Manhattan Bar — Restaurant in Chula Vista

Great day drinking place to hit up if you dont feel like going to the flashy, loud, and expensive bars and restaurants saturating the city. It feels more intimate and you feel a lot less like another customer when you drink here, I dont know quite how to explain it, but they make you feel welcome and there's no pressure or any type of uncomfortable interactions to be had, which is great for someone like myself who suffers with anxiety and would rather saw my arm off with a rusty saw than interact with people most days lol

Its located right On the corner of Broadway & H St. Place looks really small from the outside, which almost put me off the first time i decided to try it out, but luckily I gave it a chance and went in anyways. Once you get inside, its not bad at all, there is plenty of space even when there are a lot of people. Its never overwhelmingly crowded or stuffy as you will likely assume by looking at it from the outside. Trust me, just go in and if it isnt to you liking, you can always turn and walk out the way you came in, but you may be pleasantly surprised and decide you misjudged it based on what the outside made you picture in your mind. Its really not tiny inside despite it looking like it would have to be based on what you see outside, trust me.

When you drink here, you'll notice the laid back atmosphere that mixes seamlessly with the friendly socializaton going on around the place. There's friendly staff, and everything you'd expect to find at your standard bar. It isn't uncommon to make new friends every time you go, as everyone I've ever met or seen drinking here all seemed like great people who were a lot of fun to be around. The staff is welcoming but the other patrons might have them beat sometimes! I have a blast every time I visit and never once have I witnessed any sort of problematic people, altercations, drama, or harassment of any kind, its been all positive for me personally!

There is parking (thank God) and despite the area not being known for having very good parking in general for any businesses, this parking lot is surprisingly spacious and can accommodate over a dozen cars, if I were to guess, possibly even more. It isn't the sort of lot that you're going to end up forced into doing a ridiculous 205-point turn in order to park your car and the spaces here are big enough to actually park in! I know, i know, crazy! There wont be any fender benders, scratching up the sides kf your car and the one squeezed into the space beside you as you attempt to park or leave, and you can even properly open up your doors to exit and enter your vehicle! Car, truck, or SUV! You aren't forced into an impromptu game of tetris while parking, as is the case for many bars with similar sized lots and in similarly populated areas. I suggest backing into your spot to make it easier to pull out later, but definitely not required, as there's enough space to back out and then pull forward.

Nearby the 5 freeway, so nonlocals can easily make it here without issue and its practically impossible to get lost no matter how terrible you may be when it comes to directions lol

when im not here grabbing a drink, I drive by the place several times per week during all hours of the day and evening, and every single time I pass, I see small groups of customers standing or smoking outside who are ALWAYS looking like their having a good time, and I can assure you, they most definitely are.

Oh! And there's a bus stop literally directly in front of the place. I mean quite literally, the bus stop bench is going to be like 6-9 feet in front of you when you walk out the door. You can take the trolley to the stop next to the freeway about 2 min down the road and hop on the bus if you dont feel like walking, or if you cant walk. When weather permits, and let's be honest, in San Diego, the weather always permits, I'd even walk there! Its quite literally a few min walk from the trolley station. Leave the trolley, go straight towards Broadway, turn left on Broadway, and there it is, on the corner of H St &...

In some way I always arbitrarily end up below. Maybe bc going midtown San Diego is pricey and time consuming bc of minimal totally free vehicle parking! Never intended but always enjoyable. The bartenders are remarkable! Crystal is my favored. This divey bar has actually been below for decades and also it's quite obvious! Cash just which is good bc it makes for quick service! They in some cases have live music and also they have a tiny dancing floor that fills out! They likewise have pool tables. Very chill as well as...

I have always liked this place, even before I had a stroke, 5 years ago. It has changed few owners, but still carries the name The Manhattan, a Chula Vista landmark to me. I Wish the 24hr Flamingo Cafe was still across the street. Both went hand in hand. Bar shut down and everybody including owners would eat at cafe. (NW corner) The only problem with Manhattan is, that it is totally terrible to move a power chair in ADA bathroom, since I'm disabled now. But STILL gave this place a 5 for still a great place...