Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -14.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | $$

Stopped by for a pint while in San Diego. Had the IPA, which was decent but noting to go back for.

The atmosphere was a little bit like a low-end chain restaurant, not a place that would attract most craft beer enthusiasts. The place was pretty much empty as well and I couldn't imagine it being full. Ever.

Tap list was typical for this type of brewpub/restaurant: an amber, a heffe, a blonde, an IPA. There was also a stout, which was a new seasonal that I would have had next, had I stayed for a second pint.

Service was decent. Didn't have any food. Prices were reasonable, but you get what you pay for.

07-07-2011 01:45:20 | More by TheSevenDuffs

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.64/5  rDev +3.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

The vie and everything here is pretty much similar to anything you get in the chain. I was here for a late lunch break just to sample their 8 beers in a sampler and the place was pretty dead. I tried all 8, the IPAs were decent, that was about it. It seemed like they didn't have too much in there that was that special to the one brewery. The service was good but partially cause there were maybe 10 ppl at the bar only and 2 bartenders. They made sure they gave you full pours on the sampler, even though I would have been fine with a little less.

07-26-2012 15:04:41 | More by crossovert

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev +5.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

I hit this place on a Thursday night, so was a bit concerned about the crowd, but it was very quiet with no entertainment other than the radio. Not many people either, so we grabbed a seat at the large bar up front and had solid service from our bartender. We tried a couple of complementary samples, just to figure out what was good, and I settled on their brown ale and angry dragon DIPA. Both were decent, but the kolsch sample left much to be desired. They had 8 beers on tap, plus a cask (stout aged in rum barrels), covering a decent selection of styles. Restrooms were upstairs, adjacent to the second floor seating. I'd have no problem stopping in again, especially if it was relatively slow at the time.

08-22-2011 20:20:58 | More by DrJay

armock

New York

3.83/5  rDev +9.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

Alright I have two reviews to write for this place. The first and the one I'm giving the score for is when the sun is up when most beer geeks are out and the second will be for the sundown crowd as I've been here a number of times this past week.

Walking in to the place I don't really see anything different than any other brewpub which gives me that cookie cutter feel. However there is a wall of glass so you can see the brewing equipment which gives me those warm and fuzzies.

Each visit so for I've had very good service for the times I was there early dinner it was spot on. After the dinner crowd sitting at the bar I was served in a quick manner still.

Now for the Quality/Selection department they have about eight beers on tap and one on cask. Most of the styles are what you would expect from a brewpub, however all are very well made. During my visits the Espresso Bean Stout cask was awesome and for someone like me to say a coffee beer is decent says something for this stout.

Food from what I've had I've received good portions that taste good. My BBQ bacon burger was very good and all my friends said their food was very good aswell so I can say the food is good as some of my friends are more picky than me and I'm a picky eater.

As far as value goes that all kind of relative but for being in So Cal to me this seamed like a good deal for the most part. Being from Houston, TX and traveling around the country nothing made me say damn it costs this much or to say this is a good deal.

OK now for my after dark review.

F STAY THE F AWAY

Atmosphere you can see the DJ stand when you walk in the front door. So just do yourself a favor and turn around now. I still sat there and some Dbags stood next to me at the bar and got the light beer and some shots and i wished I could shoot myself in the face.

After dark the service falls off the face of the Earth if your just drinking their beers. After dark the bartenders only care about the Dbags spending $$$$ on mixed drinks.

Quality/Selection is the same as during the day but the bartenders want you to order shots and easy to make mixers.

I'm not sure but after dark I didn't see anyone getting food and I wasn't given a menu so I think the kitchen closes early.

As far as I know the value stays the same as I don't regularly check my tab for variances.

04-12-2010 05:00:48 | More by armock

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +10.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

Located in the Gaslamp District, right on the corner of 4th and G Streets with a long fenced-in patio area along "G" Street. The entry was right at the corner with 14th and the m.d.s. was to the immediate right upon entering, followed by a bunch of high tables and chairs. More high tables and chairs lined the window left, overlooking the patio area. The octagonal wood bar was at a left-oblique to the door and the back bar was an island in the bar's center. To the extreme left was a glass window overlooking the brewhouse and several FVs. Aft, right, there was a raised seating area followed by a private party area. Aft, left, was the kitchen and between the kitchen and the party area were a set of stairs leading up to the "Top of the Rock", a second floor booth seating area with its own bar. The lavs were also on the second floor, right. The interior was an eclectic mix of many of the chain's styles, very evocative of the Chop Houses.

Beers: Pelican Light; Point Break Pale Ale; Regatta Red; Coronado Nut Brown Ale; Sunset Stout; Hefweizen.

Seasonals: Sweet Diva Honey Ale; American Dream IPA.

I had meatloaf for lunch. I needed some carbs after that train ride.

12-22-2009 22:40:54 | More by woodychandler

botham

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -6.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2 | food: 3 | $$

A typical Rock Bottom in San Diego. the bar is front and to the right upon entering, with seating throughout and a second level of seating in the back. typical Rock Bottom in atmosphere with high ceilings and some outdoor seating.

quality and service leave nothing to be desired.

selection is a bit weak. only seven offerings, all of which are standard american styles. a Light, a Hefe, an APA, an IPA, a Red, a Nut Brown, and a Stout.

food is on par with other Rock Bottoms. expect an Applebee's type menu with standard bar food offerings as well.

overall, this is a decent stop for lunch while downtown, but as far as a beer destination, there is much better around San Diego.

08-17-2009 23:58:39 | More by botham

ProfessorCJ

Alabama

4/5  rDev +14%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

Stopped by on a recent trip to San Diego with my wife. Wood panel everywhere and plenty of seats by the windows. We didn't have time to eat but the menu was extensive and weighted towards heavy appetizers and Ruby Tuesday type food. The beerlist was impressive and I selected their IPA, which was very good. The brewery was visible in the back and if we had gone a few hours later we could have tasted what they were finishing. I imagine that it would get crowded in the evenings but overall it was a very nice experience for us.

08-08-2009 18:45:33 | More by ProfessorCJ

VaTechHopHead

California

3.59/5  rDev +2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | $$

Went here on a recent vacation to San Diego and found Rock Bottom. It is quite a big place and had 8 beers on tap ranging from Light Beer to Stout. Nothing fancy like a DIPA, belgian styles, or experimental brews...just your average selection. The beer was good though, I tried the IPA, red ale, and stout which was on a nitrogen tap, and I have no complaints. You could tell they take pride in their beer and are knowledgeable about their product. Didn't try their food but everything around me looked very appetizing. Prices were reasonable...$4-5 per 16oz. draft depending on the style. Overall nice place with good homemade brew!

05-22-2009 18:21:55 | More by VaTechHopHead

chuckd123

Connecticut

3.58/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

Chain brewery, so expectations not really high. Beer quality is ok, atmosphere is nothing spectacular. Mainly a tourist crowd. Not somewhere I'd totally avoid, but there are much better breweries in the San Diego area. Walked up the street to the Yard House -- not great either, but better selection. No guest beers to be found, which would definitely help. So many good beers in the area, too bad Rock Bottom just offers their own. It's located right in the Gaslamp Quarter, which is a cool downtown area, but really in hindsight it seems to be the Times Square of San Diego, which isn't a compliment.

10-31-2008 01:36:02 | More by chuckd123

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.64/5  rDev +3.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

The downtown San Diego Rock Bottom is located off 4th and G Street. Expensive lots and garages are nearby, and some street parking if you are lucky enough to get it.

After passing a small patio, the interior is pretty similar to other locations. Brick interior with viewable brewing equipment behind glass, and a large chalkboard listing their current beers on tap. The bar is in the center of the space, with seating all around. Big windows allow a good view outside.

The beer selection is fair. The beers range from year-round offerings like Pelican Light, Point Break Pale, Regatta Red and Sunset Stout to a couple seasonals such as Rosie Cheeks Blonde and Fire & Ice IPA. The beers are average for the most part.

Service was good on a weekday early evening prior to a Padres game. The bartender was knowledheable and knew the beers very well.

I did not try any food on this visit.

Overall I wouldn't recommend Rock Bottom as a top brewpub choice for San Diego, but it is a good downtown one-two punch with Yard House considering how close they are together.

09-24-2008 20:56:53 | More by Dogbrick