NORTH COAST

333 Pacific

333 N. Pacific St., Oceanside
www.cohnrestaurants.com
The latest eatery from the Cohn family has a sophisticated-yet-casual bar area with big flat-screen TVs and an ocean-view patio on which to sit and sip your vodka cocktail—because they have a seriously insane vodka selection, more than we knew existed.

The Alley

421 Grand Ave., Carlsbad
760-434-1173
Find out why it’s called the “Wrinkle Room” during the day, or just wait till nighttime to get your groove on with a younger, equally sweaty, beach crowd.

Bar Leucadian

1542 N. Coast Hwy., Encinitas
760-753-2094
The low-key Leucadian welcomes you to Encinitas’ strip of dives with pool tables, shuffleboard, a $2 Beer of the Month and friendly bartenders behind a nautical-themed bar.

Belly Up Tavern

143 South Cedros Ave.,
Solana Beach
www.bellyup.com
With arguably the finest sound of any club in the county, the Belly Up is legendary for holding some of the area’s best concerts. Having a mellow crowd, grandstand-style seating and awesome food at the adjoining Wild Note Café doesn’t hurt, either.

Boar Cross’n

390 Grand Ave., Carlsbad
www.myspace.com/boarcrossn
For club-starved Carlsbad residents, Boar Cross’n suffices with DJs and bands playing Thursday through Saturday, an itsy-bitsy VIP section and bouncers who think they’re working in Hollywood. Good place to pick up chicks or one of the Marines surrounding them.

Bub’s Whiskey Dive

301 Pier View Way, Oceanside
www.bubswhiskeydive.bravepages.com
Bub’s is a classic dirty American dive bar. Cross its peanut-shell-littered floor to choose from the huge selection of beers on tap. On your way out, be sure to hit up the restroom condom-dispenser and salute Old Glory hanging on the far wall.

Coyote Bar & Grill

300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad
www.coyotecarlsbad.com
When the small dance floor surrounding the bar inside gets too crowded, head outside to the fire pits for nightly live music. Come to Monday and Tuesday’s karaoke nights and cheer on both professional singers and American Idol wannabes.

Daley Double Saloon

546 Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
760-753-1366
Call it The Saloon, unless you wanna sound like a tourist. With its vintage mile-long bar, walls of Western murals and dim lighting, you feel like you’re actually in a saloon—albeit one where gunslingers don v-necks and Vans.

Duke’s Cardiff Office

110A Aberdeen Drive, Cardiff
760-753-7766
The Office proudly encompasses shabby surfer chic. With the cheapest drinks around, it welcomes surfers, professionals, students and, of course, the locals who’ve been staying late since 1965.

First Street Bar

656 South Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
www.myspace.com/1ststreetbar
A locals hangout, First Street Bar offers a relaxed vibe with plenty of tables and simple white Christmas lights. Wednesday is open-mic, and Thursday and Saturday showcase live bands.
Gaffney’s Wine Bar
166B N. El Camino Real, Encinitas
www.gaffneyswinebar.com
Now settled at their new location, owners Robert and Donna Gaffney continue providing a warm, friendly wine bar for both connoisseurs and those still training their taste buds.

The Golden Tee Cocktail Lounge

1065 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad
760-729-2626
Although it’s finally capitulated to California’s no-smoking-indoors policy and their golf video game is gone, The Tee has a kickin’ jukebox, cozy booths and take-no-crap bartenders.

The Haunted Head

207 N. Tremont St., Oceanside
www.myspace.com/hauntedheadoside
At this pirate-themed bar, you can get boozy, chat with cute barmaids and play I-spy with all the pirate paraphernalia. Plus, they hold “pirate parties” three times a year.

Hensley’s Flying

Elephant Bar & Grill
850 Tamarack Ave., Carlsbad
www.hensleyspub.com
Created by the accordionist from Flogging Molly, Hensley’s is dripping with cred among those who know what good music is.

The Kraken

2531 S Coast Highway 101, Cardiff by the Sea
www.myspace.com/thekrakenbar
If your kind of bar usually has luxury cars parked in front, go across the street to Beach House. Deemed “Best Pour on the Shore,” The Kraken is a real beach dive. The floors are sticky and the restrooms are nasty, but the bikers who frequent this bar probably don’t give a shit.

Ocean House

300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad
www.oceanhousecarlsbad.com
Recognizable as the old Neiman’s, this Victorian mansion now hosts a variety of music and dancing events all month long. Ocean House boasts a beautiful ballroom, though sometimes this lends to an eighth-grade-dance feel, with wall-clinging men watching the single ladies groovin’ on the floor.

Pizza Port

135 N. Highway 101, Solana Beach; 571 Carlsbad Village, Carlsbad
www.pizzaport.com
The Solana Beach location is the birthplace of Port Brewing Co., makers of brews like the Twerp (a Belgian ale) and the Party Pants Pilsner. We recommend pizzas made with wholegrain beer crust. Because why wouldn’t you opt for pizza crust made with beer?

The Royal Dive

2949 San Luis Rey Rd., Oceanside
www.myspace.com/theroyaldive
A hidden gem in Oceanside, the Royal Dive has live music five nights a week, with an emphasis on original music. If you’re cool enough, maybe co-owner Nate will slap your Polaroid on the wall.

The Shanty Cocktail Lounge

126 Chesterfield Drive, Cardiff by the Sea
760-753-1548
Another beloved locals spot to get a stiff drink, The Shanty has a covered outdoor smoking patio, pool tables and a machine with a Find the Difference video game—the erotic version.

Surf & Saddle

123 W. Plaza, Solana Beach
858-755-9474
Far from the upscale atmosphere one might expect in this well-to-do beach town, the Saddle is a total dive that’s a good place for compulsive gamblers to drink away their sorrows after losing money at the track.

Tidewater Tavern

221 N. Highway 101, Solana Beach
858-755-4115
Tidewater Tavern is a relaxed sports bar where you can chow on fish tacos or burger pitas along with your cold brew. Keep $1 handy, so that after slinging back a few drinks, you can find out your B.A.C. with their breathalyzer.

The Village Pub

2990 State St., Carlsbad
760-434-2114
The friendly staff makes everyone feel like a local. Just across the street from the train tracks, The Pub is home to the “Train Beer,” a 12-ounce domestic brew for $1.75 every time the train goes by.

Yogi’s

2633 S. Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff
760-943-9644
Yogi’s has Direct TV to satisfy sports fans, as well as good deals like a $10 burger and beer special. Live bands play Thursday and Sunday, and DJs get dance parties going Friday and Saturday.