Kensington Club

Bar with attached live music area. Good service at the bar, cash only per the signs that are posted. Music venue small with a very small stage. Some seating and belly bar tables. Very warm inside, no A/C on a warm evening. Looking for a night out with live music this was a fun place. Parking can be tough as it is street parking and a few parking lots in area for many small businesses.

Loved the atmosphere and pool tables! Bartender was very sweet and the drinks were delicious. Only downside was that they don't take card

Great little hole in the wall bar with amazing live acts and decently priced drinks.

A fun little place to visit. A nice cash only bar with great prices, And intimate performance venue.

I was there to see Conner Stevens perform. Great show the band sounded so good. The Band was really pleased with the sound guy I heard them say he was the best they ever had. My only knock on the place was the Bartender was rude for what ever reason. Other than that the place was so cool. I thought the way they separate the bar from the stage was cool. Hopefully I go back soon to see some bands play. CONNER STEVENS was so good. San Diego awesome city.

Love love love this place. It’s the perfect mix of great drinks and mellow vibes always with shows next door. Instantly a perfect vibe for the weekend or last minute after work drink. Padded bar makes it a comfy spot, and Hannah is always pours well.

Cool concert venue and bar. Has a speakeasy feel to it. Good service overall. Bring cash! Please be aware, a lot of the negative reviews are actually for neighboring businesses, not for this bar. Definitely check out the Kensington Club with confidence, for drinks and a show.

Great drinks and awesome live music, Sound Tech Chris makes everyone sound like rock stars, while the staff keeps you hydrated.

Bar with attached live music area. Good service at the bar, cash only per the signs that are posted. Music venue small with a very small stage. Some seating and belly bar tables. Very warm inside, no A/C on a warm evening. Looking for a night out with live music this was a fun place. Parking can be tough as it is street parking and a few parking lots in area for many small businesses.

Loved the atmosphere and pool tables! Bartender was very sweet and the drinks were delicious. Only downside was that they don't take card

Great little hole in the wall bar with amazing live acts and decently priced drinks.

A fun little place to visit. A nice cash only bar with great prices, And intimate performance venue.

I was there to see Conner Stevens perform. Great show the band sounded so good. The Band was really pleased with the sound guy I heard them say he was the best they ever had. My only knock on the place was the Bartender was rude for what ever reason. Other than that the place was so cool. I thought the way they separate the bar from the stage was cool. Hopefully I go back soon to see some bands play. CONNER STEVENS was so good. San Diego awesome city.

Love love love this place. It’s the perfect mix of great drinks and mellow vibes always with shows next door. Instantly a perfect vibe for the weekend or last minute after work drink. Padded bar makes it a comfy spot, and Hannah is always pours well.

Cool concert venue and bar. Has a speakeasy feel to it. Good service overall. Bring cash! Please be aware, a lot of the negative reviews are actually for neighboring businesses, not for this bar. Definitely check out the Kensington Club with confidence, for drinks and a show.

Great drinks and awesome live music, Sound Tech Chris makes everyone sound like rock stars, while the staff keeps you hydrated.

If you can't vibe out. If you can't be weird. If you aren't accepting of all then this isn't the place for you. You'll see some characters here but they are welcoming. I like this place because it's a super chill spot where there's love for everyone. Came on a Saturday night towards the end of business. It was fairly dead on the bar side but the live music was still rocking. There was an entry fee to get access to the right side of the club and so we just stayed near the bar on the left side where it was free. Door person and bartender were super chatty and friendly. It's a low lighting / red light place which adds to the chill and intimate vibes. Drinks were cheap. Asked for a martini and usually at a bar like this, it ain't that great. But the bartender knew what she was doing clearly. When it's slow, it's definitely a more enjoyable experience.

Such a really neat venue and the staff is so nice. The music venue is great and separate from the bar area which is cool. There is plenty of seating on both sides whether you're just grabbya drink at the bar or catching a live show. You are allowed to bring in food and there are plenty of great local places to grab a bite and bring on while you enjoy some live times and a beverage. The space is 21+ and they do not offer food on premises. Such an iconic spot.

I came here for the first time for an event. There was plenty of parking in this area. My friend organized a large gathering at this space and when I walked in, I was surprised how big it was! There is a big space, in the room right next to the bar where people can go and chat with each other. It did not feel crowded at all even though there were 60+ people in this room. It was a great experience because I got to meet a lot of nice people and had really great conversations. The music here was really good as well!

If you want a friendly atmosphere and good service and good drinks. Stay away from the famous Ken. From the entrance door starting with the security to getting a drink is just not a go. The vibe is just aggressive and everyone working there seems mad. I really wanted to enjoy the place. Hope it gets better over time.

I had not been to the Ken Club for years. Recently, my husband and I had the opportunity to go see Twin Tribes in concert. We arrived at a time when I thought we wouldn't have to wait too long for the headliners to come on, but I was wrong. We ended up being there for the two openers and a random DJ. It was fun, but I would probably show up later for a show next time. I like how the venue is divided in two parts. It allowed us to get away from the music periodically to chat when we were waiting for our band to play. It wasn't terribly crowded that night, so we were even able to sit down and rest, which is nice when you are spending the rest of the time dancing. Drinks were strong and made quickly. I enjoyed the gimlets I ordered. I do believe that it was cash only, so that is good to keep in mind. Also, the restrooms were small, which would probably create a long line on a busier night. I also like the fact that you can get a stamp to go in and out during shows to get air. There were even chairs and small tables to sit at outside which was really nice. I would definitely check out another show there.

First stop on Adam's Unplugged! Bar area is separated from music venue area. Several seating areas set up so you can watch the band & an open area up front if you want to dance. Cash only. Divey & darkly lit. There is a parking lot in the back but you cannot park there, I tried!

Great old school bar. No AC but lots of fans, lighting is quite dark, cash only. We went to see a band on a Friday. Place was mostly empty at 8 PM but people filtered in later. The concert didn't start until 10:30 but they had a solid DJ until then. Interesting crowd, everyone was super chill. We liked that there are 2 separate rooms with the bar, 2 pool tables and "very limited" restrooms on one side, and club area on other, plus some outdoor seating out front where the smokers go. The club side get's warm so nice to escape to the bar or outside between sets to cool down or just hang. We'll be back.

Fantastic brews and outstanding service. Our bartender Tom is truly " The Man " This place is worthy of a visit and when you get there ask for bartender extraordinaire Tom

I went there for an nye goth prom party and there was a man who worked there that was super rude. I didn't catch his name, I didn't care enough to. I was waiting at the bar with my friends for my drink order when he comes up behind me and starts talking to me. It's loud, it was crowded, I was wearing ear plugs so I couldn't hear much of what he was saying. Turns out he was explaining to me why i needed me to move from the bar without actually asking me to move. I was a little confused as to what he was trying to say but I could tell he wanted me to move. I was getting ready to scoot over but I had to let my friend know to scoot as well (they use a walking aid and there wasn't much room to reposition). I suppose I didn't move fast enough for him because the next thing I know he's yelling at me "I'm telling you to move! If you don't like it, you can leave!" Keep in mind, the only words I said to him was "what?" and "okay". The rest of the service at the bar was fine but this particular man had a really bad attitude. He could have easily said something like "hey, I need this area of the bar clear, can you scoot over please?" and the outcome would have been a lot different. Check your employees and their customer service.

Great local dive! I love the structure: one side is a narrow bar area with seating and a pool table in the back; the other side is an open room for shows. This is great so you can still enjoy a drink/conversation if you have no interest in hearing a live band. Saw my friend's band here (check them out: Nights Like Thieves) and loved the venue. Cheap drinks too! PBR tall boys!

Great bar! Reasonably priced for great drinks! The only down side is it is cash only. Other than that highly recommend checking out this spot. Remember being cash!

Cheap drinks, fast service, super chill vibe and 2 pool tables. LOVE this place. It doesn't get overly busy or too loud even when they have an event going on. Only thing I don't love is that it's cash only.

Everybody here is absolutely insanely rude, the guy at the front door is the biggest asshole I've ever met in my life. The bartenders are short and don't make eye contact. You can tell everybody there has a superiority complex and it's just exhausting considering most people go to a bar to relax, not be talked down to and uncomfortable the whole time.

Had a great time at this bar. Bartender was a lovely lady that was constantly checking on our party making sure everyone was getting served. Can't believe I've lived 100 feet away from this bar and just went in for the first time. Drinks are cheap compared to other bars in town. Not busy on the night I went in. Bring cash as its a cash only bar.

The Ken Club is the epitome of a dive bar. Stiff drinks, cheap and not crowded (during the week at least). I've been here handful of times and never saw more than 4 other people in there besides me and my friends. You'll get your drinks made quick and don't have to fight for the bartender's attention. They've got a decent whiskey selection though it's nothing phenomenal. Beer selection is decent though their tap wasn't working properly one of the times I was there (saw this in a previous review as well). If you're looking for some crafted cocktails, head down the street to Normal Heights or the Nutty Ps. You'll get nothing but stiff wells here though you might luck out and find one or two "top shelf" bottles. Also, it's cash only. Be sure to remember that before stepping foot in here.

My favorite neighborhood bar by far. Drinks are cheap. Bartenders are awesome. Regulars are friendly. No glitz or glamour just one of the last genuine bars in San Diego. Have another round at the Ken Club for sure.

I don't recommend this place to anyone. The white, old, bald man was rude and disrespectful towards myself and my group. He has anger issues which made us feel unsafe and anxious.

Bar is cash only. ATM is across the street. There are two sides to this place. When you enter the building the side to the right is usually pretty full. There's usually a cover and a band. Both sides of the place seem to be filled with a mixture of hipsters and regular people just grabbing a cheap drink. On the left side is a bar and pool table. The bathrooms are typical for a dive. Declan is the nicest most chill bartender I've met. He pours a great drink and keeps the bar clean and spill free. Easy to talk to and keeps your drink going. Tip him well.

I don't know anyone who actually calls this place "The Kensington Club." It's The Ken. No need to church it up. I love taking newbies there; they get that deer in headlights look when they first walk in. No frills, spackle and drywall dust sprinkled about, sound cables unceremoniously taped to the floor. I like the fact that you can go to the left for booze and pool, right for music. Door Number One, or Door Number Two. The acoustics are not the best, and there are a lot of weird dead spots along the walls, but after six beers, who cares. Going to the Ken is like going on a cross country road trip. You listen to strange music, you drink to much, associate with fragrant people and you pass out in weird places at the end of the night. It's not all good, it's not all bad, it's an adventure. And the adventure is why you go. I just have a special place in my heart for the Ken since it's the only place that has inspired me to do cartwheels in the middle of the street in order to flag down a cab.

I would say the bartenders suck, but what to expect from a dive bar. I always wonder how much of it has to do with the fact that I'm a guy and of course in the back of my mind, I wonder if it's a racial thing, not sure, but what I do know is that when I want a beer I want a beer and I don't wanna feel, like I'm not cool enough for the bartender to pay attention to me. Anyways, beyond that, I like this place because of where it's located and because they have a separate room where live bands play, so If I wanna go next door and pay a cover charge I can, but if I just want to drink and let my girl dance next door that's also a possibility. This place is not your total hipster bar yet, but I'm sure it's on it's way. I mean what cool places aren't taken over by hipsters?

The Ken Club! Let's see. Pros: great venue for local bands to play. Intimate, good seating and a large stage. Amazing prices on hard liquor at the bar. (Sailor Jerry and coke for $4.50? And it is strong! I asked for a large cup with extra coke!) ... (Beers were $5!) Bartenders are nice, make good drinks, and are patient. I've asked for a type of alcohol and something sweet and have been given delicious drinks. Great location, easy to get to and good parking. Cons: First, I wish I could give 3.5 stars. But I went for 4- and this is why. Been to 2 shows here and the Sound Guy was late (show scheduled for 8, started around 10!) and the door price was not know til day of show. The bathrooms are a bit old, but I'm pretty sure they are renovating. The door man also seems cranky and not super welcoming to the bar. But I suppose a hard attitude helps keep the rowdy ones in check. Overall the Ken Club is a good place to go. And if you are a local band, book a show here!

This place puts the dive in dive bar. Loved the blues act Tomcat Courtney is a must see. But the following act was a punk band and they were rude and rushed a 90 year old blues singer off the stage as if he were a homeless guy. The bouncer proceeded to rush everyone out of the stage are as soon as the blues act was over. Zero class, zero respect. I hope Tomcat Courtney plays somewhere a little nicer.

Bad service The Men of the door did not allow us access and treated us in an unfair way, I discriminate for the simple fact of speaking another language and for being special guests of a band from Mexico, which we were on a list that the men refused to verify, Nor did he let us pay by bank card the tickets, in a nutshell he denied us access

How did I never come here earlier in my lifetime? One room is the narrow bar area the pool table and digital jukebox, the other is an open-spaced show venue room. And from the looks of it, the only way to get from one to the other is through the front. Hopefully there's another opening towards the back, but I figure that would be mainly for staff, techs, and acts. We paid a $5 to see a live Weezer tribute band. Small price to pay for a great show. I think that because of it, a friend of mine who went there told me he had never seen the place so packed in all the days he has been there. Maybe it depends on the band/act. Besides that, it's definitely a cool local dive bar. Parking: Street. Didn't seem too tough for us, but then again, we went there towards 11pm, when other businesses are closed or near-closed. Good people, fun acts, cool location, busy bar.

When I first came into this joint I wasn't sure what to expect since it's over in the Kensington area, which in my opinion is a pretty bourgeois part of town that is right next door to what many would call the ghetto. So I was expecting some hipsters that weren't gonna be cool. However, I must say that the bartenders that work this joint are great, at least the girl that works in the early evening of Sundays, Brett, and Devlin. These guys make going to this place all worth it. Brett is the man since he gave me an awesome present of a Crown Royal Fountain since he noticed that I drink Crown on the rocks a lot. Thanks boss man! However, I have one complaint. The Karaoke DJ on Tuesdays is not a cool dude, he definitely dissed our group this past Tuesday by making us wait forever and a day to sing the song that we requested, but kept telling us we were next. What's even lamer is that when my buddy called him out on it outside he came back inside and announced to the whole bar what was said but blew it way out of context by accusing us of reverse racism and instead of handling it himself he got his buddies to call us out and talk a lot more shit. It's a good thing that the bartender knew what was up and calmed the situation down by telling the DJ that he was in the wrong for bringing it back inside. Outside of this incident we love coming out here on Sundays and hope to keep coming out on Tuesdays when we can. Definitely a great dive bar to come and kick it, relax, play some pool, and reload for another days work.

I dig it, except when they have shitty bands. The venue doesn't carry sound very well, so your ears--no matter where you are--get raped and battered by the destructive airwaves. Yes, you can go to the other half of the bar, but it's usually too crowded and a bit smelly. I guess that's all negative, so here's some positive: 1. Cheap pool 2. Cheap drinks 3. Cheap hookers (not really, but I wanted to keep up the cheap thing) 4. It's sce-sce-scenester (I'm counting this as a positive; I'm starting to like all the scenesters. They're funny).

Kensington Club is EXACTLY what you'd think of when it comes to dive bars. Cheap drinks, narrow walkway at the bar area, pool table and pinball at the end of the hall and small dingy bathrooms haha. Parking was on the street so it might have been a little difficult to find a spot if I'd come on the weekend, i'm sure. Drinks are on the lower end of the price spectrum especially considering you're in San Diego. Be aware, it is cash only so make sure you bring some with you. Chase bank/ATM across the street. They also have an attached seating area with tables, a stage and a floor which is pretty big compared to being at the bar. I visited on a Monday night for 'Lights Out Comedy' (which I believe is once a month, one every last Monday of the month) which had local comedians performing sketches and stand up. It was free and very fun! The show began around 10pm and lasted about an an hour to an hour and a half. They also had an open mic after that which I didn't get to stay for. Overall, a standard dive bar with a cool stage and seating area next door. I would definitely come back if I were in the area. And will be checking out the comedy acts whenever I can :)

This is a pretty decent place for a dive bar. The layout is genius, there is a stage on the right, and a bar on the left, separated by a nice, thick wall so you can (mostly) escape the music if it sucks too bad or you want to have a conversation with a date or something. The bar doesn't have a lot of local micro brew selections or anything (it's a dive bar I wasn't expecting much) but is decent if you're not picky. The staff is nice enough, and the bar was not too crowded when I was there. Nice size stage, with a decent sound guy running FOH. Pool table towards the back of the bar area. I would definitely see bands here again, and even come out to have a drink here on occasion.

Dark, No one you know goes here, killer drinks, and it's a historic landmark in SD? I f'ing love this place!

Not my cup of tea... Went there with a buddy. Place filled with bikers, everyone there was wearing black. Pretty divey bar, great prices, decent music and close to other bars. Minus stars for only taking cash.

I've been here a time or 2 with my husband for a show and never felt an off vibe but recently went for a show with a gf, and the night went a little south. I had to call her an Uber late and wait alone. I went back inside expecting a safe place to wait for Uber to reset to call one for myself and sit for awhile, yes after last call, however I was treated quite rudely by the male bartenders. Let's just say that in the punk rock scene I certainly don't expect any kind of special treatment, no one needs to kiss my ass for a tip, but they went far beyond not expecting a tip... being belittled and shamed and escorted out for simply trying to not stand outside alone. Yes that is how I was treated at this dive-ass club. Don't ever spend a second there alone.

I'd been to Ken Club before and had always had fun, however I'm giving it the worse rating I can give it due to something which happened this weekend. Basically, some psycho attacked me in the Ken Club. The guy also falsely identified himself as an employee or bouncer at the Ken Club. A real bouncer came by (or at least HE claimed he was also), and in fact told me I should just "walk away". This is after I told him to ask my friend who was with me and saw the whole thing. The day after, when I tried to find the phone number to call the Ken Club and speak with the manager, the only phone number they have listed anywhere (the 619-284-2848 number) is disconnected. Both Google and 411 list the same, disconnected number for the Ken club. I had no way to give feedback except through this Yelp rating. They have a Myspace but I'm not gonna bother, any reputable business has a phone number (Well ok, Juan's Taco Stand on the corner doesn't have a phone number, but they have more repute than the Ken Club in my mind now.) Have fun at the Ken Club, as long as you don't mind bouncers not doing their job and protecting you, or playing favorites when their buddies turn up and act like total douchebags. Sounds like a great time.. hey all let's go get Shanked tonight at the Ken Club, and then get told to "walk away"! Woooo.

This is one of my old stomping grounds, back in the days when I worked in good ole City Heights. None of my co-workers would go with me to this bar. For them it was too close to the job. Eff em. They all wanted to go to either PB or Gaslamp and that was just never my scene. The jukebox also has my kind of tunes, from classic rock to punk . Cool Dont expect anything fancy here. They have booze and stools. Booze and stools. A long bar with alot of booze and alot of stools. They also have a room next door where you can come check out a live band sometime. Cheap drinks. Strong drinks. Nobody from PB will ever come here so relax and enjoy . Kensington rocks ! except for starbucks. They can go away for all I care.

HOW this place can have a 3-star average rating is totally beyond me. I've been a Kensington resident for almost five years, but I'd never ventured into this bar until very recently. I've often walked past it, of course, and wondered if I was somehow missing out on some sort of cool, underground neighborhood experience by having not gone in for at least one drink. Turns out...I wasn't missing out on a thing. I'm not sure what I expected, to be honest. I knew it was a dive bar, but this is beyond a dive. And, trust me, I've been to many a dive bar in my life and I can appreciate most of them for what they are. But nothing excuses a cheap, dirty, dingy atmosphere and horrible service. I don't care how "dive" the establishment is. It's still a place of business for cyring out loud. I used to think the Tilted Stick (or whatever it's called) was the seediest bar in San Diego. Honestly, this place is worse. So, here are the details: - Shotty, disinterested, half-assed service - dude didn't even try to pretend like he cared - Ancient-ass, grimy TVs playing bad game shows that I'd revolt against even if I were in a catatonic state - Cash only, and I don't recall seeing any signage to inform customers about this fact beforehand. If you want to run a cash-only operation to keep costs down, that's fine, but at least give people a heads up so they know what to expect BEFORE they order (there's a Chase ATM across the street that charges a $3 surcharge. Fun times.) - Dark, smelly, dingy, outdated, small - it's like an old potato cellar in there or something - Dirty bathrooms outfitted with bizarre and creeptastic red lighting We ordered a beer a piece - Yellowtail on tap. It was flat. We also ordered two shots of tequila. They acted like they'd never served this before and had to dig around to find a bottle. When they did, they poured into two shot glasses, despite the fact there was really only enough alcohol left in the bottle for one. Funny thing, though, we were charged full price for both. Maybe this place is awesome for live music. Maybe it is a smashing good time if you're a regular and know the people who "work" there. Or, maybe, it's really just a crappy dump that should be sold to the highest bidder and overhauled into something worthy of the fantastic neighborhood in which it's located.

I've been to the Ken Club a number of times to see my favorite local bands play, but Ive never really been all that impressed with the joint. I'm not one for a big fancy production - if there's fun to be had, that's all I really care for. But my last experience at the Kensington Club but a stick through the spokes of my bicycle of fun. So I'm going to give you the dog's nuts of the place. The place isn't very hard to get to - you can take the 805 or the 15, both will drop you off right around the neighborhood. It's not the most obvious attraction from the road, so keep an eye out for the pink neon "Kensington" out front, hidden behind some trees. But there's no parking in back so look for spots in the street or surrounding neighborhoods. If your prayers come true and you find parking that isn't three blocks down, you finally make it to the door with some breath left in you. The place is divided in two - why, i don't know. To the left is a narrow and crammed (if busy at all) bar with pool tables in the back and an overpriced electronic dart board. To the right is the show room, with its own mini bar typically and conveniently stocked with brew. And in front of you is a tall and silent bouncer. But forget him, I'll start with the main bar. If you come early, as always, its easy to find seating. Come later, and good luck walking to the bathroom without shoving someone into their drink. Even though its a long bar with plenty of seats, don't expect to find one past 10:00pm. Around 11:30, you're running through a gauntlet of sardines in a crushed tin can just to take a leak. The bar itself serves mostly liquor, with a couple taps that, in my observations, are often tapped out, and there isn't much to look at besides a small number of posters - a Guinness and Jack Daniels being the only two that come to mind - and an eerily-lit pale-yellow neon clock that the only balloon in the bar is blown in front of from some fan. The bartenders were extremely friendly - in fact I didn't tip him once. The first drink - a jack and coke - took this guy what felt like an inning to pour, after it took another inning for him to wobble down to me. The second time, the same guy screwed up a dark Russian (seriously?), and made a production about me not tipping him again either. Well here's a tip for him - if it's busy, leave your problems at the door and don't suck at your job. Getting tipped is a privilege, not a right. And if your service sucks, don't expect me to reward you. I'll often over-tip at the end of the night but this guy really rubbed me the wrong way. No problems with the others, but it was disheartening to see they weren't very enthusiastic about their jobs either. (I guess I would be too if I walked away that night with only $300 in my pocket. You know, what with the recession and all.) Taking a couple steps further down the bar, you've got your bathrooms to the right and two pool tables (one working), an electronic dart board (overpriced), a booth and some more bar stools to lounge around on. The bathroom was also extremely well-kept - I really couldn't tell if a water pipe had busted or overflowed, or if that really was piss all over the floor. Once you complete the gauntlet and are awarded a a fresh drink or soggy shoes, you fight your way back towards the show room. This time, the bouncer who just checked you for your ID is now asking you for the cover charge, so be prepared. Finally inside, with the pleasant aroma of sharpie emanating from your wrists, you find yourself in the main event. And boy what a place it is - you really feel like royalty. A number of red incandescent lights illuminate this dark cavern, stock with plush leather booths for seating, very comfortable. Sometimes the band will bring nachos for everyone, which you'll find off to the right towards the stage. Two ceiling fans set on low circulate the air for the dancing, bobbing, bouncing, and moshing masses, making for that special ambiance of walking out of a show with your shirt absolutely drenched in sweat (who knows if all of its yours). The acoustics aren't too bad, and if you're really into stage lighting, you'll be excited to know that 6-8 plain white stage lights illuminate your favorite band at any given time, unless they bring their own. But once the show is over and the crowd makes the mad dash for the cool fresh air outside, you achieve a zen-like state. You really do. For you realize that the Kensington Club is one unique experience that I'm sure is (or maybe isn't) talked about. And if your ears are ringing, and your shirt is soaked with sweat and your shoes are still slippery from the flooding bathroom, and you close out your tab (if you have one), you can begin the trek back to your car, and home, for a good night's blogging on yelp. Frankly, I'm going to continue coming to the Ken Club to support local music, but Im definitely going to pre-game elsewhere. Cheers.

There was a time when I really appreciated the Ken club's dark interior, older regulars, and cramped set up. That time has passed. I came here with a fellow yelper just about a week ago or so and we stayed for only one beer. The music was depressing, the vibe was off, and frankly, it didn't tickle my fancy. I remember fun nights at the Ken, karaoking with the one and only Daryl Johnson, exchanging drugs in the bathroom, and laughing my butt off with my good friends. That appeal is no longer there. I must admit that perhaps it was just our timing that was off. We went during a weekday happy hour where all my previous experiences were weekend nights, but just the same, I wasn't impressed. Ken, we've had some good times, but I think we should just be friends.

If this review had a headline it would be "god save the ken." couple points i want to make. first- the ken club is really two venues, a bar side and a live music venue side. admission to the bar is always free, but the music venue often carries a cover ($5 to $7). Shows are every friday and saturday and sometimes other nights of the week. The line ups always, always feature local bands- this is a great chance to catch local talent on the way up. This is also a place where local indie bands will put on shows for their friend's touring bands. Personally, I like the dualism of the venue-- it allows people to actually make a choice about whether they want to go to a live music event or, as often happens, not. Bands often make the mistake of playing too loud in this space- the bands that play softer sound much better- just a peculiarity of the space. Shows at the Ken always, always start late- don't expect the opening act to go on before 10:30 or so, headliners often play after 12:30. This is one of the top five place to see local music in san diego no question. The bar is serviceable- it certainly has its partisans but I'm not a huge fan. Anddd.... if you want to see the Ken Club at its absolute finest- come visit on 7/6/7 where I will be presenting Vinyl Radio, Fifty on Their Heels & The Dirty Novels. Admission is $5 and it should be a good opportunity to see a vibrant Ken Club crowd!

The Ken Club is a hole where hipsters don't have to hide from persecution. Featuring hearty boozing and inexpensive shows, the Ken Club is truly one of the last great venues of San Diego to see a rock show. It's a dive bar with great sound, good people, and free smokes when the Marlboro girls come out to play. The place is pretty hot and sticky sometimes and I have always wanted to play here. Maybe some day.

Do you like cash only bars with nowhere to stand where people are not constantly squeezing by you and watching you pee any time the door's open after your mediocre service? Check out the Ken Club! Bartenders have beards and hats so you know they're cool and music in the stage room only sounds good from out on the sidewalk. Inside it will make you deaf. Giving another star for a decent jukebox and red lights.

The Ken Club used to be my neighborhood bar (though I never lived in the neighborhood) because it's the closest cool bar outside of Tierrasanta. I've always loved the Ken Club because it's just the right mix of cool. Meaning that there are cool people that go there, the bartenders mix a good drink and there's a good jukebox. During the week, the Ken Club is quiet and a good last stop for the night. (I somehow always end up here after escaping the Beauty Bar.) On the weekends, there are usually (loud) bands playing in the other room, but the beauty of that is you can choose whether or not to venture over there for the madness. I'm docking a star for the totally retarded girl's room.

I came here to watch a friend perform at a comedy show. Lucky me I found a parking spot in the front! I was worried about walking around at night in this neighborhood. I arrived with another friend a little early since we heard that the venue was going to be small and we had lots of friends coming. We went to the bar to grab some drinks and realized that in the bar area it was karaoke night (nobody could sing!). Great, I will just order my drink and go into the other area. Sounded easy enough but... they only had one bartender. I tried my darnedest to get his attention. The people singing were getting louder and I wanted out of there. My friend made a comment about there only being one bartender and a scary looking girl at the bar got upset. She turned around and started making rude comments. I panicked and shot my friend a dirty look. I did not want to get beat up. I can't fight and I will remind you this girl was SCARY! We got our drinks and I ran to the other side. Thank goodness we had our own server Becky. I wouldn't have to deal with the other room at all. Whew. The venue was small but not bad. It fit all of us and Becky was a superstar with keeping the crowded room happy with drink orders. The drinks were cheap and strong, my favorite combination. The comedians kept us laughing and the show seemed to end too soon.

Likely a bit more like 3.5, but the benefit of the doubt goes to the Ken Club because of its simple honesty. Good, positive and energetic. Good drinks. Beer. Liquor. Not crowded. A good spot for a Thirsty Thursday adventure?

so the bar is only like 2 blocks away from my house... I've been here so many times i don't know why it has taken me so long to review it. well here goes nothing: Good beer on tap, good liquor in bottles, one side is for bands and the other is for the regulars. since im a little bit of both, ill review both sides. after being 86 twice from the same guy, then finially let back in i will have to say: one star to the door man! one star for the bartender one star for the awesome bands one star for allowing me back in for the third time... i swear no more fights! all ican really say is just go! have fun and no fighting!

Cheap drinks poured with a heavy hand in a no bullshit style that most bars in the area lack or have lost I love this place Id fucking move in if I could...or buy it when I win the lottery. Its the closest refuge from assholes and retards as I can get when I step out my door.

One of my favorite places, but I had to deduct a star on the basis of them having only a single toilet for the ladies. It's barbaric! The Ken is a great divey place for live music. It's divided into two parts: the narrow main bar/pool table area, and the larger stage area. It gets tight around the main bar, but the bartenders are swift and handle a crowd well. As with all my favorite bars, the drinks are cheap. I go for the live bands, but I hear it's also got a strong following of folks who use it as a regular neighborhood haunt.

I went on a Sunday night and I was expecting something way better. A band was playing and they were charging $15, lame, so we stuck to the bar side and shot pool in the way back of the bar all lonesome. The bartender chick was kind of a bitch, whatever. I guess if you're a regular you'd love it, but that's true of any dive. I'll be checking out a different place next weekend. Maybe I'll check out the Ken club another night just to give it a fair chance, but overall, MEH!

The Ken Club. Ehh, I can take it or leave it. If you're unfamiliar, it's a total dive with a stage for bands. Thankfully, the stage and the bar are separated so you are able to order a drink without you having to scream. The bar itself is pretty long and narrow and can be very difficult to get through when crowded. BL's and well drinks are $3.00. And sometimes there is a cover if a band is playing but luckily there wasn't last night. The sound is simply alright. Nothing great, but not terrible either. I don't know how I feel about this place to be honest. I've seen great shows here before (Hello Transfer!), but I think The Ken Club has already seen it's heyday. At least it's still around though. As long as they keep doing what they're doing, and their loyal clientele keeps coming in, I don't think they'll be going anywhere, anytime soon. Dives seldom go anywhere. They just become even dirtier, older versions of their former selves. And people love it!

This isn't my favorite venue in the world. I'll go here when people I know are playing, but that's about it. Drinks are decently priced. However, on the occasions I've been there, the bar is inadequately staffed (1 bartender on a Saturday night), and it takes for-freakin'-ever to get a drink. Partially due to the lack of staff/lack of quickness on the staff's part. Partially due to the bar area being so narrow that it gets packed very quickly. The ladies' room is teeny. Only one stall and a very cramped wait if there's a line (which there usually is). The stage area is something that I both like and dislike. Like, because it's spacious, and I'm not usually being smushed by other patrons. The stage seems to be spacious for the bands as well. That's based on observation, not experience, as I am not in a band. The sound quality is terrible, though. That's probably the biggest let down for me. Oh, and lots of hipsters. Maybe THAT'S the biggest let down for me.

Great stiff drinks, friendly bar staff and the door guys are not jerks. The shows are usually pretty good and the sound is good also. I have dropped my pants on stage twice and never been thrown out. Good times.