Hoffer's Cigar Bar

Bar, Beer-to-go

8282 La Mesa Blvd
La Mesa, California, 91942-5257
United States

(619) 466-8282 | map
hofferscigar.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.36
Reviews:
8
Ratings:
13
pDev:
7.8%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Lessurluck:
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Reviewed by Lessurluck from California

4.56/5  rDev +4.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
Great happy hour until 7. The cigars are great and the owner is always around to help you with your cigar selection and Mike at the bar always ready to suggest a beer. Great place for all beer geeks from the newest to the more knowledgable. The taps don't change as often as other bars so no worries about missing out on something.

They don't serve food but they have menus that a bunch of places regularly deliver right to the bar. The outside patio is my favorite. Semi enclosed with a TV perfect for enjoying a good cigar and an even better stout. They have jazz events all the time and cigar events with raffles and cool prizes. Prices are good, happy hour is $4 pints and last until 7.

If you live in east county you need to check this place out!
Jun 10, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.05 by chrisjws from California

Oct 05, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by Drink_LocalSD from California

Dec 10, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by aoampm from Hawaii

Sep 06, 2014
Photo of MisterGone
Reviewed by MisterGone from California

3.49/5  rDev -20%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
Caveat: I am a non-smoker so you may wish to completely disregard this review.

Came here a couple of times. First time was outstanding. The smell of raw tobacco welcomes you as you walk through the front door, which also serves as a corridor of cigar selections. I enjoy this smell, the wife not so much.

The key for us was the bartender. This first night (a while back), the bartender was amazing. Really knew his brew. He asked me what I liked when buying for home. When I gave him my "profile" he recommended Drake's Denogginizer, which has become a house favorite (when in a heavy mood). He also strictly enforced the back door, keeping smoke out of the main room.

The second time, the bartender (different guy) wasn't as knowledgable and did not enforce the door, so the room was constantly filling with smoke. Not raw tobacco odor but blue smoke.

So, being a non-smoker, I'm out. But the beer list is indeed put together by a passionate BA.
Aug 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by nebuchadnezzer from California

Jul 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by heffIPAlover from California

Jan 22, 2014
Photo of coldriver
Reviewed by coldriver from Texas

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Visited here on April 6 after searching extensively on line for a cigar and beer joint in the San Diego area. As we perused the 24 tap lineup I remarked to my buddy that it was perhaps the best 24 tap lineup I'd ever seen - especially considering that we were in the San Diego area specifically for the west coast hop bombs that this place specializes in. I had my first Hoptimum, my first Palate Wrecker, and my first Tongue Buckler right here!

It's a modest sized establishment with indoor bar and handful of tables, and outdoor smoking area. I'm no expert in cigars, but they had what appeared to me as a fine selection and we got some good advice from Phil the owner in making our selections. Great atmosphere, smoking is restricted to outside which is a plus, and the crowd was laid back fun and friendly. They don't serve food but Phil was able to assist us with getting some great quesidallas delivered right to Hoffers.
Apr 11, 2012
Photo of FearnoABV
Reviewed by FearnoABV from California

4.2/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 5
Old La Mesa is becoming a destination with the addition of restaurants and bars like Hoffer's. My wife and I found Hoffers's by accident. We just happened to see the 24 tap sign as we were walking by. The selection really is exceptional. Add the fact that all beers with the exception of a couple are $4 until 7PM and you get a place you just have to try. The East County of San Diego has few "beer bars". It is great to sit at the bar in this place and watch the "Bud Light" crowd walk in. Although the lead bartender Mike can be a little bitchy at times, he is a great ambassador when it come to introducing folks to great beer. It is wonderful to see people's eyes light up when he slides them a taster of a real pilsner or lager. The place does not serve food, but the local restaurants deliver. One warning to the novice drinker. The trend here is 8%+ ABV beers (Bud Light 4%). Plan to either order food or walk to one of the many local eateries for dinner before you hop in your ride.
May 11, 2011
Photo of badboyrsl84
Reviewed by badboyrsl84 from California

5/5  rDev +14.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Since another local beer bar shut down I have been in search of a place I could go to and drink GREAT craft brew. Thank god I stumbled upon this place.

Atmosphere - I have been in the craft beer scene for a little over a year and a half, the two things I hate most about other beer bars are their lack of space to move around comfortably and the noise of everyone trying to talk over everyone else. Every time I've been here I've always found this place to be calming and relaxing, and I was always able to have a nice conversation with my gf without yelling over the next guy. It has a very upscale downtown feel to it. I haven't been to many cigar bars but this one sets the bench mark for the rest to follow as far as the atmosphere goes.

Quality/Service/Selection - The first time I came in to this place it was a Thur afternoon and I was greeted by the owner Phil. I quickly learned 1. they have the best beer selection in East County if not in San Diego (24 taps of great beer to be exact) & 2. Happy hour here is every day from 12pm - 7pm, which means all their great beers are only $4 (rare beers and non-happy hour beers are $6). I was blown away with the customer service of Mr. Hoffer himself, as he helped me pick out a cigar, a great beer, and even put the TV on the channel I wanted. The Second time I came in to here I met Mike. Now Phil is the cigar guy, but Mike is the Beer guy. Mike is by far the best bartender I've ever met. He is really knowledgeable about his beers and is constantly getting in the best beers the distributors have to offer. I have spent many of my visits just chatting about beers with Mike and one time he even broke down glassware for me and why each is used for different beers. Mike is very enthusiastic about beer just as much as me. I love it.

Don't let the business name fool you. this place ranks right up their with some of the other well know "beer" bars in San Diego for me. Hoffers has the best happy hour in town and on Sundays happy hour is all day. WHAT A DEAL!!! GREAT BEER, GREAT SERVICE, GREAT SELECTION, all at a GREAT PRICE. I couldn't ask for anything more.
Feb 28, 2011
Photo of torchednoodle
Reviewed by torchednoodle from California

4.44/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
I've been here a couple times before with friends but came in specifically yesterday hoping to help their keg of Double Jack come to a quick and early end.

This place opened up about a year ago now and has been the jewel of the La Mesa beer scene ever since. 24 taps filled with great selections such as Speedway, Mirror Mirror, Old Raspy, Pliny (coming soon), and many other quality beers. The bartender, Michael, is a friendly guy who really knows his stuff and works hard to keep his patrons and regulars happy.

Two humidor rooms and a couple of big HD flat screens over the bar round out the total package. I'm not much of a cigar smoker, but this looks like a cigar aficionado's dream. I'd have to assume their cigar selection is just as fantastic as their beer selection. Also, cigars are smoked on the back patio, so even if you don't smoke you really can't smell them inside anyway.

Great place.
Sep 04, 2009
Photo of DontTreadOnMike
Reviewed by DontTreadOnMike from California

4.7/5  rDev +7.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Hoffer's has an extensive cigar selection and excellent beers on tap. The bartender, Mike really knows his stuff and seems really passionate about making sure he always has the best selection of beers.

The atmosphere is great. It's right in the heart of the La Mesa village (one of my favorite neighborhoods in the San Diego area.) Whatever type of atmosphere you like, they have it. For example, I prefer the quiet, laid back bar experience so I go on Sundays when there isn't much of a crowd. But if you like to socialize and meet new people, you should go on a Saturday night when they have live jazz or on Wednesday night during the La Mesa hot rod shows. Either way, just get down there and check it out.
Jul 15, 2009
Photo of JRhode
Reviewed by JRhode from California

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Couple of visits in the last few months. The tap list is steadily improving (24 taps); Hoffer's has the best tap list in La Mesa already. Nice patio environment with enough fresh air to keep the cigar smoke from bothering the non smokers. Awesome cigar selection. Mike, the bartender, encouraged us to make beer suggestions and was generally knowledgeable and friendly.

Had Chimay Cinq Cents (Triple), Racer 5, Cali Belgique, Alesmith IPA, Green Flash 30th Street, and Koningshoeven Quad on most recent visit, 7/3/09. Beers on tap that I didn't drink included North Coast Brother Thelonius, Old Rasputin, Green Flash Summer Saison, and Speedway Stout. On deck listed Green Flash Le Freak and Deschutes Black Butte XXI.

Happy hour daily from open to 7pm ($2 off all beers) makes for some killer deals.
Jul 06, 2009
Hoffer's Cigar Bar in La Mesa, CA
Place rating: 4.36 out of 5 with 13 ratings