1ST STREET BAR @ ENCINITAS…read more Parking is available on public streets or in nearby neighborhoods. I visited during Halloween weekend and, since I was the designated driver, I ended up finding a spot just a street down--it was surprisingly easy! This was my first time visiting any of the bars in Encinitas, and my friend had recommended this place, so I was really excited to check it out. The line was out the door probably due to Halloween, and the cover was $20, which is on the pricier side. I'm not sure how busy it gets on a regular weekend, but it was definitely packed when we arrived. The space itself was great, with good music, lots of people dancing, and a lively crowd overall. I really enjoyed my experience and would definitely consider coming back on another weekend.

The security in the red jacket was so rude. He took my drink before I even finished a sip.read more

One of our long-time local favorites. In warm weather, we enjoy the patio and watching the…read moreever-changing array of characters ambling along South Cedros, some destined for shows at The Belly Up. The inside dining room and bar is cozy and decorated with posters from musical acts. Tavern is popular before shows and we go early on weeknights to beat the crowds and enjoy the food. The menu is reasonably priced. The tasty pan seared lemon and butter scallops on linguine was $29. The lobster tacos are $28, with the lobster chunks in a bowl with a subtle tomato sauce, and choice of torillas, with Spanish rice and black beans. Tavern has a full bar and a short but excellent wine list, reasonably priced, and mostly from California. Wines by the glass start at $11 and go to $14. A bottle of William Hill, Central Coast, Chardonnay, wsa $42 and the Rombauer Carneos, $65. Corkage is $25. Most cocktails are $15. It has local beers on draft and in the cans. Service is always fast and friendly. They check regularly for water refills, and any thoughts on the meal. We enjoy the casual, neighborly feel to the Tavern. A California beach town classic.

Best place to eat before a show at the Belly Up!…read more My go-to has been the filet medallions. Always great! Perfectly cooked each time. Cocktails are on point. Old fashioned was excellent. Wine list is what you need. Not huge, but full of solid wines. Review for the attached restaurant: Kind and efficient service. Joy was stellar!!! Nice welcome upon coming in. Server had it all nailed down. Look forward to coming again! 5/20/26 visit

We had a very strange and hostile interaction with a bartender there. I'm not sure what was going…read moreon with him but I wouldn't recommend this place.

Not quite the same vibe as the old Surf n Saddle Bar but still a decent watering hole / dive bar…read more. they have all the popular beers in draft. Usually there's some good music playing, sometimes live...

Me and my friends love the alley. It's the most diverse bar in Carlsbad if you ask me. I love going…read moreto karaoke on the weekdays and club nights on the weekends. Brittany and Tiffani are angels sent from above. Drinks 10/10. I love how the workers make it feel like a community. I honestly feel very safe here and whenever I need help security is always on top of it. I highly recommend stopping by!

We stumbled upon The Alley by chance and were glad we found it. It is the kind of place you do not…read moreplan for but end up talking about afterward. If you are looking for a fun little spot with a DJ, lights, and a mix of truly random people, this is it. The drinks are affordable, which already puts it ahead of the curve. The DJ is solid and plays a surprisingly wide range of music that somehow works for everyone in the room. The dance floor is always packed, and that energy feeds into the entire space. What stood out most is that there is no single niche or crowd this bar caters to, which makes it feel welcoming and easy to enjoy. For a small town, seeing it this packed felt like a win. This is the kind of place where you show up for one drink and leave hours later. I will definitely be back the next time I am downtown and want to dance the night away.

Came in on a Sunday. Chelsea made a great old fashioned and was so personal and friendly . Hard to…read morefind good staff at restaurants now a days z Will definitely be back.

Never come here on opening day. Only one bartender. He was working as fast as he could but it was…read more25min for a drink. Go somewhere else.

Unfortunately, this party no longer happens…read more ----- Old review ----- Firehouse North County Dance party is the swing/blues dance party that occurs monthly, typically on the fourth Saturday of the month. The party happens in the Dancessence studio in Carlsbad at 8:30 PM and is preceded by lessons at 7:30PM. The cost of the dance with the lesson is $15. The lesson format is still being figured out, so check the web site https://www.facebook.com/swinginsandiego for up-to-date information. On the night I visited, there were three one-hour lessons offered simultaneously: swing for beginners, blues for beginners, and intermediate Lindy hop. The latter was run by Meeshi, the dance teacher behind the event. Dance started at 8:30PM with an excellent Billy Watson All-Stars band playing a mix of swing and blues tunes for a crowd of about 50-60 dancers. The dancers were a truly mixed bunch with skills ranging from true beginners to quite advanced, in age groups anywhere from college to retirement (the average age here was higher than in other San Diego venues). As is typical for San Diego, there were somewhat more follows than leads. However, a significant percentage of the dancers came in as couples, so in order to have more fun I would very definitely advise the follows to bring their own lead to the event. Light snacks were provided, music was wonderful, floor is huge with comfortable seating, parking is a non-issue, ventilation actually works. Great evening altogether. Please spread the word - we need this event to keep returning, in order to keep the live music going it seems that more dancers are needed..

This place is a staple in town. If you're looking for great start to hang out with your friends on…read morethe weekend that has great energy for drinks this spot while you're at ask for Nicole, I've never laughed harder with a bartender than with her. She sets a great vibe conversation is great always and she's always greeting you with a smile.

Been coming by this spot for years now! The Bartender Samantha is super cool and attentive! Great…read moredrinks and great vibes! Local hot spot

AN INCIDENT HANDLED CORRECTLY: My friend and I sat at the bar, which was our only option as the…read moreoutside courtyard was filled for the great live music. We had so much fun and met some great people, like Dan who was sitting next to us... unfortunately, we eventually met a really rude (likely very drunk) woman and her friend. Dan went out to the courtyard to dance to Toga Party band... This rude woman insisted on Dan's seat, even after we told her there was someone sitting there... his drink still on the bar... she pushed it off to the side, spilling the beer and sat halfway on the seat... she didn't care and said something like, if he isn't here, the seat is open and ordered a beer for her and her friend. My friend and I let it go because she was so aggressive and drunk, we really didn't want a confrontation. Dan eventually came back from dancing (probably less than 4 minutes). BTW, there was no seating outside, so this was our only option as we arrived when the band started playing. Dan returned and explained to the woman he had been sitting there for over an hour, and wanted to finish his beer and take back his seat... she started calling him all kinds of ludicrous names and talking BS! He sat halfway on the stool, (she was on the other half) standing his ground but not responding to her verbal assault) and my friend told me she was saying all kinds of really mean stuff to him... I couldn't hear because I was on her other side... the restaurant was loud, as most restaurants are are around 8 pm. The bartender was great! When he realized what was happening and tried to reason with her to be a nice human, he finally realized she would not choose that path and pulled the 2 ladies drinks (from her friend as well) and said... "you're outta here, don't make me call security". (obviously after trying to speak to her calmly)... but she persisted until security was called to escort her out. She called him a racist, which he was defiantly NOT (she was Latina, but she was trying to use any excuses for her bad behavior). THEN... I wish I was done!!! Her sister came over about 10 minutes later... ordered a beer and continued to berate Dan. Literally staring him down like she was going to end him!!! She asked him aggressive, leading questions... not trying to get to the truth, but to defend her sister, so I chimed in to speak reason, (which didn't inflame the situation, but did not change her attitude at all) My friend told me even her own brother was trying to get her to walk away... the bartender realized what was happening and pulled the her drink off the bar and kicked her out and said, everyone with you needs to leave! Security came promptly and they left. I gotta say, her brother came back and paid for the drinks (they were almost full when the staff pulled them)... he was embarrassed and apologized to us all, he was nice and made an effort to be reasonable. Ultimately, the staff was very busy, but when they realized what was happening, they were on it!!! the staff will help take care of you.... Especially in the summertime when you don't know what kind of crazy drunk people show up. They even bought Dan a beer for having to endure the berating... (he almost left) and was a great sport and did not instigate her toxicity. I've been coming to see live music here for decades with friends and never experienced this before. Security and the bartenders took care of us when they realized what was happening. Overall, a great time and knowing that the staff has your back will make me be even more inclined to come back! I must say this was a rare event and I'm so thankful for the professionalism of the staff. I rarely write reviews, but I wanted to say, Thank you Coyote bar and grill for your professionalism and support to make it a fun evening! I will continue to support your business and appreciate your staff!

Had such a great time at Coyote Bar & Grill! The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, and the live…read moremusic made the experience even better. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and everyone was so friendly and attentive. It's the kind of place where you can relax, enjoy a great meal, listen to good music, and just have a really good time. I definitely enjoyed my visit and would absolutely come back again. Highly recommend checking this place out!

Great dance floor, full bar good music. This is the Elks Lodge Escondido and public invited.read more

SNL Dance is a weekly (Saturdays) dance event at the Escondido Elks. This review is written from…read morethe point of view of a swing dancer, with one star deducted for not enough swing music; if you dance ballroom and country and are a lead in your golden years, this is a solid five-star. The event starts at 6:30 PM with an hourlong lesson. I have attended the one for waltz, and it was excellent: if you have good knowledge of any partner dance, most likely you will be able to advance pretty far within an hour. The music starts at 7:30 is provided by the ALIAS band, consists of a mix of very different styles, and is OK. The floor is of excellent quality and has area sufficient for the 25-30 couples dancing simultaneously, with leading still easy and large moves possible. The dance floor is surrounded by multiple large round tables, there is enough of them to accommodate more than hundred attendees. The dancers are of the retirement age, mostly good and versatile dancers, somewhat skewed towards country. There are more follows than leads, event is beginner-friendly. Logistics: The parking is ample and free, the venue has a full bar, entrance fee is $12.