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Oceanside bar features local bands, beers and artwork. Nathan Johnston, a veteran since 2005, and Ken Leighton, music review writer for the San Diego Reader, are now co-owners of the Royal Dive. The business venture came out of their mutual love for music, beer and all things local.

The idea behind opening the Royal Dive was to provide a venue for local musicians to play, a place for artists to hang their works, and an establishment to sell local beers. "We call ourselves 'a dive' in a good-natured sense," Leighton said.

With an eye for opportunity, Leighton saw Phil's Place close and thought of moving a new business in. "The space became available about a year ago," Leighton said. Phil's Place, on San Luis Rey Drive, had been open for 50 years. The old neon sign still sits on the roof of the Royal Dive.

"We completely remodeled," Leighton said. "We gambled on it." A city OK to have live music kicked-started the business venture. "We tap into all the energy of these bands," Leighton said. "We give people a reason to come out socially, and play to a crowd. So far there's no charge at he door." The first year of business has been slow and steady. "When we can afford $2,000 for neon, we'll change the sign to say 'Royal Dive,'" Leighton said.

Open Mic on Tuesdays is an open invitation for bands to play before a live audience. Local musicians are welcome. "Dylan singer/songwriter types," Johnston said.

Josh Hampton, drummer for Hatchet Wound, a hard rock band comprised of active Marines, came by on an open mic night and now he and his band play off and on at the Royal Dive. "When the music is going, it gets lively," Hampton said. "Everyone has a good time and enjoys some live tunes while they're at it."

"We're all original here," Leighton said. "Original music, original songs."

A limited liquor license prompts the Royal Dive to focus on its wine and local beer selection. "We specialize in craft beer," Leighton said. So far the Royal Dive carries 15 specialty beers, and will soon expand to 20. "We're not just a Budweiser bar," Leighton said.

Work is split between serving drinks and selecting bands. "Nathan runs the bar day to day," Leighton said. "I work mostly with bands." In addition to writing musical reviews, Leighton worked at the Belly Up Tavern for years, and presently manages and rents out 5,000 square feet of band practice spaces around the corner from the Royal Dive.

Connections and an ear for good music have brought some pretty notable names to the Royal Dive. "Our house band Bleeding Irish was just selected to go on the Warp Tour," Leighton said. Weird Beard's Jugband, an acoustic punk band, will step up as the new house band to play Thursday nights. Notable guest bands that play on weekends are Morning Riot, Manganista and Irieside. "We really respect bands, conversely they respect us," Leighton said.