10 Bars in Encinitas to Add to Your List
Looking to bar hop during your time in Encinitas? We’ve got you covered! This funky coastal beach town is home to dozens of bars, wine bars, and restaurants; and there is no shortage of great beer, wine, and food. We’ve rounded up 10 great bars in Encinitas to add to your list next time you’re going out in North County; from cozy cocktail bars by the beach to laid-back pubs along South Coast Highway! Tip: most of these Encinitas bars are easily walkable, and it doesn’t take too long to walk from one end of downtown to the other.
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SHELTER
SHELTER is a trendy cocktail lounge and bar with an eclectic, funky vibe. The spot boasts a retractable ceiling that allows the night sky to illuminate the interior, which includes booths and a patio area featuring a large fire pit. If you’re looking for cocktails, this is the place to go — SHELTER offers a wide array of specialty cocktails with everything from Mules in copper mugs to VIP Bottle Service in a private booth. DJs play most weekend nights, and there is plenty of standing room if you’re in a larger group.
540 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
The Saloon
As the area’s beloved local dive bar (it’s been open since 1934!), The Saloon is a great introduction to the bar scene in Encinitas. Dirty Monday’s deep house and dubstep paired with great drink prices mix well for free-spirited dance moves. Friday and Saturday nights, DJs spin popular hip-hop that flows into faster dance jams, perfect for making an impenetrable dance circle with friends. Young and old alike sip and mingle in this intimate bar that easily transforms into a place to boogie. No cover and casual dress code make it a perfect place to have fun, sport a mustache, and have a more casual night out dancing to hip music.
546 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
The Bier Garden
For craft beer lovers, The Bier Garden in Encinitas is the perfect place to start out a pub crawl! Located in a former steakhouse from the 1940’s, the Bier Garden Encinitas maintains the integrity of the beautiful and historic building while creating a place for all to relax and unwind! It features 32 tap handles from Southern California, a retro cocktail menu, California coastal, local, and beer-infused cuisine to be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. They also have a great Happy Hour, if you’re starting early!
641 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
Union Kitchen + Tap
As one of the earliest trendsetters to open in Encinitas, we had to mention Union Kitchen + Tap for its great beer and cocktail selection! Union offers three separate dining areas, a lively main bar, and a chic, yet relaxed vibe with reclaimed wood accents and modern furnishings. The menu here features traditional American fare made from fresh, local ingredients, an extensive tap list, craft cocktails, and vintage wines. This is a great spot for groups — there are plenty of large tables and seats, and on weekends, the vibe is lively and fun.
1108 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
Encinitas Ale House
Another locally-loved spot, Encinitas Ale House is a small, cozy, and friendly little pub located on a quieter street corner. Besides their large beer selection, the Ale House is known for its incredible variety of “Locally World Famous” Angus and Kobe Wagyu burgers. If you’re feeling adventurous, ask your server about their wild game burgers — we’ve heard they often have everything from lamb to wild boar!
32 rotating taps of Belgian, German, and local San Diego beers, as well as an extensive bottled beer list (many of which are rare vintages or special limited-releases) make this a must-try for any sort of beer lover.
1044 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
Lumberyard Tavern
Another historic spot, the Lumberyard Tavern offers a variety of yummy comfort food favorites (including the area’s famous “Cardiff Crack” specialty), as well as an extensive liquor selection: more than fifty different bourbons, Tennessee whiskeys, scotch-whiskey blends, and single malts are all on the menu here.
Lumberyard Tavern has plenty of TVs, a pet-friendly patio, and a large family-friendly dining area. If you’re looking for a laid-back pub that feels like a comfortable place to spend an hour or two after work, this is your place!
967 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
1st Street Bar
1st Street Bar was recently renovated, but has been a longtime local watering hole for years; complete with a retro vibe, full bar, live music, plenty of large TVs, and billiards, this is a great spot for watching sports on a sunny weekend afternoon. 1st Street has great weekly drink specials, including Happy Hour seven days of the week until 7pm ($2 off drafts, $4 well drinks, and pitcher specials); $4 and $6 specials on certain drinks from 9pm-close on Monday through Thursday; ½ price pitchers on Friday and Saturday from 7pm-9pm; and industry drink specials plus Karaoke on Sundays starting at 9pm.
It may not be the trendiest spot in town, but come here for the drink specials, the billiards, and the big screen TVs!
656 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
Mr. Peabody’s Bar & Grill
Mr. Peabody’s has been in the same Encinitas location since the early 2000s, located next to I-5 in the newly remodeled Lazy Acres shopping center. The spot offers live music and dancing several nights a week, and also offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are plenty of TVs, a jukebox, and Karaoke is offered a couple of times a week. Mr. Peabody’s has a great Happy Hour lineup, most notably because each night of the week is something different: Sundays feature $5 Jameson; Mondays it’s $2.75 well drinks and domestic drafts; Tuesday it’s $10 Budweiser pitchers from 8pm-close, etc.
The music scene here is pretty lively, and you’re guaranteed to happen upon an open mic night or a local band any night of the week. Check their website for the event lineup and full Happy Hour specials.
136 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas
Beachside Bar & Grill
Beachside Bar/Grill is a fun, friendly neighborhood spot in Encinitas. Beachside features plenty of outdoor seating, 24 different beers on tap, an extensive food menu, and great drink specials. Some kind of event or activity happens most nights of the week: including a weekly Trivia Night, Industry Night, a Wing Night, and a Tacos & Tequila Special on – you guessed it – Tuesdays.
Locals come here for the casual vibe and big tables; perfect for larger groups or big families. They are kid-friendly, too, so this is a good spot to grab dinner and enjoy the football game.
806 S. Coast Hwy, Encinitas
Read more about things to do in Encinitas here, or check out our Encinitas date night tips!
