Eleven

ElevenEleven
ElevenEleven
Bar, Eatery

3519 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, California, 92104
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.69
Reviews:
2
Ratings:
2
pDev:
8.4%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by DeanMoriarty:
Photo of DeanMoriarty
Reviewed by DeanMoriarty from California

4/5  rDev +8.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
First off, I just want to state that, as per usual, mactrail nailed his review of this place far more better than I ever could. We may not see eye to eye on the grading, and clearly come from different backgrounds, but I tend to side with his reviews over my own, only because he is able to overlook certain aspects which i simply have no patience for. Regardless, he will give you a much less bias report of this place than what i'm about to present, so take my review with a grain of salt...and such - blah blah blah.

Man, this is my type of scene - lots of hair or simply none at all, which translates to straight up hesh all the way! Blaring death metal and punk rock draws a particular crowd to this spot, which is a major departure from Blairs 's standard beer bars (Hamilton's, Small Bar and Monkey Paw) - and i'm not complaining - no hipster goons at this spot, just straight up heshers! The back of the bar offers a stage that dishes up some good shred in the later hours (10pm - close) and the front has a few booths and a couple tables if you just want to chill and sip some quality brew. The full bar and plethora of taps feeds the flavor of any drinker out there regardless if beer or booze is your thing - nobody judges you in this place from shots of Jameson to tulips of Cuvee De Tomme - just do your thing!

Quality is on point - top shelf booze to gutter trash bottom of the barrel well selections (how much cash you got to spend???). Tap selection is pretty much just as good as any bar out there - a little light in the hop department though, but was pretty impressed with their cask - they were hand pumping the official last barrel of Green Flash 9th Anniversary "Green Bullet DIPA". The can and bottle selection don't match up to some of the other beer bars out there - a bit on the lighter side with a few Mexi selections and talls of PBR. They did have "Gueuze in The Fond Tradition" though, so my lady was happy!

Service is top notch for reals. Not having to wade through your typical coagulation of goons found at today's beer bars really makes a big difference. Two bartenders at the helm keep the thirsty drinkers satisfied and well buzzed throughout the night - very short lines (if any at all) - everyone is happy and feelin good!

Selection is slightly less satisfactory than what you would find at Blair's other spots - was a bit bummed that the website was claimin Damnation and Pliny, which were not actually pouring when we dropped in this past Friday night, but they kind of made up for it by having Cuvee De Tomme (never seen this on tap in SD - only SF Toronado) and Green Flash - Green Bullet DIPA on cask (WTF!?), so not complaining too much. They really could up the hoppiness in this spot though.

Their food selection amounts to a crock-pot of mystery with each night. Tonight was a steaming crock-pot of imitation nacho cheesy goodness, with proper Mexi tortilla chips from one of the many local markets in the neighborhood and cans of pickled jalapeno peppers that were perfect toppers to a free tasty snack to line the belly for the ensuing beers that quickly followed - not gourmet by any means, but greatly appreciated none the less.
Feb 04, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of mactrail
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

3.38/5  rDev -8.4%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3
It's a bar. It's got beer. It's got music.

I count 24 taps. The erratic chalkboard list gives you some idea; at least it's close enough to see. You can also see the online list at http://elevensandiego.com/beer/. Imported and local as well as familiar craft beers. Notable to me were Avery Seventeen and the Hoppy Pumpkin from Green Flash.

Location is good, in the sense of expanding good beer into sketchier neighborhoods. It's south of the interesting part of Adams Avenue with the Blind Lady etc., and further east out of the Thirtieth Street orbit. On #15 bus lines if you're downtown or at SD State University. On the down side, the place is really loud even without the music. Big live music schedule. Bands and that scene take up the back room, and a bar and random tables are crowded into the small front room. Smoking on the sidewalk.

Happy hour (4-8) advertises "free crock pot nosh." It's definitely on the divey side. The jolly urban random crowd, mostly young but no attitude. We were in the Small Bar on Park and noticed the "visit our sister pub" sign. Eleven must be the sister that left home young, bummed around, still likes to party.
Nov 11, 2010
Eleven in San Diego, CA
Place rating: 3.69 out of 5 with 2 ratings