I went to this bar tonight and have to say my experience was amazing!!everything was good but especially our bartender Luis made our experience the best we Ever had!! He made sure our drinks looked good and tasted exactly how we wanted them.he was very friendly and helpful and we will be back because of how good our service was!!thank u Luis!!! read more

Nice spot, great ambience - the drinks are over priced. Its a good place for a drink before dinner. Probably wouldn't want to go later at night to be subjected to standing in line - when the place obviously has occupancy. read more

My favorite spot in town! Upscale lounge at the beach. They have a retractable roof that gives it an indoor/outdoor feel. Great ambiance and very professional staff. I highly recommend getting a table here to relax and enjoy your experience! read more

If you have not been here then I really don't know what your doing if your and Enci local. Look this is a Lounge with a nightclub vibe coming with it. That being said large groups will have to wait in line and girls will be able to smooth talk their way past bouncers. The staff are amazing people who have a job to do. Luis, Garret are a couple of the guys I have had the fortune of befriending behind the bar. The option of Bottle service is a great addition to encinitas gives the option of a downtown night without the expensive uber. read more

I've had fantastic and terrible experiences here. There is always a line to get in and the bouncers are either friendly or rude. I had my drink taken out of my hands mid sip because I had "had enough" even though that was my only drink of the night... The actual bar is really pleasing with the retractable roof. Only downside is not letting people outside after (midnight?) to sit by the fire with a drink. All this being said it is still my go to destination for a weekend night out. Music is perfect (loud house) and the crowd is a mix of young adults and Middle Aged people. read more

I came here on NYE and waited about 30 min to get in, which is fine/expected. However, once I get in I head to the back left area of the bar looking for the bathroom. A man opened a door and directed us to a bathroom. After we come out of the bathroom, we realize we had entered an entirely different bar and the door we came through was sealed. We were told we had to leave the bar to get back into Shelter. I exited with my two friends and told the bouncer who had let me in 3 minutes earlier what had happened. He said "who told you to go through that door?" Do you usually ask someone's name when they tell you where the bathroom is? I told him I didn't know the man's name. He told me "he would know" because they're all on a mic system if my story was true. He even admitted to remembering me. First of all, how would I know about this door and how would I have gotten outside without walking back out the front door he was monitoring if this hadn't happened? I didn't mind waiting in line again I was just mad he told me I was lying when it was their staff's fault that I had to wait in line again. read more

Yeah so I literally just made a Yelp to shake this poor bartender who wasn't nice and poured me bad drinks and the bounder who treated me like scum for no reason and yeah all staff could be better :) read more

This place.... went for the first time had a decent time there. Bill was $62 for 4 drinks... still ok, they ended up charging me $120 after I signed with tip for $76. They have no number posted anywhere to contact them. I have never had this happen to me at a bar anywhere. This place is shady! Watch out. I have read several other reviews stating the same thing about this place! Check your statements people. read more

Went to the shelter with my husband on a friday about 6pm. The place was almost empty, yet we were not greeted by anyone. We sat and waited patiently for service when lo and behold two young men walked in and sat down on the couches across from us. within less than a minute a waitress walked over and greeted them and took their drink order. She then proceeded to walk toward us. we were so outraged by the lack of attention and the snobbism that we just got up and left. Sorry, this kind of attitude is not what encinitas is about. if that is what you want to serve up, then I think your days in business are numbered. read more

The fact that these bartenders have heavy hands is a plus. I can't wait until they establish a food menu. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area. read more

Fancy place (the ceiling is retractable, what's fancier than that?) & great, friendly service. Weeknights are mellow & everyone was welcoming, casual & funny. read more

I love this place. The vibe, the open environment, the community it brings in. The #1 downfall is the service late night (9pm+). In order to get a drink it takes waiting at a crowded bar with 2/maybe 3 servers for 15+ minutes. I wrote this while I was waiting. This is not my first time and it is similar every time. The one downfall that is huge is the service. Please fix. I will fix this to 5 stars following, I promise. read more

Great ambiance, service and cocktails. Outside patio is a nice addition. The guapo is one of my favorite cocktails.

Very interesting but fun little place in Encinitas. Stumbled in here, they had a great DJ and excellent beer selection. The service was great, the barback Charlie made us laugh and we had an awesome time! read more

The drinks are very good. I like the lounge area, but you would probably get better service if you sit at the bar. The bartenders were very attentive. read more

We came across this little north county gem on a Saturday night and loved it. Great design, busy but not packed and good tunes. Good neighborhood beach vibe but slightly dressed up. read more

I like day drinking here on the weekend or happy hour any day. Just a nice chill setting with couch seating and the roof is open. Miles behind the bar makes grade A cocktails. Usually go old fashioned or mule. The crowd is always entertaining for people watching as well. Killer large screen TVs that show well even in the middle of the day for sports. A good place to kill an hour or two and a clear cut above biergarden. Sadly not food, but you can go down to URBN pizza and bring it in. Apparently goes off late night but I am in bed then. read more

Shelter is fun and I love the decor. I do think the service can be slow. You can't depend on the staff or waitresses to bring you drinks. I loved the mood and vibe of the establishment. I will always come back. I had 4 stars because the security was very picky even if your feet touched the sofa. read more

Nice place. I will come back to have a few. The DJ was awesome! The bartenders were busy but served the crowed well. I never had to wave one down for a drink. I will be back! read more

If you are in Southern California visit the shelter! I can't remember the last time I had such a great experience with friends. Will come again soon the atmosphere is amazing! Came in on a Friday night around 7 with a group of friends wasn't too crowded. A bartender with a bunch of tattoos was taking care of us he was so nice and accommodating to our group. Couldn't be happier with this experience will be visiting again. read more

Tough one, the space is well done, the drinks are good but just feel out of place for the area. There is no authenticity to it just feels like a hipster bar. A bunch of the owners friend over paying for bottle service sitting at booths looking out at the rest of the crowd. Good every once in a while but thats about it... read more

Ive lived in Cardiff for 30 years and my first impression of this place was like oh no whole foods now this?! Am I going to have to start wearing collar shirts when I go out now and having a douche bouncer ask if I'm on the list? But I left my bias against this place and the new yuppie class aside and actually really enjoyed it. I wasn't hassled for wearing a t shirt and the drink menu is great. The cocktail girls on the floor were really nice and a great touch as I am so sick of muscling my way to the bar to order coors light. If your over sh@&ty beer and a$$hole bartenders give this place a shot. Oh and the inside is amazing. Good music too. read more

Stuck up staff. Who the hell do they think they are??? So at 9:45 they take all the bar stools away...leave the tables so what's the point??? Over rated!!! read more

Best bar in Encinitas... the drinks & ambiance are amazing

I have never seen a slower bartender in my entire life. It literally took him 8 minutes to serve a cocktail (jack and coke) and a draft beer. WE WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE THERE!!! I have tried to go back, but the dirty looks i get from the servers is not worth it. read more

The bouncer is a nice guy. I was with some people that weren't 21 and I respect him for not letting me and the other girls I was with in. But he treated me like a minor. Treated I am 22 but no he did not let me in!! After I tried to make amends with him many times he still did not let a 22 year old in! Sober and a none. I'm sorry but shelter needs to look into the treatment into how the bouncers treat their customers read more

This place definitely doesn't fit with the relaxed vibe in Encinitas. My wife and I went there with neighbors after a local Encinitas community event. After being good, paying customers for an hour and a half, we were rudely asked to leave before we were ready as they needed to clear a table for bottle service. I can appreciate the business aspect of a bar, but the man who passed this message clearly should not be authorized to approach customers. He showed a lack of regard and appreciation for customers that clearly seems to be Shelter's MO based on the other comments here. I will not be returning, not will my fellow neighbors in three surrounding houses. Off to a good start Shelter...not making friends in the neighborhood, we'll be sure to spread the word... read more

This is a tough one to grade. On one hand, Shelter has completely the opposite vibe of most of the beachy establishments along PCH in Encinitas. On the other hand, if you are looking for a little more of a nightclub feel and/or bottle service and you don't want to drive all the way downtown, this is a close to home spot that will fill the same need. I have been there once during the day and once at night. If you don't like crowds, I would recommend going during the daytime only. There is still loud club music that plays during the day so be ready for that. They do have have legitimate craft cocktails and cushy booth seating and I have found their stuff to be friendly overall. read more

I took the line in front as an indication that this must be some fun place. Got in after 15 minutes, and felt bad for the swollen door guards. Benadryl would be of help. Once in, it took a few minutes to get a drink. I asked the first cocktail waitress who passed by. She was really nice and got back with the drinks in about 5 minutes. Then the place got packed, and the crowd was definitely from anywhere but Encinitas. The music was a beat only, no words or identifiable artist. I asked a simple question, why the Reserved label on the side tables with couches. "Bottle Service, a two bottle minimum, $250 dollars each." Ha ha, that was really funny. Oh yes, they have a rule, No Hats, is this a Gang thing?, I am lost where that rule comes from. They took the chairs and tables away, then the tables reappeared. The evening was an adventure. Oh yes, the Golf Channel was on, and I don't know why. Owners, I have a Word of advise, walk down the street to Union, hang out for a few nights, take notes. You will draw the good crowd in with fun waitresses, bartenders and friendly swollen door dudes. I'll be back....eventually. read more

If you want a little piece of Vegas, at Vegas prices, in Encinitas, you found the right place! I should of known by the velvet rope out front that they were trying to be something they are not ( a good time). From the the all male bartenders with a personality of a polished turd, to the expensive weak drinks, to the 22 year old manager with a man-bun that thought he was God; little did I know the night was just starting, otherwise I would of cut my losses then. Would anyone with half a brain do bottle service in encinitas next to a taco shop and a dive bar? Well, with no warning, no sign, zero explanation, our seat was sold for $700. Yes $700. 6 people with no jobs looking to impress desperate girls with daddy's money bought our table ( impressive deceptive sales job). There were 5 in our group and we had been there for about 1-1/2 hours and spent ~$150 on Budweiser and Moscow mules, do the math, were asked to leave because the "people that bought our table were right behind them waiting". That was our first notice from the bouncers and manager. They put shame to the word "manager". It was the worst experience I have ever had in a bar. Because we asked questions about what was going on, our drinks were taken out of our hands and thrown in the trash. What? Really? Coming from someone that has spent a few hours in bars before, it is hard to say that it was the worst experience ever and ruined the one night a month I have with my family and girlfriend. This place will run its course and piss off all of encinitas one credit card transaction at a time. Will go back when they have folded. Should not be long. read more

Bottle service, rude bouncers and a line to get in? No thanks. Newsflash: this is Encinitas not Las Vegas. I can't wait for this place to go out of business. read more

Shelter is a great new venue in Encinitas. We enjoyed the mixologists' tasty drinks, the spicy Margarita was divine! Bottle tables are very comfortable and a nice place to gather with friends and family. The open sky ceiling was amazing . I understand great food is coming soon so we will look forward to returning for that too. Congrats to Chris, we wish you al the best success. read more

I've been to Shelter a couple of times and I must say I am impressed. Not only has Encinitas gained another watering hole it's gotten some class to boot. I've only gone during the day but I can imagine the place filled with shiny happy people at night. I can't wait to go camping or some other excuse to visit Encinitas & Shelter again. read more

Been there twice. Last night, Friday, and the Friday before. Nice crowd compared to the normal casual beach crowd. If they don't have a dress code, they are doing well with a "self patrolled" dress code. I like that. I no longer live in North County and I enjoy the more upscale bars I find here in the LaJolla/San Diego area. Nothing against the super casual dress places. I enjoy those too. But, on a Friday/Saturday, I gravitate to upscale. Another thing I liked that it wasn't typical of the ManDiego Crowd. There were actually more women than men! And they were all pretty attractive women. The downside was that I enjoy dancing. And I found several women who did as well. But, it appears they discourage dancing there! Bummer for me because I love to dance. :-( They chose to have these big huge square tables in the middle of the lounge floor instead of small round cocktail tables. I understand they are going to introduce food. But, even then, why did you not purchase colapsable tables? Either the kind that fold down and roll away or the kind that the tops fold down to take up 1/3 the space? The only other feedback is the back patio. It could use an upgrad to make it more comfortable. I recommend investing in a decorator who specializes in night club décor. As for service, I interacted with many of the personnel. They were all excellent. Except it appeared that there was no manager on duty. It appeared the head bouncer was managing the place and even he couldn't make the simple decision to reposition the tables so that I and the several women who wanted to dance could dance. He insisted that they are not trying to discourage dancing. But, his words were, "Sorry, I can't do anything about that." Not only are the table huge, but the bouncer insisted that they had to have the corners turned inward to the middle (totally anti- feng shui!). Having the corners turned in made it pretty much impossible to dance. And they don't even have the hooks under them to hang a jacket or a purse!!! Give me a dance area and I'll be back! read more

I'm not even sure where to start. This review is a culmination of 2 visits I had the misfortune of experiencing over the past month. Tony the head door guys is out of control. He was obviously picked on as a child and takes his frustrations out on the customers of this wanna be swanky lounge that acts more like an extension of the dive bar next door. I watched the door guy grab and push at-least 10 customers including several in my group. When I politely asked him to relax and told him that it wasn't necessary for him to push and grab my 120 lb wife he threatened to put me in "time out" for 10 minutes before allowing me back in the bar. Tony desperately needs a Xanax bar to cool out and a good old fashion slap across the face. Owners please take note, there are 20 reviewers on this site who have had similar experiences. read more

What a bunch of pretentious d-bags. Seriously, waited 10 minutes, light crowd & figured out we needed to order at the bar. Stiffed/ignored because I'm a guy but the 2 chippies who walked in behind me got instant attention. Guess I'm not hipster enough or my facial hair isn't scruffy enough? Btw, how's your economic model working out being opened so few days? Too much sand in their vaginas for me. read more

First: incase you're new, this is not an Encinitas bar. It's part of the changing tide rolling in attempting to make us cliche clones so they can get rich off and we have to move because pretentious people (trying to be "Encinitas") have come in and changed all that made it Encinitas. I miss the old saloon....with the jukebox and no red rope. Sigh. Now to the review: I've had fun here over the years since it took over the saloon's chill patio space, but it was because of the awesome people I was with, not the bar layout or service or music. The environment kept trying to ruin it actually. Blacked out Girls (young and old) practically stripping (for real) on their raised VIP tables as they are groped by multiple men (Bottle service? Really? I feel sorry for the kids eating it up). There were constant people falling into our booth because there are dumb round tables taking up way too much space - worst layout/design ever for the crowd flow and dancing trying to happen. The Dj's are elementary and in my experience have limited knowledge of music that should be played here (went out in SF ages 21-23 before moving here and so I'm used to being disappointed by the attempt at proper music at SoCal bars, but come on?!). Not to sound pretentious but one time, not only did I want the songs to stop, but his transitions were super sloppy every single time time - and the speakers by our booth were nauseating. I hope no one paid him. The layers of dudes lingering front and center at the bar - so you can't even get a drink - are super creepy. That's not the bars fault but a new designer could certainly help this out. I only come here if it's a birthday or something and someone makes me. The hipster bartenders are cute and the bathrooms are interesting (design). Points for that. Oh and the people watching and caddy shit talking and OMG moments are priceless...if you want to feel like you are a bitter bitch all night. Personally I'd rather find a place to have fun and be genuinely impressed. :) read more

great service, bartenders and atmosphere! don't wait for other bars, just go here!

This place is terrible. We got a table for a party of about 12 people (which should be no problem at all) and they only let 5 of us in because they were "at capacity." We ended up paying a premium for a night that ended up being a bummer and the bouncers were cussing and being extremely rude to my fiancé. I will never go back. If you end up going I suggest you go around 9:30 or else you will be waiting in line and getting power tripped by the staff there. read more

Reasonable if you come from a city but pricey for the local coastal crowd. Great selection of beverages though and good vibes provided someone isn't hell-bent to be overly raucous. read more