Local beer fans may have noticed a recent flurry of social-media posts geared toward inspiring them to cast votes in an online competition. No, not the various posts from San Diego breweries asking them to check off the names of their business on the ballot for the 2025 San Diego Beer News Awards (though that was really cool and we can’t wait to announce the winners at the official SDBNA ceremony on Tuesday, March 25 at Societe Brewing). We are specifically referencing the link to USA Today’s online poll to determine this year’s Best Beer Bar in America.
Last year, Kearny Mesa’s O’Brien’s Pub nabbed that distinction, beating out notable competitors from across the nation. Owner Tom Nickel and his crew aspired to do the same in this year’s competition, but also understood the immense level of difficulty associated with that goal. Going to their 2024 playbook, they launched a grassroots online campaign that, thanks to persistent fans of the 31-year-old establishment, caught fire and spread across social-media. The result is a repeat; serious bragging rights for a venerable San Diego staple that’s no stranger to accolades.
“There are so many great beer bars across the country that have legions of loyal fans. For our customers to be so passionate about O’Brien’s – the beer, the staff and the food – means the world to us,” says NIckel. “The number of people who helped encourage their friends and family to vote is just an overwhelming show of support and very humbling. The sense of community among the O’Brien’s customers is really special, a true pub family.”
In addition to this honor, O’Brien’s, a haven for soccer fans – including the San Diego chapter of the American Outlaws, which was founded at the pub in 2009 – was named the country’s Best U.S. Soccer Bar by U.S. Soccer in 2011. Nickel says that was the last year the organization presented that award, so that technically means O’Brien’s is still the reigning champion. He adds that with any such designation, it’s as much about the winning venue as those who patronize it.
“Without the world’s best customers, we don’t win this award once, let alone twice,” says Nickel. “We could serve all the Pliny the Younger in the world and not win this award. It truly is the customers and the staff that makes O’Brien’s so special.”
To celebrate and say thank you to their supporters, O’Brien’s will hold a victory party of sorts with $5 pints from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 9. A potential celebratory beer dinner is also in the works. Additionally, the official after-party of the aforementioned San Diego Beer News Awards will take place starting at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, featuring winning beers from this year’s competition. Cue “We Are the Champions”.
O’Brien’s Pub is located at 4646 Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa