my top 3 favorite places in the city. period. when out-of-towner's come into my brewery and ask "where else should we go?" my answer is always and enthusiastically "HAMILTON'S." furthermore, when my mother came to visit, i took her around to some cool bars/ restaurants. even the hippest of those left her unimpressed. but, not hamilton's. in fact, it was the highlight of her visit. or at least it was for me, not that alpine's pure hoppiness had anything to do with that. ham's is the best because it has the best bartenders. and the best juke box. and the best grilled cheese. and some really, really great beers. there's always pliny available as fallback if nothing else tickles your fancy. it can get crowded and attract some hipster d-bags, but that's san diego for you. if you've never visited, let your first time be a sunday-monday-tuesday evening. get a seat at the bar and enjoy the glory that is hamilton's.

    (5)

  • Masha B.

    WOW! They have SOOO much beer. SOOO much. Great prices, great vibes, cool bar games... let's see, what else. Gets crowded and loud and hard to find a seat, but it's not impossible if you keep your eye out. Bartenders are fast and efficient but also happy to make recommendations.

    (4)

  • Elena V.

    I would give it 5 stars but I am deducting a star for too many men in skinny jeans. What can I say I am old fashioned. I shouldn't have to compete in the tight jean category with men. Now on to our regularly scheduled review...Beer, lots and tasty I might add. Food, lots and oh so gloriously tasty and artery clogging. I have gone twice and had the best food there ever. Although now I deducting a few years from my life I wouldn't change a thing. I loved seeing all the dogs chilling with their owners waiting for drunks to drop little morsels of food. Great time!

    (4)

  • Matthew V.

    What you need to know is this, Hamilton's is for beer lovers. Hamilton's is for meeting with friends, or making new ones, while drinking really good beer and then drinking another really good beer. Check out their website and look at the multi-page listings of beer. Did I mention there is beer? Hamilton's has a lot of energy. And it's the local, here with friends that live a few blocks away, energy not the Gaslamp tourist vibe. There are two pool tables available if you need to drink while playing with sticks, which seems to be traditional. Have you ever seen guys with sticks that weren't drinking (golf, baseball, hockey, Robin Hood and Little John)? Anyway, bring your friends to Hamilton's and buy me a pint.

    (5)

  • Matt M.

    Free games AND great beer!?? How did I not know about this place till this year? Wowza. From the outside it looks a bit seedy, but don't let that fool you. Once you get inside it's a beer lovers paradise. Consistently rotating brews, all of them excellent. I don't think I've seen anything bad on tap, ever. They also have a couple of free games, hockey and skee ball. The hockey game totally sucks, it broke on us after 30 seconds of playing. Skee ball held up to our rough play without any worries. They also have pool tables, but those probably cost money, and pool isn't that fun anyways. Oh, they're dog friendly here too! We saw at least 3 pups running around while we were there. Nice.

    (5)

  • Bruce C.

    I go to Hamilton's when I want a beer. I figure this is wise since Hamilton's has a lot of beer. They have a lot of good beer. And a list of beer that includes the alcohol percentage next to the name. Now there's a good system for ya. The only thing better would be a running LED ticker like on Headline News. This bar gets crowded, but it seems to be a good group. More locals than yokels. It's more a place to go with friends, but I've been ok there by my lonesome. And there's always the possibility of leaving less lonesome. But I keep those stories to myself.

    (4)

  • Joel H.

    Finding a place that serves quality beers is sometimes a difficult task. Ever since the first day I stepped into Hamilton's I've been in love with the place. They offer the best micro brewed beers available. Their tap list is huge and their bottle list is even bigger (check out their website, they keep a very up to date list of what's available). They always have local beers available on tap such as Stone, Ballast Point, Alesmith, Coronado, Green Flash and so on. Their beers are reasonably priced, $3-$5 bucks a pint depending on ABV. And so you don't get bored they have two pool tables, shuffleboard, foosball, and table hockey. They also have a big screen TV and a jukebox with pretty good tunes. Overall this is an excellent bar that offers everything a beer junkie needs. As a note: Because of their great beers, many people (mostly women) who aren't use to drinking quality beers, like my girlfriend, have a hard time finding something that they like. I recommend looking for something in a bottle because all of their beers on tap are usually not for the amateur beer drinkers.

    (5)

  • AL S.

    Fun fun place to come that is beer and wine only. Two pool tables and shuffle board. When it gets crowded its particularly annoying to have to move when people are trying to make pool shots but its a small space. Apparently its doggy friendly I always see pups running around which i love! Great place to come and have a few beers with friends or water in my case. :-)

    (4)

  • Neal A.

    We like to patronize our local businesses, and Hamilton's has a good reputation in the neighborhood. The online menu looked good so we decided to give them a try. We aren't into the bar scene, and from the street the cafe looks like a neighborhood diner. Don't be fooled, it's the kitchen for the bar. So we ordered a Blue Boy and a Southwestern to go. The cashier-waiter was pleasant enough, and said the burgers would be ready in 10_15 minutes. We went outside and sat at one of the tables to wait. The food arrived about 10 minutes later boxed and bagged to go. We drove the mile home and opened our dinner. The Blue Boy looked good, and was a veggie party as ordered. The Southwestern was the ultimate veggie burger- no meat & no cheese. I drove back to the cafe to get the burger set right. The cashier-waiter eventually greeted me, and I asked if this was the usual way a Southwestern is served. He said no, and this was the first time he'd seen one made that way. He then had the cook make me another. No refund offer, no discount offer, barely a half hearted sorry. Replacement burger arrived in about ten minutes. Upon arrival home the fries were under cooked, the advertised bacon and fried onions were missing, and my wife said that her Blue Boy didn't come with any blue cheese. Maybe this service is acceptable after 3 or 4 pints, but we will not be back.

    (1)

  • Brandon B.

    I frequented Hamilton's three days a week in a prior life. There's nothing better than A Russian River Pliny the Elder (or Younger) to wet your whistle after pounding some pavement in the San Diego sun. The bartenders are knowledgeable and kind if not a little harried as the afternoon turns to night and the bar turns from part working professional to part hipster with Captain Beefheart throwing waves of indie goodness on a throng of frothy followers. After a couple pints of high alcohol content, my post run thin blood reminds me to cut myself off so as to maintain sobriety. Regardless, I stumble through the narrow walkway as if playing a haphazard game of hopscotch over wagging dog tails, messenger bags, and assorted chucks. I arrive at the order window for the Cafe. There is no decision to be made here. I am prepared to order the most mind altering delicacy that they offer; The Blind Tiger. Some people think it's just a cheese sandwich, but it is so much more. I haven't had one for at least a year and I still fondly pine for one as if it was a young, tragic love.

    (5)

  • Carolyn T.

    Beer heaven!!!!!!! My friend has been raving about this place forever, and I finally made it out and feel in love. They had the football game on, stone/firestone walker on tap, and amazing food cooking. The only downfall.....the little squirrels crawling around. Really there is be a high requirement for dogs at the door. No bitch ass dogs allowed man,just real one!

    (4)

  • Anthony T.

    vast selection of beer. love this place. just a nice, hometown, cheery bar that is comfortable and has good grub.

    (5)

  • LL C.

    Hamilton's toilets are freaking disgusting and they need to have beverages other than beer.

    (3)

  • le tinaMarie B.

    i'm originally from the midwest, and this bar is the closest thing to home i have found in san diego. what hamiltons offers (among my favorite assets): an uber relaxed atmosphere, it's dog friendly, incredible beer selection, pool, shuffle board, a very decent jukebox, and......................wait for it.................WIMPY'S REVENGE (only the most delicious, incredible glorified grilled cheese sandwich you will ever eat!)!!!!! check out the Blind Tiger (grilled cheese) as well, it's a unique twist. YUM.

    (5)

  • Kimmi D.

    My favorite bar in San Diego! The staff is friendly, the beer is amazing, and they let you bring your dogs inside! And did I mention the fantastic bar food!? SO GOOD! The only negative, it can get a bit too crowded on the weekends. But other than that, I can't say a bad thing about this place.

    (5)

  • Nichole B.

    The is a great tavern. Great selection of beer. I'm not a huge beer person, but they also have cider on tap.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    so many beers, so little time this is place is perfect if you love beer and bar food. can get a bit crowded but it is definitely worth it!

    (5)

  • Crissy P.

    Best beer selection in town! Food is decent, too - good grilled cheese and tater tots! Gets really crowded though and can be hard to get a table. Thumbs up for being dog-friendly! It draws a great clientele and people are pretty chill.

    (5)

  • Raj M.

    Great beer place! Very good selection of beers on tap. Bartenders are cool.

    (4)

  • Steve P.

    Hamilton's is a grade A example of what a good neighborhood bar should be. Great atmosphere, possibly the best selection of beer in town, plenty of entertainment, food, and a generally well behaved clientele. The grilled cheese is art.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth R.

    This place gets 10 stars: Five for the AMAZING beer selection and five for allowing dogs INSIDE. Oh, and another five for the best grilled cheese in San Diego. And, while I'm at it, five more for the good old dive bar awesomeness of the place. I drive all the way from Solana Beach to come here, and yes, I do live 2 blocks from Pizza Port. I love Hamilton's.

    (5)

  • Bart P.

    Are you the type that likes your apple-tinis served slightly chilled while you groove to the latest beats from the dopest DJ's in town? Do you like to relax after a long day of yard work with an ice cold Coors Light? Do you like long, romantic walks on the beach? Do you like to hold hands across the dinner table the gentle harking of a violin serenades you accomplishment of true love? Did you answer YES to any of those? Then Hamilton's isn't your place. This place is a diamond in a coal mine and a much needed addition to the fledgling beer scene in San Diego. More delicious taps than you can shake your talliwhacker at and enough delicious bottles to make your liver cower in fear. The beer flows generously and the owner, Blair, knows what the hell he's talking about. Every 2nd Saturday of the month, you're treated to a complementary meal and beer specials that will make you crap a purple orange. Victory At Sea for $3.25? You gotta be kidding!!! But it's true folks. This place is the real deal. A true beer bar that brushes off the beer snob attitude and replaces it with a variety of bar games, a kickin jukebox and one powerful good time. This is what I needed.

    (5)

  • Kerri T.

    Great neighborhood bar, great people, great staff as everyone is always friendly. Bartenders do their thing and serve it with a smile. Beer selection is plentiful and the vibe is laid back and chill. No point in getting there early as the crowd arrives early as well. If you dont mind standing and enjoying some great beer and great atmosphere you'll enjoy this place. Major bonus they allow dogs. How sweet is that?

    (5)

  • A Real Person Y.

    MY #1 FAVORITE BAR. Great food, efficient service, awesome beers on tap, nice tunes, and GREAT looking environment. It doesn't have that trendy, new aged, hipster feel to it that a lot of North Park or DownTown dive bars have. There are still a variety of people here, from old to young, nerdy to trendy, beautiful and ugly... all here and all having a great time. Not the mention that the food that you can order from the bar through a little window IS KICK ASSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Oh my God... I will gladly gain 50lbs from their food and never look back with regret.

    (5)

  • Rebecca C.

    This is my second review for this place and I have been here over 30 times and it is always just as good as the first. LOVE YOU HAMILTON'S!

    (5)

  • steve n.

    Only for locals. We started at Torondo's (which was awesome) and a local recommended that we tried Hamilton's Tavern. This is an incredibly dingy joint that isn't in the least bit friendly to outsiders. I thought it was pretty dirty... the selection of beers was good, but nothing spectacular - it's San Diego so if you're visiting you know there are great locations to try craft beer... you can really do better than this joint, it was pretty underwhelming, especially for the location. I give them 2 stars because the beer they serve is good... but who wan't to drink with a bunch of awkward locals? Guaranteed they'll give you some cr*p if you're not from around here, but if you have thick skin then give it a try I wouldn't say we were treated rudely,

    (2)

  • Jp R.

    If you like beer you will love Hamilton's Tavern. It is what most of us expect from a dive bar, surly bartenders, interesting local regulars, a dimly lit atmosphere, and some run down pool tables. The selection of beer changes on the regular for drafts and there is a selection of over 200 beers in bottle which is more than enough to keep a curious drinker satisfied. I cannot speak for the food but considering I did not personally eat it, however what I saw come out looked and smelled fantastic. The beers on draft are from all over including some local selections that are difficult to find anywhere else which made for an all around fantastic time.

    (5)

  • Jason K.

    This place is all about beer but it doesn't leave the other stuff out. It has a few booths for groups, pool and shuffleboard for the gamers, a good kitchen with above average bar food, and good service. The beers are standard price (about $5/pint) but the selection is better than most. They change their beers often. The ambiance of the place fits more of a pacific northwest stereotype than southern california and that is what makes this bar unique and a go-to for san diego. Go often and enjoy.

    (5)

  • Maggie A.

    We were so excited at the prospect of being able to bring our dog inside a bar, but the excitement was short lived once the food arrived. This food is simply inedible, nothing more to that. The grilled cheese was horrific and the sausage sandwich was the worst one we've ever tried. Their beer selection sucks, too. Sadly, we won't be back. It's a shame, we really wanted to like this place.

    (2)

  • Cole M.

    Ah, my favorite haunt in all of San Diego. This place is the king of San Diego beer bars. They do casks from time to time with complimentary food. There are events a plenty going on here. The last time I was here (the thursday before my birthday) I had a Speedway Stout by Alesmith, the Belgian Dark by Golden Carolous, and finished the evening with a bottle of Bitches' Brew by Dogfish Head. How many bars can you say you had those beverages there? The place is a little a small and is always crowded. They have two pool tables and one shuffleboard table. No alcohol, so don't whine about it when you get there.

    (5)

  • Teej T.

    There is an AMAZING amount of beer here. The selection is large, diverse, and tasty! It's a fun crowd here, although it was pretty damn crowded last Friday night, full of people and my friends and I just had to stand around for nearly an hour til we could find a table to chill at. Definitely had fun kickin' back, watchin' people play pool, what looked like shuffleboard, or listening to the enormously large selection on the jukebox. Well worth visiting, especially if you're looking for a hip watering hole.

    (4)

  • Emily K.

    Dear Hamilton's - FIRE YOUR COOK! I ordered your house vegan burger called the "cow demolition" or something. At first I thought the kitchen just added way too much Sriracha to the sauce to the point where the spicy was making me cry, so I sent it back, and the waitress treated me like I was a whiner and stupid for not deciphering from the menu that the burger was going to be murderously hot. They brought me a new burger, 45 minutes later, that had no Sriracha, but was still unbearably spicy from something in the vegan patty. Lest you agree with your waitress that I am a whiner- three people with widely varying levels of spicy tolerance tasted the burger, and all said it was way too much. Something was seriously wrong in your kitchen the other night, it wasn't just me, and I gave you two chances and you churned out 100% fail. A little science for you, Hamilton's: capsaicin, the molecule we perceive as spicy-hot, is far more soluble in alcohol than water. Therefore, when I had a swig of a delicious Russian Imperial Stout after your horrific burger, the burn only intensified. If you are serving people alcohol with the food, tone down the spice, PLEASE.

    (1)

  • Meg H.

    It is a privilege to indulge in a beer at this fine establishment. Great ambience, beer selection, staff, jukebox, etc. Its "Beer Only" status seems to deter those wanker-types looking to "GET F'D UP!" This in turn fosters an eclectic crowd. Hamilton's is--most definitely-- my favorite bar outside of La Mesa.

    (5)

  • Kristie H.

    Luv this place! The beer is great, the bartenders are very sweet, and they even hooked me up with The Proffessor to give a friend of mine for her birthday. The neighborhood is chill, and overall this is a place.I would frequent more, but Im getting older, and the thrill of getting wasted every night no longer exists.

    (4)

  • Bee P.

    Great bar with an English Pub feel to it and English prices. This bar has been infiltrated by nonlocals and stereotypical hipsters every since Sparky's shut down a couple years ago. It's upgraded, don't get me wrong, and with a cafe that stays open late that sells cheap food moderately price my nights of leaving Hailton's hungry has ended. The bar is dog friendly so you can bring your girlfriend and man's best friend. I'm going to bring my cat once I teach him to walk on a leash. *remove PBR from the menu, horrible beer even by transient standards. ***5 stars if it were late 2006.

    (4)

  • Amanda S.

    GREAT beer selection, AMAZING staff, YUMMY food! A must try for you beer lovers.....or for a delicious sandwich.

    (5)

  • Rachel A.

    I am so impressed with Hamilton's beer selection. WOW, I've never seen anything like it, and all tap too! And I love shuffleboard! Cool crowd.

    (5)

  • Ashley F.

    If the mecca of great beer was actually in your grandpa's basement this would be what it would like. It's a place with people love beer, know beer, and know that good beer goes with great food. The guys here are all about sharing the newest cask or keg of something delicous and probably local with the community and they don't go skimpy on pairing it with some amazing eats to compliment the brew. I had my birthday here and probably most of my closest friends too because it's a real place, with real people, strong, delicious and thoughfully selcted beers. Lets not forget the magical brews you can select by the bottle including meade, but beware... that honey brew will make you want greasy food and to text people in your phone. Thank you Hamiltons for being you and good at it. Thank you for having vegetarian bar food.Thank you for being a place where I can feel at home and kind of scared at the same time.

    (5)

  • Dan W.

    Oh Hamilton's, what can I say other than amazing. When drinking great beer after great strong beer, I always leave thanking the bar for not having shots. And the music is great.

    (5)

  • AJ B.

    way to knock it out of the park! I'm holding off on the 5th star until I try the food! all the rumors are true. Can't wait to bring my dog in on game days! Sam the bartender was truly a master at his art of tending to the thirsty customers in a timely manner! I think I just became a regular...

    (4)

  • Christy V.

    + Approximately 1 majillion beers + Beers are generally served in the appropriate glass for the type (or at least they were when I was there) - Bar tenders are kind of lame/unattentive/cool + Shuffleboard! - Good luck actually getting to play shuffleboard

    (3)

  • Hillary N.

    I take it all back. The new menu is a fantastic vegetarian orgy. I fully approve this incarnation of the soup. I love you with all my heart again, don't ever change.

    (5)

  • scott p.

    When you are talking about a "local" bar in the Golden Hill/South Park area, you are really only talking about two places- Whistle Stop and Hamiltons. Unfortunately, Whistle Stop is kind of "venued" out- i.e. planned and scheduled to the point where it's more like a club the a local bar. Hamiltons, which took over from Sparkys in that particular space, is much closer to the feel of a "local" i.e. community based tavern. Their menu is long on beer- lots of Belgian style ale and beer- which is obviously the hotness right now. A little wine. No liquor, no food. Decent television set up- a high def(?)/flat screen right above the center of the bar, with a couple of ancillary tv's tuned to different channels. The night I went there it was all about the Padres game- a decent sized crowd of youngish folks were watching avidly, ordering pizza, etc. As the night dragged on, the juke box kicked in- it's a decent juke box- no liars club, but decent. Towards 11 Pm the crowd kind of sort of turned into Gaslamp-lite. There were still a fair amount of hipsters and neighborhood chappies, but there were A LOT of dudes with just a little ruffle of gelled hair in front and gals wearing gaslamp lite gear. I don't know if I would recommend it late on a friday or saturday night- but great on weeknights and earlier in the evening. Also, they do little food/beer parings on the second saturday of the month- and- they have their own "twitter" account. Progressive!

    (4)

  • Freddy R.

    Favorite Beer Bar in San Diego. Excellent beer selections. Bartender know their stuff and can help steer you to what beer you would like. Pretty cheap beer, good happy hour deals. The music is good. The vibe is hip yet relaxed and not elitist like Toronado's in North Park. Seating can be limited. Never tried the food but I've heard nothing but good things about it. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Lindsey P.

    Love love love this place! Can we talk about how wonderful the beer selection is?! They have all of the finest local San Diego beers (Stone, Alesmith, Pizza Port, Left Coast, and so on). I personally recommend the Alesmith Speedway stout. They have over 100 bottles of macro, micro, and premium imports. Not to mention they are one of the few bars in San Diego offering you REAL ALE (cask conditioned). Hamilton's has the best rock and blues jukebox in town, hands down. They have Shuffleboard, Foosball, Pool tables, and SuperChexx Bubblehockey. Usually a pretty good crowd, although if you're a guy reading this, I wouldn't go there expecting to find any chicks. Sometimes myself and my friends will be the only girls there...BUT, if you love beer like I do, you will love this place.

    (5)

  • Mike D.

    I have been here only a handful of times, I don't know anyone here besides who I come with, but this is my kind of bar. The selection of beers is like being in a toy store that rotates its toys often. The bar games are there, although darts seemed to be tucked away in a corner. They play the Pads games. Offer group excursions and throw monthly parties. The crowd seems mellow and beer appreciative. If you want food, go next door to lei back cafe and bring it on back. I went there early 4th of July after a round of disc golf, and they had the Stone vertical epic 07, among many other local brews. I just love that. We watched Blair drop in a new cask into the cask-era-tor, and as he hooked it all up, poured my buddy and I a freebie. Gotta love it. I will go back often, until I embarrass myself. +Awesome selection of beers +Plenty of local brews +Bar games (Would like a touch screen though) +next to a delicious cafe +bar staff friendly -I can't think of any right now

    (5)

  • crystal j.

    I own a home a few blocks away from Hamilton's.....used to go there when it was Sparky's. I have always liked how hidden this place is in my neighborhood....the owners of Hamilton's maintained this hometown feel when they opened. Still has the shuffleboard, pool tables and juke box but it doesn't smell like vomit anymore. And I love the fact that there are booths so that you can sit and enjoy the bar food purchased from the peep hole. Reminds me alot of Nunu's but it is close enough for me to stumble home. Wish they would expand the music selection, though and it would be nice to have a few GOOD wines along with the vast delish beers . I had a party there one monday and the non-beer drinking friends couldn't partake in the spirits...they went next door to Alchemy

    (5)

  • rick z.

    blair,chris,and staff what can i say thank you oh good wings too

    (5)

  • Leslie S.

    Shuffle board, pool tables, juke box, and beer...what else can you ask for. Chill atmosphere, friendly staff, awesome place!

    (5)

  • Lauren H.

    I went here for the final post season Charger game of the year, and was a little disappointed that there were only like 3 tv's in the whole place, and they weren't really big enough for me to see the game from where I was sitting, in the back of the bar. Other than that, I thought it was cool that they let people bring their dogs in. Oh, and they have a ton of random beers that I've never heard of, a little pricey for a dive bar though.

    (3)

  • Shane H.

    A friend introduced me to Hamilton's last year and it has become an instant favorite. Love their selection of craft beers on tap as well as the bombers in the fridge. Our beer club came there for tasting and the manger provided some killer insight to the brews and brought over some lesser known brews. The relatively new Hamilton's Cafe really polishes the experience. The Hamilton is a must try.

    (5)

  • Wilda W.

    I enjoy hanging out at Hammie's. It's got a very chill atmosphere and I never feel uncomfortable here. People of many different demos hang out here side by side. The Monday night wings (50 cents per wing) make for a fun outing, and the burgers from their cafe are actually really yummy. And of course there's all those beers. The changing menu on the beers keeps things interesting. It's not very clean but you don't go to a pub expecting it to be spotless. It can get too crowded to properly play pool, but I think the more the merrier in a pub. If you don't like crowds, come on a weeknight when there are fewer sports games on. I'm lucky in that it's close enough to the man friend's place to walk home after a few pours. A neighborhood gem!!

    (4)

  • Danielle G.

    Great beer, good food, decent prices. Hamilton's has a small bar feel and it's nice to escape the ever pervasive San Diego pretentiousness (no offense natvies, I'm not from around here) that I have found most other places. (Gucci handbag not required)

    (5)

  • Sarah K.

    Get here early if you want a seat! All types of people flock to Hamilton's for great beers! They have new taps constantly and the food from the deli is pretty good-everyone should check this place out at least once!

    (5)

  • Juliana M.

    Eejole! This is my home away from home. I have learned so much about beer at Hammys (thats my pet name for this place.) If only they would get more Pliny the Younger or Speakeasy Prohibition in (hint hint,) I would be in heaven. The bartenders, all of them, are awesome. Somehow they remember me and know that I like porters and the like. They always offer me samplings of what they think I will like and 99% of the time they are spot on. The only drawback, which is not so bad because everyone is sooo freaking polite, is that it is always packed and its hard to have more than a few people in your group due to lack of sitting or standing space. But, like I already mentioned, everyone in the place is so nice. I have been yielded a table or seats by smaller groups or individuals if they see that we have a large group and could benefit from their space. I love my peeps at Hammys.

    (5)

  • Jillian Y.

    Thursday night the gang rallied up to Hamilton's for some drinks and food. This place has really yummy food! The western grilled cheese was probably the best grilled cheese I have had in my life! According to all the others with me, they do not kid around with the buffalo wings. Everyones mouth was on fire even giving out some sweat moustaches. The juke box was filled with great tunes from the Stones to T. Rex to Builders and Butcher to Kings of Leon. It was a great place to eat and listen to some good music. They also have free shuffleboard, which I never played until that night. It is a pretty addicting game and did I say it is free? Overall if you want a good selection of beers, good food, good music and some shuffleboard and pool this place would be a gold star for you.

    (5)

  • Carol A.

    Awesomely overwhelming beer choices and the best grilled cheese I have ever had in my life. Gets very loud and crowded on the weekend. Good mix of ages.

    (4)

  • Theo B.

    If you consider yourself a beer drinker come here. None of that beer flavored water here. Cool vibe with a thorough beer selection. On tap or bottled your in for a hard decision in picking a brew. Go for something different on tap and be surprised by how much you like it. It's all good.

    (5)

  • Chris N.

    Hamilton's Tavern is one of the best if not the best beer bar in San Diego. The diversity and quality of beers is simply amazing. The fact that they list out the ABV is also extremely helpful. The foosball hockey, shuffle board, and pool tables are also loads of fun. I don't get it how people can knock this place as being a hipster hangout as hipsters account for less fifty percent of the patrons nearly every time I'm at Hamilton's. The true Hipster Heaven is a few blocks away at the Whistle Stop. Be prepared to get drunk off some real gems like Stone's Tenth Anniversary IPA and Alesmith's Speedway Stout the next time you head out to Hamilton's.

    (5)

  • Sean W.

    OK a good beer selection but it's too crowded and it's almost impossible to get a cab out here so if you don't like to drive drunk you'd better convince someone to be the DD. Also they serve food through the attached restaurant but don't let you use the bathroom there - that is just bullshit.

    (2)

  • Benjamin F.

    best beer bar in san diego, bar none. awesome rotating tap list, good bottle selection, great service, awesome vibe, and reasonably priced. plus, the food is killer! if you've never been here you owe it to yourself to go.

    (5)

  • Goose M.

    this place is it. it's full of a huge selection of beers from all over and awesome ciders as well. the food is also great! grab some friends, grab a pool table or play some shuffle board. it's small but it's the perfect size for the locals.

    (5)

  • Danny C.

    Excellent choice of brews on tap! I discovered 'Old Port Viscosity' here and don't kno where else I can get it on tap. You win this round Hamilton's...

    (4)

  • Douglas L.

    I've never been to heaven but if I imagined what it would look like, this place is my concept of it. It really feels like the church of beer. Hundreds of tap handles adorn the ceiling like old relics. The staff takes great lengths to inform patrons of what's on tap and all the particulars (beer style, ABV, etc.) on a giant menu board. Prices are extremely reasonable given that Hamilton's purveys some of the rarer and more obscure beers sometimes not available in bottles. Blair really gives a damn about his customers as well as the quality of his offerings. I have to say this is my favorite pub in San Diego, the only drawbacks are it gets crowded often (and also gets warm), and doesn't open until 3pm.

    (5)

  • Courtney O.

    The best food ever and it is in a neighborhood tavern! The wings and grilled cheese sandwiches...WOW! Superb selection of bottles and on tap beer. One of my favorite places in San Diego...actually the U.S. mmm...

    (5)

  • Max P.

    Do yourself a favor and go grab a pulled pork sandwich from this place. So good. Only 4 stars because the bartenders/servers are not the best - a bit stand-offish and not attentive. They just didn't seem happy to be there. No worries though - get the sandwich to go if you have to. I'm sure their other food is good too.

    (4)

  • Reham A.

    Man was i thirsty the whole day or what. i am so happy i live so darn close to this spot. i got there and i see all the people with their cute dogs hanging out on a Sunday late afternoon. so i began to drink kept on drinking and drinking and drinking and..... anyways you get the point. this place is so good and i love Belgium beer. I'm all about good beer and those wings they have are to die for and oh my on the burgers. my mouth was just watering so much from the yummyness that's about to enter my tummy. when i got home i wanted more. i wish i had a beer and wings to go. and oh yea they have pool tables and all that fun bar sports. i say go check it out if you a want a good beer and meet real cool chill people.

    (5)

  • Daniel G.

    Great beer list! Food was amazing. The pulled pork and hop sausage sandwiches were both awesome.

    (5)

  • J R.

    Oh, Hamilton's. Every time I go, I leave so happy. Tipsiness tilts me in that direction, generally speaking, but what's not to be happy about? The decor is great. Hundreds or awesome taps hang from the ceilings, and posters of all my favorite 'top shelf' beers adorn the walls. The atmosphere is low key and the patrons generally seem to be laid back and focused on enjoying themselves, allowing me and mine to do the same. The food, the few times I've had it, was tasty and satisfying. I've mostly had burgers and such, and generally they compliment my quaffs most excellently. But most importantly: There are always interesting and new-to-me beers on tap, and worst case scenario, I can fall back on all of my favorites. Sidenote: Last night, on an extremely crowded Saturday night, my group was able to squeeze in, pass around 6 delicious new brews (without spilling due to being jostled by bumbling douches), savor our selections, and leave laughing with huge grins all around. I've been here plenty and I always leave happy. It's why I always go back.

    (5)

  • Natalie C.

    Ridiculous beer selection and obvious passion for beer in general. The owner dedicates his life to beer, and it shows. They also have great special events with great meal deals or special opportunities to meet local brewers. Even if you don't like beer, this is a really cool place to hang out.

    (5)

  • Chelsea R.

    Non-judgmental bartenders and patrons, great selection, and eclectic mix of patrons and pets alike. Crowded but not cramped. And a grilled cheese menu! Yesssssssssssss! However, it turns out I'm not quite as good at shuffleboard as I thought. More beer!

    (4)

  • Farzi M.

    The food is awesome. They have great vegetarian options, like the veggie baja dog...my favorite. I hear their burgers are good too. Oh and the west coast grilled cheese..YUM

    (5)

  • Shawna S.

    I loved this place from the second I walked in the door. It's totally a beer drinkers bar with great beer selections and friendly bartenders who are happy to help you choose one. The food is really yummy too! Who can say they aren't down to eat a badass grilled cheese sandwich when they have a nice beer buzz going? Not too many people. The only thing I don't like about this place is that they only have one womens bathroom, and the sign on the mens room says that if women try to use it they will be asked to leave (not that I ever WANT to use the mens bathroom, but after a lot of booze and seeing 4 women already in line for the one stall, I'd take the chance and use the guys place). All in all, a pretty sweet joint with a mellow vibe and nice people. Oh yeah, Its dogs friendly too!

    (4)

  • M F.

    Getting the frills out of the way, let it be known that Hamilton's has very good atmosphere and a relatively large amount of room to sit or stand comfortably. When people are playing pool that area gets a bit more tight, but this isn't the least comfortable or the most comfortable bar I've been to. The bartenders are usually very quick to notice and serve, and they didn't give me any flack, glares, or cold shoulders. The Hop Sausages are apparently amazing, but I had already eaten and missed out. The decor is awesome for a beer fiend, with hundreds of tap handles lining the ceiling and world beer memorabilia all over the walls. You'd expect a place like this to feel very exclusive, but despite the seemingly tight knit community they are quite welcoming to newcomers. Would be a solid place even as a more generic beer bar. But Hamilton's is by no means generic. As a Floridian with limited exposure to the great beer more widely available on the left coast, I was pretty much in heaven. The selection of drafts covers all the bases, from local standards like Green Flash IPA or the ridiculously tasty Pliny the Elder to a constantly rotating group ranging from Gueuzes and Lambics to Imperial Stouts and Strong Ales. The prices are very good, and the local brews are often a steal considering their heavy alcohol content. Hamilton's has an interesting schedule of events revolving around some extremely interesting microbreweries with some delicious rare brews from cask or keg. It's an all-round great place for beer lovers, but the limited wine list and nonexistant liquor offerings and macrobrews mean you'd better learn to love the ale.

    (5)

  • Jeff O.

    I'm giving this full stars for their micro brew selection and amazing bartenders. There's this one bartender gal (blond) who i never got the name of, but always seems to remember me... BUT ANYWAY - once, all i had to do was lift up my almost empty glass, point at the color of the beer, and she went through the lineup and found it WHEN SHE DIDN'T EVEN POUR THE NOW EMPTY BEER IN THE FIRST PLACE! Poured me a nice pint and moved on. A+ lady.. seriously. They always have AMAZING beers on tap.. and if you're a beer snob like me, you gotta visit this joint!

    (5)

  • Juan C.

    I went to this small Bar my Rock star cousin is in town and he had a few of his friends come out so they choose this place and IM always game for a nice night out and always try new things I had the Baja Dogs 6 dollars there menu is great and prices are mostly under 10 bucks the food is fresh and really good as far as I know I love those hot dogs someone in our group ordered fries and they loved how fresh they were and the taste was quite amazing. So I had the Baja Dogs I was about to order some more but I think there kitchen closes at 11:30pm. It was a nice atmosphere we played pool and and some game where you toss these cylinder type things and see who gets closer tot he line. Music was fantastic. 80's and 90's purty low key place. Nice beer stuff. Im not a beers guy, but I found a great beer there finally something I could drink one drink I ordered had the Pear cider very nice, it wasn't strong almost like a Soda Pop The apple cider one was a little stronger. As I said IM not a beers guy im more of a wine, but these drinks made it on my list as a good way to get by. Girls were great. I didn't get to flirt much, not many single ladies. but I could have tried harder. so Overall I think it's a very nice place to go with your friends and chill out, good music and great food. Two pool tables one dollar to play. there's a change machine there. No entrance fee. I don't think they serve Martinis. capacity is 130 people.

    (4)

  • wayne k.

    Sipping on that ice cold domestic beer at a wide open bar with sunshine pouring in through the windows.......this is not Hamiltons. Hamiltons is what a bar is supposed to be. Here you can lose yourself in Micro-brew's and table shuffle board. It is a bar that is dark for those of you wanting to hide from people, or your boss during lunch. True beer fans find this place and walk out happy. $3 beers on Monday......... Not to mention the food. It is bar food, but great food. I recommend this bar to anyone looking to sip great beers. Make sure to buy Jose ( a regular) a Budlight though, he won't drink anything else!

    (4)

  • Joshua A.

    Schmackalackadingdongboozle! Hamilton's has become my hands-down favorite bar in San Diego. The beers continue to impress, but now I've eaten there a few times and the food is great. I've had great conversations with strangers and beer enthusiasts and every time the service seems better and the vibe more homey.

    (5)

  • Michelle D.

    I went here for A drink with a girlfriend after work- well, after waking up at an unknown hour after sunrise on my friend's love seat at her new apartment, I wandered around south park looking for my car. Apparently I ate a whole bag of popcorn and she wouldn't let me leave (she made me text my boyfriend to tell him I wasn't coming home). I'm scared of that place- too much fun!

    (4)

  • Curtis P.

    This place has changed my life for the better. I can safely say that I have discovered an innumerable varieties of beer and continue to broaden my world. The tap list has yet to fail me and I always find something new to try. Plus, you can't beat the service. If anyone knows about Hamilton's they know it can get busy at any given moment. Despite this fact, I have continued to receive wonderful service. Not only is the beer selection impressive, but the food is outstanding. I have tried burgers, chili, grilled cheeses and of course the pub chips. I do admit that I have not tried the wings yet, but mostly it's because I am so in love with the Rip Taylor (just picture a grilled cheese with shredded chicken and pesto). On top of all that, Hamilton's is always doing some sort of weekly event whether it is Firkin Friday or Second Saturday. If you can brave the crowds, these events are worth attending. I am not going to go in depth on these events, because I want to be selfish and keep Hamilton's to myself. I even considered rating this place one star so that no one reading the reviews would want to check it out, but since Hamilton's holds a dear place in my heart, I will rate it accordingly. My only gripe is the lack of seating sometimes taken up by pool tables and shuffleboard. I personally do not go there for billiards or shuffleboard, therefore I would prefer to have more seating. But I can not change this fact, and it does nothing to lessen my love for Hamilton's.

    (5)

  • Mario N.

    Best bar in SD, hands down. Quality draft selection with an excellent bottle selection. Free shuffle board & foosball + pool tables. Also, good food next door which you can pick up in the bar.

    (5)

  • Fran D.

    This bar super disappointed me on every level. If you are a bar that wants to serve food you need to instruct your staff to be polite about the food, your batenders HATED that we wanted to eat food at the bar in fact we were DISCOURAGED from ordering. How strange is that? We were reprimanded by the bartender for asking for a menu - shoot us if we didn't know it was over the food window. After rudely being instructed to order from the food window in the corner our bartender relocated himself at the opposite end of the bar and proceeded to chat it up with some friends and/or locals. I noticed this right away as my date was ordering the food at the window in the corner. I timed it, the bartender who did not want us eating at the bar took 6 minutes and 18 seconds before asking if we wanted a drink. I was then made fun of in a very condescending manner for not being able to remember the name of my favorite pub beer, Bodington's. The food was eh - low end low quaility cooking and ingrediants. I asked the bartender for salt - again he got pissypants and sent me back to the window. At the window I was given a ramakin of kosher salt - you know the large sized salt that sticks to warm pretzels. Kosher salt like this tastes like shit on a sandwich and appetizer. The buffalo wings were under cooked - I wanted to tell someone but no way was I approaching mean disguntled bartender who disliked me for eating food and asking for salt. I went over to the window but all I got was a running water faucet and no person, again I timed it - 2 minutes of waiting and I walked back. We paid left 2 bucks as a tip and left. I will not return.

    (1)

  • Anneliese W.

    Went on a Friday and loved it. It was packed but everyone was really nice-even the doorman. And...They let dogs in. Didn't eat there but the food looked good. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but they had a lot of options to choose from. I definitely want to go back.

    (4)

  • Scott L.

    Pretty cool little bar witha whole slew of regional beers. I'll have to come back again to try a bunch more and to play some more on their awesome shuffle puck table. I went on a Saturday night pretty early (8) and the crowd was quite managable, however by 10:30 you had to fight tooth and claw to get to the bar to get a drink or close your tab. Be sure to take that into consideration in your evening plans.

    (5)

  • Bridgette B.

    This place is awesome. The beer selection is ridiculous and ever-changing. The bar food is tasty, especially the cheese soup with fries. I love hanging out here.

    (5)

  • Rachael R.

    I have to admit I've only been there once but the response I got from my husband when he went without me completely solidified my positive opinion; he described a wide range of people from different social circles all getting along and having a good time plus good beer and dogs... Sold.

    (5)

  • Caroline H.

    What a place..nowhere better to go for a beer..on a Friday early afternoon when it's mellow and dark..and nowhere better to go on a Saturday night when it's full of lively people, all ages, all types..just enjoying life..also I think their greasy food passed through a little hatch in the wall from their place next door is totally brilliant..come on it's a PUB..what kind of food do you want!! French fries and toasted cheese sandwiches..perfect!

    (5)

  • David S.

    I wont pretend to tell you I was a regular at Sparky's, but I had been there a few times, and generally enjoyed myself. I understand that Sparky's is a place that is near and dear to many San Diegans. However, it's a little troubling to see reviews of which compare Hamiltons to Sparky's. They are two separate places. By the way, I'm not a hipster. I like Hamiltons. Nuff said about that one. The quality of beer at Hamiltons is great, especially for a beer nerd like myself. If you're a bud/miller/coors type of chap, you may not like what you see on the tap list. But, then again, this isn't probably a place you'd enjoy any way. The man in charge at Hamiltons is named Blair and the guy legitimately cares about the product he puts out and really goes above and beyond to make the masses happy. The taps are constantly rotating and there is often free food for the patrons. Awesome place.

    (5)

  • Roman d.

    Awesome pub with the most diverse tap lineup in SD and one of the few places with Speedway Stout on tap. I love going for the beer and playing shufflepuck. They also have the dome hockey game. You know the one that you always played at Chuck E. Cheese when you were a kid. It's always mellow on Sundays and pool is free. Fridays and Sat. nights can be crowded, or they can be mellow too. I love the neighborhood vibe even though the 'beer scene' will show up when there's a good beer on cask. Great place for one pint or a whole night's worth of pints

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    I was pretty excited about coming here. Almost like a little hole in the world. This place gets a bit crowded. What I thought was pretty cool about this place is they actually allowed you to drink while you drink some of their fine beers. My choices for beer: Green Flash West Coast IPA Stone Strubbe's The downside to this place is how small it is. There is still enough space to walk around but it's not a major factor to stay away from.

    (5)

  • Jennifer G.

    Hole in the wall, but amazing little place. There is limited seating but plenty of beer to keep you standing. They have a pool table and the sand disks. Bathroom could use an update tho, however I understand because the place is small. If you don't drink beer this is not your place. The only thing not beer is sake.

    (4)

  • Michelle H.

    Amazing beer lineup. Amazing wimpy's revenge grilled cheese sammy. Amazing ninja witchfyaaaa grilled sammy for the spice-lovers. All for a good price. What's not to love? Watch your step because somebody's doggy might be laying on the floor, and come on a Sunday afternoon to be guaranteed a table to enjoy your delectables. Parking's never been an issue in the surrounding neighborhoods either.

    (5)

  • Megan K.

    I've been here a couple times. It is what it is and it's great at being what it is. The beer is great and there are plenty of choices. I can never decide and the bartenders are always willing to make suggestions, and those suggestions have never disappointed me. This is a great bar for catching up or just good conversation with a friend or two.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    Great place! Service was pretty quick on a Friday night. Beer selection is wide and food is oh so perfect. This place has to be your go to place if you like beer and burgers. It does get packed on the weekends, but heck what place doesn't. Music and ambience is pretty laid back. For sure I'm coming back! Thanks Hamilton's.

    (4)

  • Ramon E.

    So. they serve beer.

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    The Mother's Day tribute was a fantastic idea and was the answer to my plans. My folks loved the place and my mom was honored to be out at a spot I've talked up a lot about. Cheers Hamilton's, you're loved by the entire family.

    (5)

  • Richie W.

    Honestly I'd probably give them a 4.5, but I'll just round up. Pros: Great beer bar. Nice tap list. Great neighborhood watering hole environment. Good pub food. Reasonably priced. Nice location. You can bring your dog here :) Cons: It can get really busy at times. Parking sucks during these times. Sometimes there are just too many people... and really, don't bring your dogs during primetime, it's just really annoying to trip over them. Off hours it's great. I love dogs. But they don't belong in a bar that is at shoulder-to-shoulder capacity.

    (5)

  • Ellen L.

    20's crowd with some locals. Greasy spoon if that's what you are into. You must walk through a cloud of smoke to get in. Nothing to write home about from a mature persons point of view.

    (2)

  • Monica A.

    WOW! I can't believe I never reviewed Hamilton's! We met several years ago... My first time here, I did not know it was a tavern, so I ordered a vodka tonic, and the bartender kindly explained to me how fallacious my request was. lol! This review might be biased, but Hamilton's is so dear to my heart. I have had so many awesome drunken evenings here including the good ol' chargers days, a horrible double date and an impromptu bachelor's party, I have since expanded my beer knowledge, but Hamilton's still amazes me with their beer selection! Last time, they had a chocolate sour and a hazelnut brown ale! :D

    (5)

  • Nat B.

    Omg I love the grilled cheese west coast sandwish wow!!!! Amazing place! It's my new fav ;3 love love the staff! Very on point! :) meow

    (5)

  • Rosa M.

    Went there yesterday and might stop by again today. I really like their Cherry Cider and I want to try the Molé beer they'll have today. Pros: - Great bartenders - 2 Pool Tables, 1 Shuffleboard - Beer selection is changed frequently - Interesting and unique beers - Jukebox Cons: -Small location -Single gendered bathrooms

    (4)

  • Monika M.

    I've been to Hamilton's twice and both have been great experiences...the first time we just had a few beers, but the service was great..it was just what bar service should be..nice, friendly bartender who isn't pushy, but is attentive enough to come back and check on us before we had finished the beers we were drinking. Today we stopped by for their $6 beer and breakfast burrito deal..we were given a choice of 4 beers and 3 burritos. I picked a beer and was warned that it was very strong (16% ABV) before the bartender started pouring it..I was very glad he warned me, because at 11 am in the morning I was not ready to drink anything that strong! It's always a plus when a bartender cares enough to let a customer know about things like that, before just serving them to get to the next customer. After I had picked a different beer I ordered a California burrito, which came out in minutes and was pretty tasty (lacked a bit of salt, but I am also salt obsessed) definitely would recommend this place if you are in the San Diego area..not to mention the decor is AMAZING!

    (5)

  • Leonard L.

    Hamilton's Tavern SD: South Park September 1, 2012 Four Stars What a Great Beer Bar. On this rare Saturday Night, I was able to sit at the bar and have a few beers. The Farm House/Saison was absolutely delicious. Good Tunes and a Great Environment.

    (4)

  • Olivia L.

    After hearing about this place, I decided to check it out myself. Finally got the chance with a couple of coworkers and was easily impressed when I first walked into the tavern. There are taps of all kinds hanging from the ceiling with lights hung all around. The place is pretty small and it was pretty packed that night. However it didn't take long to get drinks for everyone. The bartender, who seemed like he was the sole runner behind the counter was really quick and even gave me a 3/4 full glass of beer free because the tap was down to the last drop. There are 2 pool tables that amateurs and "pros" alike put down 4 quarters to play against the winner. I went back the following weekend with different friends and tried the food. The server seemed a bit confused because he forgot to turn on my friend's food announcer thing, and also forgot another's order so had to call him back. The food was good, but there isn't a lot of places to sit and eat comfortably so I probably wouldn't go here for food unless I had the drunk munchies. All in all, both experiences, the beer, and the environment made for a good time.

    (4)

  • Suzanne S.

    My husband and I love this place! They have an awesome selection of beers on tap and they take comfort food to a whole new level. They have many unique, gourmet grill cheeses, burgers and the like. My husband always gets the Hammy Hash Sandwich (potato patty with friend egg, bacon, cheese, cilantro ranch, avo on ciabatta bread). I get either the black bean veggie burger or try one of the many grilled cheese variations and have yet to be disappointed. Perhaps the best part, Hamilton's in DOG friendly (except for weekend nights, I believe). After leaving the dog home alone all day while we are at work, we love being able to bring him with us as we grab a beer and some dinner. Only downside, this place can get very crowded, even on a week night and it can be hard to find a table.

    (4)

  • J M.

    I hate going to this filthy place and dealing with their nasty unfriendly staff . Nothing but a bunch of deadbeats working here who have no clue how to treat customers .

    (1)

  • Rachel V.

    Best place to try good craft beer. I have tríed an amazing array of great porters and stouts here. Food is delicious always. The jamilton is my favorite of all times. I love the buffalo wings they are pretty delish and spot on. The Nekid wings were good but I definitely prefer the buffalo wings. I've never been unhappy with anything there so if you haven't gone you are missing out. It's always on the full side on the weekends so get there early if you want a table. Good food, good beer and good people =)

    (5)

  • Anna L.

    I have a huge love/hate relationship with Hamilton's Tavern. Finding a seat in this place is hit-or-miss. Most of the bartenders are smug and completely lacking in social skills. I can only assume those I'm referring to can only be out of work physicans, victimized by the economy. Why else would they be such wanks? Having said that, Hamilton's is solid. The music is great, the vibe is very low key and the list of beer offered is prime. I love the eclectic local crowd that frequents this hole in the wall. It definitely has the stumbling factor :) If you're a pet owner, you'll love this place!

    (4)

  • Karen N.

    One of the coolest bars we've been too. I wish there were more places like this by my house. Dogs are allowed in the bar, the decor is adorable and the food is phenomenal. We happened to come for burger week at participating restaurants, so the Hamilton burger was only $5. What a steal. The fries had some kind of awesome seasoning on it and it was delicious. There's also a pool table you can play for $1. Definitely as good as it get. We'll be coming back whenever we're in the area.

    (5)

  • Brady C.

    I used to love this place, they used to have a large variety of beers on tap... Then the past few times their selection has primarily been IPA's, I got a hamburger that was raw (luckily they refunded my money). They are far above capacity all the time and and so you have to fight over seats. If you can grab a seat at the bar you end up having people butt in between you so they can tell their order to the bar tender right in your ear. The crowd can be really douchy. I even had some drunk broad spill my new beer all over me....basically ruined my night. This place is far from chill..more of a hassle than something enjoyable.

    (3)

  • Jonelle O.

    We finally got our asses out to Hamilton's and it was perfection. Parking was no problem on a Saturday afternoon and even though walking into the blackened bar from an overly sunny outside left us temporarily blinded, we were greeted warmly as our eyes adjusted. We got a table and then proceeded to look like total newbs trying to figure out where the food menu was. Finally my husband asked the bartender and he directed us to the ordering window by the gaming tables. That is where you pick up menus, place your order, pay for your order, and pick up your order when your buzzer buzzes. I had the special of the day which was a patty melt. My husband opted for the black bean burger. We then ordered Pliny the Elder to entertain us until our food arrived. Both bartenders were very nice and even offered us more water on a trip by our table. I think we waited 15-20 minutes for our food and it was delicious. The rosemary sourdough is so freaking crazy, I could die. The patty was fresh and cooked as if you made it at home, you know what I'm talking about, right? Like it wasn't all uniform and perfect, it was a bit uneven and cooked more on the outside and just absolutely the way a hamburger should be. So good! Their pub chips are my new favorite things. When ordering I assumed we were getting chips -- as in rounds of potatoes deep fried. I was kind of bummed when I saw what looked like french fries on our plates, but then I bit into one. Are you kidding me?! My favorite part of eating french fries is finding the little crunchy ones at the bottom of the bag. This whole order of "pub chips" is the crunchy french fries! I died. I seriously died. I soaked those mf'ers in vinegar and went to town. I lurve them. I lurve them so hard. My husband was also giddy about his black bean burger, but as a warning to others I should note that he said it was pretty spicy because of the curry (?). He's a SuperMexican and can handle his spice, but his mouth was hurting by the time he finished that thing. Just a heads-up. We ate our meals, enjoyed our beers, and watched some people play a really weird game that we couldn't figure out but decided to call Sand Curling. I love the vibe in here. I was a little concerned that it would be overly hipster, or overly bro, or overly vegan or some other kind of exclusive subculture, but I was pleased to see a scattering of every kind of person in there. I love subcultures and probably skitter around the edges of a couple different types (ex-goth geek with super vegan hipster nerd friends FTW), but I hate any place that seems to only cater to one type of group. San Diego, being so compartmentalized, has proven difficult to find a good mix of people. When I go somewhere I want to see hipsters, bros, goths, geeks, Gap employees, older normal people, and tourists all hanging out together. Hamilton's gave me that. Every table seemed to have a different mix of people, which made me so comfortable. The happiest thing you'll ever see is a mix of every kind of person sitting together in one place, drinking beer, eating food, and playing Sand Curling.

    (5)

  • Cat A.

    Sometime between my first review to now, I acquired a better liking for certain craft beers. Weird, as I've been around beer drinkers and lovers for a good portion of my adult life. Anyhooo. A chilaxing time and where Reese is more than welcome deserves to be re-acknowledged!

    (4)

  • Laura N.

    Sad. Been here a lot of times, but got turned away tonight with dogs who have been here before. Apparently they pick and choose when it's convenient for the dogs. Either you're dog friendly or you're not - pick one. Really disappointed as prior to to this they would have gotten 4-5 stars.

    (3)

  • Erica P.

    Hands down-amazing. Went for the Ballast Point Tap Takeover, and was thoroughly impressed by the amount of unique one of a kind beers on the tap list! Two words-Cookie Monster. Yuuuuummmmmm. Finished the trip with a Pliny. Delicious. We hear Karen makes some amazing food, unfortunately since it was a special event the normal kitchen was closed. We'll be back!!!

    (5)

  • Leslie G.

    I LOVE the grilled cheese here. And, I'm not talkin' about the fancy pants ones. Just give me the classic - Texas toast with American cheese, tomato if you want, and their BOMB fries. The price? Only $4.25!!! This is the best deal in my life. They are fully vegetarian friendly, just about everything can be made vegetarian. I once got myself to try the vegetarian chili burger instead of the grilled cheese, and it was great! The grilled cheese is still my absolute favorite though. The vegetarian chili cheese tater tots are awesome. The fries are the best in town. Prices are on point. Service is always friendly even though they get really busy and have to deal with drunk dummies. Love all around.

    (5)

  • Sylvia P.

    I miss Hamilton's. I often think that if I were transported anywhere for just one hour, that I would pick this place. That feeling alone should earn at least 1 more star.

    (5)

  • Meghan M.

    This is an amazing place if you're a beer lover. Can get super crowded (like any bar) as the night goes on! Excellent music as well! Highly recommended.. Atmosphere is perfect!!

    (5)

  • James G.

    You know, Hamilton's is always going to hold a special place in my beer loving heart. The first real beer bar in San Diego. Years ahead of the North Park / Downtown explosion meant that a weekly, or bi-weekly (depends on the week, but bi-weekly in both senses of the term), trip to South Park. It meant getting lost. Because, for whatever reason, Fern is 30th and 30th is Fern, sort of... in different places? I don't know. But since having moved to South Park, I've become reacquainted with this gem of an establishment. Most recently we were there for Pliny the Younger night and, despite being late to the show, seating was abundant, food was delicious and plentiful, and the beer, was, well, the draw. This is a great neighborhood haunt. I don't know if I'd still trek miles to get here, but thankfully, I no longer have to. I can now just stumble home, properly inebriated, ready to dream of future beer fueled adventures and delusions of grandeur. Thanks Hamilton's for the hospitality and selection.

    (4)

  • Antonio D.

    This is my favorite bar ever. That statement says a lot. I've been to many places, but this is a location I can call home. Nested in the suburb of South Park, this is a stones throw away from all of the commotion of downtown and all of the other big commercial areas. Hamilton's is the type of place you visit to get away from all of the madness of downtown and the beach areas. The beers are great, they have a wide selection of drinks to suit almost every person. Love IPA's? They got you covered, more of a Lager person? They wont leave you hanging. One of the X-factors this place has is the great food. Many people think bar food sucks, but this is not the case with Hamilton's. They have a nice menu of guilty pleasures, ranging from grilled cheeses to monstrous burgers. If you are looking for a great bar to have some good beer and try some new stuff while you are at it, this is the place for you. Stop by if you are in the neighborhood, you'll be glad you did.

    (5)

  • Guillermo T.

    Awesome local dive bar, great beer selection, great food too!

    (4)

  • Brian P.

    If you're a fan of beer you're a fan of Hamilton's. This is one of my favorite places to grab a pint, and the rotating selection is so impressive that I always end up getting at least one beer that I haven't had before. They don't gouge you on the prices either. It can get a little crowded especially around the pool tables and sometimes it's hard to get a table if you're with a group, but overall this is one of the best places to meet up in San Diego for a nice cold beer. I've never had a bad time at Hamilton's, and street parking in the neighborhood is always plentiful. Bartenders are always friendly and fast, and they know their beer - I usually ask for a recommendation at some point during the night and everything they've suggested has been awesome.

    (5)

  • Jose H.

    Im really not a fan of writing negative reviews, i figured if i enjoyed my experience somewhere ill be sure to leave a nice review and if i didn't well then no review, but i definitely wanted to share the experience i had at this place just so management is aware of the type of employees they have, it was my first time at hamiltons, bouncer was a cool dude greeted us in, bartenders looked like they were in a bad mood, it was pretty packed but that still doesn't give you an excuse to not give some good customer service, no big deal are drinks came out right away & we went to play a game of pool since no seats were available, i set my beer on the edge of the pool table (which i know is not the best idea) but i did anyways being extra cautious i obviously dont want to spill my beer & pay for another.. Anyways an employee with dreadlocks came to me and told me " dont set your beer on the table " in a very firm tone... I calmly said ok and asked " well is there a spot i can place...... & Befor i could even finish my sentence he yelled and told me " DONT PUT YOUR BEER ON THE FUCKING TABLE !!!! " and walked away...Me & my buddies were left in shock since our whole group heard him! I understand if you're having a bad night but thats completely out of line and no way to talk to a customer. Would i have returned?? yea i actually loved the vibe there! Unfortunately as long as that employee is working there i will never return or recommend this place!

    (1)

  • GingerSnap S.

    We lived down the street from here and loved it as my neighborhood bar. Amazing beer selection, cask nights are a great treat and the grub next door is awesome (very vegetarian friendly!) Love the shuffle board and ambiance. It gets a little loud and busy on the weekends, but I don't mind if I have a great beer in my hand. Since I've moved, it is a must every time I visit home!!

    (5)

  • Leighton S.

    Excellent bar. The tap list is long and loaded with rarities. The bottle list, too, is extensive. Prices aren't bad. It's pretty dark inside. The barmen all seem to be cultivating the rugged biker aesthetic, what with all the facial hair and tattoos; also, I didn't find the staff to be particularly attentive or friendly. For the beer, though, this place is a must-visit on the San Diego bar circuit.

    (4)

  • Shannan M.

    Hamilton's is such a great spot. Such an amazing selection of beer - delicious stuff. Good prices...good crowd...and good food. I love how much of a community spot this place is. Open on Holidays - providing free dinners often...you can really feel the love here. I'm so glad I have this place so close by for afternoon shenanigans and weekend hang outs. I love you, Hammys.

    (4)

  • Adam J.

    This is a great neighborhood "dive bar", if you will. Although I'm sure some wouldn't consider it a dive bar. Nevertheless, it has a tremendous selection of beers, many of which you'll likely never heard of. So take a gander at the huge chalk board of selections and throw a virtual dart. Ask the bartenders if you need some guidance, just don't think about doing it during peak hours...which is almost all the freakin time here. Yes, it's crowded. A lot. Just about every time I've been there. Any time you're thinking "I could go for a beer", so are 100 other people and they've already beaten you to Hamilton's. Weekend nights are elbow to elbow, and don't even think you're getting a nice table for 4 to sit and enjoy your beer. 100 people beat you to that an hour ago, and they ain't leaving till long after you're gone. So, what I'm saying is...Hamilton's is awesome. And crowded.

    (4)

  • Leslie L.

    This is my favorite bar I have found yet, beer selection hands down is the best and their prices are very good! Food is great, except ordered a chicken wimpy around thanksgiving time and they made it with leftover turkey not chicken and didn't tell me it was gross! Order the hot wings or the stoner burger!

    (4)

  • Adam R.

    The burgers here are ridiculous. The god of deliciousness himself blessed this kitchen with his tidings of huge flavor, great selections, and eclectic combinations. They have a stoner burger for stoners. They have a Cattle Decapitation burger for vegans. Fun fact: the girlfriend of the former cattle decapitation bassist works in the kitchen. Throw her one of these \m/.

    (5)

  • Thomas M.

    Man, I love this bar. I go to alot of drinking establishments and this one is unquestionably elite. What a selection! No matter what the latest and greatest bar may be, this one is always in my top three. Dark and interesting interior, with a sense of beer history in the taps hanging off the ceiling (they kept it classy somehow). They do a lot of beer/food pairing BBQ events that are great for people that are new to the area, or those that just want to show off their latest neck tattoo. The fridge boasts many top notch beers - good luck trying 'em all, it just aint happening. Plus you can bring your canine inside. If Hipsters bug you, then be careful here. Some days you will be safe, but on other days at Hamiltons it looks like Portland, Oregon threw up in there. They will linger near the jukebox and judge every song you play. HAMILTONS!!!!

    (5)

  • victor g.

    Hamilton's Tavern has everything i look for. This is hands down my favorite place to grab a beer or two. The beer selection is the best in San Diego. Micro brews galore! lol Two pool tables shuffle board. It's good for groups of up to 6 but probably no more. There's only two big tables that will fit 4 to 6 people and you can always pull up a stool or two. But they go quick, unless you get there early you are probably going to wait a good 30 minutes for a table on a busy day, which is most likely on any given Thursday - Saturday. There are several smaller tables that can fit 4 people through out the bar. They extended the bar length which i think was a good idea two big flat screens one shows the game and the other they'll usually have a movie on. Not to long ago they opened the cafe, now you can get food which was in my opinion the only thing missing. The atmosphere is relaxed people come for the sole purpose of having a good beer. That means if you like beer you have something in common with everyone there not hard to strike a conversation there with anyone. Bartenders are great, friendly and attentive. It's in a residential area tuck away nicely... Very special place and if you get the chance to meet Mr. Hamilton its even more special.

    (5)

  • Patricia Patti P W.

    I took a year off from this place because: (1) A douche b*g I used to work with who loved to cheat on his wife would use this place as his "mating grounds". He would get all drunk and stagger over, interrupting my husband and friends with slurred speech, taking over ANY conversation we would have. To top it off, the fuktard did NOT EVEN live remotely near t his place, he lived 25 miles away so that means he drank and drove. (2) IT gets to be too much of a "scene" here in the early evenings and into the night. (3) I hate the damn pool tables!!! Well fast forward to last weekend and last night... We finally decide to go back. The bartenders are cool as hell and VERY helpful. I especially appreciate the fact that they allow a little sampling before you commit to an entire pint! One of the bartenders is a very cute and nice lady who looks like Amy Winehouse minus about 6 tattoos, the crack pipe, the great voice, the bad attitude and as my hubby pointed out: minus the emphysema.. but I digress.. Great beers on drafts, AMAZING beers. The owners really know what is going on. We tried about four different "flavors" over the past week. I love the new Green Flash 30th Street too!!!! I will only go here during the daytime or early evening HH's... I don't want to run into Le Douche I used to work with there.

    (4)

  • Maggie C.

    I've only come here at night for the bar, not the food, so this review is quite limited. This place is beer only, which is pretty chill and makes you think twice about getting shloshed. The atmosphere here is great, the tables are usually filled up but it's a bar so nobody minds when you're standing two feet away from them chowing down on food. This place is pretty cool because it has space reserved for games, and dogs are allowed inside. Overall, I love the atmosphere of this bar because you can relax and chill with one friend or twenty and nobody minds.

    (4)

  • Miss Vanessa T.

    This is where food porn dreams come alive. Big, delicious, juicy, meaty burgers. Thick starchy fries. Bacon covered hot dogs. Gooey cheese in between two thick buttery pieces of bread. Oh yeahhhh. You like that, huh?

    (4)

  • Claudia A.

    I stand corrected, the male asking my friend to go back home with him and to put it bluntly in his own words, "fuck" was not the owner like I was misinformed. My sincere apologies to Hammies and the actual owner and his wife who contacted me and called me out on my being misinformed. Hammies, you know I will always love you and I am relieved to learn that I was wrong that the creep wasn't the owner. I was freaked out, it was horrible feeling unsafe at my favorite pub. I apologize, I wronged you. Let's make up over a beer and tots?

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    Writing a review for Hamilton's forces me to make that classic yelp decision of whether I want to shout from the roof tops about how much I love this bar or keep it quiet and not add to the huge population that has been made aware of my favorite bar over the past year. Seeing that I am now committed to this yelping thing, Ill do just that. Be committed. That means disclosing secrets in my new relationship and putting all of my cards out on the table. All I ask is that it doesn't turn into a second True North aka next stop on the PB pub crawl. So here you go. Hamilton's is my go to bar. Not just because I can walk to it (which doesnt hurt one bit) but because it has everything that Im looking for when I go out. Simply put, an amazing selection of beers. Any beer drinker can find a delicious pint to try. The bartenders are both knowledgable and have just enough of that annoyed, busy bartender 'tude that Ive grown to love. There are plenty of places to sit if you are patient and on the look out. You can even bring your pup in if thats your kind of thing. The grilled cheese sandwiches are divine. My fav is the avocado and tomato grilled cheese, its a must...even on a full stomach :)

    (5)

  • Del R.

    Hamilton's. What can I say. It's no big whoop but, I dig it. They've got tons of nicely priced beers on tap! mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... And, they've got pool tables and a juke box. The juke is filled with grunge and classic rock. Anytime I'm at Hamilton's, I'm having a blast.

    (3)

  • Michelle G.

    I have not had any of their beers, but I am giving them 5 starts solely based on the Hamilton Burger. It was the best burger I have ever eaten in my life. The meat wasn't even thick, but it was the combination of toppings that made me LOVE this burger. The Hamilton had meat, lettuce, tomato(the basics) but what elevated this burger was the thick sliced bacon, the avocado, and the best part--the homemade Rasberry Barbeque Sauce...I I could put that s**t on everything! haha. I will come back over and over again just for the burgers. I can't wait to try them all!!

    (5)

  • Sophia W.

    I'm really not a bar person. Let's face it. Trying to carry a conversation with drunks by yelling above rock music that's blasting at 100+ decibels while you're sober is, well, AWKWARD! Despite the awkwardness, I really dig Hamilton's. Although I don't like to drink and, therefore, can't take advantage of Hamilton's giant selection of micro-brews, this place gets me by hitting my soft spot - food. They have a great menu! I've loved everything I've tried here (hush puppies, grilled cheese sandwich, jalapeno poppers). The vibe was chill, and I had a good time with my fellow yelp (Jamie P., Rossi H., Abe P. and Jason R.) and non-yelp friends.

    (4)

  • Sarah H.

    I spend an embarrassing amount of time here, and suddenly realized that I haven't reviewed them. Whoops. Hammie's is pretty much my favorite bar in the whole entire world. I know, I know. The atmosphere is perfect: dim (but not too dark), dingy (but not dirty), and cramped (but generally not, like, jam packed, unless you're dumb enough to go on Second Saturday or something). The bartenders are amaaaazing. The beer selection is hands-down the best in San Diego. The food is outrageous: the Irish Nachos with beer cheese soup are addictive, the buffalo wings are pretty much the best bar snack on earth, and the grilled cheese with bacon and avocado is enough to make me weep. Oh, and they welcome my dog with open arms. Yep, that's pretty much all there is to say about that. Dear lord, thank you for Hamilton's Tavern.

    (5)

  • Seven T.

    Yeahhh! We won the Shuffleboard Tourney! Which is quite impressive, since i had never played the game before! I rolled in with a bottle of Honest Tea and just kept in on the low. No thanks, i dont want a beer. Oh, but i did try a sip of a friends triple chocolate stout---wow! I guess if i drank, ida had me...ohhhh a LOT of those! Chill spot, chill peoples, and the food heads were ordering looked pretty damn good too!

    (4)

  • Eric P.

    Unfortunately, the mushrooms in Wahoo Wheat aren't on the menu anymore. In fact, the whole menu changed once, maybe twice. Prices came down but I think the food is a little less of the "omfg" variety as well. I'm still happy though. Economics at play, what can you do? The grilled cheeses are awesome, especially the Californian style or whichever has the avocado in it. I hate spilling the beans on my absolute favorites, but here goes: wing night on Mondays for $0.25 per hot wing is MONEY. $2.50 for 10 wings a.k.a. a manly dinner? I'm drooling right now. Banish any concern about trusting my imbibed palate - I'd say about 6 of 7 (that's 86% for the folks playing along at home) of east coasters I've brought here that unanimously hate wings in CA have given it the thumbs up. See you Monday then?

    (4)

  • kim n.

    (If I lied and said everything was terrible, would it make it less crowded?) As opposed to reiterating the greatness that everyone else has already proclaimed, I have but a few words to add: French Fries are indeed quite perfect, but let us not forget the oh-so-tasty, bring-me-back-to-childhood Tater Tots. PCS Sauce. Ask for it. (Ponder the meaning of PCS if you don't already know.) Enjoy.

    (4)

  • Mike R.

    One of my favorite pubs in SD. Great beer selection (bottles and tap), great food (including bacon wrapped hotdogs!),pool, and shuffleboard. They even give out free bottled water! That is amazing. This spot allows leashed dogs. At first this kind of threw me off, but if there are any dogs, they are super chill. Great, cheap jukebox. Bathrooms are ok. Kind of what you expect from a little pub. The crowd is super chill. They also have a lot of great beer events. Sign up for their email list. Overall, great place!

    (5)

  • Kathi B.

    I love Hamiltons and really wish they had one in North County. The food is excellent and very unusual. The beverage selection is exquisite, of course!

    (5)

  • Daphney B.

    Thank you Yelpers-the picture on here helped me recognize exactly where this was! This is one for you Beer kiddos with lots of locals on tap and a lot of old tap handles lining the ceiling. This ones for the dogs! No really! There was a huge white pup named Cooper that sat in the booth next to us. Good thing we like dogs, but something to consider if you come here. There is also a bowl of water especially for the four-leggers. Bring only friendly pups though because this atmosphere can be overwhelming for the four-leggers and two-leggers. Come for the food-it's unique and delicious. Grilled cheese, burgers, fries and other bar usuals but done better! Check their website because they have actual events here that look fun! Meet me here?

    (4)

  • Jessie S.

    I LOVE HAMILTON'S TAVERN. Good grief, I live there when I'm not at school. I don't even tell it that sometimes I cheat on it with Blind Lady but Hamilton's knows that it'll always be number one in my heart but the cafe? No bueno. I've had the WImpy's Revenge more times than I'll like to admit and today I got served a grilled cheese sandwich with ONLY chicken. This my friend is not a WImpy's, even after I saw the cashier/waitress peek over with another sandwich then quickly walked away after she realized that I had already taken a bite would not give into the fact that she did indeed did not give me the correct sandwich. I am more than annoyed since I was in class all day thinking about the Wimpy's Revenge. GAH! (I'm only giving it two stars because it is part of Hamilton's Tavern)

    (2)

  • Taylor S.

    Walk---Don't Drive to Hamilton's Tavern! This is one of my favorite stops for beer ("Gatorale") while I am out on my weekend treks around the neighborhoods adjacent to Downtown San Diego. The beer selection at Hamilton's is epic and they do a great job of updating the tap handles on their website. With a selection this big, there is always something new to explore. Everyone is friendly and as soon as your eyes adjust to the darkness, you will usually find a few local dogs happy to accept some attention--a serious bonus in my book! It's two miles back to my house in Little Italy which helps to burn a few of those calories!

    (5)

  • Daniel N.

    If Santa was a beer enthusiast (which I suspect he is) then this bar would certainly be one of the first stops on his route. A great selection of some of the best beers known to man. Friendly clientele/staff, pool table, and a loud juke box make this place the perfect spot. Tad bit crowded on the regular, but I suppose that goes with its stellar reputation. +2 stars for having Pliney the Elder for a mere 5 bux.

    (5)

  • Patrick E.

    It's only the best beer bar in the city and the food is good! Plus Will Ferrel was there last week serving beer behind the bar!!!!!!! This place is pretty cool and a must hangout for anyone in SD who enjoys beer.

    (5)

  • dookieface m.

    my roomate and i had a no peek from divine pastabilities(which isn't owned by Divine and it's INPASTABLE to get anything to eat there one Sundays because they are closed), so we went to Perry's but forgot we had a dog with us(a real dog, not like some "friend" i refer to as "meet this dood he's my dog, dog). instead we went to HAMILTONS. well glad we did!. we had a couple beers and got some food. my roomate had ye old chili cheese tater tots which i assume by the name is a recipe that king arthur himself came up with after slaying a mermaid with a heart of gold in the heat of passion. i had a blue boy burger with a garden patty because i work in a slaughterhouse and play bass in a death metal band so IXNAY ON THE EATMAY if you know what i'm saying. we got there at 1 o clock and i would say the service was INCREDIBLY SLOW because it was 9pm when we left and we were walking funny and really tired and met a lot of people and saw a couple from lemon grove or some place dirty dancing to the black crows. which is a band of humans that dont dress as crows so its kind of confusing because they are hippys if you remember those from those books about hippys. i love this place and i would live here if they didn't find me under the pool table every night. i snore. it gives me away

    (5)

  • Terin B.

    Just moved to Golden Hill from Denver and found Hamilton's; I am certain it will become our neighborhood watering hole. It's got a tavern/dive bar feel: dark, smells like wood beer and bleach, pool tables, shuffleboard, jukebox with a lot of blues, grunge, and classic rock. A good mix of old Vietnam vets, hipsters, bros, birds with Coach bags, yuppies in bike gear, couples and singles. They allow dogs, which is cute but impractical on weekend evenings. Seating fills up fast on weekends but you can just vulture it out for a table. As a Denver-born craft brew lover, I'm impressed with this place. The staff clearly loves beer but they aren't snobby or uber hipsters. The taps are constantly changing with a good selection of local and national brews. They've always got something on cask and nitro tap and the prices are great- $3.50-$6 for a beer. To top it all off, the food menu is awesome! All unique and flavorful gastro creations- grilled cheeses, potato and meat burgers, wings, amazing French fries, hop sausage (when they have it). Not too greasy either! We were also lucky enough to stumble in one afternoon and get on the Mystery Bus, which took us to Green Flash, we got to meet the brewmaster and sample everything. FOR FREE. I am smitten with Hamilton's.

    (5)

  • Darius D.

    My friends have talked how great this place was for a few months, and I finally got to experience this tavern a few times. Every second Saturday, Hamilton's hosts an event with free food and a sponsored beer that varies from brewery to brewery. After arriving in the neighborhood, I was a bit skeptical that a good bar can be in such a quiet place, but I was soon convinced. Chomping down on free food and drinking good beer leads to a good evening no matter who you are. The one gripe I have about this place is that I wish it were bigger. It is usually quite a pain to find a seat during these events. However, it does not bother me too much because I am here to enjoy beer and not lounge around, after all.

    (5)

  • Orion R.

    Great business plan!! Pack the place out with decent beer selections, and only have 2 employees behind the bar to service 50 + people. $$$$$ Hard to get a beer, food , snacks really slow, on a weekday night too. This place not for me.

    (2)

  • Kay M.

    I received an email from the owner shortly after I posted this review in which I was scolded and yelled at. She was cussing at me and basically giving me the "How dare you write a bad review!" speech, just a more colorful version of it. I have never seen such a lack of professionalism as found in the people associated with this place! She wanted me to call her, which I was not about to do since I assumed I would be further harassed. And when I very politely declined I was berated even further and DEMANDED that I call her. She told me that she completely stood behind her employee's behavior and didn't want drunk people coming into the bar. Even though I explained, again, what had actually happened. So apparently at this place when you are treated like crap by their staff, they feel the need to make sure to go the extra mile so you REALLY don't want to come back. It is a shame though. It gets good reviews and I would have considered giving it another try and writing another review based on a potentially good visit. But it is clear I am not welcome and I certainly don't want to support people who treat others this way.

    (1)

  • Cori W.

    Excellent beer selection, especially on draft, rivaling the best beer bars here in SF. The place actually reminded me a bit of Zeitgeist before it started sucking. Biggest gripe is that the bar is always busy, ALWAYS, and the patrons are less than desirable. I will note that despite it being very busy and bottlenecked we've always been served relatively quickly, just don't let any bro dudes cut in front of you. I've only visited twice while in SD so I hope they have some slow nights. I'd love to check out some of their food, such as the recent vegan night they had.

    (4)

  • Sean H.

    One of my favorite beer and bar food places. Dark lights great times.

    (5)

  • Roger D.

    Ham's is the place to go if you enjoy drinking some awesome craft beers. Their taplist is changed almost on a daily basis. I go there pretty much once a week to enjoy a few beers and grub on some delicious food! I'd recommend wimpys revenge grilled cheese, the blind tiger, or the Jamilton burger, though I've learned that you can't really go wrong with any of the food that you eat there. If it's your first time going there I'd recommend checking out there website and looking at there taplist before you go. Some nights have more of a particular type of beer than other nights; ex: IPA's, Stouts...etc. The atmosphere is super chill there. Thurs-Sat it's crowded at night but on most weekdays it's not too crowded. I like the crowd of people that hamilton's draws because it's very diverse, also the fact that I've only come across one douche bag there which is kind of awesome. The bartenders there are awesome, especially Chris, Hanna*, Sam, Angel, and Dennis the manager (Though all the bartenders are awesome). They are all very knowledgeable when it comes to the beers on tap. They have a shuffle board table and two pool tables in there. (Pool is free on Sundays) BEST BAR/TAVERN/PUB in San Diego. They also have a JUKEBOX!

    (5)

  • Kristen J.

    I went to this place on the recommendation of a friend. I tried to order drinks as I was the last of our group to order as I step up to the bar the bartender just walked away like he couldn't be bothered. Another 15 minutes of trying to flag someone down and a new bartender walks up and goes I need ID after the last one already checked it. I say he already checked it and point to the only other bartender who looked in our direction. The guy goes (with the snottinest attitude I have ever seen) "well he's not me is he?" Then we finally get to order and he placed my fiancés beer in front of someone else when I turn around to hand my drink to a friend so I could pay. Then when I turn and ask him where it is he pointed like a petulant child being asked to do a chore and says " I put it right there" in the same snotty attitude. As I leave the bar to find a table I mention that the service sucks to my friend and he said "you don't have to drink here" I thought the goal was to have people like me drink in your establishment? I've me never experienced such bad service in my entire life! If you want a good time there are tons of other bars and tap houses near by that offer better beer and better service.

    (1)

  • Nick U.

    Great place to go if you are a full blown beer lover or just curious about beer. MANY great selections to choose from and bartenders who are knowledgeable and will let you sample beers before you buy them. Also the cafe has good food if you need something to go with that beer. Only have tried the burgers, but they are tasty and the fries are as well. Great beverages, good food, and shuffle board! Can't go wrong with hamiltons.

    (5)

  • Cle P.

    Sorry. After two crappy experiences with the bartenders here, I'm done with this place. 1) Was the DD for the evening with my boyfriend and his brother. Sat at crazy crowded bar on a Monday night, and said no to a drink, but the bartender came back and carded me anyway, looked very suspicious (I'm 26, and look my age). He did not card my boyfriend or his brother. 2) Went back with boyfriend and a friend to loiter before reservations at Alchemy. We ordered beers, bartender poured them, then he carded all of us...and yikes, I had been to the DMV the day before to get my new California license, so my old license had been punched (had totally forgotten). He said it wouldn't do. I said fine, I won't drink, but his response was that we all had to leave the bar. Well, enjoy your three poured drafts, douche. Would have been great if the guy sitting at the door had carded, or the bartender had carded us before pouring the beers, or if he had been cool about it letting the people I was with have their beers, but no. I felt like I was in Arizona talking to the CBP. Not to mention it was crowded, no seating, and it was 7:30 in the evening. So, I'll go to Toronado, or some other gastropub that isn't run by flannel clad Nazis.

    (1)

  • Joshua B.

    Best bar food you will ever have, attached to Hamilton's Tavern. If you love good food and the largest selection of beer you could ever hope for from a small neighborhood tavern you must stop by. I highly recommend the Pork Wimpy with the apple coleslaw and the Ninja Witchfyre grilled cheese sandwich. If you are with a group of friends "The Deer Hunter" wings are a required experience.

    (4)

  • Dennis T.

    You will find many bartenders drinking here. That must mean something. I can't add anything that hasn't already been said. Great beer selection, awesome South Park crowd, quick and attentive staff, and the best grilled cheese sandwiches I've ever had. It took me a while to actually come here because it looks a little intimidating from the outside, but once you are inside...

    (5)

  • Gio G.

    Hammie's is 5 stars in my book mainly for the beer. The crowd is diverse but everyone is welcome, respectful, and friendly to each other. The music could be better, but I understand they don't want to be too "mainstream" it's golden hills after all. Food is great but they sure like to take their sweetass time sometimes or won't even take your order because of their self righteousness and stuff like that. It can be a hit or miss on the vibe, but I always leave feeling satisfied after a good time any day of the week.

    (5)

  • Alexis D.

    First of all, I love Hamilton's, but, the Cafe next door, isn't that great. I've had their veggie burger twice already and both times the patty has been too crispy, hard around the edges and not that tasty. The fries are OK, but they always add way too much salt. Yuck! The burger itself is big, especially the patty, and the vegetables are great. I'm just really disappointed at the veggie patty. Honestly, not much more to say about it since you only walk up in there to order and go back next door to drink up. Oh yeah, they take a long time to cook your meal. It takes forever for it to come out. I've gone on a really slow day and it still took about fifteen minutes, or more. Man, this sucks. This review sounds more like two stars. To be continued......

    (3)

  • Adam O.

    I go to bars for one thing - a good craft beer selection. Hamilton's is, by this metric, as five-star bar. It can be crowded, but that's not something I downgrade for. What? Like I am the only person in SD who likes craft beers? The Hamilton's secret is out. Ask about the back-story on the name if you go, it's a cool piece of South Park history/trivia. Cheers!

    (5)

  • K P.

    Wow soooooooo much beer to choose from! Where do I even begin? If you're like me and you like pubs, this is a cool spot. Dark, dingy, tons of people having a great time...winner in my book! Great neighborhood joint that also serves food. My friends really liked their sandwiches but I have no idea how they tasted. They sure looked yummy though. I had a Karl Strauss something stout for about $6.50. Standard prices for good beer. =) The service was awesome too!

    (4)

  • C M.

    South Park's dog-friendly, dark, craft beer destination. Come for the great tap selection, stay for the grilled cheese and French fries, leave with a lumberjack. Between the canine friends lounging on the floor, the facial hair of the male patrons and the arm-pits of a selection of the female customers, I dub Hamilton's, "San Diego's Hairiest Bar". It does also earn the title of one of the city's best bars as well. This venue is just cool. When you enter through the old screen door into the darkness, for as crowded as it is, you feel like you've just discovered a secret. A local dive bar lost to time. You are not accosted with the deliberate design and structure you find at Craft & Commerce or the Neighborhood; no. Everything here happened accidentally and just happened to work. It's not DisneyWorld, it's old-world Europe; it's a random success, not a manufactured one. Try not to step on any tails as you make your way to the back window where food is ordered. You've heard of the grilled cheese here from others and you've heard of it for good reason. Yum. The fries -- potato perfection. Now walk past the shuffle board table and grab a high top or a seat at the bar. Look around at the flannel. This is real flannel -- lumberjack flannel, not Urban Outfitters flannel. That guy with the checkered weave didn't pick that up last weekend because it was, "cool". No, his grandmother bought him that in 1994 and it's the last thing in his closet that was clean. Buy that man a beer. Make it a hoppy Pliny the Elder or tangy Delirium, because that man knows his beer. Like elsewhere in South Park, parking can be a challenge and do watch out for cops looking to rack up DUI busts (seriously don't drive after drinking). Visit, eat, drink and be merry. Then go forth and share your secret.

    (5)

  • Lulu D.

    Short and sweet: Best burger I've ever had, hands down. I had "The Stoner" which had creative ingredients to seduce your palette with sweet, spicy and savory flavors (raspberry preserves!). Fries were quite good, but the burger stole the show. My lady pal ordered "the Fancypants" which was a mouthwatering brie grilled cheese. The service was friendly and the waitress even hooked me up with some of their eye-watering "Deer Hunter" sauce, which did indeed kick me in the balls spice-wise. Love this little hole in the wall. Next time I'll have to try the beer too..

    (5)

  • Ramona H.

    I think that you have to be a HUGE craft beer fan in order to come here. I felt a little judged for not realizing they only sell certain types of beer and while the bartenders let me sample a few, they seemed a bit put out by the whole process. If I knew more about beer maybe I would have enjoyed myself more. This place was jam packed with people. The crowd seemed to be mostly 20 something hipsters plus a few old timey regulars. I bet it'd be a fun dive bar sort of place in the afternoon and early evening but it was so cramped and so loud I couldn't even concentrate on figuring out which beer to order. Maybe the food is the missing link? I'll have to give it another go next time I visit.

    (3)

  • Jessica L.

    This is my first yelp review and in honor of that I had to review my favorite place in San Diego. I constantly rave about this place and its time I gave it some yelp love. They have an amazing craft beer selection at great prices (~ $5/pint). The lineup is always changing, so you always get to try new beers. The bar tenders are super nice also, if you are having trouble deciding or you could just drink multiple pints :). I absolutely love nacho cheese or anything like it and the best one ever is here. You MUST try the jalpeno beer cheese soup with fries, you will be very happy. 2nd Saturday features a different brewery each month with 3.50 pints and free food. I haven't been to this in awhile because it gets super crowded and there is generally a line waiting outside. For dessert, they have had chocolate stout brownies that are chocolately goodness. Overall I really do love this place and always have a great time here. So if you love great beer and a bar with character, you should definitely come here. The only downfall of this place is that it is so amazing and quite popular making it difficult to get a table and you should cherish it if you do get one.

    (5)

  • Kevin K.

    By far my favorite neighborhood bar in San Diego. They have a large beer selection, but if you're looking for anything harder, you're best off going elsewhere. Food is excellent. Atmosphere is usually pretty chill. It can get super packed on Friday and Saturday nights. The bar is dog friendly, which I enjoy, but if you're not a fan of dogs, you may want to head elsewhere. They've got a couple of decent pool tables and a shuffleboard table, but it's slightly tilted :(

    (5)

  • vince t.

    Would it be weird if I said I felt more of a man after walking in here? Cause I did. Not to say this bar is a sausage house, it's just so much man, I think my mustache grew after I went here. If The Most Interesting Man in the World actually drank good beer, he would go here.

    (5)

  • Maureen C.

    Great beer selection, helpful bartenders, schuffleboard!, good "neighborhood bar" atmosphere, decent prices, great music - So, yes, 4 stars for you! Only bummer: website listed some good-lookin' food, and I didn't realize that you have to go next door to this totally crummy looking place and neglect the cool tavern just to get some food in your belly. Some pretzels, crackers, anything! would be nice at the bar.............. If you're blown away by the selections, the bartenders are happy to help you make a selection and even a few samples to help you decide on your poison. Oh, and thanks for putting up the "type" of beer next to the listings - that does help a lot :-) Happy hour was while we were there (~6:30pm on a Friday) which was $1 off local beers and $0.50 off anything else). Crowd is a cool group - from mid-20's to young 40's, loud, but not rowdy, and all there to have a good time (vs. flaunting themselves and demanding attention like other places)

    (4)

  • Corey H.

    Pliny the Elder, oh how I love thee. But I love an old juke better and Hamilton's has yet to ditch it for one of those crappy money eating digital ones. Sure, they've got every song in the world but if I owned a bar I wouldn't want anyone being able to play crap music. Just cause you have good taste in bars doesn't mean you have good taste in music. So yeah, good tunes are in the juke. And that's enough for me today.

    (4)

  • Lauren L.

    Killer draft beer list, even more for the bottles..... one of the nicest owners out there... he is behind the bar, making sure everyone feels like home, no matter how busy and how crazy this place get.... The food is probably not 5 stars worthy, but the atmosphere makes up for it....

    (5)

  • Kipper S.

    The loss of the french farm house grilled cheese loses this establishment a star. R.I.P. Best grilled cheese sandwich in town, you will be missed.

    (4)

  • Isaac R.

    It is always crowded on the weekend. That's about the only negative thing I have to say about this place. I don't care much for beer but I can usually find something I can enjoy here because if the great selection. Always a lively atmosphere and I always have a good time here with friends or on a date.

    (4)

  • Elvis P.

    For starters....this place is an amazing bar, great locale,most excellent staff and owner! A verry impressive beer selection to say the least and always something new and unusual to try. If not for the fact that the place gets so uncomfortably loud and packed its next to impossible to get a beer, this place would be a 5-star. I personally prefer O'briens in Clairemont-less hipster DBs, not nearly as packed and an equally eclectic beer selection without having to put up with bromance conversation and the nuts-to-butts crowding. Try elsewhere -----Plenty of other beer joints in SD that you can order up awesome beer and less hipster DBs.

    (2)

  • Jenny B.

    Came here with some friends on a Wednesday night, and we were all surprised to see this place so packed! I came here to try a few of their popular items on the menu... - "west coast" grilled cheese-- It's melted cheddar cheese, avocado, bacon, and pickles. Pickles? Didn't care for pickles so I picked them all out! I was quite disappointed... The portion is generous, also served with fries, but the sandwich itself was alright, sadly something I could have made better at home. - baja dogs-- winner of the night! You get two for 6bucks and one could easily inhale the two dogs because they are so yummy! -tater tots-- tasty and had a very nice crisp! -hush puppies-- the raspberry chipotle sauce that comes with these babies make this very tasty. Last but not least... -organic strawberry beer-- for 9.75, they give you a a big bottle (a pint) of this delicious beer! As someone who does not care much for beer, this one I enjoyed! Maybe because it tasted like strawberry soda, but nonetheless, it was very good and hey, it's organic! Overall, my time here was decent. It's a small, chill tavern that serves a variety of beers and decent food. There's also pool tables and shuffleboard to enjoy!

    (3)

  • Madeleine R.

    I'm a picky beer drinker (I'm actually picky about a lot of things, which you could probably gather if you've read my other reviews), but Hamilton's satisfies my taste buds every time I go in there. If playing around with their diverse beer selection and nibbling on the yummy pub grub isn't enough to keep you entertained, perhaps the shuffleboard or pool tables will tickle your fancy. I should mention that it does gets fairly crowded late in the evenings and it is loud, so it's not really a place to go to have an intimate conversation; it's more of a place to go to have a few beers with your friends, smile, and maybe even make some new friends.

    (4)

  • Tami C.

    Love that this bar is dog friendly! Cozy pub style bar with good cider. Dog frendly!! - Tamara Cross

    (4)

  • Shannon P.

    Best beer selection in town, awesome grilled cheese sandwiches as well. The only downside is that on peak nights, you won't be able to sit down or partake in the pool or shuffleboard unless you wait a long time. Go during the week and you'll have a blast!

    (5)

  • Christie M.

    i've just got to say that i really do like this place. sam is my new fav bartender. good beer suggestions. great service. friendly bar talk. and he even gave me props for not punching the drunk birthday boy in the face. lol... [not that i would punch anyone in the face, although apparently i look like i'm capable of it ? ] still a good crowd. and i even got my ring back after leaving it behind on a random table! i would've been really sad if i had lost it, but i guess that's not something i have to worry about. once again, good people. =) Addendum: my beer of the night. the nautical nut brown PS. Justin and Angel. *thumbs up*

    (5)

  • Heather W.

    This place has some funkity funk. Ordering food through a corner window no larger than the size of a breadbox was a new experience for me. You get one of those beeper things, they buzz you, you go back to the window and get your food. Good luck finding seats (luckily we scored some good ones). We went with a cheeseburger, the Fancy Pants Grilled Cheese sandwich and the hush puppies. All were very good. While the cheeseburger isn't quite on par with those at the Water Front, and they forgot my tomatoes AND my pickles, it was quite tasty. Could've been because we were starving! The grilled cheese was tasty, however, there was more bread than stuffing. A little too much bread...the hush puppies with that raspberry dipping sauce were awesome. They serve beer and wine, and actually had a good selection of a few wines. I had a couple glasses of the Pinot then move on to a cider-good stuff. A little sweet, but good stuff. And 3 songs for a $1 on the jukebox! You can't pass that up... One of the best deals in town! I give this place five stars for overall experience. It was crowded, loud and the food was good, but not absolutely stellar. Service can make or break a place for me, and the service was with a smile here. I loved the woman at the back window. Personable and she was handling this crowd like nobody's business. I'd definitely go back and next time bring a camera with me so I can get pictures of the ceiling. Trust me. You'll want a picture too.

    (5)

  • Patricia G.

    Came here with a friend of mine on a visit to SD and ME-OH-MY, I will go back until I've had EVERY burger on their menu!! You just can't go wrong here. On TOP of that, the beer selection (tap and bottle) may have made me drool a little - I can't be sure because I don't remember how long my mouth was hanging open! Love it! I will see you again real soon Hamilton's!

    (5)

  • Jess K.

    So many beers so little time... Love this place! They have over 50 different beers on tap and they'll allow you to sample as many as you want. It's small and kind of crowded but the people are friendly, mostly because they're locals. I had the privilege of eating their tater tots with cheese dip-- YUMM. I hear they have great burgers but I didn't get a chance to eat one-- next time. ;) Come have a beer (let me know when you do so that I'll join ya! lol)

    (4)

  • Carlo M.

    Best food for beer or any reason

    (5)

  • Robert F.

    As far as a cozy local neighborhood joint who is serious about quality beer and where food is not an after thought, this is place is a staple. It gives a nice selection of the many local brews in SD that are quite good. Take your orders for MadDog 20/20s and MGD 64s into PB if that bothers you. When I drink, and pretty much any other time I am awake, I crave pulled pork, grilled cheese, and french fries. They do it all here. If you are vegetarian, they have a burger called Cattle Decapitation, which I am sure makes you lick your vegan lips.

    (5)

  • Nicole C.

    Reviewing a beer bar as a person who's not into beer is like reviewing a seafood place when you fucking hate fish. Both of these situations pertain to me, and thus, I am not a viable source of information on the quality of the product that either of these establishments produce. However, here are the facts that I am able to state: - Pushing through a beer bar crowd that is for SURE over its fire department occupancy limit is just asking for a bath in several of the 900 different beers they offer. When I finally made it to the bathroom I not only had a new phobia (death by beer snob stampede in the event of a fire), but I had acquired an interesting new scent: Eau de Fixed Gear. - Let me reiterate. The hipster : neophyte ratio is out of control. THE PLAIIID YOU GUYS. IT'S EVERYYYWHHERRRRRE - Apparently they have phenomenal food? I haven't indulged. But I will. Soon. To a fatty, good food trumps clientèle any day. - MORE SEATING PLEASE. MY LEGS CAN'T HOLD UP THIS FAT ASS ALL NIGHT. - I like that you can bring your dogs in, cause I love me some hound dog, but I have to remind myself to take a Claritin or your pup's gonna get a snot bath all over its cute little face. Enjoy cleaning that up. - Dig the oldies music. Dig it. Yeah, that's it. I feel like I'm in rating purgatory, so I will judge it as such. Three stars, Hamilton's. Three stars.

    (3)

  • Jessica N.

    I thought I was going to be so sad when this place went from Sparky's to Hamilton's. I was happily mistaken. The beer chalk board is a little more informative than the wall at Toronados, so I don't feel like I'm drinking with a dartboard.The bar keeps are happy to let you taste as well if you are not sure. A beer lover will be interested in a stop in here. Not only does this South Park Bar have a great atmosphere, but they have some beer you can't find everywhere, LIKE Session Beer. Can get a little busy but I love to meet up here with friends in from out of town. The later, the better, if you don't like waiting at the bar. Flat Screen TVs usually have a movie going. If your hungry they have kitchen too, burgers so good! the booths are a better bet, beware of pool players if you are sitting near them... If you tank up on beer and get the munchies on you're way out there is a Mexican place next door which will help you sober up on your walk home.

    (4)

  • Kristine J.

    Amazing selection of draft and bottled beers. Prices are very reasonable, most places jack up the prices for Imperials and IPAs but across the board is $4-6. Go early because it gets packed almost every night of the week.

    (5)

  • Sami S.

    Momma's found herself a new home! How on god's great earth have I never been here before? Let's break this down to the good... 1. Dogs allowed - I got to play with a puppy. Check. 2. How many beers on tap? Like 25 - Check. 3. 2 fully stocked coolers of amazeballs beers like Delirium - Check. 4. SHUF!! WHA WHA WAHH Shuffleboard rules. Check. 5. Check out the menu! The food is awesomely disgusting. And I mean that in the best way possible. I hope they have a defibrillator room in the back because I ate my weight in Cheese. CHECK!! We had a few things on the menu - wings done right, Grilled cheese to make you cream your pants and some sort of bad ass cheese "soup" dipping sauce. The man ate the pulled pork..he said it was good. A new home away from home...JUST what I've been looking for and just the type of bar I would open if so inclined. I be in loooove!

    (5)

  • Max V.

    665 reviews? Ummmm okay, I ll keep mine short cus I know itll get lost. Been here a few times but have only check in once. What's that? Yes :/ Im a terrible checker inner for those regular yelpers. Anyways, Hamilton's has fantastic biers, great grub food (seriously) and comfortable, REAL pub, atmosphere. :)

    (4)

  • Fuller M.

    Handsome Hammy's

    (5)

  • Denis S.

    This is a great bar with a huge beer selection, fairly inexpensive, and a really cool atmopshere. I think it also allows pets (since I saw about 4 dogs while I was there).

    (4)

  • Kellie H.

    How can you not love Hamilton's? With an outrageous beer selection and fantastic chicken wings, Hamilton's is one of my absolute all time favorites. Customer service is outstanding even during San Diego Beer Week! A definite 'must stop by' in the Sourth Park area!

    (5)

  • Mrs. S.

    Have you been to Hamiltons for their amazing grilled cheese sandwiches and tater tots? You haven't been? You need to go. And then you need to go to the gym. But that's ok, that's why we have the gym. I've never gotten beyond the west coast grilled cheese sandwich with pickles, avocado and tomato in addition to the sharp cheddar cheese on amazing rosemary sourdough bread, because it's so good, there's no reason to try anything else. I think a good sandwich always starts with the bread, and then you move onto quality ingredients, which is what you'll find at Hamiltons. I think stoners must have made this menu, because it's that good. When you're eating this sandwich, you are on a food high. So good. Friends have tried other options and they tell me they're just ok, and I tell them it's their fault for not ordering the west coast grilled cheese sandwich. One person ordered a classic and thought it was lame... your fault. Another friend ordered the fancypants and thought it was too sweet... it does say on the menu that it's a sandwich with honey! I have brought friends here who loved it and moved away, and now they send me messages that they miss Hamilton's grilled cheese sandwiches, specifically... they miss the west coast sandwich, no joke! They shouldn't have moved away (I'm just saying). So this is totally a local tavern with loud music and bar stools. You order food at a little counter in the back (and on occasion, at the bar). A lot of times it's crowded, but that west coast grilled cheese is so worth it. They always have cider on tap, which my husband and I love... and I know my husband really likes their wimpy's revenge grilled cheese. Very casual, fun, loud place - we know why we're there... I hope that sandwich never leaves the menu.

    (5)

  • Jackie F.

    Pro: HUGE selection on tap and bottle, crazy good cafe on the side window, fun and games, good crowd. Con: order food by the side window, parking hell, random police rive by. Dirty bathroom. First thing first - Firestorm anni casketed for 18 years and mixed with Bourbon. Not many place in SD carry this special craft beer from Paso Robles. For $50 dollars, this is probably the best thing you can get for beer junkies. I typically stick with lighter beer, but this was just absolutely amazing. Food - you have to order the potato burger special, this is basically the best drunk/stoner food available to mankind. FYI - there are hipsters lurking the in the corner.

    (5)

  • Brian D.

    Stopped here twice in my last trip to SD a week ago as my friend and wife moved to South Park. Awesome beer selection to say the least! Pliny the Elder on tap! Hop sausage was excellent, hush puppies darn good too as were the chili cheese chips. They have a special Fried Chicken dinner thing on Monday night which smelled decent but we wanted hop sausages and they said they were out and tried to push the chicken so got apps instead. Nice folks and a nice neighborhood. I plan to return.

    (4)

  • Rochelle R.

    My sister visited this place with her friend and said I should check it out because they actually let dogs inside. Really? I had to see for myself. The mister head out to Hamilton's Tavern. Another cool discovery. Hamilton's is located in South Park/Golden Hill which is another awesome neighborhood with eateries and pubs. It is a little more sleepier than Normal Heights, but still just as charming. We walk into the bar and it was a typical dark divey bar with shuffleboard and tv's showing various sports games. The crowd was mixed, but it looked more like chillaxed locals kickin' it and having a brewski. There were two dogs inside, one of them was a cute pitbull who was very friendly sniffin' on peeps as they walked by. Why don't they have a place like this in LA? You'd think they'd have one in at least Playa Vista with all the dogs in that complex. They had a good beer selection and some bar food offerings, but we didn't stay. We just wanted to check out the vibe of the place. I will definitely come back and hang out when I come back to SD.

    (4)

  • Alely W.

    I love this place! Great beer selection goes without saying. There's an adjacent kitchen where you order the greatest pub food ever. They even have vegetarian Baja dogs. Speaking of dogs, they allow well-mannered canines inside. I think this place loves me almost as much as I love them. It is crowded pretty much every night. Pain in the ass to get a drink during the crowed times. Worth every drop.

    (5)

  • Taylor C.

    Fantastic selection of beer at a good price.

    (5)

  • Barney B.

    the one thing that sucks about this place is that I don't live in South Park. I would live here if I did. And while it's only a quick car ride there, it could be a long car ride home (in the back of a police cruiser) because i wouldn't be able to stop at one of their fine taps. anyone know a good cab company for speed dial??

    (5)

  • Elizabeth F.

    Hamilton's is amazing. I could go on and on about each and every thing I love about this place. But I'll keep it simple. Here are the things that keep me coming back: 1.) First and foremost, beer. The beer selection is out of control here. They always have something new and delicious on tap. And what's even better, the bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable and are great about finding exactly what beer you're in the mood for. I also love that they have Hitachino in a bottle! 2.) That brings me to the staff. Honestly, they tie for first along with the beer selection. They always give friendly service, and they really make it feel like you're walking into your friend's place. I love feeling welcomed back!! 3.) OMG BURGERZ!! Their menu is huge. Everything I've tasted is delicious. My favorite is the American burger, no onion, add bacon. Get a little side of the beer cheese soup to dip your pub chips in, and you'll be in heaven. Also, wing specials on Monday nights. YES PLZ. 4.) I can bring my dog! Since Hammy's is walking distance away, my dog Winston and I can walk on over and hang out together. The weekends aren't the best time to bring your pup, though, as it can be a little crowded. 5.) Shuffleboard. Yes, that's right. SHUFFLEBOARD. Pure awesomeness. And those are just a few of the reasons that Hamilton's will forever be one of my favorite places on earth.

    (5)

  • Mark W.

    What's not to,like about Hamiltons. Lots of great beer on tap, fantastic jukebox, and the Jamilton burger is unbelievable.

    (5)

  • Micah M.

    My wife and I went to Hamilton for a friends engagement party last night. The night started out ok, we both got a beer and were hanging out by the pool tables . It was very crowded and there was no place to sit. My wife had a beer in one hand and a water in the other with no place to put them. She had to move her purse out of the way so she set her beer down on the edge of the pool table and moved her purse. There was a Hamilton's bar back that came over and said "don't put you drink on the table". We said ok and continued on hanging out with our friends. Then a little later someone asked if my wife could move her jacket over, so she set her beer on the edge of the pool table to move the jacket. The same Hamilton person snuck up behind her and took her full Cask beer and proceeded towards the bar. I saw what happened and intercepted him on the way to the bar. I asked him if I could hold on to the beer for her and that she had to put the beer down because her hands were full. He said I already told her once and he then threw the beer out. I went to the bar and saw this same person go behind the bar and speak with one of the bar tenders and start looking at me as they were talking. I called the bar tender over and told him what had happened and asked if I could speak with a manager. The Bar tender said that there was no managers on staff at that point. He then told me that "his bus person said he had told her three times not to put the beer on the pool table and he has to go with what his bus person says". (the bus person asked only once) I said that we would appreciate it if they would give us another beer to replace the beer that had been thrown out. The bar tender said he wasn't going to give me a free beer. I asked if I could have the name of a manager I could talk with about this and he said he was the manager. I then asked for his name and he said "I'm not giving you my name." I told him that they have very poor customer service and they will not be getting any more of our money.

    (1)

  • Jen S.

    I came here with a few other Yelpers to grab a few drinks and some dinner. This placed gets very busy and it's a pretty cool laid back crowd. Just be sure to stay away from the pool tables because they take their game very seriously. I had the capresse sandwich, minus the bread. No extra carbs for me with all the beer I was enjoying. I was really impressed with the quality of food. You know it being a bar and all. I snuck a few fries from someone else and they were good and had a hint of garlic. Beer selection was a little over whelming to me who is still a newbie to tall the fine brews. Good selection and there is something for everyone. I do however advise to stay away from the cheap wine. This is after all a beer place.

    (4)

  • Mignon C.

    Came here tonight with some friends. Some people have mentioned that the neighborhood or ambiance wasn't to their taste. O.K. in the dark I definitely was glad I wasn't walking by myself in the neighborhood. In terms of the ambiance though, it's called Hamilton's *Tavern* ... seriously? What did you expect? Dress and suit? The beers are great, and the food is delicious. I feel for the amount/quality of food you get, a burger there is on par price-wise as a Red Robin burger, and tastes even better. Their fried mushrooms were yummy! And, if you're not a big beer person, like me, you'll love their cider called Wandering Aengus - veeery yummy. They do have games i.e. pool and such, which is very cool (although that's not why we showed up), but it is kind of small and crowded. I suppose the spacing is the only bad part, feels a bit crowded at times even if there's not a lot of people. Service, though, is great, and everyone there is friendly. Overall fantastic =)

    (4)

  • Jessica C.

    Ahh...this is one of those places that will make you feel warm and happy inside every time you go there. Hamilton's is already popular for their plentiful beer menu (know too though that they have wine as well), so in no particular order, these are some of OTHER the things i love about Hamilton's: 1. cozy 2. it feels like an English pub (but more current) -- complete with hard cider! 3. jukebox 4. friendly, unpretentious bartenders 5. Christmas lights on the ceiling year round 6. beer samples available upon request 7. shuffleboard, pool, foosball (especially great if you don't feel like making conversation!) 8. good food -- our grilled cheese came with avocado, tomato, and PICKLE! Delicious. Their fries are the "skins" kind...also delicious 9. DAILY happy hour -- my pint of NON domestic beer was only $3.50 10. cute bathroom with antique mirrors all over the walls. Definitely one of my favorite spots in San Diego.

    (5)

  • Aaron P.

    I love Hamilton's. Go there if you like: 1.) Excellent craft beer 2.) A casual, fun atmosphere 3.) Great beer prices and Free food (check the schedule) 4.) Hot girls Don't go there if you like: 1.) Bud, Miller, Coors or anything looking and tasting similar to urine 2.) Loud, thumping club music and guidos 3.) Expensive, overpriced food and drinks 4.) Jersey Shore type trash-whores This place really is great. The craft beer selection is amazing, the crowd and atmosphere is casual, fun and friendly. The bartenders are helpful and the decor is set up to make you realize you're in a beer-drinking place.

    (5)

  • Neal A.

    This is my favorite bar in SD hands down, and I almost didn't bother to write a review. Why you ask??? Because I obviously thought that the fine Yelpers of San Diego would have had it all covered. Amazingly, when I read the first page of reviews, I was sorely disappointed. HAMILTON'S IS FIRST AND FOREMOST A TAVERN!!!!! Hamilton's beer selection is awe inspiring, featuring 28 beers on tap, 2 cask beer taps and approximately 200 (yes, that number is correct) different bottles! They take immense pride an keeping the draft selection fresh and diverse (look at the ceiling next time your there), and they stock bottles of some of the most premium and hardest to find bottles of craft brew in the world. It seems that everyone writing reviews are writing about the food and the setting and the shuffleboard (which are all wonderful), but that's not what Hammies is about. HOW ABOUT ABOUT THE AMAZING BEER SELECTION PEOPLE??? HOW ABOUT THE FANTASTIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE BARTENDERS??? Come to Hamilton's to drink fantastic beer, to learn about beer and to have a great time in a cool setting in an awesome South Park neighborhood! Support our local business, they deserve it!

    (5)

  • Don H.

    When you get in, it's dark and there are dogs. That's the first thing I noticed. I'm not used to seeing dogs in bars, but if you like bars, and you like dogs, you should check this place out. The food was also damn good. I forgot what I got was called but I think it was a hash egg sandwich or some shit like that. It's got hashbrowns and a fried egg on it (surprise!), and it was awesome. Beer selection was really good too. Definitely a beer drinkers place, very classy stuff.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    Good lord this place was busy early on a Wednesday night! Arrived to meet a friend at 7pm and it was already chock full of beer and/or shuffle board lovers. I didn't partake this time, but the grilled cheesology that was going on in there definitely makes me want to come back to grub. I loved the ceiling lined with beer taps and christmas lights. The beer selection made me wish I knew more about beer. Honestly I kinda felt like a glass of wine but I would have felt pretty dumb ordering wine in a place with beer taps all over the place. One of those places where the relaxed and friendly vibe of the staff trickles down into the crowd. If only this was my neighborhood, it would be the perfect laid back neighborhood hole in the wall. (Especially because then I could have tasted more beers and just walked home...)

    (4)

  • Angela T.

    Fantastic. Good community bar with a menu of grilled cheese variants and tater tots. Great to hang out and meet friends.

    (5)

  • Erin B.

    Oh Hammies, how do I love thee? Your mushroom appetizers, pulled pork sandwich, and shuffleboard. Oh Hammies, how do I hate thee? You're utterly useless to me on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Soooo loud and so packed. Oh Hammies, you have an excellent variety of beer, and I still liked you.

    (4)

  • David H.

    This is a rad little gem that is worth more than every bar on Garnet put together. Let's focus on the main reasons you need to visit this place... 1. Beer The always-changing chalkboard behind the bar has a plethora of brews to get your lips on. I like that it has the alcohol percentage next to the beer, and of course they have the strawberry beer for the ladies. 2. Pool Table & Shuffle Board Bars get boring (unless the help happens to be a little hottie), so instead of getting shit-hammered and entertaining yourself, go play bar games! 3. Environment The ceiling is badass, they have a jukebox, and I always get doctor parking... just plan on standing if you get there late on a weekend. 4. Beer again Did I mention the awesome beer at this place!?!?!?

    (5)

  • Angela W.

    Great beer, awesome prices, good food! Got the beer special yesterday - Big Sky 2008 Olde Bluehair 10.5% ABV for $3.50. Awesome deal. Also got to try the Samuel Smith Organic Strawberry Beer for $5 - SO good. Also got the West Coast grilled cheese sandwich... really really toasted.. the roof of my mouth hates me today. Thrilled that the pup can come with while mama gets her drink on.

    (4)

  • Tamara L.

    Back home I used to go to a beer bar called PRL. They had world beers with their (most of the time) matching cups. I hadn't quite found a place like it until a friend took me here. Parking is usually nothing more than a short walk from where ever you find it on the street. Bouncer cards you and in you go. Right into the back of the, what seems like, 100 other people packed in there. Squeeze your way up to the bar and place your order. While you're waiting in line, you should definitely take advantage of the time to review the choices on the big blackboard on the wall behind the bar. If you have more than 1 person with you, send that person on a mission to find somewhere to sit, otherwise you're standing. I've been here both on Saturday nights, so it was pretty packed and we only had beers so I can't say anything about the food (yet). I'm making this my new favorite beer place.

    (4)

  • Julienne A.

    Great little neighborhood bar with lots and lots of beers from all over. First stumbled across this place via yelp while researching places to take my boyfriend to when he visits me. Being the big beer buff that he is, I thought that this place would hit the spot. Entering this place before 7pm on a weekend I was surprised to see how packed it already was. The bartenders weren't snobby or rude and were surprisingly quick and helpful as my boyfriend waited to order our drinks. Seating was very limited and we were reluctant to find a little table by the pool tables. Seeing two big dogs in the bar was pretty entertaining and refreshing. Finally a laid back bar with no frills but without skimping out on the good stuff, pleasing their customers. Definitely will want to watch some games here. Seems like it would be a place to have good times.

    (4)

  • Rick S.

    It was OK. For bar food it is great. If you had a couple drinks I can see it being great. It was a great community supporter. The organizational side of it when ordering a food is a mess. You must stay on top of it yourself. There is room to grow. But try it out.

    (3)

  • Lilu G.

    Nice to meet and chit chat w friends or a date :) just beer, food, ok service and u van bring ur doggie if he is well behaived and if its early in the day :)

    (4)

  • Zach D.

    You can't be a fan of beer and not give this place 5 stars. It's impossible. I tried to put 4 stars and immediately went into full body convulsions. The problem fixed itself after I added the additional star. If I were going to open a bar, I would use Hamilton's as a blueprint. The tap selection exceeds in both quality and quantity. Green Flash and I fell in love inside of Hamilton's. That's a true story. You'll like Hamilton's if: - You appreciate beer - You're a guy who's never waxed any part of his body - You dislike the Black Eyed Peas - You play shuffle board - Stingaree is your idea of a horrible evening - You wear flannel in the summer One slight downside: - A tad of a sausage-fest Hamilton's is about 11 miles and 180 degrees from Pacific Beach. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Marlene M.

    My boyfriend & I really really like this place A LOT. They have a GREAT beer selection for a decent price (just depends what you order), friendly staff, and chill atmosphere. The selection of beers on tap changes quit often, which I don't mind cause I get to try something new & different. They have bottled beer but make sure you ask the cost before ordering the bottle cause it could cost you, since some of those beers are pretty fancy :) The place is a little small and gets pretty crowded, but I don't mind waiting around sipping my beer waiting for a table or place at the bar to open up. The cafe has some pretty damn good hot wings & tots. I want to try their hamburgers & grilled cheese. I hear they are pretty tasty :)

    (5)

  • Berenice D.

    My buddy always told me to check this place out but of course....I was in a relationship and it came to that time in that you quit going out and then.....you are no longer allowed to drink. Asked me why I let that happen ? ha. I can be stupid. Fortunately my buddy came over and pretty much kidnapped me and took me to Hamilton's. What can I say... I had a marvelous time. The staff were super friendly. I loved the decor with all the beer tabs all over the roof. I loved they do not have a DJ. It is perfect to just go and chill. Lots of great beer. I had never tried [Aventinus]. I loved it. The beer is so great. They have a great selection of beer. Lots of beers I had never heard of. I loved the risk of trying something new. The environment is very friendly. I heard they also serve food. Next time I'll have a bite. I also thought the bathrooms were pretty funny. I could see myself pee in every direction. lol.

    (5)

  • Ben L.

    Soooo much beer! With such a wide array of beer selections, there is something for whatever your palette desires. For those that do not eat meat, the veg hot dogs are off the hook, and yes they have the meat variety. Love you dog as much as I do?? Bring em to Hamilton's, dog friendly bar, that was really cool. Throw on some Elliot Smith in the juke box and hustle someone on the pool tables. I'm definitely a fan of this place. The ultimate dive bar!

    (4)

  • Mark G.

    ORGANIC strawberry beer. MmMmM!!!! A++ The food itself is okay. I read a lot of raves about the grilled cheese. I tried it and to be honest it wasnt the best in the world. It tasted like something I can easily make at home. Nothing special at all. On the other hand the hot dogs wrapped with bacon are totally awesome! Beer selection here is off the chains. Everyone is friendly but the down part is that it gets pretty crowded. We went there on a Wednesday night and we couldn't even find seats. Super busy but the atmosphere, friendly service, and hotdogs make up for it.

    (4)

  • David G.

    Learn this phrase while ordering: "Surprise me." You won't be disappointed. Although the price may sting a little bit, the food is worth every penny....not to mention paired with some of the best damn brews available anywhere. Dont forget your dog...the fries make even a sober dog happy.

    (4)

  • W G.

    If you'd like to share a brewski with Tom Waits, Bob Dyan, Tom Petty, Squeeze, Bowie, Plimsoles, Elvis Costello, and The Boss, this place is for you. Upon first entering this intimate joint, I was surrounded by a lack of illumination and an excess of sound. Once my senses equilibrated, I found myself in a quaint little tavern with the best juke box ever! And that's not all that's good here... The beer selection is plentiful and varied - there was at least one something on the list for everyone in my group. The burgers were SO good, and the special on this day was hand made spicy sausage stuffed with crab meat. How decadent is that? There are also a lot of potato-based items on the menu, so you know I'll be back. I'd have to also comment that this place has one of the biggest tap handle collections I've ever seen, and they are displayed on the ceiling throughout the place. Too cool!

    (5)

  • Michelle H.

    I'm in love with the ceiling of this bar. Never mind the amazing beer selection. My eyes were glued to the strings of blue lights dancing between the sea of old taps. Watch out for the slight incline down to the pool tables. It'd be easy to trip and fall when your eyes are on the ceiling. We practically had the place to ourselves to start a great afternoon of day drinking. Who doesn't love that for a lazy afternoon? We capitalized both free games of pool on the pool tables while we polished off a few beers a piece. If they don't have anything you want on tap, and there are a lot of taps, there a handful of coolers that have all the bottles you could possibly want. There is a novel-sized list of all the beers if you can't make your way to the bar to see them all. The juke wasn't anything terrible, but it definitely veered to the older, but good, side of things. Who doesn't love a little "Elton fucking John?" Since it was earlier in the day, the TVs were tuned into Ellen. I can dig that while I drink a stout and proceed to sink the eight-ball into the wrong pocket. The only bummer was that the kitchen didn't open up until 4.30, which is dangerous when you start boozing on an empty stomach. The menu boasted a bunch of awesome grilled cheese combinations and pretty much any other kind of pub food you could possibly want. This is a solid bar. Dog friendly, too--at least earlier in the day. Now if only they had a patio out back.

    (5)

  • George W.

    I love this beer buffet. This local beer spot has every beer you could ever want. They even give you the alcohol content on the beer menu so you don't get too sloshed. Besides the beer the atmosphere is splendid. There are neighborhood dogs coming in to socialize. I even saw one that looked like the "Shaggy D.A." I wonder if he was working on a case? Although I did not see any of the dogs with beer in paws they all seemed to be having a great time. The shuffleboard table is another way to amuse oneself. My buddy and I took on all comers. Some of our opponents even tried sneaky bathroom break tricks but we crushed them all. I would recommend this place to all humans, dogs, and cats if you dare.

    (5)

  • Erik S.

    This place was packed and a ton of BEERS, I drank a habenero beer that was so bad i would rather a a band-aid ripped off my taint then drink it again. Im sure there are good beers but its so busy you can't ask the bar tender what beer is up your alley. Im sure they have good ones because there is like 600 beers in that place.

    (3)

  • Eva A.

    Pretty neat bar. When I got there on a Saturday night around midnight parking was pretty easy to find and there wasn't any sort of wait on going inside. The place is small and pretty tough to find a seat but ordering drinks wasn't a problem. The bartender was a pretty nice guy so that's always a plus to run into. From what I hear every week they switch out the beers on tap so that's pretty impressive and a fun concept to me. I wanted light drinks this night so I tried the Apple Cider, Pear Cider, and Organic Strawberries beers which were all delicious. I wouldn't mind coming here again and I plan on bringing a few friends along next time so they can experience Hamilton's. Cheers!

    (4)

  • Laurel T.

    Holyyyyyy cow! I had not eaten here in months. Last Saturday, CBC and I drove all over University Heights, North Park, South Park and Golden Hill before deciding on lunch here. We walked in the cafe entrance and were greeted by the smell of fried food which permeated our hair and clothes. We both took about 15 minutes looking at the menu. Their offerings include tons of unique grilled cheeses, burgers and other sandwiches, even sandwiches made with a potato patty! I settled on a grilled cheese on thick, toasted buttery rosemary bread. The sammy was filled with sharp cheddar, sliced beer marinated apples, thin slivers of red onions and crispy thick cut bacon. I got the salad on the side instead of the fries in attempt to cut a bit of the fat out. Salad was basic but very fresh and served with a delicious cilantro ranch dressing. Luckily for me, CBC got the burger and fries. There are more than enough fries to share! His burger was served on an airy ciabatta which he raved over. The french fries on the side were some of the best I have ever had. This was a perfect meal and for less than 20 bucks (for both of us), you can't beat it!

    (5)

  • Rachel J.

    Delicious beer and great greasy food. Yes, you do have to scout out a place to sit but some of the fun is sharing tables and meeting new people! Its dog friendly too! Everytime i walk into this bar i am instantly happy, i dont know if its the feeling of Christmas i get everytime i walk through the door or the shuffle board calling my name from the corner. GREAT GREAT BEER SELECTION! and nice staff to go along with it!

    (5)

  • Kim L.

    This review Is loooong overdue. Don't have much to say That hasn't been said So I guess I will pay Poet homage instead. This is a place You would keep to yourself. A friendly old face Tucked away on a shelf That fills you with comfort (Food, craft beers, and such) Without charging cover Without costing much The jukebox is lively The patrons, less so This place seems to thrive, see On taking things slow No frills, no pretension 'Cause who cares what "they" think This is where real people Come for a drink. Hamilton's is my favorite bar in San Diego. That is all.

    (5)

  • Lily T.

    I never liked beer too much before coming here, however the great selections at Hamilton's changed that. They have a ginourmous chalkboard with the different beers on tap for the night along with ABV percentages to warn you about what you're getting yourself into. You can also ask for samples apparently although I have never asked for any :( Very cool decor and jukebox make this an excellent place to enjoy great beer and great friends.

    (5)

  • Nicole H.

    Craft beer! Free food nights! Jukebox! Non-douchey bartenders! I don't think I need to say anything else.

    (4)

  • Danielle M.

    Awesome beer selection! Can get super crowded though on weekends!

    (4)

  • Kevin W.

    My favorite place in SD! Best beer list, best bartenders (Sam!) , best atmosphere, best crowd.....People who say this place is for beer snobs are the ones who come in asking for bud light or white wine spritzers.... FAIL!

    (5)

  • Arturo G.

    As always Good times! Took my Buddy here for is first time probably will not be his last, convinced him to try the Deer hunter wings. He of course tried to get me to catch the the bullet wing but joke on him! He got that sucker! Any who we both didn't want to leave LOVE this Place Build me a room up stairs!

    (5)

  • Blog S.

    Unbelievable. My previous review started by saying: "I think enough has been said about this venue, but I have to recommend the witchfyre burger if you are into a delightfully spicy burger. " Well, yesterday (1/12/11) I went in, expecting this delicious burger and when the food came, my pallet was met by a PRE-FORMED burger without the spice I had been craving. What happened to the hand crafted patty with all the good seasoning. I had to take one star away from this for that reason and hope that someone is listening and will go back to a proper burger so I can modify this review in the near future to omit this portion. The mediocrity of the burger was nicely offset by two delicious beers: - Fifty Fifty Old Conundrum barley wine - Big Sky Barrel Aged Belgian Strong (13% ABV) The Good: For my money, the crowd, decor, service and overall non-pretentious environment couldn't be better. You will not find graphic tee's, people taking shots, or any other riff-raff that feels like a bunch of adults at a high school party. A true beer pub without the stuffiness. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Erin W.

    Organic strawberry beer, a Pliny & most mouth watering burger in town! Very cool spot to hang out.

    (5)

  • Zack S.

    Love this place. Dark and cool on hot summer days. Beer list is fantastic and changing on a regular basis. This is a beer lover's bar - Belgians, IPA's, Strong Ales, plenty of rare bottles... The special events that Hamilton's periodically hosts are super fun. Good beer, good food, good crowd. My only complaint would be that some of the food is a bit too fatty/greasy. I rarely order the burgers for fear of an ensuing massive coronary. That is only issue keeping this review from 5 stars. Healthy eating alternatives may sound weird for a bar, but Hamiltons has everything else dialed.

    (4)

  • ikoi h.

    Dear Hamilton's, I understand that I live in middle of nowhere, but I must say, I am still *very* disgruntled at the distance I must travel to drink your offerings. That said, I'm thinking positive tonight- therefore, the long distance between your establishment and my house is probably saving my liver from a quick road to cirrhosis. Your selection makes me cry, because I am such an *utter* lightweight that I am unable to have more than 2 beers and be able to drive home legally when your establishment kicks me out. Therefore, your extensive and loving list of beers makes my heart swell and deflate at the same time. So many luscious choices! It's like the Highlander- "There can only be one!" - except in my case, it's two. *sigh* *cues Brokeback Mountain* Hamilton, I wish I could quit you. With much conflict and angst, Ikoi P.S. I'd like to try more of your menu selection if I remember to eat the next time I'm there. I promise, next time I drop by, I'll have din din with my drink drink. However, I found your Volcano wings to be... (tepid). :( I wish I could say my capsaicin tolerance was challenged, but it was left tapping its fingers on the table and shrugging. Maybe you were having an off day. I understand.

    (5)

  • Errynne B.

    I really like this place. It's that kind of bar where you can go and just sit with friends and talk, play pool or order food. It's not a super loud bar, so you can actually hear and understand what the person next to you is saying. The place itself is very charming. They had old beer taps hanging from the ceiling, which is fun to look at. Wood booth seating and wood bar kind of place. And... they actually have a Jukebox!! That's awesome. They have a very broad beer selection with specific information about each beer. The bartenders know about the beer and are willing to make recommendations and ask questions. They'll let you sample if you're unsure, but don't get greedy! The only thing that I don't like about this place is that there is a lot of stuff in a really small space. There isn't a lot of room to move around, especially when it's a Friday or Saturday night. Also, there is only 1 women's toilet, which is always a problem. I recommend it!!

    (4)

  • Linda S.

    Hamilton's is awesome! I don't like beers. I just don't have the palette nor have I taken the time to appreciate everything beer has to offer. So I asked the bartender what I should drink and he recommended the apple cider. It was really good! It was light and very easy for me to drink. I nursed that cider the whole night I was there. And I'm one cheap punk who never thought that I would be putting in dollar bills into the juke box to listen to music. What have you done to me?! I loved the music my friends and I selected and had a blast rocking out to "classic" rock with them! I had a great time with the great environment and awesome people.

    (5)

  • Rita B.

    Hamilton is amazing! Not just great and relatively cheap beer, but my dogs can hand out with us too... AWESOME!!

    (5)

  • Christa S.

    If you are a beer lover, Hamilton's Tavern is the place for you. I've heard about this place a number of times from my brother and sister-in-law, but hadn't been until last weekend. The beer selection is wide and varies depending on what they have available. This is a place to explore for new beers or savor something you just can't find most other places. And, the food was also quite delicious (coming from next door's Hamilton's Cafe). I had a hard time choosing and opted for the mothertrucker potato hammy with a side of pub chips (er, fries, for those who aren't down with British pub lingo) and have to say it was QUITE tasty. Filling, but not over filing and good flavor to both the hammy and the chips. Also, was definitely glad my brother suggested a side dipper bucket of the jalapeno beer cheese soup as it was a perfect addition to the chips. The atmosphere is friendly and while casual, it had a mix of attire for Saturday night patrons, including workout clothes to out clubbing-type attire. The music is LOUD, so don't plan to come here for deep conversations unless you don't plan to use your voice the next day. I can understand why this is a local favorite and would certainly add it to one of my SD favs as well.

    (4)

  • James C.

    Beer-only sausagefest loaded with greasers and yuppies in skinny jeans competing for craziest facial hair. I like staring at the English-style chalkboard that lists all the beers on tap including their price and % of alcohol. Using my superior math skills, after twenty minutes, I figure out which beer is the biggest bang for my buck, only to discover it is sold out, but not crossed-off the list. When it is packed, good luck trying to get a beer. No room at the bar to squeeze in and the bartenders are inattentive. Not lazy, just INATTENTIVE. They will inevitably serve the person who just walked-up over the person who has been standing there for fifteen minutes, regardless if you over-tip, so save your money.

    (1)

  • Brian C.

    We went to Hamilton's on 1/14 to watch the NFL playoffs. We got there right at 1:00 when they opened and got a table right in front the T.V. This was my first time to Hamilton's and I had always heard about there great selection of beers. Unfortunately on this day they were having a Firestone Walker special event and all of there tapped beers were from Firestone. With exception of Guinness and Ballast Point Sculpin. Which is fine but when I go to a bar (especially for the first time) I like to try different kinds of beers. Other than that everything was great and I'm sure I'll give Hamilton's"s other try sometime .

    (4)

  • April B.

    Heaven if you love beer! I'm not so much a beer drinker but I'm willing to try anything new. Came here during halloween weekend to celebrate a friends bday. We ordered the Baja Dogs: two perfectly grilled bacon wrapped hot dogs with pico de gallo and mustard [6/10] They were pretty good! I forgot what beer I ordered. But it was good too. Chill spot to sit back and drink. Don't expect to get super wasted since they don't serve hard lac [LAME]. We had to go down the street to pick up some to officially get the party started. It didn't help that the music was crappy either. It was putting me to sleep. But I would come back for just a chill night.

    (3)

  • Tony N.

    You know those Dos Equis commercials with the World's Most Interesting Man? The ones that usually end with him saying "I don't usually drink beer, but when I do ... I prefer Dos Equis." Well I don't usually drink beer, but when I do ... I prefer Hamilton's Tavern. The vibe here is more what I dig and not a lot of what I don't, even when it's packed to the gills. Bartenders who know beer, good people running the bar and generally good people drinking with you. They always seem to know which beer to fit whatever mood I'm in. Having the cafe next door also helps a lot for those extended stays, even though you're bound to leave smelling like greasy spoon more often than not. It also helps that the jukebox is one of the best in town covering everything from awesome Delta Blues to Punk to Classic Rock and everything in between. It's always a good $5 investment so long as there aren't 100 songs in front of you. I figure if I lived just a little closer, I'd be in here on a more regular basis.

    (4)

  • Jon R.

    Massive selection of mirco brews on tap. I've been to hami on several drunken nights and I'm sure they change the bar menu...........or maybe it was the bubbles in the suds. All in all its a good spot tucked away in south park.

    (5)

  • John B.

    This is going to be the easiest and shortest review ever. It's accurate too. GO TO HAMILTONS. WHY?? 1. They have the best beer selection in San Diego PERIOD. 2. The staff is cool and they are more than willing to give samples. 3. Three words - Dog friendly bar. 4. Great food coming through the window from next door. 5. it's not a "hip place". It's South Park, low key and fun. If you like beer, GO TO HAMILTONS. You can thank me later.

    (5)

  • Chris-tal P.

    Great beer. Our favorite is Pliny the Elder, which is usually on tap. They have almost 30 beers on tap, mostly local and west coast, and rotating weekly. Also, I think over a 100 bottled beers. Great juke box. How many juke boxes have Guided by Voices, Big Star, and Blur? Did I mention they have pool and shuffleboard? Although, I heard there is a couple that is impossible to beat and often embarrases their opponents. Great bartenders. Shout out to Sam and Matthew. Plus the food is great too. We recommend Wimpy's Revenge (BBQ pulled chicken sandwich). The Hamilton's Burger is great too (Big burger with bacon, avocado, and a BBQ Sauce). I might be biased though because I live next door. Let me put it this way. This place is so good that I have $100 allocated in my monthly budget just for Hamilton's.

    (5)

  • Scott R.

    Hamiltons has arguably the most accessible and reliable taplist in SD county, and is my favorite bar. The staff are the best around. Chris, Angel, Dennis, Sam and the entire gang are always awesome and very knowledgeable. Hell, they even went to Sierra Nevada (I think) to help brew one of their Beer Camp beers. Not to be out shined by the awesome beer selection, the food is top-notch. Standard fare here, but with a bit of a twist (Spicy Beer Cheese Soup anyone!!!), my favorite is the Rip Taylor sandwich. The atmosphere adds so much to this place. The lighting is perfect, and the tap handles hanging from the ceiling adds a very nice touch. The events held are amazing as well... Second Saturdays (featuring one brewery's beers and food pairings) and beer buses are only a couple highlights. Above all else, I think the most amazing part of Hamiltons is just the memories you will have of this place. Personally, it is embedded within me and my love of beer. I'll never forget coming here the hour that I turned 21 and having Dechuttes' "The Abyss" (the fourth highest-rated beer in the world at the time) and being completely blown away, meeting my future girlfriend here, the various Second Saturdays, and having a tap handle falling on my head and freaking out. Simply put, if you want to have a good time at a non-pretentious bar *coughToronadocough*, come here. A good time is guaranteed. Let it be said, I have no ill feeling towards Toronado, I just fell they're a bit... uppity. lol.

    (5)

  • Buffy S.

    How do I even start? Upon moving back to San Diego in 2007, I moved back to my old neighborhood of South Park. After being gone 5 years, boy has it changed. One place I never experienced as a kid growing up (obviously) was Hamilton's Tavern. I ended up moving down the street from this bar and figured - why not? It was a Tuesday around 6 PM and I walked in to find a giant, mopey boxer sprawled on the pool table. I knew immediately this place was for me. Since 2007, Hamiltons has blossomed into a full function, fried-sandwich-serving, AC-having metro San Diego icon. Typically this place is too packed now to have 75 lb dogs lying around, but you'll often see pups sitting obediently at the feet of their masters. Or in their laps. This place is obviously known for their incredible beer selection, which is constantly updated (follow them on Twitter for an up-to-the-minute tap list) and always varied. The bartenders are usually more than willing to give you a taste if you are unsure of a new beer, and the chalkboard beer menu includes the alcohol content of each beer, which is important when dealing with unfamiliar microbrews - you never know what you could be getting yourself into. The grilled cheese sandwiches are perfect beer food and the fries, though sometimes overseasoned, are just as good. The jukebox is killer and there are just enough flat screens to please sports junkies but not overwhelm those who'd rather chat it up with friends. Hamilton's is no longer a neighborhood secret. That may or may not be a good thing, but it's certainly a good thing for the good people who run a great bar.

    (5)

  • Julio P.

    "Festivus for the rest-of-us"...Hamilton's is the Festivus of bars... Everything you have heard about Hamilton's Tavern is true. The reason a place like Hamilton's is a treasure in a sea of cookie cutter, no personality, big chain bars a la Gordon Biersch is you really don't have to be Ashton Kutcher or Lindsay Lohan to feel at home there. Nothing against the big places, they just feel empty. The pros: The beer. It's an encyclopedia Britannica of beer. Light beers, dark beers, local beers, far-flung beers, they have em' all. My favorite is the infamous Russian Imperial Stout. At 12% alcohol, it packs a powerful punch. It has all the alcohol of a glass of Merlot but with the drinkability of a glass of cool ice water on a hot summer day. Put three of these tall boys away and you'll be in some dark corner in the fetal position in no time. The cons: It has kinda' become it's own scene. Not a bad scene at that but in recent years, you have to know the secret handshake to not feel like something the cat dragged in. It's easily avoided though if you wear last night's shirt/ trousers and refrain from washing your hair a couple of days to become one with the bar. All in all, I like looking like I am trying entirely too hard to look like I am not "trying" at all. I remember Sparky's and yes, I too was one of the hipster dufusses there that was too cool for school. Hamilton's has enough of the charm left over from Sparky's with a cleaner bathroom, bigger TVs and more of the good stuff, beer that is. I gottta' stop. It's Miller time!

    (5)

  • Diranasaur D.

    Brews are top notch and bartenders are fantastic! Food is great; I've had the Fancypants grilled cheese and the Ninja Witchfyre; both yummy! and ya gotta try the Fast nachos with jalapenos, your life will be forever altered (in a good way).

    (5)

  • kristy e.

    I don't know if it was the 2 beers I had (a delectable pilsner and pale ale) but the fries here tasted like the best fries I've ever had. I looked Joe with wonderment in my eyes and kept noshing, unbelieving that a bar could have such amazing fries. They came with the equally delicious cheese sandwich (Rosemary infused texas toast with cheese, tomato, pickle and avocado) and I was exclaiming to an amused Joe "This is amazing!" The guy next to me said, "the way you are eating that makes it look really good", lol...I guess I should tone it down? This place has a blackboard filled with beers that changes depending on what stock they have in. Joe is a beer snob, and he approves, so that means it's good. And by beer snob, he was able to look into the fridge holding a copious amount of bottles of beer and say that he had tasted most of them. (They also have a nice selection of beers on tap.) Beer snobs unite! There is a jukebox for musical ambiance, but you are depending on people you don't know to supply it, and you don't know what you will get. It's musical roulette, unless you have lots of $1 bills. :) The bartenders were really nice and helpful. Clean bathrooms. Pool tables. I would definitely go here again.

    (5)

  • Angela Y.

    Awesome beer selection. Love the decor and feel of the place. Delicious, delicious grilled cheese sandwiches... you HAVE to eat one! Always easy to find a parking spot, but might not be as easy to get a table. :(

    (4)

  • Jessica M.

    I have been here a bunch, but never had the food until last weekend. This is a great place to drink, hang out, play some shuffleboard, or watch a game. I am not a beer fan... and this is beer-lover's paradise... but I do like that Hamilton's is not too pretentious to have a small selection of wine so that I may accompany my beer-lovin' friends for a night out. Other beer-bars are not so kind. I also love that this place is dog-friendly, but on weekend nights, it is too crowded and loud for a pooch. Daytime is best if you are going to bring your dog. Hamilton's serves a great variety of burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and various tasty and fried pub food. I had a "potato patty." It was kinda like a latke in lieu of a burger... and it was fantastic! They have several varieties of all of their sandwiches... I had cheddar, BBQ sauce, and veggie bacon on my potato "burger." The fries were great! I am so sick of every restaurant jumping on the "super-skinny french fry" bandwagon... this was perfectly seasoned, medium-width, fried deliciousness. Sadly, my friend was disappointed in his grilled cheese. It was apparent that the kitchen did not time our order very well. While my sammy was hot, his grilled cheese was lukewarm... and we know what happens to melted cheese as it gets cold. Bummer. It would have been pretty tasty had it been hot.

    (4)

  • John S.

    Want to wash away your sorrows of the monotonous 75-and-sunny days in a dark cave? Yes, life in San Diego is tough, especially when you have dives like Hammy's that offer a huge array of local craft brews leaving you bewildered in the decision-making process. This place on the lower and quieter side of South Park is one of my favorites, offering a brilliant selection of IPAs that give us hop-heads twitches of anxiety. Service is always attentive and cordial; their knowledge of beers and willingness to help a key asset to their success. Another plus is the clientele, which tends to be less pretentious and more laid back than many other popular places in San Diego. 4.5 stars for Hamilton's - docked partially for the really cramped space. But with the thought of mouth-watering IPAs on draught, I'm rounding up. PS: I haven't tried the tavern snacks here, but I can recommend Alchemy for dinner next door.

    (5)

  • Nick T.

    I come here too often to not give it 5 stars. It has really grown on me and I love it here. Every other Saturday they have free food but you better get there early ! If not you're assed out on the free grub. My one and only gripe is that on weekends its pretty hard to find seating and the place is practically standing room only.

    (5)

  • Howeler G.

    In honor of this craft beer destination, I hereby will name my first production barley wine ale.............. Beards and Farts. Thank you.

    (4)

  • Tami B.

    How have I not reviewed Hamilton's yet? - Awesome beer selection - Really friendly people, no pretension. - Great food, especially for a bar. (Their grilled cheese and soup is delicious) - Parking is easy - Crowded in a good way - Awesome music Whether you're a fan of beer, or want to learn more, Hamilton's is rad. Start at the top of the beer list and see how far you can get. (I don't actually recommend this, you would probably die). Definitely bring a sober cab for a true night of enjoyment here.

    (5)

  • Esteban W.

    I love this place. Its that simple. Neighborhood bar in every sense of the word. The GOOD: amazing selection of beers, from the fancy to the manly and everything in between. The BAD: constantly packed (every time I go) the "cozy" feeling of drinking with 200 of your closest friends may put some people off. I on the other hand think its amazing. if you DONT like having a good time, being merry and drinking a good collection of adult beverages with close friends then go to Pacific Beach where you can try to make your blood alcohol level match the collective IQ of the average patron. If you have any sense of awesomness DO enjoy your next drink among some of the Finest, in America's Finest.

    (5)

  • Sally R.

    My first visit was on a Sunday afternoon and I very much enjoyed this place!!! It wasn't too crowded (eventually found a place to sit), the music (jukebox I think) was good, there was an interesting mix of people, and a ridiculous selection of beer on tap. They have some strange (to me anyhow) bottle beers too...I tried a banana bread beer!?!! The staff was friendly, fast, and helpful. The food looked good...definitely going back to try a burger sometime. I did not get to play shuffleboard (already taken when I arrived and stayed occupied the entire time I was there), but LOVE that they have a table!

    (4)

  • Lori N.

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE HAMMY's!! Hamilton's is pretty much the most amazing place for beer and food. I've heard they have good meat, but I am all about the potato burgers... my favorite is The Irish WitchFyre: potato patty with tons of peppers & delicious fries on the side! Also delicious: vegan chili, beer cheese soup, and the Stoner burger!! It's always crowded, so be prepared to stand or go there in the afternoon :D Oh and be prepared to try some intense beers! Look out for their special beer nights too!

    (5)

  • Trang D.

    Small bar, but there's a great atmosphere, EXCELLENT beer selection, and the jukebox in the corner has bands like Pearl Jam and Queen. Everyone was very friendly--my group and I even met some new friends here and we had a good time playing shuffle-board, which I am eerily good at (but will not be taking any challenges).

    (5)

  • Mick G.

    Every time I go to Hamilton's it is a good time. It goes beyond the great beer and great service. It is not just the atmosphere, the decor, the music, the people. It is how they all work in concert. One of the finest beer selections in San Diego. Comfortable and friendly, Hamiltons beckons with open arms and does not disappoint. It can be so crowded, but that is not their fault, it just means we need more places like this in more neighborhoods so that the enjoyment of such a fine business can be shared by even more people.

    (5)

  • Walter M.

    Beer, beer, beer. They have a huge selection of beer. Very cool vibe, almost too laid back. Most places that have this much beer tend to bring out brew snobs that know it all, drank it all and have an opinion of it all, but not here. This place has very cool regulars always looking for someone to share in the ambiance. It's a little small and can get very crowded.

    (5)

  • a c.

    I brought a friend from Laguna here a few weeks ago and I am pretty sure he is in Big L LOVE. This is the first time I have gotten the food here besides the wings, we got grill cheeses and chicken wings. Ok, so basically if heaven is a place whoever makes the grill cheese's at Hamilton's is either God or his right hand man/woman. I forget the name of the one I ordered, but it had bacon and avocado and tomato so basically it was off the chain delicious. I do however agree with Marky M. below, so crowded now adays, makes me sad.

    (5)

  • willis m.

    Anyone know where I can get beer soup through a literal hole in the wall? Oh, Hamilton's! I'm not even a huge beer drinker and I love this spot. It has shuffleboard and pool tables sure, but something sets it apart from your typical place. It's probably the fact that their beer selection is huge, whether on tap or in the bottle. The atmosphere is just right for a chill night, and the food, while it won't blow your socks off, is the perfect compliment to your beer of choice. If you're looking for a relaxing night and happen to be in in SP, I'd recommend Hamilton's. It has a great neighborhood feel, and the people are always very nice. Pretty hard to go wrong here...unless you're dying for a stiff drink.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    This is my second review, both have been 5 stars, mostly because i am happy to advertise my favorite places in San Diego. Hamiltons is my scene. It reminds me of a Chicago neighborhood bar. The best part is the many different types of people that go here. Its a very broad crowd. And everyone is there for good company and an amazing beer selection. They don't serve cocktails, which was a problem for one of my friends, so be aware of that. I honestly have tried the burgers that San Diego has to offer. I think that you can add Hamiltons into the discussion of top burger. I think it fits right up with the Rocky's, Hodads and Bergies(new spot).

    (5)

  • Alex G.

    I'm going to say this is one of the best bars and has some of the best bartenders and staff that I have ever seen. The bartender makes eye contact with you when you approach the bar and he walked straight to me. None of the wait and bs of other bars. These guys were funny, quick, and provided excellent service. The atmosphere was very laid back and cool. Shuffle board and pool - music, but not too loud. I like the taps hanging from the room - overall great vibe. Shot some pool with employees and they told me about there monthly events and I was sold - I will definitely come back after the phenomenal recommendation she gave. I just really liked this place - great beer selection, great people, great vibe. I will be back, but unfortunately I live wayyy too far from here.

    (5)

  • Rachel S.

    Can you say awesome? I've only heard of Hamilton's though friends who would mention it here and there, so naturally I wanted to check it out. The only thing that upsets me is the fact that I had not come here sooner! Fun, relaxed, cool feel, dog friendly, awesome beer selection, and friendly bartenders. Also, they brought around a huge tray of some of the best brownies I'd ever had in my life... for free! It was pretty packed, but that didn't bother us, service was still fast and the jukebox was amazing. Can't wait to come back here!

    (5)

  • Maria B.

    I have heard about this place for a while and finally visited this past Friday night. They had Hebrew on tap and as Jew I just had to go. The on tap beer selection is great. I even found a very hoppy beer that i enjoyed. They let you sample the beer before you commit to getting it, which is always nice when trying new things. The bar was pretty packed and there were dogs everywhere (which I like but was surprised by). Despite all the people by the bar it did not take long to get a drink and the bartender was very nice. The crowd is pretty young the decor is what I would expect and want from a bar that clearly cares about beer. Will be coming back and probably trying the food.

    (4)

  • Nicole N.

    Even though most of these yelpers have already said it, I must also publicly express my undying love for Hamilton's. I must admit, I am a late comer to this bar, and have not been a patron for long, but once I stepped inside and saw that massive selection of beer. I was hooked. I thought I found love with other beer bars in NP, and don't get me wrong I love some of those places too...but I'm afraid I might loose them one day to the changing face of North Park, and that would be heartbreaking. I NEED a stable relationship with my tavern, and Hamilton's is the marrying type...the others, I'm sorry to say, are just the dating type for me. Ok, seriously now, I didn't mean to make this out between a dual of NP and SP beer selections. : ) Hamilton's vibe, beer, food, AND location is awesome. Their beers are reasonably priced, and so is their food. They have veggie options for their burgers and hot dogs as well! All their burgers are amazing, and I especially love the chili cheese fries. OMG just thinking about it makes my taste buds quiver with excitement. I especially like how their beer selection is not only VAST, but it changes, so its not always the SAME large selection. On top of THAT, they have special days where they'll focus on one microbrewery and serve all/most of their different beers -not exclusively from SD either. That won my heart. I hate how some bars have a good selection, but they ONLY have the most popular brew from the non-local breweries. Thank you Hamilton's for being a part of my life. **on one knee** Will you marry me?

    (5)

  • Jacquie B.

    Yummy food, great warm pub atmosphere, Blackthorn Cider on tap - I'm a fan. I arrived on "Liars Club" night, and it was pretty packed, standing room only. But we were hungry and thirsty so we stayed and the sandwich we ordered was sooooo good. My friend and I decided to split it just cause we're watching our weight (and our wallets) and it was plenty of food for two. Probably not the healthiest grub but hey, it's pub grub. Just eat less of it! Oh, and they allow dogs - on a leash - but that is pretty cool. If my dog wasn't so socially retarded (first she pretends to like you then she snaps at you kind of thing) I'd bring her.

    (4)

  • Dave T.

    I'm going to say what hasn't already been said about this place.............................................­......................

    (3)

  • Darcy C.

    Mmmmm....craft beer. Need I say more. I'm always happy with my choices here and when a fat kid day is in order one of their grilled cheese sandwiches always fits the bill. I'm so happy to be within stumbling distance of this place:)

    (4)

  • Kristen M.

    Blind Tiger. Your preferred IPA on tap. Shuffleboard. DO IT. P.S. The staff were all super friendly and helpful.

    (5)

  • Bojan B.

    I used to love this place. Every time I go here I want to love it again. These days though, I can only like it. Its not the staff. The staff is great. I love the location as well. The food from next door is amazing. The beer....oh how I love the beer from here. Every time I go here they always have at least 3 beers I'm craving on tap and at least 10 in the fridge. I even love the fact that its a tavern. Not a bar or club...but a down to earth meet people and talk indoors pub. The one star it does lose is due to the crowds. Last 5 or 6 times I've been there it was just a little too crowded for comfort. I admit this is not their fault, just a sign of their increasing popularity, but it does have an effect on how I see it. I will still frequent it, just on off-nights.

    (4)

  • Barton F.

    I don't go to a lot of bars, and I'm not a big drinker. Therefore when I do go to bars, the key thing I'm looking for is atmosphere and how good the "bar food" is. Well Hamilton's knocks it out of the park in both areas. This is the epitome of a small neighborhood hip, but not snobbishly hipster local pub. This place is packed on weekends (they've gotta be breaking a fire code or something) but it's still a super fun environment. This place also has some of the best bar food I've ever had. They have really good Irish Nachos that have beer cheese on them and their grilled cheese sandwiches are totally awesome. Since I'm such a picky drinker, I also like all the tons of beers, ciders and ales they have on tap. They've got a couple of pool tables (one of which is free if you know the secret) and a shuffleboard. For those looking to meet chicks, there are a lot of chicks that come here, but don't expect to meet your typical blond PB style chick here. You're more likely to meet a black-haired tattooed chick who probably smokes. Good times for all.

    (5)

  • Jake V.

    I've been to Hamilton's several times. My most recent visit is my last. The reason isn't their beer list or food which have always been good. The reason I won't return is that I don't want to give my money to their staff. The entire group is lazy and rude and fail to understand that customers are important to a thriving business. My most recent experience was indicative of their standard of service. When ordering beers the bartender doesn't even say hello. Nothing. Not a big deal but also rather rude to barely acknowledge you patrons. The real issue came when I had to order food from the side window. On my first attempt nobody would come to the window to take my order. There were two people I could see in the kitchen cleaning but the apparently didn't see me or don't handle orders. I stepped away and returned to my group. A short while later I saw someone near the window so I again tried to place an order only to be met by a turned back. A young man was washing something in the sink. He clearly turned and saw me but did not acknowledge my presence. Giving him the opportunity to finish at the sink I waited. Still no acknowledgement. Then he walked past me and away. Too busy to help a customer I guess. As the Is was happening another employee pushes a pile of dirty dishes past me into the window. He also doesn't seem to realize that perhaps this customer would like to place an order. Clearly unconcerned about it he walked away. At this point I went to the bar and asked the bartender about food and got a brush off; the food was not his concern nor was making sure that a patron got what he came for. I was flabbergasted by the complete lack of care by everyone employed there. I then asked the bartender for my bill as I was now done with the bar. I left a note about the piss poor service in place of the tip. This got their attention. I was confronted by the rude, lazy, unconcerned bartender who basically blamed me for them not doing their jobs. He was as rude as I have ever seen for someone working in the service industry. Hamiltons apparently became "cool" at some point so now they have enough business where they don't have to try anymore. If I owned the place I would have fired every worker in the place that night. None of them deserve the jobs they have. There are plenty of good beer bars in San Diego. I encourage you to go to one who values their customers. Hamiltons does not.

    (1)

  • Dana M.

    At a bar, I'm happy to find vegetarian options, let alone find VEGAN options at a BEER bar, whaat?! What you ask? You can't mean what you're writing, right? Wrong! The decapitated cow (aka their Vegan burger) is a-maaazing. House made patty with a special sauce (nutritional yeast - vegan mayo - sriracha) and all the usual goodies on top. Their veggie tater tots are great too, although definitely not vegan. And don't forget their beer selection. One of the best in San Diego. Thank you, Hamilton's, for showing the world that both vegan and beer CAN be done, and done well.

    (4)

  • Bill B.

    Think of this as an East Coast, a little bit hipster, version of Cass St. from PB. Seating can be tough, so show up early if you really want to eat. It's a little cramped, but that's ok with me. Crowd is diverse, from people coming back from their co-rec leagues to kids with piercings, those with various levels of sexual preference. All are welcome at Hamilton's Tavern! Oh, you can bring your dog inside too, from what I saw, so that's a bonus. Beer selection is solid, as well is the menu. There are more than a few delicious looking burgers there, so I'll definitely be back. A solid experience off the PB grid for me.

    (4)

  • Zechariah D.

    This place is one of my top 3 favorite bars in San Diego. Great food. Great Beer. Only wish there was more space inside with how crowded it gets.

    (5)

  • Stuart H.

    Beer selecions are ample however you had better be in the mood for a sour or a ipa because thats 80% of their 30 taps. You should also consider eating before you vome. I ordered french fries of all things and they came way over cooked. If you have problems making fires you have problems with your food section.

    (3)

  • Drew W.

    been coming here for years. really cool dive feel. they have awesome selection of beer! they also have a small kitchen that sereves bar food. I like the garlic fries. it has grown in popularity so weekends are crazy busy. but its still a personal favorite. its a small place so if you don't get there fairly early your definitely standing!

    (5)

  • DeAnna R.

    I really do not understand all of the great reviews about the staff. All 3 of the male bartenders in the 3 hour period we sat at the bar last night were rude, inattentive and seemed totally bothered when we had to flag them down for more drinks. Seriously, if you have zero personality and don't like the public, why do you work in customer service??? It was obvious that it was a "locals only" bar. Well...I AM a local. I had never been in and now I guess I can understand why. I prefer atmospheres where the staff doesn't act disrespectful and annoyed about serving and getting to take your money. There are other places with cleaner bars and bathrooms with an extensive beer bar. The drinks were cheap but I'd gladly spend a few extra dollars to receive a little respect.

    (1)

  • Anton V.

    Great bar! Amazing beer selection. Pool tables and shuffle board! ~Anton Vialtsin, Criminal Defense and DUI attorney

    (5)

  • Tony C.

    i could be very wrong but i'm pretty sure hamilton's was the first bar in san diego that had a large selection of craft beer and imports. and in my opinion, it's still the best. there was a time when it was too busy here to really get a feel for the place but it's calmed down a bit. if you go when it's slow the bartenders usually don't have a problem giving you a taste of everything on tap until you find something you like. everything about hamilton's makes it a favorite for southpark and golden hill locals. they allow dogs. they're friendly. they have their own restaurant next door and you can even order food through a hip little hole in the wall. they'll put your meal on your bar tab if you like. they have pool tables. they take cards. they serve a huge selection of craft beer that isn't slanted towards one brewery and you're bound to discover something new every time you go. i love that it's set up like a traditional bar instead of shall remain nameless places that make you stand in line to order a beer. did i mention you can conveniently browse their current beer menu on their website? complete with alcohol percentages and brief descriptions. i love this bar.

    (5)

  • Shayne C.

    Confession: I'm no beer gal, but there are a few exceptions. Ok..maybe only one exception: Fruity tasting beer goodness FTW !!! Yes..there is such a thing !!! Glad I popped my fruity beer cherry this night ! Tried the organic strawberry flavored beer (see pic). Yup. Good stuff. Reminded me of strawberry soda w/ a slight buzz effect. :) Hamilton's gets 3.5 shay-approved stars !!! Pros: -Good selection of beers on tap and bottles for you beer connoisseurs or noobs like me. - Dog-friendly ! Ruff !! - Vegan/vegetarian food options - Sweet ! Tots were decent. I hear their entrees are pretty yummy as well ! May have to make a future visit. Cons: -Super packed for a Thursday night. I barely could hear myself speak. Get used to talking over people -One stall women restroom and damn the toilet was major clogged. err. No bueno. - It's a dive-bar what do you expect ?! No need to dress to impress. - Service is a hit or miss. Good luck flagging down the bartender. Would I return ? Depending on the day/time, perhaps. I only ventured out here for a farewell bash (We'll mishu Jaime) !!! All in all, Hamilton's gets a passing grade thanks to the strawberry beer being buzz-worthylicious ! Mmm...an ice cold one would be perfect in this SD heatwave ! CHEERS !!!

    (3)

  • John C.

    Hamilton's is normally a great place to chill out, but I had a surprising experience yesterday. A group of grungy twenty-something's came into the bar creating a show. They began shouting loudly, disrespectfully ordering around the waiters, belittling guests with racist comments, throwing pool sticks, and being completely belligerent/obnoxious. It was appalling and what was even more surprising is that the staff sat back and took it.. pretending like nothing was going on. The group was obviously high (I've seen enough junkies in action to know), but it's not an excuse and Hamilton's really isn't the hang out for it.. or at least I thought that. Most of the time Hamilton's is great.. with a diverse beer selection, pool tables, and shuffleboard. However, yesterday's experience left me seriously questioning the management and overall direction of the bar. Needless to say, I closed my tab and took my girlfriend out of there in anticipation of a blow up.

    (3)

  • Kristina D.

    This is my favorite neighborhood bar of all time. Wings? Check. Burgers? Check. Pliny on tap? Check. Pool, shuffleboard, jukebox? Check. If you're looking for good ambiance, good company, and something mellow, this is your place to be. Hammies has an awesome selection of local beers and the prices are awesomely cheap! Just be mindful of your walk home since it is a neighborhood. And try not to show up in a mini dress and high heels, this isn't a downtown club....

    (5)

  • Jonny G.

    What can I say about Hamilton's that hasn't already been said? Whenever I come back home, this is my first stop. Beer heaven. Hammy Hash. Deerhunter wings. Awesome staff. The bathroom is just the right amount of grungy. Eclectic crowds on most nights. The best place to chill and have a beer with a group of friends. Or come in alone, sit at the bar, and converse with the locals about the latest news on the Mars Rover, the impact that Philip Rivers' bolo tie has on the fabric of spacetime, or damn just about anything else. Hammy's rules.

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    This place is AWESOME! If you are looking for a local dive bar for some great beer selections and amazing food then this place is a must. My wife and I go here mostly for their grilled cheese sandwiches. You might think 'well I can make my own grill cheese sandwich at home'. Well you are right about that but you will never get the taste of their innovative sandwiches. They have this amazing one named the California Grilled Cheese (Avacado, tomatoes, pickles, cheese, rosemary bread). If you are looking for something with a little spice they have the Jalapeño Grilled Cheese (dont know if it is named that but it is real tasty!). As for the beers....they have over 50 beers on tap (well it seems that big). I love IPA and they have different ones that I have never tried before. My wife loves beer and she always finds a good one that she likes. The size of the bar is the only thing to complain about. It seems to be always busy and nowhere to sit. But it is a good thing they are busy...that means it is a great bar. They have pool tables and a shuffle board to enjoy while hanging out. If you have read up to this point...just schedule a time to go and try their food.

    (5)

  • Michael N.

    Love the tots and witchfyre burger with hot peppers in it. Staff are cool and don't mess up luckily. Don't forget to ask for tots as the normal side is thick cut fries. You can order from next door and eat there too. One table outside for dining. Beer cheese is really good with the tots so order some it's $1 extra.

    (4)

  • Denise K.

    Lots O Beers for your BB (beer belly, buddha belly - whatever you wanna call it). Decor - I liked the musty, low-light atmosphere with the beer tap handles hanging upside down from the ceiling. Dress - Very, very casual. What I liked best - there was a HUGE australian sheep dog sitting in the booth next to me. He would turn around and lick my back (?). Good thing I love dogs. Bring your dog here. There are water bowls towards the back near the restrooms and jukebox. Food - It's pretty damn delicious. I would go here a lot more often if it was closer to where I lived. The West Coast grilled cheese was amaze-balls! The Hamilton burger and the Potato Burger (forgot what they called it) with avocado, bacon, and chipotle sauce were also deeeelicious! Parking - ample on the street. Location - In the middle of a residential neighborhood. Odd. But surely, Hamilton's has raised the value of this area cuz it's freakin' cooL!

    (4)

  • Samantha W.

    Amazing beer selection, very busy almost every night, and pretty good grilled cheese. That's pretty much all you need to know about this place ;)

    (4)

  • Rubin K.

    Went here this past Saturday for the first time after trying to figure out a good place to take a couple friends that were visiting. I definitely didn't want to go to the mundane bro-yness of pb or the craziness of downtown but couldnt think of anything in SD that was just normal and chill. After debating about a few places, I just decided to yelp "bars san diego" and this little gem came up. I don't know why i didn't think of yelping earlier...stoops (short for stupid) Anywho, this place is awesome. the ceiling is filled with taps as decoration and there are 2 pool tables and a shuffle board to occupy your time. Beers are cheap about $5 for a pint on average. Such good deals! This isn't Coors Light either, this is really good stuff. The Russian River I had was awesome plus there was one right above it on the menu that was smoked and it was sooo bomb. The atmosphere is just really chill. Real people, no fronting...just people trying to have a good time. It does get crowded, so you may have to stand for a bit before someone leaves, but don't worry, it'll happen eventually. The other awkward part is if your seated in those stools next to the pool table, you may have to move around a bit for those a-holes to get their shot. I also saw that on Monday's they have $3.50 refills, so I'd definitely want to go back for that. Next time I have people visit, I think this will definitely be the spot to go to. This place along would make me want to move to this area...better than the austerity (you like that GRE word) of La Jolla. Definitely want to try the food here next time too.

    (5)

  • Dan F.

    After going to Monkey Paw and then finding out that the same owner ran Hamilton's , I new I had to try this place! Entering through the front security gate door and peering into this place I knew this was going to be a great place! Bar running across the front. giant chalk board with all the beers on tap, stools all around,a couple or pool tables, shuffle board and tap handles on the ceiling . A few TVs and the main one was playing shark week and the other two sports. At first I was why in the hell are they playing shark week on the main TV? Then I kept finding myself watching ! What the hell is wrong with me, HA! Great selection of beers , many SD brews on tap, and surprising only 1 monkey paw beer when I was here. After throwing back a couple of beers , decided to get some food. Really interesting menu here , if you can't find something to order here I don't want to know you. Finally went with the spicy hop sausage sandwich. There own handcrafted sausage with sweet peppers, onions, mushrooms, stone ground mustard ,hell yeah! I had to wipe my drool off the table! I went to the little window in the back wall , asked for the sandwich but they were out, CRAP! Ended up going with the Hamilton burger $9 bucks. Ended up being a great second choice ! 1/3 burger(seemed bigger) topped with bacon, sliced avocado, provolone , caramelized onions and then covered in a chipotle BBQ sauce!Sounds like a crazy mad science experiment but man so good !( yelp.com/biz_photos/zY6J… ) Patty cooked perfectly pink juicy center with just a little brown around the edges. Love finding small local places that kill it with there food ! The fries were great too, IN and Out style, fresh super crispy . One thing I wanted to try but didn't want to be a glutton was the Deer Hunter wings, Great name! They basically mix in one super hot wing in with the regular ones, had this at another place and it never gets old. Did go here on Saturday around 6 pm and wasn't really packed I was shocked, from reading the other reviews. If you like real bars , great food , with great beers selection, this is your place. Dive bar gold, I tell ya Gold !!!!!!!!!! ha cha cha cha......

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    I've been here numerous times and every time Hamilton's hasn't disappointed me. They have a vast selection of beer and a couple ciders on their menu. The tap handles on the ceiling are pretty awesome decor...but functional! We saw one of the bartenders go searching for a replacement tap handle for one of the current beers on tap that broke. The food is pretty decent. I had the vegan chili fries which were delicious. Everyone else had burgers and were raving about them. They also allow dogs, so the bf's puppy was happy that he could join in on the fun :)

    (4)

  • Ivan C.

    The fat bartender with glasses is such a dick to everyone. He provides rude obnoxious service and he makes you feel unwanted. I remember a couple months ago he was kicking everyone out of the bar in rudely manner an hour before close. I've never had an issue with any other bartender at this location. I love hamiltons and monkey paw, but this guy is sloppy and lazy and represents his employer terribly.

    (1)

  • Martin W.

    Tonight, November 22nd, was Green Flash Cask night but unfortunately they ran out of the Cask in about 2.5 seconds... But at least I got some of the clam and sausage soup and it was friggin awesome. When paired with Alesmith Nut Brown, this became an epic meal.

    (5)

  • Tom N.

    Love me some Hamilton's! Beers galore. And not just good beers... But great beers! You can be sure they'll have a wide selection as well as some rare brews on tap. Food is very well done pub food. The grilled cheese selection is awesome. Try the blind tiger!

    (5)

  • Sylvie K.

    My friend lives in the neighborhood so more often than not we end up at hamilton's by the end of the night/work day. Great place to have a cold beer, always a nice selection and good food!

    (5)

  • Mandy L.

    Hamilton's is a pretty cool pub, in a pretty cool area, but it can get pretty cramped on the weekends. There have an awesome selection of beers, lots of California crafts and even some food items. Pricing is competitive with the area. They offer pool and shuffle board, but if you're there on a busy day, chances are you won't be able to play because there are 10029384 people standing around next to the gaming areas. They seem to have some cool specials for gameday, but we haven't been for a football game yet. Street parking is available if you're going with your DD, but it's not plentiful.

    (4)

  • Stephen N.

    This is a bar's bar. It has character. And lots of it. It's dog friendly, which is huge for me since I have two large dogs that I take pretty much everywhere that allows it. In addition, their craft beer list is exceptional; beer lovers of all stripes are likely to find something they love. The bartenders are nice, and so is the kitchen staff. During my last visit, I was given some extra bacon with my burger so that my dogs could have a treat -- a nice gesture. Throw in the fact that this place seems to really draw a cool, mellow, mature, diverse clientele, and you have the recipe for a great bar.

    (5)

  • Lin G.

    I'm not saying there's anything wrong with having 100 kinds of beers to choose from. The problem is that these days, I don't really want to drink so much beer because I want to avoid feeling bloated. Walking in was like going from beautiful, sunny, pina colada with an umbrella kind of environment to a cold, dark, gloomy, New England brewery, maybe Irish pub-like sort of place. It's just so not me. That's why I moved to LA in the first place. To escape the dark and cold! This is definitely a guy's kind of bar. And I'm a girly girl. I feel like men come here to drink with their buddies, wearing jeans, jerseys and baseball caps. I came here in a bright pink bikini underneath a pink satin dress with random flowers in various shades of pink pinned all over my outfit. Talk about not fitting in... But the service was friendly enough and the beer that I had was decent. Though unless it's PBR, I generally can't tell the difference and don't much care. I got a nigori sake as well and it was pretty horrible. Not great quality and a tiny pour. So not the Japanese style. I guess that's what I get for trying to get something other than beer here.

    (3)

  • Casey L.

    In all honest, I like this bar, really. It is perfect for going with a few friends and having a few craft beers. However, their cafe deserves one star for service. They can be rude, they can be slow, and half the time they don't answer the phone for to-go orders. If I am going to pay $9.50 for a burger I would appreciate good service. Cafe staff: answer the phone and please quit fake hanging up on me. The Bartenders are fantastic. Five stars there!

    (1)

  • Theresa A.

    Great place to go when you want a craft beer. The staff is really knowledgeable - I always take their recommendation and try something new. The place is dark and cavelike, mellow in the afternoon with dogs and patrons, and packed at night. Great people watching too! Food is ok.

    (4)

  • Tomas S.

    My favorite bar in San Diego. They have one of the best selection of craft beers in San Diego. The taps change often and are always replaced with quality beer. If you're looking for something not on tap try the fridge where the bottle selections is good as well. It may not have the variety that Slater's 50/50 has (because that is a large restaurant chain), but it has quality and great atmosphere. If you walk in on any weekend it get full rather quickly. They serve food through the cafe next door, and they also have 2 pool tables and a shuffleboard table. All around great bar and located in a great neighbor hood.

    (5)

  • Marissa A.

    These guys make Amazing jalapeño poppers . Can't forget the great beer selection. If it wasn't always jam packed id be here more often!

    (3)

  • Ryan B.

    Best beer bar in San Diego. They have a huge number of beer events including a tap takeover every second saturday of the month. Can't say enough good things about hamiltons

    (5)

  • Gary Y.

    Instantly became my favorite bar in SD. My go to place use to be Blind Lady, but fell in love after my first visit here. In terms of the atmosphere, Hamilton's is the closest thing you can get to the original SF version of Tornado. It's divey, sometimes funky smelling, dark, and awesome. It doesnt get any better than this. Beer selection? The best. Pliny the elder is always on tap, along with other great selections. (maybe they can tone it down a bit with the New Belgium stuff) What more can you ask for? Food selection? Cheap greasy burgers, sandwiches, and fries, perfect complement for my IPA.

    (5)

  • Dustin C.

    Bad ass beer bar. Always an amazing selection of craft beer, pool tables, and shuffle board. Not to mention their adjoined cafe make some amazing grub. If you're a beer geek that wants a nice neighborhood bar, this is your spot.

    (5)

  • Mandy O.

    What a fantastic find. Someone at a store in seaport village suggested this place. The menu is absolutely glorious. We had the BBQ chicken grilled cheese and the apple cheddar cheese sandwich too. Wonderful dipping sauce. Great beers. Dark interior, very tavern-like, pub feeling. Want to go back just to try the rest of menu!!

    (5)

  • Sophia G.

    When the only downside is the crowd, you know a place is good. This pub is definitely the best of SD. Great beer, dog-friendly, and a friend around every corner. They have a bottomless selection of beers, and the bartenders have an uncanny knack of picking out an empty glass in the crowd huddled in front of the bar. The fact the food is awesome doesn't hurt, either. While the layout could be better (one less pool table for more seating, perhaps?), I find this to be the one bar where I really don't mind the crowd and noise. I always end up here if I ever find myself around the park. Cheers to Hamilton's!!!

    (5)

  • Adriana E.

    Great Food, Great Beer, and a Great Atmosphere! There is pool and shuffle board. Nice casual bar!

    (5)

  • Mia L.

    Where the locals go..if you're from out of town and looking for great beer selection, this is one of the spots to hit up. The ceiling is decorated with beer handles it's pretty cool, the only thing is the place can get super hot hot hot. But I heard they put the air on now. Best part is second Saturday of the month free food. Seriously free food, they had sloppy Joe, cake and some other stuff the last time I was there. Overall definitely a spot to hit up.

    (4)

  • Hunter P.

    Great bar! Great change of pace from going to pb. They have pool tables and they have shuffle board. Only downside is it lacks a lot of seating. We got lucky with snagging a table. It was crowded. It did have a gluten free beer! Some good sours and of course good stouts. I would make another trip back.

    (4)

  • Robert F.

    Went to SD over the weekend and came across this place. it was alright, not as good as I thought it would be though. It was way too packed so the customer service was definitely lacking. I may try it out again, but probably not any time soon.

    (3)

  • Rob A.

    Place was very dark when we first walked in. However, they have a large selection of beer, which was very cold. Bartender was great, and the cafe food was wonderful.

    (4)

  • Mindy N.

    Always tons of great beers on tap and their grilled cheese sandwiches are AMAZING!!!! Plus they have shuffleboard, love it!!!!

    (3)

  • Melissa P.

    Hamilton's is a great spot and the beer selection is amazing. It is a small place and can get crowded. I have never experienced any bad staff. They only serve beer and wine so don't take that friend who only drinks Jack and coke. I love the shuffle board. Overall, just a good bar with great beer.

    (4)

  • Cristina B.

    I am giving 3 and not 4 stars because the place is just too damn crowded. We arrived here to continue our St Pattys Day festivities. We managed to secure 2 barstools for our party of 3, and we were wedged in so tightly I had to deal with the constant smacks and bumps as the people next to me shifted around. They serve some tasty food at a separate window, but for some reason they had only 1 cook with a packed house and a simple sandwich took 30-45 minutes. The sandwich was GREAT though. Grilled cheese with chicken and pesto, it was absolutely wonderful. between that sandwich and the awesome older guy sitting next to us at the bar, we had a good time but I was grateful to leave and go to a bar with less people and be able to have a conversation without yelling. I'd be interested to try this tavern again when its not so overrun with rude people.

    (3)

  • Soroosh A.

    Whenever we find ourself searching where to go in San Diego, we always find ourselves at Hamiltons! La Jolla has nothing, PB is a dirty college town, and Downtown SD is high-class and ritzy...so a perfect in-between....HAMILTONS! Hamilton's is the ultimate place to go for a night out in the town, drink a few beers, and just chill. If you're a beer lover then you have come to the right place! Just walk in and stare up at the ceiling and just admire the numerous amounts of taps! Then look to your left and enjoy the chalkboard and bar filled with about 20 different taps for the night! And at an average of $5 a pint, you're about to have yourself a very good night. And the food is pretty damn good too! My girlfriend said that the grilled-cheese sandwich was one of the best she has ever had. Nothing better then some delicious munchies to chow down after a night of beers. Hamilton's also has a shuffleboard and 2 pool tables in the back for your leisure. But what truly makes Hamilton's the best bar in San Diego is the people. People from so many different backgrounds. Great group of people that are there just to have a good night and not worried about causing any problems or impressing anyone. It's what every bar should strive for. And my strongest recommendation...MAKE IT OUT FOR SECOND SATURDAY! Imagine having beer for $3.50 a pint and piles of gourmet food for FREE! Yup, its a dream come true! The second saturday of every month, Hamilton's features a brewery and also gives out some restaurant-quality food! I am not joking when I say Hamilton's is truly one of a kind.

    (5)

  • Pedro S.

    Another great place to visit or have a beer, great bar food, and rock out to some classic rock (classic depending on when you were born). This is another gem of san diego. If you are visiting out of town, you must visit Hamilton's. If you are a local that has never been here, you must visit Hamilton's. I like this place a lot and would frequent it more if I lived closer. Some possible negatives I can think of - crowded as a sardine some days. Hey, it's a busy and successful place so what do you expect? Overall, a bar that is one of the best in SD

    (5)

  • Brian K.

    Always a good time at Hamilton's. Do you want to witness a grown man say, "OHHH MMMM GEE"? If so, take him to Hamilton's for their unbelievably delicious burgers and grilled cheese sammies. The divinely delicious burgers and grilled chese sammies were crafted by Hephaestus himself. Take a bite and you may well live forever. "Grilled cheese sammy? Pssshhh, that's like ordering a salad as an entree." EARTH TO SKEPTICS: Hamilton's has grilled cheese sammies out of this mortal world. It rocked me and it'll rock you. The fries? Delicious. Freshly-fried, salty and perfectly greasy (no, not an oxymoron). I wish I had three hands. Beer........... So many choices.

    (5)

  • Jeremy M.

    My favorite bar in all of San Diego. I came here a few years ago when fizzy yellow beer was my forte. I came on the whim of one of my hipster coworkers, coerced into coming here because they promised me my dog was allowed. I ordered a Guinness (only beer there I was comfortable with, remember, I was still in a "miller lite is superior to coors light" naivety). Had a good time with my friends and was surprised that a nondescript little beer bar was so busy. Fast forward to a year ago and I was finally coming around to good (see craft) beer. I began developing a palate for IPAs, stouts, tripels, and others, but completely forgot about this place. I was getting my fix from crappy beer bars that had feeble attempts at acquiescing to craft beer fans. A friend of mine suggested we go to second Saturday at a place called Hamilton's in South Park. Free food, good beer, sure, why not. I walked in and immediately remembered I had been here. However, I did not recognize the beer menu, namely because I was so freaking stupid in the past and did not appreciate the absolute brilliance of craft beer from all over the state (and world for that matter). Lest you think this is some hipster beer snob $7 for a decent brew bar, give it a chance. The beers you will consume will be infinitely better than the crap you're currently drinking and it will cost you less than you pay at your local chili's. I wish I were there right now. @SDCraftBeer

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    Kanye says,: every super hero needs his theme music, well I'm the villain, and we need hide-outs.. So this place is my new non-downtown refuge. Err f*ckn brew you can imagine and solid enough food to fuel my venomous destruction of Southern Californian social settings.

    (5)

  • P B.

    Just went to Hamilton's after a really long time today. My husband loves their beer cheese soup and I wanted to order their vegan chili cuz I love it! However we found out they were out. My next choice was the hammyburger-which is vegetarian and that was out too. So, I got the west coast grilled cheese and that was pretty decent. I think a little less cheese than I would have wanted but otherwise the taste was good. The service today was a little haphazard but otherwise this place never really disappoints.

    (4)

  • Patrick H.

    Huge selection of beers. I had a Lagunitas amber which was on tap. Definitely a no-frills type of place for serious craft beer enthusiasts.

    (3)

  • Mikaela D.

    hidden gem. I'm moving to South Park so I wanted to have a beer & dinner in the area & stumbled across Hamiltons. The minute I walked in, I loved it. The ambiance, decor, vibe...everything just felt right. They have a great selection of beer for awesome prices. You can sit at the bar, tables, or booths, whatever fits you best & everyone is just so nice. As for the food, I had the Hamilton & it was soooo delicious!! The patty was a little pink just how I like it so it was nice & juicy. They also have vegan items on the menu which is a cool twist for a bar scene. You got pool tables, shuffleboard, great beer, great food, great ppl....can't go wrong at this place. AND they allow dogs. I will be back again for sure! :)

    (5)

  • Molly N.

    Great local craft beer spot! If I lived in South Park I know I'd be here all the time. We were in SD for three days and went here twice- that good! The beer selection is great although very IPA-dominant, which seems to be the general trend in San Diego. The food is incredible! We loved the pub nachos, because the cheese sauce was so good and the fries have this almost Thai seasoning that make them so flavorful and interesting. The fries have that In-N-Out quality where I think they were fried once instead of twice, so they have that same sort of dry consistency. The Bahn mi is not authentic but is still really, really delicious. The bread was so tasty. Later we enjoyed the jamilton burger (whoa...) and the grilled cheese with apples. It wasn't quite caramelized as advertised but it was good and the bread was very rosemary-ish and savory. Lastly I will warn you about the deer hunter. The spicy wing is smothered in a 750,000 scoville unit sauce. That's hotter than a ghost chili. And they don't have milk there. Just so you are prepared. It is painful...but kinda worth it for the experience. Just bring some milk or yogurt so you don't die :)

    (4)

  • Mary Anne D.

    SO MUCH BEER! This place has a great selection of...you guessed it...BEER!!!! The staff is nice, the bar has a relaxed feel, and they even have some decent (if not predictable) bar food. One star off because the crowd can be a little "bro-ey." Come here on a weekend night and you'll be lucky to have pinky room, let alone elbow room. Not to mention you'll most likely be standing next to some dude looking to smash a beer can into his head while securing a lucky lady for the night. Plan your visit for a Saturday/Sunday during the day to make sure your experience is a little more toned down (unless you are a bro, then smash your cans away!).

    (4)

  • Mike O.

    I love Hamiltons. There's always a chalkboard full of interesting beers and the variety changes daily. This is a true neighborhood bar, in a neighborhood full of beer loving hipsters. On occasion I've experienced some smugness from the regulars, but for the most part it's a pretty friendly crowd. Crowd is the key word. It's usually crowded and hard to find a seat here after 6 or 7pm. The food service is a little unorthodox but I guess it makes sense in such a crowded bar. Order from the window in the back behind the pool tables. They give you a buzzer. The food is insanely delicious. And heavy. But most importantly, delicious. My favorite is the Fancy Pants. Also good burgers. Definitely go to Hamiltons. It's the best bar in South Park.

    (5)

  • Ger D.

    Found out I wasn't working when I thought I was so headed out for a beer. Great tap selection and good service...apparently a mellow night per the bar tender. Seems to have more ale than everything else on tap.

    (5)

  • AA B.

    This is my neighborhood bar. I live (literally) around the corner and during the hot summer months of 2012, it became my 2nd living room. One, because we don't have airconditioning in the house and two, who wouldn't want to have a livingroom full of beer and amazing bar food? It can get crowded, so if you're trying to get a table for you and your group of friends to watch MNF, you have to arrive early. This is an early crowd bar, in my experience it gets the most crowded between 7pm and midnight. The staff is great. Down to Earth, and relaxed. They take good care of the regulars, and strangers are always welcome. The crowd is mixed, you get the group of guys coming in after work in their collared shirts, the hipsters on bikes, and the neighborhood locals stopping in for a bite or a beer. That's what makes it fun. People of all ages [and income brackets] come to enjoy this lovely place. The beer selection is tough to beat. They bring in the best of the best from not just the country, but the world. Pliny the Elder is often on tap. Actually, there are usually about 20~ beers on tap. You won't find any budweiser or coors here, so if that's what you're looking for, you can move right along. They also have a few refridgerators full of bottled beers. Drinkers beware: they are a beer pub. No hard liquor here. But if you're looking to get drunk, it won't be difficult. There are tons of beers on the list that can get you there just as fast as the hard stuff. The food, generally speaking, is good. There have been a few times where I was disappointed, but Hammy's main pull is their beer selection, not their food. Nonetheless, the food selection is great. They get very creative with their sandwiches and other dishes. My go-to are the Fast Nachos or just some tater tots with BEER CHEESE! Their beer cheese is AMAZING. I highly recommend. Did I mention you can also bring your dogs? And that the ceilings are covered in taps? I'm pretty sure Hammy's has the oldest alcohol license in the county, too. With Waterfront and The Alibi following not far behind. Those are just a few fun facts. Bottom line? I love this place.

    (5)

  • Alyssa W.

    We stumbled across Hamilton's looking for a place to play shuffle board one day when we first moved out here. And it's exactly "what you see is what you get," a hole in the wall tavern. Not being a beer drinker, I was a little saddened by the lack of hard liquor, but the ciders on tap are decent replacements. For others like me, they also have more bottled flavored beer, like apple and raspberry Lambic. Unfortunately it's pretty pricey ($10.50) compared to the tap cider ($5), but worth the change. I wouldn't recommend the wine--at least not the whites. It's definitely better beer, no matter how much you don't like it. For draft beer drinkers, however, this is the perfect place for you. They have various events monthly that they advertise, and their beers on tap change regularly. Most, if not all, are local. The staff are on and off. I usually like the bartenders, they're very friendly and quick to notice you (as long as you don't stand four people back behind people who are watching TV instead of waiting for a beer). The barbacks are a little more rough around the edges, and aren't exactly polite when grabbing empty (and sometimes not empty) glasses--be sure to put a coaster on your glass! Sometimes there's a guy at the door checking IDs. The guy changes regularly, I think. Also not very friendly. But then again, a place like this isn't exactly required to be friendly. The food through the window to the café next door is spectacular--their burgers especially. Definitely grab a bite, like their hot dogs wrapped in bacon, yum. The décor is pretty awesome. They have a jukebox and a couple of TVs that'll have sports games on if there is anything. Otherwise they'll turn off the Sports Center and find a movie or TV show via Netflix to put on. The big mirror above the shuffleboard is great for watching the TV with your back to it on a busy night. And when you walk inside for the first time, look up. Like any other bar it does get busy at certain times, and since the tavern is kinda small with limited table space, it gets very crowded and finding a table (or a chair for that matter) is like vultures hunting. They do have a shuffle board and two pool tables, which is one of the main reasons why we come back a lot of the time. However, sometimes its not always a win-win. When it gets busy and crowded, playing the games gets more like an obstacle course. And a lot of times on the weekends, some individuals will run the pool tables and refuse to allow others to play for fun. If you and a group of friends want to play for kicks and giggles, come during the day or weekday nights to avoid them. If you want someone to play with, go find the table runners weekend nights, but be sure to bring a lot of quarters because they always make the other person pay. PROs: Pool and shuffle board, large selection of beer, great food, good music, good service. CONs: No hard liquor, small and busy.

    (4)

  • Rachel S.

    Dear Hammy, I can't write an actual review for you because I'm afraid it would cheapen our already lustful relationship. xo, Rach

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    Amazing beer selection. The bartenders were super friendly and knowledgeable. They offer many samples. We at the wings that were on special, Thai Coconut Curry, and they are the best I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Freedom R.

    This is a nice small bar. if you life beer, this is probably a great place to go. Very casual. Shirt n jeans will be fine. The food is good. Great grilled cheese bacon sandwich. Their fries ares delicious. It seems like they cut their own potatoes and fry them...you can taste the potatoes. Tater tots is also a good snack. The tjbhotdogs smell good look good but not as good as they look or smell. The crowd....well the guys there last night had obviously never been taught how to treat women. two were rude for no reason. I said excuse me, to get by to the restroom, the reply was no, go around....very rude my conclusion, one they were rude because they were racist or just assholes to females.

    (2)

  • Steve S.

    The veggie burger is to die for! Only really shitty thing about this place is its near impossible to get a place to sit at the bar and there's one really lame table in the grease pit that makes up the "cafe". The bar is filled with some of the biggest hipster idiots and sports fans this city has to offer. And good luck finding somewhere to sit. Man, the food is so damn good and so many good things, they really need to bail this location and open up somewhere bigger. With seating. That doesn't FEEL gross because of the grease particles floating in the air. You can actually FEEL it! So nasty! But the food is so damn good!!!

    (4)

  • Kathleen B.

    Yummy beers (chimays for the win) and yummy fries/burgers/wings. If I could, I would love to have dinner here and unwind a couple nights a week. For a tuesday night it was pretty bustling, so anyone looking for a mid-week bar that isn't too dead would find the company pleasant at Hamilton's! I saw 3 dogs at this establishment !!! How awesome is that? And I'm a newb at Hamilton's (thank you Jeff W for the introduction!) but I can tell I will be back plenty more times (and I'll bring my dog).

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 12:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Loud
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : No

Hamilton’s Cafe

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