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Fifty Seven Degrees
Categories: Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Beer, Wine & Spirits, Wine Bars [Edit]
1735 Hancock St(at Washington St)
San Diego, CA 92101
Neighborhood: Middletown
(619) 234-5757
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 9 pm
Thu-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
Sun 12 pm - 8 pm
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
About This Business:
Voted the #1 Wine Bar in San Diego! Happy Hour 4 to 6 every day $3 wine and $5 food. Two Splash Tuesday with over 72 wines at HALF price all night. $3… read more »
117 reviews for Fifty Seven Degrees
Review Highlights
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"The owner, Russell, of 57 Degrees is ROCKIN" the art world." In 10 reviews -
"...artwork on the walls by local artists would be better then..." In 2 reviews -
"Then, the deli has been in the works FOREVER." In 14 reviews
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117 reviews in English
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Review from Traci W.
3/17/2012
Note: This review is based on my experience from the 3rd Friday Food Truck.
I didn't get the impression that 57 Degrees served food - so how clever of them to invite an assemblage of food trucks. For me, the $2 cover was absolutely worth it. The 12 food trucks provided an extensive variety of food ranging from organic, healthy gourmet trucks to down home, clog-your-arteries trucks. And the food was spectacular. On wheels. Who knew?!
The bar was huge, airy, and open. They'd set up a ton of tables to allow patrons to bring in food from the trucks to sit down, enjoy their food, and listen to some live music. There were two outside seating areas - one out front with heating lamps, and one that was somewhat enclosed off to the side. The front area allowed smokers to do their thing without bothering anyone else, and the seating area off to the side was cozy and inviting with really comfy furniture.
My one gripe is that they've created this upscale food truck event intended to bring in a large crowd, but they only have two unisex bathrooms. And while they note that additional bathrooms are located outside, I don't want to use a port-a-potty in my high heels, thank you very much.
That issue aside, I really enjoyed my experience. I'll definitely be back for their next food truck event. -
Review from Andrea A.
Carlsbad, CA
3/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have definitely experienced better when it comes to wine bars. This isn't your typical boutique wine bar/shop. The outside building looks like a big retail store while the inside is huge and has a warehouse feel.
I was there with a friend in December and the wines I had didn't exactly make me jump for joy. I split a mini pizza with my friend, which was enjoyable. The bartender we had made me feel as if I didn't know anything about wine when I was still deciding on a glass, which should never be assumed when working in a wine bar because sometimes, the customer may know more than you think! That behavior to me, was very insulting and annoying.
I wouldn't recommend this place for the experienced wino, but for the novice who doesn't care about whether the wine selection is good. This place seems to cater more to a younger crowd that just wants to get drunk. -
Review from roz l.
San Diego, CA
2/12/2012
My review is based on the awesome service that Russ, Carly, and Steph provide me and my husband every time we go in there.
I actually had my wedding and reception here last November ! It was awesome and went so smoothly :) I couldn't have done it without the patience of the ever awesome event coordinator Carly. The whole gang are just so down to earth, its upsetting to hear negative remarks about them from other yelpers.
The reason we decided on this location for our wedding was because the space is so awesome! In addition, the first time my husband and I went to this place Russ helped us out. He was so nice and helped us pick out reasonably priced wines for our then first ever wine and cheese party. We remembered his great service and decided to keep going back.
Maybe this place isn't for everybody, but we like going there, and enjoy seeing the gang :) -
Review from Harry S.
Big Bear Lake, CA
4/9/2012
Russ continues to shine in his selection of wines. Having purchased wines from him over the past three years, he has never steered me wrong. As a collector of fine wines, I am always searching for wines from 15.00 to 100.00 to add to the cellar. Russ always comes up with a surprise selection. The food was sampled last Friday and the cheese plates were an excellent addition to the wine! Will be back the next time I am in town
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Review from Lindsy H.
San Diego, CA
4/8/2012
I really liked this place! A bunch of co-workers and I decided to stop by after a late night at work. We were the ONLY ones there, but I guess being 11pm had something to do with that. IN addition, the night before they had done a massive Gourmet Food Truck event and the place was packed!
The service was great, the place was huge and the wine selection was really good too! We all had such a great time lounging, having a glass of wine and "interpreting the art" we joined the email list. The e-mail list is the key! They have events, music, shows, specials and tastings all the time.
57 Degrees is not your typical wine bar, but there are not many wine bars in Downtown/Little Italy/Uptown you can find space after 10pm. We loved it and plan to go back soon. -
Review from Trisha T.
3/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came here on an early Saturday evening and had a pleasant experience. I browsed around the wine selections and then sat at the bar for a pitcher of sangria. The entire store was pretty empty with only about 10 others at the bar. It looks like a cool space for events!
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Review from William R.
Ramona, CA
3/18/2012 13 Check-ins Here
The food is actually pretty good here and the place is HUGE (so much so that it seems empty...which is a minus). Looks like a decent enough place to get a glass of wine with friends though!
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Review from jennifer c.
Stateline, NV
Updated - 10/19/2011
I am so glad it isn't just me.I laugh my ass off reading ALL of the negative reviews about 57 degrees.The owner,Russ has not learned a thing.I think he needs rehab,but he says,no,no,no.Remember what happened to Amy Winehouse.
Good luck with you dying business.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/5/2011
Ugg,where do I begin???This is a good idea,but very bad management!!!I really wanted to like this… Read more »
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Review from Rafa D.
San Diego, CA
8/31/2011
Talk about a negative experience. Yelp, please institute a 0 star review!!!!
It all started on a beautiful Friday (last Friday to be exact) and it was my birthday. Some co-workers and I decide to check this place out for lunch. My friend had a Groupon that was about to expire. Mind you, the Groupon didn't have any restrictions beyond the expiration date. No mention of "not valid at the deli", "not valid for wine bottle purchases", "valid only at the bar (and by the way the bar opens at 4 p.m.) "not valid because I don't feel like making it valid"....etc etc etc.
Anyway, we're excited to sit out in the patio have some wine, get some grub from the deli. Apparently he finds out we have a groupon and pounds out all these restrictions that are nowhere to be found on the Groupon itself. Was he nice about it? NO! he was a true a$$hole, the kind you don't even wish on your worst enemies. He dismissively says (as he is walking away) "you should read the restrictions!" I was thinking to myself and might of blurted out "beeyotch we did read them, maybe you should! f*!*g idiot!". He was probably out of earshot by then having walked out back to stomp on helpless kitties and puppies for all I know.
His attitude and total lack of professionalism and customer service have definitely turned me off to this place forever. So many other better wine shops around (San Diego Wine Co, Wine Steals, etc.) with better prices as well. Too bad this awesome space was turned over to such a tool - hopefully it'll blossom into something better in the near future as this place goes to sh!t thanks in a large part to the aforementioned a$$hole. -
Review from Brian D.
San Clemente, CA
9/12/2011
If I could give this place a -----* I would in a heart beat!!!!
This is a horrible place and they treat their customers like crap!!!!
PLEASE DO NOT EVER SUPPORT THIS PLACE OF BUSINESS!!!!! -
Review from Angela M.
San Diego, CA
4/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I am a little dissappointed in the 3rd week food truck event. This friday 4/20/2012 there was a small variety and lack of unique food trucks. We have been attending this event since October and since October it seems each month the food trucks have progressively reduced in quality. There wasn't even a dessert truck this time. I enjoy this event because the wine is great and for the ambiance, however, the music the last couple months has been rediculouosly loud. This event to me promotes talking and hanging out with friends. The music is so loud you have to yell at the person you are talking to. I used to bring the baby with us, but now the music is too loud and if next months food trucks are as dissappointing as yesterdays I may have to pass up on this event.
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Review from brianna s.
San Diego, CA
If a business has a bad attitude about using your Groupon, why put your business on Groupon?
I have bought countless Groupons, used them, and have had little to no negative encounters... Then comes in Fifty Seven Degrees.
We had held onto this Groupon for far too long, using it in the last week before it expired. It is kind of far from home, and in order to use $50 bucks worth of wine, we imagined ourselves to be pretty hammered afterwards. We stopped in one time, thought about using it, but the atmosphere wasn't inviting, so we left and went out to dinner.
Using my Yelp app, I looked up Fifty Seven Degrees and noticed that they had an announcement that there would be a pre fix dinner that night, and we hopped in the car.
The space is very open when you walk in, with just a center circular bar. A couple couches around it, and a deli to the right. If I was the owner, I would definitely turn the whole left section into a restaurant. There is so much opportunity to do to the space...
We were asked upon pulling up a chair if we were using a Groupon, and we nodded. They asked for it up front, and also asked for our credit card. Shouldn't you wait until AFTER we are done?? I reluctantly handed over my card. We were also informed that Groupons could not be used for anything in their deli, their specials, and their happy hour. I asked about the mention of a pre fix dinner on Yelp, and she said that was old, and not going on that night... However I did notice the food truck on the side of the building that they were advertising on Yelp. Sounds like a load of you know what.
I ordered a couple appetizers since I was expecting to be wining and dining, and they were just ok. In the trio of cheese, one had to have been cream cheese, and not goat cheese as stated. A huge let down just eating a few crackers when I thought we'd get more.
Everything seemed pricey given the warehouse atmosphere. There were only two winetenders for the entire place, who were busy running appetizers back and forth, and avoiding ringing up your tab so you could hopefully spend over your coupon. If you're looking for an intimate setting, bring your date elsewhere. The two times I stepped in Fifty Seven Degrees was two times too many. -
Review from Tracy D.
San Diego, CA
8/27/2011
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR $$$!!!
What a joke this place is. I will preface this with the fact that I came in there with a groupon. I stood at the bar for 25+ minutes before I was even acknowledged. During this time I noticed the following: the only girl working seemed to only be processing credit cards, not actually bartending; one guy (dark hair goatee guy with the large holes in ears and poor attitude) walked in circles, would sometimes make eye contact and turn around and walk away, another dude with a shaved head seemed to be the only one really working and the final Asian dude would appear then disappear.
Eventually, 3/4 bartenders told me they'd be right with me when I started yelling "excuse me!" They never came back. Finally someone comes over after I yelled "can we get some help PLEASE," and he was a total a-hole. I tell him that I have a groupon and he says the following... "Everyone needs help! I don't understand why people wait until the last minute to use their groupons. Then they don't get it when the place is busy." He said many other things beside that but I was pretty perturbed that he just made those comments after I handed him the groupon. The groupons have a date range so there shouldn't be a problem if you try to use it during those dates! He demanded my credit card when I said I'd be paying cash. He scoffed at my order and disappeared in a flash.
After 45 mins, we finally had wine in hand. We were lucky and scoped out a table when people were leaving. The table was a mess and we asked if it could be cleaned off. No one came (shocking). My husband actually went behind the deli counter and grabbed a bussing tub, came and cleaned all of the crap off our table and then brought the tub back over. The people sitting next to us applauded. I went back up to the bar to get one more glass of wine (big mistake). I stood there for 20 mins (at least) until I got someone's attention. At this point, we still don't have the food we ordered either. I get one more glass of wine, and ask for my check... 12 mins later, it comes (after 3 people were helped in between).
During this period the focaccia we ordered came to the table (no cheese plate though). We ordered spinach and cheese and got olive (again, shocking). So I let the bartender know we didn't get the cheese plate and she actually did go get it for us. At this point though, I contemplate even giving a tip. I end up giving 15%, against my husbands wishes (and my gut feeling). I don't know how much of it was the servers fault; I blame the manager for allowing this type of service. It was a completely inefficient system.
Overall: terrible service (especially the a-hole with the goatee), mediocre food, mediocre wine
If I could give 0 stars, I would!! I will never return here! Go to wine steals!Comment from Russell K. of Fifty Seven Degrees 8/29/2011
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your… More » -
Review from Lauren M.
Boston, MA
8/26/2011
Incredibly bad service.
Seems that there's no one designated as host so we were confused as to where to go when we walked in. We eventually decided to sit on the patio in the back. While our buddies were ordering wine at the bar I went to the deli area with the intention of asking how to order food (since we didn't see any menus, or servers, or anyone walking around.) Before I could get my question out the person behind the table yelled at us to get away, barking that we need to order food at the bar and we can't do so unless we're seated. When I asked the bartender if I should order food with him he said "Yes, because we don't have time to come outside." Fair enough I guess? But no need to word it that way.
After waiting about 40 minutes for the food, we went inside to check on it and were only then informed that they were out of something that we ordered. Perfect time and manner in which to find that out. They also said that they don't run food outside so we'd have to come inside to get it. Later, a bartender began bringing food to us so it seems there is a miscommunication among the staff about that. Also, after food finally started coming, the cheese board apparently "wasn't ready yet". It's cheese, guys, just cut it and put it on a plate. It came out about 20 minutes later.
I will say that the cheese and the focaccia bread were tasty. But there's no making up for the service.
The atmosphere is strange since it's a converted Pier 1 Imports. Big open space with a warehouse feel.
Also - we ate from the Food Truck that was parked outside since we waited so long. The Mangia Mangia Mobile had great food, was reasonably priced, and the owner was a great guy. He's there every Thursday. I would add a star for him but that's not a reflection of this place. -
Review from nichole g.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 8/1/2011
I hope you all read this. I'm updating my previous review of this place. And boy was I unhappy my first time.
After me original review i was contacted by owner/event manager to ask what was the reason i was so unhappy the first go around, they let me know they had made some changes an asked if we'd give them another try.
Everyone deserves a second chance.
We stopped in on a Sat night wasn't crowded but this is a huge spot so it always looks empty. Greeted as soon s we walked in by the guy behind the bar, nice.
Acknowledged after we picked or spot by the owner, nice.
Owner came over as we were headed to bar to order & took our order, nice.
We ordered a bottle of Malbec...very good!
G-nash olives, cheese, bread...so good
Another bottle & another G-nash along with a turkey Panin....very very good
The event/manger came over to chat seeing that we were happy with everything we ordered ,and we were.
Now this all happened without introducing ourselves to the staff.
Owner came back over said they got in a new cheese and would like our opinion...Purple Lavender with fennel cheese. I love this stuff. So tasty.
We were very satisfied with our visit to the 57 degrees and we will be back & back & back.
Notes:
Great selection of beer & wine & pretty extensive beer collection may seem a little pricey but the size is large, some very large. can serve up to 3-4 servings.
3rd Fridays of every month the have a Food truck event (i had no idea) something like 14 of the most sought out food trucks in SD in one spot for your pleasure and you can come inside and have some wine....what could be better.
These people are really trying to get feedback on ways to improve this spot. They want to know what it is that's gonna make you want to come back and bring friends. No fighting for parking, huge lot in back, tons of potential for this place.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/17/2011
Too many great places in SD to waste my time again.
If I could I would give this place a negative… Read more »
Comment from Russell K. of Fifty Seven Degrees 6/23/2011
Hi Nichole, Thank you very much for your feedback. At this… More » -
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Review from Cecilia M.
San Diego, CA
6/13/2011
I had high hopes for this place... And it was an epic fail.
Fail #1: About 20 wines on the menu with no description. So I just went off the region I prefer.
Fail #2: Asked person behind the bar if they had any red "fruit forward" wines by the glass. I mentioned I am not a fan of earthy reds... Guess what he said. we only have earthy reds on the list. So the variety is weak! You should offer wines for all different palates!
Fail #3: When I asked about a certain bottle and then looked on the menu and could not find it the person behind the bar tells me I have an OLD menu. Not that the menu helps but when he went to find a new one he couldn't. Its not that someone else had them, no one else was at the bar!
Fail #4: We hoped the food would be better so I went with the Greek Salad and a panini. Now the panini is why I gave this place 1 star not bad, but not worth going back. HOWEVER!!!!... the salad said chicken, goat cheese, olives, with a lemon dressing over mixed greens. Not bad from what the menu says.... WRONG I got no cheese and instead they substituded without asking with dried cranberries. The lemon dressing was olive oil with a squirt of lime. Very disappointing.
Fail#5: When I asked if they had happy hour they said if you check our website daily we have certain food items we normally don't have or events. So I guess that is NO!
So after a very disappointing experience we went to a wine bar we usually go to a mile away and to our surprise some people that were sitting accross from us at 57 degrees were also at this wine bar.
We ended up spending much less like 50% less for a great sunday tasting and much better food.
SORRY 57 Degrees you have a lot of changing and growing. You really should offer better wine selection at your bar!Comment from Russell K. of Fifty Seven Degrees 6/13/2011
Hi Cecilia, Although I am sorry to hear about your… More » -
Review from Claudia N.
San Diego, CA
8/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Seriously one star raters I don't understand why you would rate this anything below a 3 on its worst day!
I really like this spot. I actually went on my first date with my now boyfriend here (no bias i promise!). The sommelier/bartender was really knowledgeable about the wines the carried and really helpful and accommodating. He picked an excellent wine for us to go with the crab dip which was phenomenal by the way.
We went on a Tuesday night so it wasn't busy at all. I am planning on going this Saturday to check out what the weekend scene is like.
Don't be swayed by all the angry 1 star reviews. At least check the place out and formulate your own opinion. I have a feeling you won't be disappointed. Happy drinking :) -
Review from Jen T.
8/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am just not a fan. We sat out back on the little porch, which was nice. The seating (if you get the huge semi-circle couches) is great...but there is no waitress there! You have to get up and go inside to the bar.... which takes like 20 minutes for one drink....when it is EMPTY in there!
The bartender honestly was not the nicest person I've ever met, and I found myself hit on by some creepiness going on next to me.
I was not fond of the back outside being right by the train tracks. 5 minutes of interrupted convo so the train could honk it's horn a billion times like no one saw it coming.
The space is way too big for what it is, and was not properly utilized. I feel as though a wine bar should not feel like a warehouse.. It should be cozy and intimate and even a little trendy.. dark lights... cushions... not fluorescent lighting and metal and everything all spread out.
I didn't meet the owner,but knew exactly who all of my Yelpers meant when I saw him. So maybe I didn't meet him on purpose because I knew I shouldn't.
There is parking out front on the street, as well as a lot in back.
The prices are a little high. -
Review from Grant K.
La Mesa, CA
3/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
i'm one who takes Yelp reviews with a grain of salt so i was quite skeptical of the one star reviews of this place. No longer.
It's a really nice space with an attractive bar but no amount of lipstick can make a pig look good.
the staff has little experience with wine and treated customers as a necessary evil to their self important existence.
The owner goes out of his way to offend you if you have the temerity to ask him a question.
it was almost as if they have a bet about how many people they can tick off enough to give them 1 star ratings.
the only thing that seems to keep them in business is the Gastrotruck events and the impressive wine lockers.
Their are too many great wine bars to waste time on this one. -
Review from Chun P.
2/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Hipsterish winetender asked me what I wanted and all I replied was "I'll have you're cheapest glass of red." That turned out to be $7 + $1 tip. As a connessiour of $5 wine bottles such a Yellow Tail and Barefoot, I obviously know jack and shit about wine.
57 is big, bright, elegant, and quiet last Friday evening. Besides my group of dozen or so coworkers whom took over the outside patio, there weren't many people in the main room and it was just mostly low key, mature and older folks. If your folks are coming into town, this place might be perfect. First date? Forget about it! Proletariat friends who don't like wine? They also got beers here too, including a few fancy craftbrews. Service? Unlike other Yelpers, I honestly didn't encounter any rude service. :)
They serve light foods like cheese, meat, and bread plates and some pizza-flat breads, but don't come here looking for a real meal. In fact, my friends sent me on a mission in which I used my Ninja skills to sneak 5 burritos in from Luche Libre down the street. SSSshhhhhh! Actually I really don't care cause I don't plan on coming back here anyway
If you're just a party-wine drinker like me, you're probably better off at Wine Steals where you can get an entire bottle at the sale rack for $7-8, pay the $5 corkage, and be set for the next couple hours...Damn, I really am a Cheap Bastard! ;-) -
Review from Andrew S.
San Diego, CA
7/19/2011
"Be happy while you're living, for you'll be a long time dead." ~ Scottish Proverb
I've seen various downbeat comments written about this upscale wine bar called 57 Degrees and thought I would throw in my honest opinions. Most people use this forum (Yelp) to bitch about whatever pissed them off today, and I don't do much Yelping because I've found it to be a vehicle for bitchy, overly critical snobs of all sorts. As if they could do better - hah! Scores of miserable minions with no money who desperately want to be somebody, but they can't, so they resort to tossing their crap in every direction just to see what it will stick to.
First of all, do any of you freaking morons have any idea how hard it is to own and operate a wine bar, a restaurant, or any other retail enterprise? I'll answer that... some of you might have a slight notion but most don't have the first damn clue! Well let me give you a hint... it requires daily encounters with knuckleheads like many of you. That's right, the general public is the raison d'être behind every establishment but the public is also the first to stab you in the back; so I'm glad I don't make my living by running a wine bar.
I've been a wine benefactor / customer for many years and it's true that this wine bar can suffer from inconsistency, but they've always had excellent wines on their shelves and it's a great hangout for weary winos - it's also very dog-friendly and has a smoke-friendly policy for their outdoor patios. Now compare this to some of San Diego's other local wine joints that serve nauseating bottles of despicable wine at prices above retail while catering to the demands of the fascist, non-smoking Nazi crowd.
While at 57 Degrees I've always found realistically priced and diverse styles of Salads and Panini along with excellent wines in abundance, and the corkage is reasonable ($10) but it should be lowered to be more competitive with the other guys selling swill amid corkage fees. Perhaps a $6 corkage fee for bottles below $40 and the $10 corkage fee above that price would be fairer?
I can always find something original at 57 Degrees. I love finding new wines from the Mom-and-Pop wineries around the globe made from lesser known grape varieties such as Nebbiolo or Cabernet Franc. There are wines from many heralded provinces; e.g. the Rhone region of France and Spain's Ribera Del Duero, and some of the most highly regarded wine estates in Napa, Sonoma, Bordeaux and Chateauneuf-du-Pape can be found daily. And some amazing BEER (the other nectar of the gods) is found in abundance and worthy of commentary as San Diego has become world renowned thanks to local "hop heads".
Having attention-grabbing art and great wines in the same space is a fabulous idea for any establishment; I could live forever in a place like that. But anyone going out for a highly-civilized good time must be geared up to spend a little cash, nothing is free. Sorry to say that many financially comfy people will often cross the threshold with a "discounted" mindset.
If you can't afford to have a good time amongst grown-ups and within a sophisticated wine crowd then you shouldn't leave your hovel; just at stay home and polish your pennies. Don't get me wrong, I understand that economic stratification is the primary motivation for buying lower priced wines in many cases, and I sympathize with the folks who can not afford to buy better classes of wine. But I lack understanding for those tightfisted, cheapskates and A**holes who compromise quality for the sake of a little extra pocket change.
57 Degrees is an excellent wine bar concept, but you have to love wine and be ready to put up with some clumsiness whilst they figure themselves out. I view it as a work-in-progress so I don't expect perfection, just good or great wines at decent prices and a carefree atmosphere.
I am a wine drinker and if you're reading this you're most likely a wine drinker too. The bottom line is that all wine venues cycle through erratic periods and ultimately join the proverbial rat race, but as a consumer, if wine matters to you, then drink well!
"The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat". ~ Lily Tomlin -
Review from Tyler M.
San Diego, CA
7/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really like this spot! I was lucky enough to meet their new General Manager, Carly, the last time I dropped in. Carly was super knowledgeable about all the wines, and was extremely gracious and accommodating.
Some of the other reviews ding these guys on customer service. Maybe that was a problem in the past, but it seems like they've turned a corner. I also noticed that the owner is responding to some of those negative reviews, which is pretty cool.
Go check this place out for your next bottle of vino, or just have a glass from their list. One other plus, ton's of parking out back. -
Review from Lynda F.
San Diego, CA
8/14/2011
This place has SO much potential but not quite there yet. Really cute and big space - indoor and outdoor seating. They have a great selection of wine bottles for purchase that do not come with the typical retail markup. I would come back to shop for a bottle here and take it home or open it to drink by the bar. The staff is friendly.
However the wine selection on the menu that they pour by the glass is really not good. I've been there 3 times with Groupons and I've never had a glass that I absolutley loved. Mainly it's just ok or not good at all. They will allow you to taste the wine before you buy a full glass so that is nice. I just can't understand why their wine list is not better with such a great selection of bottles available in the store and let's face it - we live in California and have some AMAZING wines here - why not showcase those?? (I do like the wines from Argentina and other countries as well).
I really want this place to be good because it can be a really great hang out. -
Review from Jen R.
12/30/2010
I have been dying to check this place out so when a friend invited me I was thrilled. The location has easy freeway access. The added bonus is that they have a huge parking lot with FREE parking.
The store featured a large selection of wines for purchase. There were small shopping carts available for some serious wine shopping. I didn't really wander through to see what they specifically carried but will have to make it out on another trip.
There was a musician providing some live music next to the big roomy leather chairs in the small lounge area.
The wine selection at the bar is pretty limited for it being a wine bar. I was able to find a great Malbec wine. The bartender was very nice and when I opened my tab made sure to get my name from my credit card. The rest of the night he addressed my by my first name. I requested a menu since I had come straight from work to happy hour. Unfortunately they do not offer a full menu. The only items on the menu were cheese, crackers.
After a few glasses of wine I excused myself to the ladies room. Ladies, (yes that includes The Society of Neat Ladies as well) pay attention here. The two bathrooms are unisex! For guys this probably doesn't constitute a problem but it's kind of gross since men tend to leave the seat up. I do not want to have to put the toilet seat down. Plus around the toilet was a little gross.
This is a pretty cool place to check out but it's still in the early stages and has yet to impress me but it has potential. The place is rather large and could use more lounge furniture. Also some artwork on the walls by local artists would be better then the current empty walls. Oh, and if this is going to succeed as a wine bar it would help if they used proper wine glasses for the wine. Get ride of the cheap discount glasses that are currently being used. -
Review from Marty E.
San Diego, CA
2/29/2012
This place has so much potential....but not going to happen. Management doesn't get it. Even on food truck night...it's bad. The music is good, but too loud..no quality service or food, you are pretty much on your own trying to figure things out. Not worth the money...spend it elsewhere...
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Review from tina t.
12/13/2011
I've visited 57 Degrees twice now and both times have been greeted by the owner and have recieved good service. The wine and snack options are great, they sell reasonably priced wine, and they display and sell local art. Way to go!
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Review from Dominic M.
San Diego, CA
12/10/2010
If there was a negative star rating I would give it. To start on a positive note...... The space is beautiful & there is plenty of parking.
Now for the real review:
After going into the wine shop a few different times I was puzzled why there was nobody enjoying such a beautiful space??? I combed the aisles to find a nice bottle of malbec for $15. I then headed over to the bar and waited for the wine tender for service. After feeling neglected i called the bartender over & asked about the bottle of wine I picked out. She had never tried the wine & had no knowledge of my choice & didn't show any interest or curiosity in what it was. Confident in my choice I told her to open it anyway. The wine was nice, but still confused on why I was the only person there. After about 10 minutes a couple walked in :) It felt good to not be the only one there..... It really did LOL!
Being the outgoing conversation starter I am, it felt like pulling teeth trying to talk to the bartender. Not normal by any means. Another 20 minutes went by & the owner of the place walked in with his significant other. I was hoping to speak with him a little bit about the space & to make some small talk. Shortly then realizing he & his other were fairly intoxicated, so I let them be to themselves.
It was a Friday night & around 9:00 pm. While sitting at the bar, we all heard some noise across the way near the entrance. Immediately the owners "better half" used profanity at the bartender to open the door! Wow...... I was appalled by the maturity level from both the owner and the girlfriend / wife.
I couldn't drink my wine fast enough. I will not support any kind of management who treats their employees in this manner.
It seems to me that the wine bar is a reflection of the owner, & therefore answered my question of why the place was empty. -
Review from Annie H.
12/9/2011
i like the idea of this place and i love that it is within walking distance to my homestead, but 57 degrees did not do it for me.
i like that they have a huge open space with a bunch of wine to purchase, but that is just about all the good they have. EVERYTHING is over priced.
we had used our groupon and thought oh yeah $50 will get the three of us nice and wined up. not even close. and the food was just meh, nothing too impressive. i also didnt think that the service was that great either. it took them forever to wait on us up at the bar and there where not even that many people in there. kind of lack luster and not fun.
i wish they had a better happy hour too, but that didnt seem worth checking back to try as well. :( -
Review from Jenn T.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 9/6/2011
My friends and I decided to give this place another whirl, mainly due to the Groupon offer that two of them purchased . . . We were all hoping that this place would have improved since our last visit, but I have decided that I would prefer to put a hot poker in my eye rather than step foot in this establishment again.
My list of grievances (in no particular order of eggregiousness):
1. It was hotter than a hot poker in there.
2. No food on the patio (!?!) I've heard of no drinks on the patio, but never no food.
3. Despite the sign on the table that said something to the effect . . . "Please come to the bar for service" (which we were perfectly fine with, BTW), we were approached by a bartender/waiter with the opening line in a snotty tone "I'm assuming that since you aren't coming to the bar, that you want me to come to your table . . ."
4. Our cheese plate was confiscated by other tables at least twice (meaning the other tables flagged down the waiter and said that it was their cheese plate when the waiter was clearly walking to our table - even though we arrived and put in our order before these other tables). We had to request our cheese plate twice and it took at least 60 minutes to arrive at our table.
5. It took 1.5 hours for our foccia to arrive at our table (which we ordered at the same time as the cheese plate). The response from the owner (who refused to actually acknowledge that he was the owner), "we are really busy because of the groupon."
6. Our bottle of white wine was room temperature (MAJOR faux-pax).
7. My friends stood at the bar for 45 minutes to settle the check.
8. Sorely understaffed with employees that have a bigger attitude than my highschool hair.
This list may sound like exaggerations, but I assure you, they are not. I don't know what the deal is with the owner, but he will never see another dime of my hard earned money. There are too many other cool places around that actually appreciate their customers to waste my time/money/efforts at Fifty Seven Degrees.
I will not speak of this place again.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/6/2011
Cool concept, poor execution. This place has a hip warehouse vibe and some *interesting* artwork.… Read more »
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Review from Matt S.
San Diego, CA
9/8/2011
Do NOT go here. They stiff their vendors by not paying for the wine they are selling to you guys. I'm appalled by this as this used to be one of my favorite places to go. They'll be out of business soon enough
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Review from Marie B.
San Diego, CA
11/19/2011
I was disappointed to see how low the stars are for this business. I think they are still growing. I have been a few times and everything they have more things to enjoy and the ambiance is improving. I love how they display local art all around there large wine selection. The 3rd Friday of every month they have a food truck and wine night. The place was packed, they had a live band, and ever a few kids were there. The food selection was huge. There were at least 9 food trucks. Definitely would go again in December.
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Review from Erin L.
San Diego, CA
10/29/2010
I've been there twice now, only because I bought 2 Groupons. I took my husband the second time and he said he wanted to firebomb the place because they charge $4 corkage for beer you buy there. Yep, if you buy a bottle of wine from them they charge you $10 corkage and if you buy a large bottle of beer (for about $5) you are charge $4 to allow them the pleasure of removing the bottlecap.
The wine list is juvenile and mostly consists of wine from far away places. There is not a single wine from SD county and only a couple from CA. It's a dead giveaway that this place isn't up to snuff when the wait staff admits to never having tasted the wine they are selling.
The "artwork" on the walls is abrasive.
I'm never going back. -
Review from Brandy B.
San Diego, CA
10/7/2010
I really wish I didn't have to pick a star.
This is specifically to the friends of Russ who are writing reviews and attacking others for their opinion. I think it's commendable that you are willing to support your friend; however, you are highly misguided due to your loyalty.
Just because those of us purchased a Groupon to try different places, doesn't mean that we are at fault for the owner/bartender Russ' poor attitude. He was inattentive and could care less about us once he learned we had brought our Groupon. Shame on him for putting his business up on Groupon without considering that people are trying to find an inexpensive means of trying a new place. I would have gladly gone back without a Groupon if the experience had been anything but what it was.
I did read the Groupon. Many times. Especially the listing on Groupon that failed to list that there would be a corkage fee for bottles purchased within his own establishment. A bottle of Newcastle, after the corkage fee, is more than a 6 pack of beer at the grocery store.
My complaints despite the Groupon issue, is that there is a distinct bar funk (my fellow bartenders, former and current, you know what that smell is). His mini-fridge "kitchen" did not include gloves or a hair net/ball cap. Hello, health code violation? I don't know where his hands have been, but I certainly know that I don't want it in my food.
I'm sure he's very nice to guests when he wants to be. Maybe we caught him on a bad night. Regardless, it still doesn't make it "my bad." -
Review from Danielle R.
San Diego, CA
9/3/2010
Damn, I didn't see a negative star rating choice here?
My husband and I came in mid-day to purchase a few bottles for the weekend as we had purchased the Groupon a few weeks prior. We like to support local businesses and it seemed like a good deal.
The establishment was empty except for a group of 4 men at the end of the bar...Owner, bartender and two patrons. Promptly, the owner alerted us.
"We dont serve wine until 3PM (It was 2:30), but I'm more than willing to sell you bottles." As the two patron's sipping wine looked at us with interest. My husband explained that we had purchased the Groupon and were looking to find some take home wines."
"Well, you are going to have to cork them here." the owner spouted and turned to his cronies with an eye roll and head shake."
"You gotta' cork em' here, man" shadowed Bobo, his bartender.
"I guess I read the Groupon wrong, because it seemed like you could buy wine at the bar, or buy a few bottles to take home." said my husband.
"Well, you got that wrong alright! I should know. I wrote that Groupon." Said the man with the calculation of Ted Bundy in a cast luring women to help him into his van.
"You read it wrong, man" Said Bobo as he poured another serving to the preferred patrons.
Unamused and flirting with thoughts of physical violence, my husband turned to leave.
On the other hand I was very interested in the owner's service style. I asked why the Groupon was not clear and he responded.
"Sorry, dont know what to tell ya." He chuckled and looked at his purple toothed companions for approval, winked and turned back to me. I told him we didnt expect to be treated so rudely and how did he expect to survive when treating customers in this manner? He just laughed, so I told him he was a piece of solid matter that emanates from trolls and a few other words that start with F and end with U. I also remarked about how profound his writing skills were and how he could really get a clear and concise message across on Groupon!
In all seriousness, what has happened to the golden rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Nothing on that corner has ever prospered, but I thought this business might be able to get over the hump. In reality, after our experience, I'm pretty sure he won't be around for an extended amount of time. As the owner, otherwise known as Baby Napoleon, wrings his hands and winks at his pre-3 O'clock purple patrons he inadvertently is creating his own demise. I think I'll stick to buying wine from local establishments, such as Mosaic, where I can feed the local economy, get friendly service and a decent deal. Good luck Baby Napoleon, or future car insurance salesman who gets fired for masturbating to porn at work...Good luck. -
Review from Danielle M.
San Diego, CA
11/11/2010
Pros: This place has a really cool set up. I really like the circular bar. They had a happy hour special going on that was $5 a glass for any of their open wines until they were gone. They were pretty decent sized pours too. There was a friendly man who greeted me when I walked in and told us about the wine special but he said he wasn't the bartender...maybe he was the owner? Not sure. Also, there is a large parking lot.
Cons: There weren't many people there, maybe another party of two and a single or two at the bar. The bartender wasn't really paying much attention to us or asking if we wanted more wine. It took a while to get his attention to order a cheese plate. At most wine bars I've been to, the bartender helps you choose wine, asks you if you like it, asks if you want to order any food from the menu but we didn't really get any of that here.
Overall, I liked it but I wish the customer service was better.Listed in: Wino
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Review from Steve S.
San Diego, CA
2/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's a warehouse with wine and a small bar.
This one line sums it all up. The bar is small with trance, techno music playing at night. There are a few couches around and some paintings for sale to liven it up. This is a relax atmosphere where you can buy a bottle to drink as you please($10 extra for corking fee)
I was here on the food truck night, where they had 6 trucks out back, and was not impressed. The food was ok and the lines were long.... but it was something different to do.
Overall its a nice place to relax with a bottle, some music and some friends any time of day. -
Review from john e.
San Diego, CA
9/2/2010
This place is horrible.
The appetizers are way to pricey, it tasted like they got the food at a rundown truck stop & same with the wine.
I'll never return. I should have checked yelp & read the reviews. -
Review from Courtland C.
San Diego, CA
9/11/2010
6:30-ish on a Friday. Not too crowded, good seat at the bar and very nice guy (Estef) taking care of us. First thing we noticed after the great space and potential was a very unpleasant odor wafting through the wine bar that sort of smelled like sewer gas. Not an ideal aroma to start out with for wine tasting. The decor is fine, though one could do without giant televisions hanging from the ceiling.
Used the $20-for- $50-worth-of-stuff groupon, but the severely overpriced and relatively unappetizing appetizer plate ($14 for some bread, crackers and 1/2 cup of artichoke dip and some olives) and a $10 corkage fee on their own wine cut into the discount. Wine was Alondra 06 Napa Cab, and nothing to complain about on that front. I would say this place needs an astute manager to tighten it up a bit, and for now I agree with another reviewer who pointed out that there are so many other great places to go that offer better value and much better food accompaniment. -
Review from Carmen T.
8/30/2011 7 Check-ins Here
One star for its large space. Zero stars for customer service, prices, and wine selection.
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Review from Venessa V.
La Mesa, CA
10/9/2011
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. Worst customer service I have ever encountered. My friend and I walked in and were looking around because the space is so large and it was our first time there. Apparently, we looked awkward because instead of greeting us. The first thing out of the bartendars mouth was "IS SOMETHING WRONG??" We said no... just looking around Thank you.
When we asked about the wines on the list. We started talking about what we felt like.... as we were narrowing it down the bartendar jumped in and said. "this isn't like a wine bar that you have ever been to in San Diego all of our wine is really good and you can't expect to taste ALL of the wines." We only asked to taste two from the list. He said " This isnt a tasting room and people come in here and think they can taste every wine". I looked at him and said "Don't worry we are planning to order a bottle so just pour the two that we asked for!!"
JERK!!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!
