1St Street Bar

Happened to be walking by and heard live music so we went in. The band was called the Exploits. They were awesome, what a treat! Looking forward to seeing them again soon.

Great locals, fun spot for some cheap beer and billiards. Open late to!

My kind of place for a local go-to bar. Bartender knows the locals' drinks by heart. Pours drinks till their spilling over the rim. Offers a 75 cent a game 6 ft. Pool table and shuffle board. Offer events each night a week after 9PM varying from open mic night to jam band sessions. Old school Budweiser memorabilia, a couple arcade games, and a tight knit community that is welcoming rather than snobby. Dig it, reccomend for anyone visiting or living locally.

This place is the best dive bar in down town Encinitas, especially before 10pm when they do half off pitchers of beer. Not sure if that only applies to weekend nights. They usually have a DJ playing music but I hope someday they bring back the live cover bands. Those were the days!

Great dive style bar with pool, video games, and live music most nights. Reasonably priced cocktails, beers & pitchers. No food but the taco shop next door is phenomenal!!!

Love this place! We went there for the 1st time yesterday to watch the boxing fight. The place is not fancy nor trendy, but all 5 bartenders were super nice, friendly, and attentive even when they were packed to capacity.

Very good late option to get a cold beer. I was there for the Stone IPA. Very local vives. There were no pretzels or peanuts, or maybe you have to ask for it.

Such a fun and relaxed vibe at 1st Street. Pool, mini shuffleboard, great place to watch sports or meet new and fascinating people. Ian and Gary are at the door; both very personable and cool. The owner happened to be there when I came in to watch tennis and catch the Broncos, and was such a generous and laid back individual. Karaoke and open mic on Mon and Tues; this place always has something going on. Food availability to take inside as well with a neighboring sidewalk vendor; amazing eats. I don't see any unsmiling faces here, and have visited on different days, different hours. Never the same experience twice; and always a welcome feel. Definitely worth coming in and counting yourself as a local. Just do it!🎱

Best of both worlds, Great place for music and sports! Played here with my band last month and had a blast. Loved being so close to the beach, you could practically feel the waves at the bar. Small stage but good sound. Lots of seating and standing room for guests. Several big screen TV s broadcasting the big games, pretty good parking all around. (Easy load in for drummers, thank you 1st!!) Staff was great, and the bar even offers non-alcoholic beer which is a nice treat. Great music (of course) and tons of amazing food arou d the neighborhood. The vibes were chill and the bar had a big open wall/window so people walking by could get a sample of the party. It was nice to see outside while playing, and watch the colors of the sunset change. A fun place for a date or to hang with friends, even cool for family (adults of course). I felt comfortable having my dad, uncles and aunts come to my show knowing they would have a good safe time. I highly recommend checking out 1st Bar Encinitas next time your in North county!

Eric makes the best Old Fashion in town HANDS DOWN! 12/10 recommend this place and ask for Eric

An icon on the 101 Highway. Great dive bar with plenty of TVs and a pool table. Be sure and stop by Mondays for open mic comedy. Keep an eye out for Afi Komonn those days.

A favorite Encinitas hang with live acoustic music on weekends on the great outdoor patio! They really made a beautiful covid-safe setup. @vagabondvoice

Great service and a regular local live music scene that's as good as it gets!

Great owners, bartenders, bar backs, security, friends and atmosphere!!! I love this place!!

Taylor Rundle

Eric makes the best Old Fashion in town HANDS DOWN! 12/10 recommend this place and ask for Eric

B

Such a fun and relaxed vibe at 1st Street. Pool, mini shuffleboard, great place to watch sports or meet new and fascinating people. Ian and Gary are at the door; both very personable and cool. The owner happened to be there when I came in to watch tennis and catch the Broncos, and was such a generous and laid back individual. Karaoke and open mic on Mon and Tues; this place always has something going on. Food availability to take inside as well with a neighboring sidewalk vendor; amazing eats. I don't see any unsmiling faces here, and have visited on different days, different hours. Never the same experience twice; and always a welcome feel. Definitely worth coming in and counting yourself as a local. Just do it!🎱

LUCAS WIDDES

Best of both worlds, Great place for music and sports! Played here with my band last month and had a blast. Loved being so close to the beach, you could practically feel the waves at the bar. Small stage but good sound. Lots of seating and standing room for guests. Several big screen TV s broadcasting the big games, pretty good parking all around. (Easy load in for drummers, thank you 1st!!) Staff was great, and the bar even offers non-alcoholic beer which is a nice treat. Great music (of course) and tons of amazing food arou d the neighborhood. The vibes were chill and the bar had a big open wall/window so people walking by could get a sample of the party. It was nice to see outside while playing, and watch the colors of the sunset change. A fun place for a date or to hang with friends, even cool for family (adults of course). I felt comfortable having my dad, uncles and aunts come to my show knowing they would have a good safe time. I highly recommend checking out 1st Bar Encinitas next time your in North county!

Max Rosenthal

An icon on the 101 Highway. Great dive bar with plenty of TVs and a pool table. Be sure and stop by Mondays for open mic comedy. Keep an eye out for Afi Komonn those days.

Ashley E. Norton

A favorite Encinitas hang with live acoustic music on weekends on the great outdoor patio! They really made a beautiful covid-safe setup. @vagabondvoice

Darron David

Great service and a regular local live music scene that's as good as it gets!

Doreen Chopp

Great owners, bartenders, bar backs, security, friends and atmosphere!!! I love this place!!

Only here for 20 min to talk to band member. I liked the easy going feel - a relaxed ambiance of the place. A nice contrast to busy Foreign Legion around the corner. There were 6 TV screens and guys playing pool and a cool bar the length of the place. Off in back left was a stage and single music performer was playing. Good feel, next time stay longer and eat/drink. People I’ve met love this place. It’s like an icon Encinitas bar.

Great location and fun atmosphere. Was packed during my last visit (my 90's band was there playing live). Nice stage, seating and ample dance floor. Top notch hosts with a wide variety of drink and beer selections. Will be out for another visit soon.

Perfect local dive. Love the service and the pours are always on point. Bartenders are fun and personable. Security is on top of everything and truly watching everywhere. Always feel safe in here as a woman.

A group of friends and I came to see The 005 band play. The band was great! The bartenders were very attentive. The patrons were enthusiastic, engaged, and respectful of each other. We really had a great time!

Love the service here, definitely somewhere I would return to and spend more time. We only had a quick visit and really enjoyed it. We passed by mid afternoon and could feel a lovely warm atmosphere, we would like to sample a busy evening here as it does look great.

One of the best bars + live music and DJ in one night!! We are from San Diego and first time at 1st st. Bar and my husband and I loved it. We danced a lot! Thank you for the great vibes, Guinness and old fashions! We will definitely come back week after week! 👌💕

Just ran into this place recently. Sweet little dive bar. Located on coast highway and next to a bunch of food places. Ideal spot for some drinking and eating. Parking def sucks but overall place has lots of TV, good beers ans cocktails. Bartenders have a heavy hand and drinks are stiff. I was there when Michelle was there. She is amazingly over the too gorgeous.

carly hattrup

Perfect local dive. Love the service and the pours are always on point. Bartenders are fun and personable. Security is on top of everything and truly watching everywhere. Always feel safe in here as a woman.

Lilly Fluger

Only here for 20 min to talk to band member. I liked the easy going feel - a relaxed ambiance of the place. A nice contrast to busy Foreign Legion around the corner. There were 6 TV screens and guys playing pool and a cool bar the length of the place. Off in back left was a stage and single music performer was playing. Good feel, next time stay longer and eat/drink. People I’ve met love this place. It’s like an icon Encinitas bar.

Derek Booth

Love the service here, definitely somewhere I would return to and spend more time. We only had a quick visit and really enjoyed it. We passed by mid afternoon and could feel a lovely warm atmosphere, we would like to sample a busy evening here as it does look great.

Kimberly Villa

A group of friends and I came to see The 005 band play. The band was great! The bartenders were very attentive. The patrons were enthusiastic, engaged, and respectful of each other. We really had a great time!

Sean Tompkins

Great location and fun atmosphere. Was packed during my last visit (my 90's band was there playing live). Nice stage, seating and ample dance floor. Top notch hosts with a wide variety of drink and beer selections. Will be out for another visit soon.

Maryam Bassiri

One of the best bars + live music and DJ in one night!! We are from San Diego and first time at 1st st. Bar and my husband and I loved it. We danced a lot! Thank you for the great vibes, Guinness and old fashions! We will definitely come back week after week! 👌💕

richard barrett

Just ran into this place recently. Sweet little dive bar. Located on coast highway and next to a bunch of food places. Ideal spot for some drinking and eating. Parking def sucks but overall place has lots of TV, good beers ans cocktails. Bartenders have a heavy hand and drinks are stiff. I was there when Michelle was there. She is amazingly over the too gorgeous.

I went to the night club as it turns to after 10 I believe. Pretty cool spot to hangout, listen to some music, and have some drinks. It's kind of a younger crowd but I would recommend it.

Place is ok. They don't serve food there but the taco shop next door is crazy busy. Really cool music, there's one pool table, maybe only table on the strip? Place smells faintly of urine.

Its a great time. Friday nights are usually the best. Good music strong drinks. Beach is a block away if you feel like heading there afterwards. Great food nearby for your drunken munchies!

Service is great.Prices for drinks are not bad at all and the atmosphere is awesome especially when they have live bands playing.

The drinks were good, the Dj was great. The woman bartender was rude. But all the other bartenders were super nice. The security was even really nice.

1st time here, checked out karaoke on Sunday night. Good solid crowd, mostly good singers. Atmosphere and history is pretty dope.

josh holliday

1st time here, checked out karaoke on Sunday night. Good solid crowd, mostly good singers. Atmosphere and history is pretty dope.

Was the only place going on a Sunday night. Karaoke night. All the taps were out, only cans, which was strange, expensive for such a dive. Service wasn’t bad though. Fairly fun.

The bar itself is awesome but the bartender was a blond woman who was very rude and dismissive. Had a great experience except for her. I myself bartend and understand hospitality, I have rarely felt so insulted by someone. If the bartenders were pleasant the bar would be a 5.

It is a small quiet bar. Cool bar tenders. Great for small get together with friends.

Divisionary

It is a small quiet bar. Cool bar tenders. Great for small get together with friends.

Main bartender and main outdoor bouncer nice, but showed up for pool as we let them all know, and as soon as we ordered drinks they started shutting both pool and shuffleboard down, by 10pm. S'ok place if you don't wanna play. If you do go elsewhere as they seem fine shutting you down, even mid-game. Also, wish they had a better stout selection.

Noisy, dark. For some I guess the place is appealing. For me, it's just one more too busy bar hangout with no particular redeeming feature to distinguish it. The way the music band is set up prohibits a good visual; too bad b/c some music sounded pretty good.

Overpriced as a mf. $5.50 for a domestic 12oz beer? Please. Even for "for the area" that's absurd. Came here pre-covid and it was like 3 bucks a pbr can... almost doubled now? That's not an appropriate adjustment to inflation whatsoever. Bartender was also rude; Goodluck with tips, bud.

A group of friends and I went in hopes of playing pool. We got our first round of drinks just fine. When we tried to order another round one of the bartenders brushed it off. We asked again and didn't get anything. They had no problem closing our tab though. (Saloon down the street was a way better choice.)

Usually I love 1st street but recently my apartment (including my id and passport) burned down in the palisades fire in LA and i brought proof of my age via pictures of my id but i was denied entry. I understand if you can't let me in because I don't have my id (already applied for a new id at the disaster shelter) but they were incredibly rude about it. I just lost everything I've ever owned, I don't have a bed anymore, the least you could do is be kind while rejecting me.

I liked the band. They played good oldies and classics while people shot pool. Seems like a good place to relax except for the volume of the performers. You cannot hear yourself especially when having a conversation. Plus there's an awful smell inside. It's like urine. The bar tenders were nice though. They were quick though the crowd wasn't too demanding that Wednesday night.

Tabitha Snavely

Usually I love 1st street but recently my apartment (including my id and passport) burned down in the palisades fire in LA and i brought proof of my age via pictures of my id but i was denied entry. I understand if you can't let me in because I don't have my id (already applied for a new id at the disaster shelter) but they were incredibly rude about it. I just lost everything I've ever owned, I don't have a bed anymore, the least you could do is be kind while rejecting me.

Burrito

I liked the band. They played good oldies and classics while people shot pool. Seems like a good place to relax except for the volume of the performers. You cannot hear yourself especially when having a conversation. Plus there's an awful smell inside. It's like urine. The bar tenders were nice though. They were quick though the crowd wasn't too demanding that Wednesday night.

I used to come here before covid and it was cool, but tonight the blonde bartender woman with the beanie was very rude to me and my friends right off the bat. I even tried to make conversation with her and she was throwing shade at my friends. Drinks were bad and we didn’t stay. 0/10 would not go back.

I just watched a video where it appeared that the bouncers wanted to fight more than the patrons did. Avoid this place like the plague until they get their act together. Get more professional security and get rid of the little fella who has a chip on his shoulder and is swinging at everybody in front of your bar.

Never been to a bar where the bartender demands a tip before ordering, I don’t mind leaving a tip but demanding before I order? And saying he needs the money. Oh I’m sorry it’s not my fault you didn’t go to college.

You’ll get kicked out of this bar for absolutely no reason. I was simply sitting at a table hanging out with friends, when one of the bouncers suddenly comes over and aggressively tells me “if you’re sleeping then you gotta go” (i was wide awake, literally just sitting there). Then a minute later he comes over with another bouncer and tells me i’m getting kicked out for sleeping….? I stand up, my friend and I ask the guy - what’s the deal, since i’m not causing any issuse (and wide awake) The bouncer gets agressive and pushes my friend. Oh and on the way out, another patron sees this and exclaims how unfair and rude the security is. Ownership - what kind of conduct is this? How is that acceptable from your employees? Completely unreasonable security that kicks people out for minding their own business and trying to enjoy the night with friends is not the way to create a fun setting. If i was causing an actual issue i’d admit it. But it was shocking to get treated that way last night.

Amy P

I never write negative reviews but there was a bartender here that was just very condescending. I’ve personally never had a bartender be rude to me at all before so I really didn’t know how to react. He took my order and I just ordered a can and then my friend said she wanted the same thing so when he came back I asked him for a second one. I can promise that I was being friendly. He responded with “why are you wasting my time” and made a face at me. I genuinely thought he was kidding so I tried to laugh but he did not smile at all. I immediately felt so uncomfortable so I did not tip, and I guess he didn’t like that - I forgot to take my card out so he took it out and put it behind him and then when I tried to get it back he said “just take a deep breath, I know the bar is a scary place”. It was very condescending and I felt so uncomfortable that a grown man was talking to a woman this way. I know he would not have said that to another man. I know there’s a stereotype that dive bar bartenders can be rude but I’ve been to manyyy dive bars and I’ve always had friendly interactions. Personally will not come back here because I felt pretty uncomfortable with that guy. As a woman, I only really go to bars where the staff feel like safe people and would not say that about this guy. Maybe it was a misunderstanding and that’s just his way of being funny, but my friend definitely didn’t think so.

Brandt Gehrs

You’ll get kicked out of this bar for absolutely no reason. I was simply sitting at a table hanging out with friends, when one of the bouncers suddenly comes over and aggressively tells me “if you’re sleeping then you gotta go” (i was wide awake, literally just sitting there). Then a minute later he comes over with another bouncer and tells me i’m getting kicked out for sleeping….? I stand up, my friend and I ask the guy - what’s the deal, since i’m not causing any issuse (and wide awake) The bouncer gets agressive and pushes my friend. Oh and on the way out, another patron sees this and exclaims how unfair and rude the security is. Ownership - what kind of conduct is this? How is that acceptable from your employees? Completely unreasonable security that kicks people out for minding their own business and trying to enjoy the night with friends is not the way to create a fun setting. If i was causing an actual issue i’d admit it. But it was shocking to get treated that way last night.