Downtown Johnny Brown's (Permanently Closed)
1220 Third Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Claiming to be the first craft-beer bar in town (and the first to carry Arrogant Bastard), this hidden Civic Center pub has a lot to live up to. The lovechild of a sports bar and an Irish dive, Johnny Brown’s walls are spackled with old license plates, football photos, and flatscreens streaming sports to a mixed salad of professionals, Civic Theatre crowds, sports fans, and tap hounds. Living up to the legend, the bar’s 17 rotating taps host pilsners, wheats, IPAs, and other microbrews, which go for $3 as the featured Pint of the Day. Try the spicy grilled breast of chicken burger with soup of the day or fries. Soup’s bobbing with fresh-cut vegetables. Also salads: taco or Southwest chicken. Inexpensive.
This typical bar is San Diego beer connoisseurs' best kept secret. Tucked away in a hard-to-find corner of Downtown, this bar is visited primarily by those who go looking for it. Sitting around the bar counter you'll find true beer lovers who have come from all parts to have a glass (or two) of beer chosen from the extensive menu of rare and exotic brews.
Shuffleboard table was a huge perk, as most bars only carry the usual pool table and darts. For those who are really into the game, a shuffleboard team meets weekly to practice and compete.