oChef » Conway’s – San Diego

Conway's - San Diego

Bar & Pub Conway's in San Diego
Photo from Conway’s
How do the guests rate it?
Conway's at a glance
San Diego Carmel Mountain Ranch
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 7 of the guests
#221 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#7 Bar & Pub out of 22 in San Diego
Good
7.9 out of 10
7.4
Food
8.3
Service
7.9
Ambience
7.9
Value
148

Reviews

83.8%

Satisfaction

Often praised
  • Budget-friendly drinks
  • Friendly staff
  • Outside food allowed
Frequently criticized
  • No kitchen
  • Limited space
  • Service shifts

The bar & pub Conway’s Irish Pub in San Diego’s Carmel Mountain Ranch neighborhood is a fantastic spot where you can catch all the sports action. You’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for unwinding.

With a great beer selection and plenty of bar games, it’s an ideal destination for a relaxed evening out. This local favorite offers a welcoming vibe for everyone looking for a good time.

Overview: Introducting Conway's

Conway’s offers a genuine neighborhood experience, known for its inviting `bar feel` and the convenience of bringing in `outside food`. It’s a spot where you can enjoy a relaxed evening without breaking the bank.

Patrons often praise the `HEAVY-handed pours` and the generally `friendly company`, though some recent shifts in staff have led to a few concerns about service.

Good
7.9 out of 10
148

Reviews

83.8%

Satisfaction

16

negative

8

neutral

124

positive

Conway’s earns a solid overall rating of 7.9, reflecting a generally positive experience for most visitors. This is further supported by a strong 83.8% customer satisfaction rate, indicating that the majority leave content.

These figures are drawn from 148 customer observations, with a clear lean towards positive feedback, including 124 positive and 16 negative remarks. Digging deeper, the Service stands out with a commendable (8.3), often highlighted by attentive bartenders.

The welcoming Ambience also scores well (7.9), creating a comfortable setting. Patrons appreciate the excellent Value (7.9), particularly the affordable drinks, while the Food aspect, primarily concerning beverages and the allowance of outside food, registers a respectable (7.4).

What people like
  • Affordable drinks
  • Attentive bar staff
  • Outside food welcome
What people don't like
  • No in-house food
  • Can get crowded
  • Recent service changes

For those seeking a casual spot with great value and a welcoming vibe, Conway’s is a solid choice. With a strong recommendation score of 8, it’s clearly a place many enjoy for its relaxed atmosphere and affordable drinks.

If you’re comfortable bringing your own food and appreciate a lively, local bar scene, you’ll likely find it a rewarding experience. However, be mindful it can get busy, and recent shifts in bar staff have been noted by some regulars.

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Verdict: Our expert take on Conway's

Food (7.4 out of 10)

mentioned by 62% of the guests

When it comes to food, this spot scores a solid 7.4, with customer satisfaction sitting at a good 79.3%. Many folks love the flexibility of being able to bring in your own food or outside food, making it a unique dining experience. Plus, the drink selection is often praised, with some even highlighting homemade touches, based on 23 positive remarks.

However, the main point of contention, noted in 4 negative remarks, is quite clear: they simply have no food available. This means if youre looking for a place that serves its own meals, youll find yourself out of luck, as many opinions explicitly state they dont have food'.

7.4 Food

29

Reviews

79%

Satisfaction

4

negative

2

neutral

23

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Bring your own food
  • Excellent drink selection
  • Homemade items
What people don't like
  • No food served

Often praised

  • drinks
  • good drinks
  • outside food
  • Bloody Mary mix
  • Guinness
  • Mexican food
  • beers on tap
  • bring food
  • bring in your own food
  • cold drink

Frequently criticized

  • food
  • no food

If youre looking for a place with fantastic drinks where you can bring your own grub, this is your spot. But if a full-service kitchen is what you crave, youll need to eat elsewhere before or after your visit.

Service (8.3 out of 10)

mentioned by 77% of the guests

The service here truly stands out, boasting a good score of 8.3 and an impressive 85.7% customer satisfaction! Many of the 36 positive opinions highlight the friendly bartenders and great staff who are often described as attentive and ensuring guests have a great time. It seems the team consistently goes above and beyond, even surprising guests with complimentary dessert and candles.

However, its not entirely without its hiccups, as 6 negative comments suggest some areas for improvement. A few guests felt pressure to pay and noted that some bartenders were not as relaxed as they used to be, with some even saying bartenders suck now'. This indicates a bit of inconsistency, particularly regarding payment interactions.

8.3 Service

42

Reviews

85%

Satisfaction

6

negative

0

neutral

36

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Friendly bartenders
  • Great staff
  • Attentive service
What people don't like
  • Pressure to pay
  • Inconsistent bartenders

Often praised

  • staff
  • service
  • bartenders
  • people
  • Barstaff
  • Mikey
  • attentive bartenders
  • bar staff
  • bartender
  • bartenders are great

Frequently criticized

  • Uber home
  • bartenders
  • keep customers happy
  • people that work there
  • pressure to pay
  • sign the receipt

If you value friendly and attentive staff, youll likely find the service here to be a major highlight. While there are a few mentions of payment pressure and inconsistent bartenders, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests a warm and welcoming experience. Its definitely worth checking out for the excellent hospitality.

Ambience (7.9 out of 10)

mentioned by 87% of the guests

When it comes to ambience, this spot truly shines with a 7.9 score, indicating a good atmosphere that customers genuinely enjoy. With a strong 85.1% customer satisfaction, its clear people love the welcoming environment and laid-back vibe. Based on 57 positive remarks, many appreciate the friendly regulars, good music, and the overall clean establishment, making it a comfortable place to hang out.

However, its not without a few minor points to consider, with only 5 negative comments. Some folks noted its a small place that fills up quick, so dont expect a ton of room. A few also mentioned the absence of live music or a patio, which might be a dealbreaker if you're looking for those specific amenities.

7.9 Ambience

67

Reviews

85%

Satisfaction

5

negative

5

neutral

57

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Welcoming environment
  • Friendly regulars
  • Laid-back vibe
What people don't like
  • Small space
  • Fills quickly
  • No live music

Often praised

  • atmosphere
  • locals
  • dive bar
  • music
  • place to hang out
  • TV'S
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • ambiance
  • bar
  • bar feel

Frequently criticized

  • fills up quick
  • live music
  • patio
  • pub
  • small place

If youre seeking a friendly, relaxed spot with a great local vibe and dont mind a cozy space, this place is definitely worth checking out. It's perfect for a casual hang-out, but if live music or a spacious patio are must-haves, you might want to look elsewhere.

Value (7.9 out of 10)

mentioned by 26% of the guests

When it comes to value, this spot really shines with a 7.9 score, and customers are clearly happy, showing 80% satisfaction! Many folks rave about the cheap drinks and HEAVY-handed pours, making your wallet happy. With 8 positive remarks, its clear that the prices here are a major draw, often described as great and not expensive.

However, out of 10 total comments, there was one dissenting voice suggesting that for the money go elsewhere. While this single comment mentions money' as a concern, the overwhelming sentiment points to a place where your budget will thank you.

7.9 Value

10

Reviews

80%

Satisfaction

1

negative

1

neutral

8

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Cheap drinks
  • Heavy pours
  • Great prices
What people don't like
  • Value questioned

Often praised

  • cheap
  • prices
  • HEAVY-handed pours
  • cheap drinks
  • price
  • wallet

Frequently criticized

  • money

If youre looking for a place where your dollar stretches further, especially for drinks, this spot is definitely worth checking out. With its reputation for cheap and HEAVY-handed pours, youll likely leave with your wallet feeling happy, despite one minor concern about overall value.

How are the prices at Conway's?

You’re looking at roughly 17 per person – reported by 7 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.

Looking at what people usually spend, most prices cluster right in this $11–$20 sweet spot, with just one guest spending a bit less. Since we only have 7 reviews, this is a good indication, but more data would give us an even clearer picture.

Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 7 reviews. While the data is limited, it gives us a good indication of typical spending.

Comparing value for money at this Bar & Pub against similar spots in San Diego.

Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Bar & Pub. It hits that comfortable mid-range sweet spot, offering good value without breaking the bank.

Customer Reviews: what people think about Conway's

Visit Type
  • Special Occasion
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Amuleya P.
Review date: 06/30/2025
10
Unforgettable Anniversary Dinner!
We celebrated our anniversary here and it couldn’t have gone better. The staff surprised us with a complimentary dessert and candles, which was such a thoughtful gesture. The pasta was homemade and paired perfectly with a glass of Chianti. The music, lighting, and overall ambiance made the evening unforgettable. Can’t wait to come back next year — or sooner.
  • staff10
  • complimentary dessert and candles10
  • pasta9
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Matt O.
Review date: 03/17/2025
9
Classic Old School Irish Pub Vibe
Happy St. Patrick's Day! My experience at this place was like stepping back in time. It's a classic, old school Irish Pub with a local flare that's hard to find these days. The bartenders are friendly, and it's a great place to watch sports. While they don't serve food, they allow you to bring in your own. I've been coming here since 1993, and even as faces change, the atmosphere consistently delivers a comfortable and welcome back home vibe.
  • bartenders9
  • local flare9
  • atmosphere10
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Solo Dinner
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Noise Level
  • Quiet
Brady J.
Review date: 10/15/2024
9
Great Find After Desert Ride
I was looking for a place to have a few beers after a blistering day riding my motorcycle across the California desert. It happened to be the same night as the Padres vs. Dodgers game, and every place I tried was overflowing with no possibility of getting a seat and a beer. I ended up here, and it was great. The friendly bartenders provided good service. It was a nice, relatively quiet and friendly place.
  • friendly bartenders9
  • good service8
  • quiet place8
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Mariah R.
Review date: 09/27/2024
9
Great Bloody Marys and Service
My experience at this restaurant was positive, largely due to the nice location and the very nice & attentive bartenders. The Bloody Mary mix is house made, which made it taste significantly better than mixes from other establishments.
  • nice location8
  • attentive bartenders9
  • Bloody Mary mix9
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Mark I.
Review date: 03/28/2024
2
Great Service, No Food Available
My experience at this establishment was unusual as there was no food available. However, the surrounding area offers several dining options. The service and atmosphere were rated highly, and the price per person was between $10–20. Despite the lack of food, the overall experience was great, though a warning about payment is advised: 'Don't bet Brandon he won't pay. '
  • service9
  • atmosphere9
  • price per person6
  • food1

What Conway's offers

Highlights

  • Sports
  • Bar games
  • Great beer selection

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom

Crowd

  • Tourists
  • Groups

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Amenities

  • Restroom
  • Bar onsite

Offerings

  • Hard liquor
  • Happy hour drinks
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Alcohol

Service Options

  • Dine-in

Parking

  • Free street parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Usually plenty of parking

Atmosphere

  • Cozy
  • Casual

FAQs

What parking and accessibility options are available at Conway's Irish Pub?
You’ll find convenient parking at Conway’s Irish Pub with free street parking and a free parking lot, usually with plenty of space. The pub is also fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, seating, and restrooms, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
At Conway’s Irish Pub, you can enjoy a wide range of drinks, including hard liquor, happy hour drinks, wine, beer, and cocktails, alongside food. The atmosphere is cozy and casual, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy their great beer selection and bar games.
Conway’s holds a strong overall rating of 7.9, with customers generally satisfied at 83.8%. Its Service is highly rated (8.3), followed by positive feedback on Ambience (7.9) and excellent Value (7.9). The Food aspect, primarily drinks and the allowance of outside food, also scores well (7.4).
Conway’s does not serve its own food, but it’s a unique perk that they welcome patrons to bring in `outside food`. Many customers appreciate this flexibility, often ordering from nearby establishments.
The atmosphere at Conway’s is often described as having a comfortable `bar feel` and a welcoming `dive bar` vibe. It’s a popular `place to hang out` with friendly `locals`, though it can sometimes `fills up quick` due to its smaller size.
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Location
11040 Rancho Carmel Dr, 92128 San Diego
Opening hours
Monday – Sunday
7:00 AM – 2:00 AM