The 18 Best Bars in Encinitas (By an Area Local)

I grew up in Encinitas and this guide covers my picks for the best bars in the city!

Chilling with the locals and enjoying the nightlife is one of the best things to do in Encinitas. You can find it all here: breweries, wine-tasting rooms, dive bars, oceanfront and craft cocktail bars, and restaurant-style pubs. This is your guide to bar classics, the newest gems, my favs, plus no-nonsense highlights. 

So sit back and take a sip of this…

The 18 Best Encinitas Bars

VAGA Restaurant & Bar at Alila Marea Beach Resort

Indulge in luxury at the best oceanfront restaurant bar.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 VAGA Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (760) 452-3484

Vaga is an elevated cocktail bar with edible flower cocktails, freshly shaken espresso martinis and equally elevated views of the ocean. This local hidden gem is inside of a hotel. 

The ambiance doesn’t get any better than Vaga. The bar offers indoor and outdoor seating with fireplaces and a great lineup of gourmet food. I highly recommend staying for sunset here over all the other oceanfront hotels in the area.

1st Street Bar

Play pool and listen to live music at a classic Encinitas dive bar on the main strip.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 1st Street Bar Website | 🍽️ Food Trucks Nearby | 📞 (760) 944-0233

1st Street Bar is a longstanding staple located at the end of the strip of Encinitas 101. Old Encinitas is a great place to stay because you can easily walk to bars like 1st Street.

Come here for well-drinks, beer, and White Claws while enjoying local bands and billiards. This place gets rowdy on the weekends, so there might be a line. Don’t forget to check out the Industry drinks specials too!

Cocina Barrio

Sip on popsicle cocktails at the newest upscale Mexican bar and restaurant.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Cocina de Barrio Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 (760) 704-8625

Cocina de Barrio is a popular spot in Hillcrest, San Diego, but the newest location in Encinitas does not disappoint. This isn’t strictly a bar, but I had to include Cocina de Barrio in this guide due to its artisanal margaritas and homemade popsicle cocktails. Expect upscale Mexican cuisine and elegant interior design. 

The Roxy

People watch, listen to live music, and peruse a full menu at this local favorite in the heart of Encinitas. 

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 The Roxy Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 760 230 2899

Visit The Roxy to experience a local favorite. You’ll feel like a beach bum while listening to live music a few blocks from the ocean. 

Locals and visitors alike enjoy music, craft cocktails, and classic Amercian faire at The Roxy. The bar has both indoor and outdoor seating, and you can enjoy music while seated at either.

Pacific Coast Grill

Dine as close to the sand as possible with high-quality seafood, sushi, ribs, and a full bar.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Pacific Coast Grill Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (760) 479-0721

Pacific Coast Grill is one of my favorite spots! This is another place that’s not strictly a bar like most other options on this list. But in my opinion, its oceanfront ambiance, unique cocktails, full bar, and seafood make it better than a regular bar. Pacific Coast Grill offers high-quality everything with hybrid seating available.

The Kraken

Dance in a tiny, quirky bar and play pool across from the ocean.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Kraken Website | 🍽️ Food Trucks Nearby | 📞 +1 214 930 3501

The Kraken is one of the last bars in South Encinitas before you enter the next beach town. The Kraken is a little dive bar with a fun vibe, live music, and pool tables in the back room. 

Stay for sunset and food trucks in the parking lot. As a bonus, it’s right across the street from Cardiff State Beach, one of the best beaches in San Diego.

SHELTER Encinitas

Sip under the stars at a swanky lounge.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Shelter Website | 🍽️ Food Served

SHELTER Encinitas is one of the first cocktail lounges that set the scene for a trendier side of the city. It stands out among downtown Encinitas’s formerly casual-only beach bars. What makes SHELTER unique is its fully retractable roof. It opens up so you can see the night sky. 

SHELTER’s carefully crafted drinks take a while to make, but its Moscow Mules are worth it. The bar also offers a full food menu with yummy empanadas. The live DJs are very popular on weekends and you can reserve VIP bottle service in a private booth.

The Saloon

Dance the night away in a historic dive bar with a Western flair.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 The Saloon Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 760 230 1213

The Saloon is a historic spot — it’s one of the oldest bars in Encinitas. It opened in the 1930s and has preserved the old-school vibe. This dive bar offers no-frills drinks compared to its fancy new neighbor, SHELTER Encinitas. 

The Saloon also has a great sound system. It’s a fun spot for dancing on the weekends.  

Sago

Check out the hottest new cocktail bar in Encinitas an its killer plant game.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Sago Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +760 815 9778

Sago is a supper club-inspired “plantastic” bar with specialty cocktails and tapas.  It’s located in the beautiful and historic building on the corner of D Street, next to the La Paloma Theatre. This is by far the coolest new bar in downtown Encinitas. Sago is a great date spot with a 10/10 ambiance, especially if you love plants. 

Modern Times Far West Lounge

Grab a beer at a local dog-friendly craft brewery with vegan food.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Modern Times Far West Lounge Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (833) 684-6372

Local breweries are very popular in San Diego and Modern Times is one you shouldn’t miss. 

Modern Times has three locations, but the Encinitas Lounge is close to the beach, has the best retro atmosphere, and is a dog-friendly restaurant. I recommend the brussel sprouts, and munchwrap paired with any of its seasonal beers on tap. 

MRKT Space

Hang at a work-friendly cafe, wine bar, and local grocery all in one place.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 MRKT Space Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 760 704 8156

MRKT Space is off the main strip in the heart of downtown Leucadia. This space is a great San Diego coffee shop for remote workers, but it doubles as a local market with unique finds and a wine bar with craft cocktails. 

I recommend ordering the charcuterie board and a glass of wine or a margarita. MRKT Space feels reminiscent of Europe and brings a fresh ambiance to the area. 

Meritage Wine Market

Taste unique bottles at a hidden wine store.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Meritage Wine Market Website | 🍽️ Food Nearby | 📞 (760) 479-2500

Meritage Wine Market is a local hidden gem. It is located in Old Encinitas, a 10-minute drive from downtown. While many of the bars on this list are downtown, I recommend visiting Meritage if you happen to be staying inland. 

Meritage offers personalized wine tasting with awesome staff and unique bottles for sale. It’s in a quaint shopping center. Be sure to check back for monthly tasting events too. Want to stick around longer? Dine and sip wine, then head next door to Sacred Sound of Soul for a crystal bowl sound bath.

The Leucadian Bar

Kick back at one of the best dive bars in Encinitas.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 The Leucadian Bar Website | 🍽️ Food Trucks Nearby | 📞 (760) 538-1954

The Leucadian Bar is one of the best dive bars around, especially for locals. It’s got no-frills well-drinks, beer, food trucks, and sports on the TV. What more can you ask for in a casual bar? The Leucadian delivers with pool tables, darts, and live music!

Waverly

Sip on classy cocktails in an elevated space.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Waverly Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (760) 230-1682

The Waverly is a super elegant restaurant and bar with modern cuisine and cocktails. It’s located inside the Cardiff Town Center and the ambiance is 11/10. I’d give the cocktails a 12/10 since they’re made with unique elixirs and garnishes. 

Waverly also serves food that pairs very nicely with its drink menu. You can’t go wrong with the duck meatballs. And don’t forget to stop for weekend brunch cocktails too!

Le Papagayo

Drink at a festive restaurant bar with live music.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Le Papagayo Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (760) 944-8252

Le Papagayo is conveniently located where downtown Encinitas meets the sub-neighborhood of Leucadia. The menu’s Latin-fusion seafood paella and kalua pork set it apart. I highly recommend a pineapple cocktail, steak-style calamari, and Birria eggroll appetizers while listening to live music on the outdoor patio. 

Mr. Peabody’s Bar & Grill

Get happy with happy hour and live music.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Mr. Peabody’s Bar & Grill Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (760) 753-7575

Mr. Peabody’s Bar & Grill is a great place for some chicken wings and a Bloody Mary. It is an all-around classic bar and grill with lots of live music and events. Make sure to check out its awesome happy hour daily from 3-6 pm. It also has a late-night happy hour from 9 pm to close and all night on Wednesdays.

Encinitas Ale House

Relax at a tiny pub with international beers and gourmet burgers.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Encinitas Ale House Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 760 943 7180

Beer lovers will enjoy Encinitas Ale House due to its huge list of rare beers from around the world. Encinitas Ale House is a great spot to watch a sports game and dine on “locally world-famous” burgers with freshly baked bread. North County San Diego is a hub for great beer, so don’t miss this spot! 

Culture Brewing Co.

Gather around a beer barrel table for a casual hangout on the coast

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Culture Brewing Co. Website | 🍽️ Food Trucks Nearby  | 📞 +1 760 487 5775

Culture Brewing Co. is on the main strip of downtown Encinitas and offers beer enthusiasts a cheerful tasting room. I love that Culture is a dog-friendly place with rotating local art for sale and various community events like beer yoga. 

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I hope you enjoy checking out all the new, old, and unique bars in Encinitas across all price points, styles, and drink selections!

Next up, check out my favorite bars in Carlsbad.