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Categories: Irish, Pubs, Music Venues [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Ocean Beach, Point Loma
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I appreciate the Harp's presence in OB. They host a lot of free live music, and most of it is pretty good. Between the Harp and Gallagher's down the street we've got some nice - and free - counterpoints to Winston's in the neighborhood.
But a couple things keep the Harp off my go-to list in OB:
- Food. In large part, it's heavy, greasy, medium-quality bar food. Drunken munchies, I grant you - one could definitely be in the mood for some of their sandwiches or Shepherd's Pie late in the evening. But for a good bar meal outside of the gut-bomb category - including the vital breakfast/brunch slot - I would go elsewhere in OB almost all the time. (Like..... Nick's, The AZ, South Beach, the Blue Parrot... all have better food.)
- Prices. I think it's a little spendy for drinks. Perhaps I'm spoiled by the relatively cheap OB bar market, and particularly the existence of Pac Shores right next door. And maybe that's the tradeoff for good free music on Saturday nights. But I don't really go there on Saturday nights when it's packed for live music. (Maybe charge high prices then only?) I go on Sunday for football, or on a nice Saturday afternoon, or Wednesday during the Farmer's Market. And I know I can get a cheaper drink next door. Or failing that, I can at least get better food at a number of other similar sports bars in OB.
However, the Harp is visibly popular, and it's good to have them as a part of Newport Avenue's streetscape. I'll definitely come by every now and then for a change of pace, and maybe it'll improve.
I'm a creature of habit. I love continuity, I love routine. Breaking out of my bubble can be cause for a massive panic attack.
However, one of my boyfriend's coworkers had a birthday celebration here this past Friday night. The people Eric work with are pretty rad, and I am a dutiful girlfriend. So despite my rising trepidation, we headed over to OB to meet up with everyone at The Harp.
The place was packed - they had a Beatles cover band playing that was pretty good. I am not well-versed in the Beatles, though. Nor am I well-versed in Irish Pub type places. The Harp has cider (couldn't tell you what kind), so I was happy. Service was relatively friendly, if a bit slow. However, for as crazy busy as the bar was...it could have been a lot worse. Rest rooms here are in relatively good shape, but very small. Expect to wait to pee, and be crammed in a small room with about 6 people you don't know.
All in all, I had a good time here, but nothing stood out to me as being AWESOME. Except for the friends I was hanging out with. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back here, unless it was with a crowd like this past Friday.
Need a drink? Good luck! If you go here to see music, you might have a good time.
If you go here to drink with some friends you can count on sitting with an empty glass for much of your time here.
If you are trying to save money, go to the Harp. Not because the drinks are cheap. Rather because they are happy to not take your money while you are trying to give it to them.
They literally won't take it. Puzzling. Other than that, not such a bad place!
I always have a good time here, but gosh! they are expensive. Whenever I come down to Ocean Beach to visit my sister, she insists we come here. Of course I could never object to live music, with NO COVER!!! But I can object to the obscene prices for beer. I suppose they need to make up for the no cover somehow.
I hear they have good food. I have never tried it and perhaps when I do, their rating shall change. I am just shocked that a place that appears so divey would charge $15 for a pitcher of Bid Light.
These four stars mean ALOT coming from me. I hate the invasion of PB style bars in OB. I hate the PB style people that hang out at said bars. I hate bars with fake themes that essentially boil down to TGIFridays. Well this bar is all of these things and somehow I really like it. There is almost always a good band playing here for free, usually blues, rockabilly, something hipster. Even when they're busy it's pretty easy to get drinks from the servers. You will pay PB prices for beers but they have a decent selection including Alpine and some European imports. The menu is mostly standard bar food, but given the (seemingly random) Irish theme there's a handful of bangers and mash type stuff. But what led me to write this review was the beef stew - REALLY good especially for a bar. I actually am craving more right now!
Des guys is da shit yo. Me and my homies rolled up there the other weekend and this crazy dope band was playin. They was called Pullin cheese or ropin cattle or somethin like that. Oh wait PUSHIN ROPE dats there name. Crazy rockabilly /evil/outlaw/hillbilly If yer goin to the Harp ya gots to when Pushin Ropes playin. Sick Bar Sick Band
I really liked this place. We came after a huge creeper encounter at another bar down the street (read my review of Sunshine for reference).
The fact that we didn't have a creep come up to us made this place very successful in my eyes.
I had a huge glass of Guinness and suddenly my unsavory encounter with creepy hoodie guy melted away.
The place is fairly large and it was really full that night. Cute guys came up to my friends and I to chat. Turned out that one of these white guys was half Mexican and from Buffalo, NY....so we ended up talking in Spanish in the middle of an Irish Bar in OB.....random.
My friend became somewhat infatuated with his roommate and wanted to follow them home. I was like, "honey, time to go home" before she did something she regretted. I can't blame her though, he was a cutie.
I like. Guiness as usual, fun bands, and the bartenders are nice. Big open windows to people watch if that's your bag.
To quote the late Hunter Thompson's Vegas book - "Holy Jesus. What are these goddamn animals?"
No need to take a shower before you go here. I'm just saying.
The female bartenders are really with it. Friendly without being obnoxiously flirty, knowledgeable about drinks, and always energetic. All qualities I appreciate in my broad behind the bar.
They really have a bunch of great music all the time. The Buzzbombs are one of my favorites. Band members dancing with/making out with/humping random patrons is always a good show in my book.
The food is also pretty darn tasty. The burgers and wraps especially. Ireland isn't exactly known for its pub food, but the grub here is great, especially after a few too many!
My girlfriend and I came here on a Sunday afternoon to meet up with her brother for a few drinks (his girlfriend just started bartending here.) I had passed The Harp a ton of times walking down Newport but never went in. (The scenery of the ocean and cliffs is a far superior place to get a buzz on IMO.)
The interior was cool- very reminiscent of a lot of the Irish pubs in Boston, save the airy feeling with the windows open facing Newport. I liked all the old-timey Guiness posters- The whole place screams character in general.
The drinks were cheap because someone else was paying the tab! Not sure how much a beer costs if YOU'RE the one paying, though.
All in all, I'd come back- it's a few blocks away from my place, and a pretty chill bar- Why not?
Love the atmosphere and the window to sit in watch the world of OB go buy is totally cool. Service for food is spotty at best. The menu is pretty typical pub food - nothing fancy but tasty. Seems to be some new staff so maybe that will pass.
Lots of variety in live entertainment. Place is large but gets PACKED as the evening wears on.
This bar is pretty lively and packed. I liked the live band they had (buzzbomb?) when my friends and I went here. I also LOVE their half n' half beer...soo rich and good. I actually savior it, drinking it slowly instead of chugging it like the other beers.
The reason i only gave it 3 stars is because of the age group...seems like it's for people around 30-50ish, so we felt a little out of place. Other than that, I definitely come back here just for the Half n' half!
Please read through the whole thing.
As a bar: I would not generally pick to hang out at this place. The structure of it is really wide open and very plain, not a lot of character.
The people: Umm, yah I don't know. I've never really gone outside of talking to the people I came with. To be fair let's say the other bar-goers don't want to talk to me either ;)
Staff: I have never had a problem. Great people. I think I met the owner or manager once and he was fantastic! Gave me a kiss and a hug and I'm just a sucker for kisses and hugs. There was one time the bouncer was trying to tell me I was too drunk and was being a real d-bag but it's not like you never meet bouncers like that every once in a while.
The kicker: GREAT ENTERTAINMENT! Lady Dottie & The Diamonds! What?! I don't know how that worked out but I am glad it did because I shook it old school last night and had a blast with my girl, Starlight. I've also been when they have the Irish drinking song night. I hate that I can't remember his name especially since he also gave me a kiss and a hug. He was great and gets the whole bar involved. I danced a lot that night too. I pretended to know the lyrics and got hip checked by my rowdy Irish friends on every other beat of the music. Good times.
When this place first opened, I thought for sure that it wasn't going to last. I thought the floor layout was extremely poor, the decor consisted of green paint. But hey, this is OB and they serve booze, so it definitely had a shot.
After a few months, it was clear the Harp was not only going to make it, but worthy of frequenting. It is unassuming, the clientele is laid back, and they often have good music. Especially on Thursdays- Lady Dottie and the Diamonds.
In short, the Harp is the best Irish Pub in OB.
Any watering hole that even attempts the Irish pub theme usually ends up like douche centro. The Harp in all its fitted ballcaps, multiple bouncers, and guiness pours isn't all that bad.
It always seems like there are way too many sausages swinging around in here. It actually seems like that everywhere. I just have to go to a Pilates class just to remember that women really do exist and not all of them smell bad.
Love the harp. Love the live music and the crowd.
I, for the most part, really like going to this bar. The service is friendly and the drinks are healthy( they save money on mixer)!!
I just have one complaint that could also be used as a suggestion- stay as far away from the wound-up, blond haired bartender as you possibly can. Dude, last time I checked, good bartenders hustle around getting drinks when its busy. This guy bullshits with everyone while his fellow bartenders are trying to fill drink orders. If i had to work with this guy, I would told him what time of day it is by now!!
Typical Result in dealing with this guy
after cliche bro knuckles, it goes like this
him- YA BRAA!! How is it going? ( 8 people in bar total at this point)
me- hey man, I am good
where did he go???( ten minutes later he walks back on by)
him- YA BRAA!!! Do you want something to drink?
me thinking( ya think, I am sitting at the bar for what other reason?)
ME- sure, how about a Stella and a shot of Powers!!
him- sure braa( and the guy disappears AGAIN!!!)
Now, more humored than pissed by the situation he walks by 5 minutes later?
Me- Hey, can I get my drink and shot?
him- sorry bra, I just got really busy! Coming right up!!!
me thinking- 8 people in the bar is busy?? I am fucked if 5 more people show up
me- no worries!
Well, i did get my beer and 20 minutes later I got my shot. Now, I understand that a bar gets busy and any bartender who knows me knows that I am as patient as they come. But this was round 2 with this guy and seriously, it's a little annoying to watch this guy work. To all the rest of The Harp staff, you guys rock!! They work hard, they aim to please, and when you get a chance to BS with them, they are all pretty funny, friendly people. They must also be saints because if I worked with this yo-yo, I wouldn't want to split my tips with this guy.
Long story short- good bar, ok food(although I hear the chicken burger is great), and great staff!! Just do yourself a huge favor- AVOID THE WIRED UP BARTENDER, YOU WILL JUST GET FRUSTRATED!!!:)
I usually head to The Harp as stop #2 of any inpromptu unorganized mini-pub-crawl in OB. Stop #1 is next door, PAC (Pacific) Shores.
I was here a few weeks back, and saw "The Cash Kings" a Johnny Cash tribute band that was damn good. It was much improved from my prior visit to The Harp where I got thrown out because I punched my friend Mike in the crotch as he walked in the front door. C'mon, I've known Mike for nearly 20 years you don't have to throw me out for that.... But then again, 6'8" guys punching people as they walk in the door isn't the best way to attract business... so I understand.
Where was I? Oh yeah... This place NEEDS better service on their busy nights. Regular week nights the place is solid and has a good selection of beer and a good scene, but the wait is way too long for a drink on the weekend nights... and I'm patient. Also, a tip to the junior varsity bartenders assisting on those nights... If my order is $9.75 and I give you a $20 you better give some ones, or maybe even fives... but giving me a $10 and a quarter is a bad way to make tips.
I drink beer, this place serves it and it's cold. I can usually find a place to sit and have a good time... 3 stars
If they had good service and Johnny Cash on a regular basis I would be giving them a 4+.
Nothing special here, they've got a lively night scene on the weekends but my god it sucks during the day and weeknights. Overpriced shots and semi-cold beer make for a below average spot.
I really love going to The Harp. I usually start my night at Sunshine down the street, but always end up here. I think it's because they take credit cards, unlike most OB bars, and that's usually all I've got after a night out. I love the live music they have (especially the Beatles cover band!) and the prices are pretty typical. It can get a loud with the music, but don't come if you don't like it! The service is a little different every time, but I've just come to expect that with bars and for the most part, the bartenders and waitresses have been cool. There's also a dance floor if you like to get down, but there can be some creepers out there, sooo beware. ;)
I'll admit I went in prepared to hate the place--NOT a big fan of new faux-Irish pubs. And my first visit's overpriced overchilled Guiness did nothing to improve my attitude. But I couldn't resist the lure of good local live music with no cover, and was impressed by the fact that they managed to land local blues-rock legends Lady Dottie and the Diamonds for Thurs nights, so I had to stop by again.
Very impressed and kept coming back every so often, usually on Thursday nights. It's crowded and can have some amateur-nightish overserved folk, but in general it's a very fun and diverse crowd, with 21-75-year-old patrons of all persuasions enjoying their drinks and dancing .
Bonus for beer fans--turns out they actually have some decent local and CA microbrews on tap for reasonable prices. Sure it's no Newport Pizza & Alehouse...but in return for the more limited selection you get local live music any night.
Been there to watch football as well--pretty mellow, good TVs and full selection of games on, unobtrusive service does not interrupt the games.
Don't let the too-slick, borderline chain-y Irish theme decor fool you, this is a true local and independent joint, and worth checking out!
Where else can our hero watch a rugby game, the Euro Cup football match, and a live band all at the same time in OB? This Irish pub has an eclectic mix of people, nice flat screen TVs and a menu that includes bangers and mash, Irish stew, and shepard's pie. Beers on tap run around $5 and include Guinness, Boddingtons, Smithwicks, and Harp as a solid foundation.
PROS:
- Has a cool stage with live music several nights of the week.
- Definitely a dressed down place where they don't seem to enforce any kind of dress code at all.
- Open air windows that let in a lot of fresh air, or let you talk easily with people standing outside on a smoke break.
CONS:
- In general, the guys here look pretty scruffy and the broads have a few extra pounds.
- The bartenders pour heavy beers in a strange way where they don't angle the glass at all; instead, they pour half the drink, let it settle, and then pour the rest. This leads to a strange layered feeling for some of the heavier drinks like Boddingtons and Guinness.
This place is pretty huge, or maybe it was compared to my previous stop.
The layout is pretty good - the bar is off-center and the floor plan is laid out surrounding the bar. Plenty of tables and seats, an elevated section, the bar is stocked with a kitchen serving burgers and other bar fare and - this is the best part - seating next to the large open windows facing Newport.
I saddled up there with my buddy, a couple of regulars and a pitcher of Yellowtail, my sunglasses and my eyes to view the unending show which is OB on a weekend. Complete with hippies, young families, junior and senior beach bums, brosephs and of course - ladies. One of the high points of the afternoon involved me getting everyone sitting at the window to show the passing ladies our appreciation with rounds of thunderous applause.
Surprisingly, our appreciation was received with more gratitude than I'd expected (I'd expected to get jumped by a group of angry, rabid, bikini-clad women - which is really what I was going for now that I think about it).
They've got a bunch of TV's surrounding the room and a subscription to Setanta, so fans of Premier League, rugby and Australian football fans can delight.
I think I may have found my OB drinking station.
Cool lil place that seems a lil too popular with the less then ideal people. I like atmosphere and idea behind it but the few times I have been there it was a lil too crowded and difficult to get drinks or chill.
Reminds me of a not so fun bar in pb...with young drunken dudes too abundant.
Don't get me wrong people having fun is all good but was just a lil too much. A common problem in Mandiego.
Related- to bar's (out of 5 possible stars)
Venue- 3
Service- 3
Fun factor- 3
Overall exp- 3 Stars
Drawbacks- Just a lil too crowded to enjoy and get decent service...taking away one star for pain in the assness.
This place was a blast! We stopped here after Taco Tuesday at South Beach Grille, as they had a live blues band playing and I'm a bit obsessed with blues dancing (I had also already begun to drink, so that may have been part of the impulse). The band was great, and the Long Islands even better. It's a really fun, laid-back dive bar with a very nice ladies restroom. Best part: no crowd on Tuesdays! I'm not sure about other days of the week, but it's definitely worth a look mid-week.
After going to Shades, we went to this bar. When we walked in, it was super crowded (what do you expect for a Friday night). It didn't seem like my kind of scene (because I was dressed like I was going to the club), but I decided to give it a shot. The crowd varied in age and most appeared to be locals. The four of us girls walked in and managed to grab four seats right at the bar. A male bartender, perhaps in his 30s who was fairly good looking, immediately asked us what we wanted. Grace, Isabella, and I first got Car Bombs and Isabel got an Amaretto Sour (my recommendation). Too bad Isabel doesn't like beer. We had the bartender take a picture of us right before we were about to chug our drinks. He had to retake it because some douche in the background flipped the bird. After that, We proceeded to chug our drinks. After that, I got a Corona and a Jack & Coke, and Isabel got another Amaretto Sour, and Grace had a whiskey sour (which was made on accident by the bartender because he thought we wanted one). As we were drinking, a band started playing music. They weren't half bad actually. Their music totally goes with the ambiance of the bar. I felt a little sick as the band was playing, probably because I drank a little too fast or because I had a Car Bomb then a Jack & Coke, then a Corona. Overall, we had a good time in this dimly lit OB bar :)
I don't claim to be an expert, but this is where I had one of the better Guinness beers. No cover charge and plenty of space to see a live band playing on a Saturday night made for a nice scene.
The crowd is young yet not as young as at Pacific Beach. This is probably a good thing.
Great bar, great prices, nice bartenders, rad live music.
It's a fun place to be!
1. There is very little "Irish" about this bar other than there's some green stuff all around.
2. If I wanted to go to a PB bar...well, I'd go to PB.
I think 2 stars is being generous, but I'm in a giving mood today. Went to meet friends there on two separate occasions, and each time had to endure the usual douchebaggery that I'm used to when I somehow end up at (insert PB frat-tastic bar name here). It's just not what I expect when I go out in OB. Same goes for the bartenders....at other places, even when they're dealing in volume I still get a good vibe from the barkeep. Not so much at The Harp. The open facade is nice for getting fresh-ish air inside, but it makes that area of the bar smoky. (Okay, that's like a real Irish bar.)
For Irish bars....I get annoyed by the Gaslamp, and it's generally pretty tight quarters, but go to The Field. That place alone makes it worth the trip. And if you're in OB...hell, even Sunshine & Co. is better. For my $$ I like Nick's, Newport Pizza, and of course Pac Shores. Gallagher's gets a D- as well for reason #2 detailed above. But it is slightly more Irish.
Pretty cool place! I forget what Harp used to be...I know it used to be awful that's about it (OB's maybe?)...It's changed over and it's sooooo much better! What an improvement!
Had to wait in line to get in for just a few minutes, but that's a good sign as far as popularity goes, right? No cover and live music! When I went, there was a Johnny Cash cover band (fantastic)...a dance floor and a great mix of people.
I had a great time and I am excited to go back!
Cool bar and cheap booze. Good band playing tonight. I liked it.
I love this place! I'm a wee bit Irish...and just found all kinds of fun here. I went last Friday night and saw Tony Cummins! Talk about getting a crowd involved!! SOOOOO much fun. I wouldn't recommend it if you hate to clap. If not, anything goes, and don't even try to have a full beer and let him see...you'll be chuggin in no time. I have to add GREAT SERVICE, they are extremely friendly and efficient even when busy!!
The food was good, my friend and I shared the turkey burger, tasty, but I admit... we were mostly into the good times. I also have to comment........they take credit cards!! CONCEPT for Ocean Beach! I love it, no ATM on site!
I'll be back, and I'm bringing my Irish with me!
Free live music!! Yay!!
my bf loves this joint...it was great when it first openned....but now it's just another irish-kit bar...'we painted everything green and have guiness on tap! whoot! we're irish!'
I will say the service is impeccable, though....always have smiles and serve stiff adult bevvies....and that is why this place gets a big fat five stars from me!
Good food, GREAT Price!
This place is just another Ocean Beach monument it seems. THe place keeps changing names but the guts are the same. Get a booth, get a draft beer and enjoy the sheppards pie and the game!
I've always enjoyed a cool Irish bar and the Harp is exactly that. Set in the laid back confines of Ocean Beach this bar has a great atmosphere. Forest green walls decorated with countless Guinness memorabilia and framed with dark stained wood as you would expect in any authentic Irish Pub.
The perfectly poured Guinness is complimented by the tasty Irish Cuisine such as "Bangers and Mashed" and regular favorites such as "Fish & Chips".
The place is huge and serves as a nice place to catch some live music such as "Lady Dottie" on Thursday nights.
All and all it was a fun time and I'm sure to be back soon!
P.S. If you're a regular at Jack's In La Jolla or Belo you might want to stay away as you may be a bit uncomfortable.
I like The Harp. They almost always have live music, and 50% of the time I think it's worth changing my plans to drop in. The vibe is still getting established - it ranges all over the pace. Super low key, and feels clean and maybe a bit too bright, but it's a relatively safe bet for a middle-of-the-road bar.
The Harp! it is a cool place to go in O.B with ( a deprived music scene!)
the thing i have seem to find, that is their downfall is
(((( you really need to watch what you give THEIR BARTENDERS!!!))))
make sure you know what the drink cost! and make sure that they give you the right amount of change!!!! ( the short redish hair guy and the blond girl that resembles Roller Girl!)) they deal in the rear area)
i live in Point Loma. and have gone there alot.. but the last 5 times , i have been, punked on money!! roller girl looking bartender!- ((she charged me DOUBLE on my CARD 2 times!!! ( she always says that it didnt go through, and she needs to run it again!! ( and when i receive bank statement!!( charged 2 times! its a foul.. and the little guy will take your $20 bill and give you $11 bucks back ( a $5 dollar bill and 6 one dollar bills!! for a yellowtail ale =($5 buck drink!!))
that has happened 3 times in a row now!! (give or take a buck)) i go there later !! around 10:30pm or so cause i work late!! and like to have some beers and listen to decent music... but getting ripped often is a drag!! its one thing to be super drunk and not realizing how much money your dishin out.. but to be sober and have them pull that stunt!! it made me think, and made me come here!! maybe to help others down the road!!! just keep a eye out for it!!! i know it happens everywhere, but it shouldnt!! i really dont mind giving someone a BUCK for a TIP!!! just dont take your own tips out of my wallet please!!
Been going here since it was Marco's ,,, although the remodel is nice.. i was super sad that the huevos rancheros is gone off the menu. I always came here for them because I prefer not to be served by the crackwhores at Perry's... too bad for me.
Neighborhood: Ocean Beach
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Ocean Beach
Category: Music Venues
Neighborhood: Ocean Beach
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Ocean Beach
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Ocean Beach
Category: Bars
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