Cash Only

cashonlysj.com

Probably my favorite place in the South Bay. The bar itself is a bit hard to categorize. They label themselves as a “West Coast Honky Tonk” and for me it checks all the boxes. Great character, my dog can hang out, decent whiskeys, and the price is right. Perhaps call it a refined dive bar?

Located at the old Dive Bar, one has to give a double thumbs up on the redesign. From the curated old school beer signs to the Johnny Cash mural, the effort to hand out change with dollar coins, to even the bathroom designed with license plates from all the states and constantly playing “I’ve Been Everywhere” - you can tell someone put some love into the place.

The pool table in the back provides an inviting hang out spot with the red light giving it the appropriate brothel feel. Having the owner also be named Cache kind of rounds it all out.

The specialty drinks are also unique - with the contraption to make the fresh whiskey apples and the taps like Hamm’s that you can’t find anywhere else. I personally love how on the back top shelf they keep a rotating set of whiskeys that they offer at a great price - it’s like a thank you for being a customer.

And yes - true to the name - it’s cash only (for the young’uns - that means you need to use those paper things that come out of ATMs).