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The Ould Sod
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 2 pm - 2 am
Sat-Sun 10 am - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Live, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
174 reviews for The Ould Sod
Review Highlights
"This is a really fun little Irish pub."
(in 62 reviews)
"Live music on Fridays."
(in 11 reviews)
"It's a great local hangout and I can't wait to go back."
(in 6 reviews)
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174 reviews in English
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Review from Christiane D.
San Diego, CA
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
There is nothing wrong with this Irish Themed dive bar - it isn't overly large, but it gives you the neighborhood feel/vibe that you are looking for on an easy evening, but watch out, if you are there late night, it gets busy and bumping. They don't offer food at all (which is funny because the booths are so large in comparison to the rest of the bar) but you do have the option of ordering from somewhere else and bringing it in. They have a jukebox in the back, take credit cards and parking isn't terrible on the streets adjacent.
They have great festivities for New Year's and St Patty's Day, especially considering they celebrate twice (once for here, once for Ireland!). I would recommend this place to people because it's the Cheers' style comfort that people seek out that not every place can give you. The staff is nice, the people that frequent there are looking for the same as you, so I can imagine making new friends isn't a problem at all!
Major Bonus Point - your bill isn't ridiculous ever because they don't overcharge for everything! Win -
Review from Mike C.
12/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is a great hang out spot because they have decent micro brews and there are tv's everywhere. The locals and usuals pretty much get first dibs on the bar seats, but if you get here early enough, you might score on the perfect seat in front of your favorite tv.
They also have random band night nights too but this place is pretty small as it already is, so get here early to get the prime seating. I love the convenience of this bar next to other bars in the surround Adams ave area. -
Review from jax v.
11/10/2011
Sometimes you wanna go,
where everybody knows your name!!!!!
Well not everyone, but it's a friendly type of joint that you'll probably end up striking up a convo and at least SOMEONE will know your name! small space, big booths (go fig!) a couple of TVs and a jukebox in the back---keeping it simple, casual, and friendly. They don't offer a food menu, but they'll allow you to order something from next door. How cool of them is that?! -
Review from Angel T.
West Hollywood, CA
1/6/2012
Dive, but not in a good way. There are lots of old, grey haired men, who are super inebriated. The music is a mix of elevator and 70's misses. The drinks are WAY too expensive for what this place is. I don't understand four stars. At all. There are way better places in Normal Heights to hang out. Is it a coincidence that "sod" means "f*ck" in the UK? I think not.
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Review from Jessica C.
Santa Barbara, CA
1/5/2012
This is an Irish pub that is actually owned by and Irishman! This pub is authentic and has great Guiness on tap!
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Review from Larissa Y.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 10/22/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Okay. After being a patron for about three years, you guys do indeed get the final fifth star (and that's not alcoholism talking, but thanks for asking).
The Sod is my home away from home.
Yes, there is a weird smell. It's there because all you drunks keep coming back, because you know just as well as I do that this bar is AWESOME.
Yes, it is a very narrow bar. If you don't like that, don't show up at prime bar time. Come in before 9. Here's the thing with the Sod: you'll go for a beer. *A* beer. One.
You'll shut the place down.
You'll have been there for four hours and run into eight people you know, sung a random song, had five drinks (with a $20 tab), the best evening you can remember in quite some time, AND you don't have to worry about finding a place to sit/stand because you will have already been there early. For just one beer. ;)
It's really nice to come back somewhere after not going for half a year, and the bartender calls you by name and says "Hey, where've you been? We've missed you!" Solid. Win.
If you want some upscale, "grown-and-sexy", twelve-dollar-beer-style, look-down-your-nose, flyer-passing-out, cover-charge-giving, theme-night-having, hipster-at-every-corner-staring-you-down bar, this is not the bar for you.
If you ever wanted Cheers to be real, this is the bar you go to.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/17/2009
After several months of Karaoke Thursdays and many beers later, I now proclaim this to be My… Read more »
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Review from Charlotte C.
San Diego, CA
10/25/2011
Great little local hole in the wall for celebrations and libations! I've been coming here for several years - for everything from New Year's Eve debauchery to mellow weeknights. It can get crowded and loud on Friday (live music) and Saturday (karaoke) but it still feels like I've come home to visit my favorite Irish uncles who just so happen to be excellent barkeeps.
Jukebox in the back, booths along the wall and plenty of whiskey behind the bar. Perfection! -
Review from Shamus O.
Los Angeles, CA
12/22/2011
This place smells like a litter box... A full one.
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Review from Heather Anne B.
San Diego, CA
1/15/2012
My boyfriend and I just moved to the neighborhood, and this is the one place he was dying to visit. We have gone twice now and he and I were both pretty disappointed. The place is oddly shaped -- really long and narrow, so everyone is stuck in one big line down the middle and it's impossible to move. We managed to find a couple of seats at the bar, but the karaoke was so loud that the bartenders had to ask customers to repeat themselves, including us. The drinks are a little bit pricier than I would like. That's something I could forgive if the atmosphere were welcoming, but I just felt cheated. But the worst part was the overwhelming stench of stale kitty litter. Seriously, the place smells bad. I would actually be relieved to learn that there is a cat living there, because at least that would explain the smell. We only made it through a couple drinks before we found ourselves dying to leave.
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Review from Kory S.
San Diego, CA
9/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Came here on a Friday night and there was a live band playing. It got crowded real fast but was a fun place to chill with friends and meet to new people. The music was loud and the drinks were pouring. Pretty diverse age group and something for everyone here. They had a pretty good selection of draft/bottle beer and everything was moderately priced. With limited seating and small booths our group had to get cozy with another which soon became new friends.
Definitely plan on frequently this place and letting the Irish in me get it's drink on. -
Review from Bells H.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 11/27/2011
I had yet another great night here.......still loving this place
Listed in: Best Happy Hour
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/6/2011
This place is a true Irish pub, no gimics, good old local pub. You could be walking into a little… Read more »
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Review from Corey H.
San Diego, CA
5/7/2011
I just heard of the Baltimore Fiddle Festival on the radio and I really wanna get over there. Also learned thar from this sleepy town many residents were sent to establish Baltimore, MD way back when. But sadly one day Algerian miscreants came ashore and nabbed most of them and once back in Algiers, sold the sad Irish lot into slavery. Sad ould story really.
Oh, an the Ould Sod actually smells of real ould sod. So you know it's good. -
Review from Corey H.
7/27/2011 1 photo
This is a really fun little Irish pub. They usually either have live music (Irish type) or karaoke. Its a narrow place with just a few booths behind where people sit at the actual bar itself. It does have a narrow walk way out back that you can go smoke and drink on.
Its a cool place to go grab a couple beers and chit chat with a couple friendes. The prices are good and the service is always friendly. -
Review from Hilary K.
San Diego, CA
8/1/2011
I love this place! Karaoke + Irish pub = Yesss
It's narrow and gets crowded fast but everyone seems to always be the social type and it's fun to mingle. I also like that there's usually a range of people (older, younger, foreign, crazy) - it's the best.
I went in the other afternoon because I forgot to close out my tab from a few nights before (yikes) and I was surprised to see a much older crowd hanging out. I thought that was pretty cool. I might have to stop in some Sunday afternoon and try to gain some wisdom from my elders. :P -
Review from Shannon M.
San Diego, CA
3/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Popped over here for a couple drinks with a friend on a Thursday. It was karaoke night!
KJ was fun, easy going and made sure everyone got their turn at a singing their hearts out.
Watch out for the stage. I managed to trip twice on it. :( -
Review from Phoenix R.
San Diego, CA
6/4/2011
We went on a karaoke night. It was lots of fun.
The bar is really crowded so it's hard to move around.
The drinks are decently priced and everyone seems genuinely happy.
We call it the happy bar! -
Review from Ted S.
Raleigh, NC
7/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
When I moved from PB to Normal Heights there were a couple of things I noticed very quickly, chiefly that it's nice to be able to stumble a few blocks down and park at the local watering hole without having to worry about things like cover charges, VIP lines, dress codes, bros, or Zonies.
For what the Ould Sod is, a small no-nonsense neighborhood bar to get together with friends and grab a drink, it succeeds wonderfully. Yes, it's woefully small, narrower than the jeans on most of the Hipsters visiting from Northpark, and smells faintly like cat pee, but it's nice to wander in and be able to get a pint without having to slug somebody. Add in the ridiculously popular karaoke nights on Thursday and Saturday, and it's almost perfect. Just make sure you get there early. -
Review from Derrick B.
San Diego, CA
4/24/2011
I love beer and i love good music. This bar is a combination of both. Im not one to usually get up and front of strangers and sing without being intoxicated, but here, you can sing , be horrible and still have people cheering you on because that's the type of crowd it is. Everyone is here to just plain out have a good time. Im kinda disappointed that i didn't get a chance to sing my song because i was on a pub crawl, Maybe next time.
The bartenders here are great, It was packed the night i went. i was expecting the bartender to ignore me just a little bit, but no!!!..as soon as we made eye contact he nodded, finished helping another person then came to me. To me, thats great in a crowded bar!
Definitely a place to come back to when i want stay low key and still be around good people who know how to have good time.! -
Review from Jeanna W.
2/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
You're small!
You're crowded!
You make Hot Toddies!
There is more space in the smoking area!
Drinks are reasonably priced!
A lot of people I know love you!
You have karaoke night!
Or, wait, was that a band?? -
Review from Nick T.
San Diego, CA
2/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This bar rocks. Especially when its karaoke night, even though I never participate. I simply enjoy watching the people sing while I'm drinking.
What more do you want to know ? Go see for yourself buddy. Its a cool spot. -
Review from Jennifer W.
San Diego, CA
9/23/2011
F-in best bar ever!!!
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Review from Leonard L.
San Diego, CA
3/12/2011
Ould Sod
SD: Normal Heights
Friday March 12, 2011
Four Stars
Arriving here post midnight, the place was still packed from wall to wall and the live band was playing "Sex on Fire." I ordered 2 Pints of Harps, a Blue Moon, and a Gin and Tonic for $15. We crammed into the back at a table without any chairs. We sang songs by Tom Petty, Sublime, Weezer, Foo Fighters, Presidents of the United States of America, Blink 182, among others. Overall, this place had fun music, cheap booze, and ridiculous people. Beware Girls, the bathroom is small and may or may not have toilet paper. -
Review from Madison B.
San Diego, CA
12/16/2010
The Sod, is like my Cheers. After a long night of drinking, you'll stand in the lot next door to get your street taco on, and Miss Vanessa will YELP your name from across the way. Yes, that is me. Yes, I am drunk, and so are you. ;) we go on to talk hello kitty stories, and I reminisce about my night.
The drinks are always good. But after drinking at a bar for so long, I'd expect them to be. The wells are usually around $4 which is extremely decent, considering if I drive down Adams a mile or two, I'll find myself paying $7.
If you're like me, and aren't a fan of crowds, come on a weeknight. You'll tend to find that you're the only one sitting in the bar. Buy two drinks, get the third for a quarter, is a steal!
Pass on the Karaoke, and brave the old drunks during ALL holiday parties. -
Review from Tyler S.
San Francisco, CA
9/15/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This place is great for the hood! I love the beautiful vinatge bvar and the fun crowd....the singing is a bit much but hey...it's Normal Heights!
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Review from Mike V.
San Diego, CA
1/2/2011
This bar has some rabid fans,
The kind that'd take a bullet, man,
The owners hail from the Emerald Isle,
And it comes out in this bar's style,
A quaint and small pub you'll surely love. -
Review from Miss Vanessa T.
Chula Vista, CA
9/8/2010 4 Check-ins Here
This place stinks. literally.
I don't know if it's the place itself or if it's the people that patron it....but a weird smell lingers in the air.
Also, I am not a huge fan of American style karaoke....I find it boring. So listening to strangers sing while I am having a beer is not exactly my idea of a fun night. Some don't know the lyrics, either from being too drunk or for choosing a song they normally do a garbled up version of while in the car.
This place is incredibly tiny for the amount of people that jam themselves inside....I feel like my closet is bigger.
However, I have had a pretty good time during my visits at Sod. Hence my rating.
My friend, Tony N. might defriend me on yelp and facebook for giving his beloved bar such a low rating.....but I would happily join Tony and friends if given an invite. -
Review from Melissa S.
Crystal Lake, IL
1/3/2011
I went here with a friend of mine to try out a local place in San Diego.
It was a great find. It almost makes me wish I lived out in SD so that I could call this my local pub!
The staff was friendly, and really Irish! It was wonderful. I mean it's a pub so it's not well lit, it's not super clean... just don't look to hard at the floors or seats and you'll be fine.
I went there on two separate occasions, and there was great live music one night. There is a tiny stage right next to the door, just the singer and his guitar. I got a booth to sit in which was nice so I didn't have to deal with people brushing past me in the corridor that leads to the back of the pub, and the bathrooms. There seem to be lots of regulars, which I liked. It gave the place a homey feel! -
Review from Andrew M.
Tucson, AZ
8/29/2011
Oh Ould Sod, how I miss thee! This place is hands down my favorite bar on the face of the earth.
The Sod is a simple Irish style pub that has Karaoke nights on Saturdays and usually has a band playing on Friday. Try to catch Bill Cardigan and the Canyon Band, those guys play Johnny Cash-like country stuff and it's awesome.
Prices aren't too bad, and they've got a pretty good selection of beers. The place is run by an irish guy who's nice in a gruff sorta way, the rest of the staff are all very nice guys.
I always enjoyed the crowd in there, except the time the busload of Marine pilots showed up.
I used to live 2 blocks away from this place and would head over on Friday or Saturday night every few weeks. I moved away a month ago and this place really tugs at the ould heart strings. -
Review from Emily R.
4/4/2011
So, I didn't even go in this joint. I sat out front and smoked a cigarette listening to a guy butcher "Take on me" by A-Ha. I will give another go with this one.
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Review from Garrett P.
8/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
I don't remember much about this place - I was pretty sloshed by the time I even showed up, but what I do remember was thumbs-up. Karaoke if you want to embarrass yourself. Great selection of beers on draft. Right next to Manny's Taco Cart for your grub needs.
Great crowd of people here, too. One of those joints where you can tell everyone's just there to have a good time -
Review from Amanda G.
12/21/2010 4 Check-ins Here
I like Ould Sod
Yeah, it smells, but it's got a cool vibe. Any Irish pub with real Irish bartenders is alright in my book. I dig the buy back special they do on Mondays and Wednesdays (I believe), something like buy two drinks, get the next one for a quarter or something. Only during certain times though, and don't quote me on how it works. Also, one time, I saw hot Yelpers totally make out. I haven't actually sang karaoke here yet...Nevermind, scratch that, I'm pretty sure I have. Finally, I was very impressed with the Johnny Cash-esque band they had one of the last times I was there. A mi me gusta mucho!! -
Review from Sara Y.
7/13/2010
Saturday afternoon and a few Black & Tans to make my day even better. Gotta love Old Soud!
I have been here a ton of times over the years and it is always a good time. Live performances and a good crowd (and the tiniest bar bathrooms in San Diego) all the time. Like most N. Park bars, this place is a quiet, locals joint during the day, but then it is all about the cool kids crowding the place at night. Plan accordingly, but know that you will always have a rad time.Listed in: Lush Lures
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Review from Janet D.
4/18/2011
It doesn't get more genuine than the The Ould Sod! First, it's housed in the third oldest licensed bar in San Diego (since 1940). Second, a trio of Irish owners morphed it into the consummate neighborhood Irish pub that it is today in 1989. You'll be surrounded by Irish brogues and your thirst will be quenched by a cheery barkeep at this understated pub. On Tuesday nights, you'll be treated to traditional Irish music; karaoke on Thursdays and Saturdays; a mix of folk, country, rock and oldies on Saturdays; and football on Sundays. Happy Hour: Monday through Friday (all day Sunday) from 4 to 7 p.m.
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Review from Ryan O.
San Diego, CA
1/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great little local bar. They have a full bar and the drinks are reasonably priced. So the place tends to have fun drunk people. It is very small, so Fridays and Saturdays are usually too packed for my taste. They often have a live band on those nights.
Thursdays are Kareoke, which is always fun. People here tend to be really friendly and outgoing. Definitely my kind of bar, but mostly for the weeknights. -
Review from Marisol C.
San Diego, CA
4/25/2008
I came here tonight in commemoration of Tony "Bubbles the Love Pinata" (who would more aptly be nicknamed "The Ninja") N's
birthday.
Tony ordered me my first ever drink- a white russian.
(Thanks Tony- sorry I didn't finish it...I have an extreme gag reflex,
and if I drank any more I would've chucked)
It was great hearing everyone who couldn't sing belt their hearts out...
Ruggy- I'll never hear Frosty the Snowman the same way again.
I *heart* you all.
And props to Wayne? (the bartender) For supplying me with
2 glasses of h20- you're an awesome possum. :)Listed in: Popping my Yelp Cherry ;), I *heart* Karaoke
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Review from Sean G.
San Diego, CA
8/5/2011
A great Irish pub, nothing complicated it just is what it is. The smoke pit out back is super chill and a favorite spot. They pour a great pint of Guinness and its the only place I know of to get a hot whiskey.
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Review from Alisa M.
8/25/2008
I have to give this place 5 stars because they had Widmer, a rocking freaking fun band and the clientele were nice as hell.
I was already 3 sheets to the wind when I arrived and I was feeling a little droopy. But not for long. The Dateless Losers started playing and my energy level shot through the roof. This band is fantastic. Can't rave enough about it.
As for the bar, the service was great, they had my favorite beer on tap and everyone was really friendly. And I wasn't even flashing. My kind of place!!!!Listed in: Places I have made a fool of…
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Review from Tony N.
This is the bar to which I compare other bars.
I cannot stress how strange it is to say that a bar is my second home, but this is truly the feeling I have towards the Sod.
It's not because I spend way too much time here per se. It's more the feeling of comfort I have when I'm hanging out at the bar or in the back patio. From the very first time I came through the swinging door, I have never felt out of place. Considering that I'm usually the only chubby Asian dude or the youngest person in the bar, that's a pretty huge feat. It helps that everyone who frequents the bar are from the hood and like me, are drunkards.
The ownership and the staff from the bartenders to the doormen are class acts which are getting harder to find these days, given the recent boom in new over-hyped drinking establishments.
Is there anything lacking? I'm sure there is. But whatever that something is, I don't need it because the Sod as is, is my perfect getaway.Listed in: I Knew I Passed AP English for…, Preservation Stations, Top Notch Hoes Get the Most…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/5/2007
Oh God, how would I be able to make it through the week without Thursday nights at the Sod?
Ok, I'd… Read more »
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Review from ruggy j.
8/15/2008
I used to be a resident of Normal Heights, and the Sod was my go-to spot in the hood. Now, I live closer to Live Wire, so visits to the best Irish hang on Adams are fewer and far between.
Ould Sod is one of those places that has a serious community feel. I don't think I've ever hung out there without running into someone I knew. GREAT vibes, and great people. What more can you ask for?
I challenge you to find another pub in town that pours a better pint of Guinness. Oh my GAW... I think Mother Teresa must brew the kegs that get delivered to the Sod, because their frothy-topped libations taste simply divine.
They do karaoke on Thursdays, and though there are some pretty good ringers that step up, I'd guesstimate that about 50% of 'em are tweakers off the street looking for their next big break. It's hilarious to witness... but sadly, if any of you are reading this review, you won't be running into L.A. Reed at Ould Sod anytime soon. Keep the yucks 'a coming, but the next Kelly Clarkson or Bo Bice won't be crowned here.
PS-Don't add your own cuss words to the karaoke songs... the lady that runs the machine is kind-of conservative and she doesn't take kindly to four letter words.Listed in: Adams Avenue, Party After Kickball!, Irish Pubs
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Review from Jeff J.
San Francisco, CA
8/27/2007 ROTD 1/20/2008
This place has one of the most immaculate bars I've ever seen. It's this beautiful gigantic perfectly lacquered wooden bar, and if you set your glass down on it a bartender swoops in to put a coaster underneath within seconds. Try it some time. It's really incredible.
The bartender shaped a little clover into the foam of the Guinness pint I ordered just like at the Guinness factory in Dublin. I bet she makes hearts on Valentine's Day. And stars on the 4th of July. It warms my heart just thinking of it.
