A ~230-capacity dive bar on El Cajon Blvd booking SD's most adventurous indie, punk, hip-hop, and electronic showcases — co-owned by Casbah's Tim Mays.
The most common questions, answered.
Soda Bar holds approximately ~230 cap. The compact size keeps shows intimate and the dance floor close to the stage.
Yes, Soda Bar is 21+ for all events. Bring a valid government-issued ID at the door. The venue does not admit anyone under 21 on regular show nights.
Soda Bar is located at 3615 El Cajon Blvd, City Heights / Normal Heights, San Diego, CA 92104. The venue sits in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego.
Soda Bar books Indie rock and Punk, plus crossover programming year-round. Indie rock, punk, psych, hip-hop, electronic, and local showcases. Touring under-the-radar acts plus weekend DJ nights and themed dance parties. Booked by Cory Stier (Cults drummer; co-owner).
Soda Bar has scheduled programming on select nights. Specific hours: Live music most nights; doors typically 8–9pm.
Soda Bar is a compact ~230-capacity room on El Cajon Blvd at the City Heights/Normal Heights border, opened in 2008 and acquired in January 2018 by Big Soda LLC — a partnership that includes Casbah owner Tim Mays alongside longtime booker Cory Stier (also drummer for Cults), bar manager Angie Ollman, and Andrew Montoya. It functions as the scrappier younger sibling to The Casbah within Tim Mays' booking universe.
Programming spans indie rock, punk, psych, hip-hop, electronic, and boundary-pushing local showcases, with live music most nights of the week. Weekend programming includes themed dance parties and DJ nights. The intimate room, low stage, clear sightlines, and quick craft-beer service make it one of SD's most-loved small venues for touring under-the-radar acts and album-release shows.
Notable for being one of only two California venues awarded the state's Small Venue Grant in 2022 — recognition of its role as an indispensable small-room cultural anchor. Recommended for nights when you want to discover an act before they outgrow the room.
Indie rock, punk, psych, hip-hop, electronic, and local showcases. Touring under-the-radar acts plus weekend DJ nights and themed dance parties. Booked by Cory Stier (Cults drummer; co-owner).
Soda Bar runs live music most nights with a mix of touring acts, local showcases, and weekend DJ nights. A snapshot of the room's character:
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