Top Ten Bars in North County San Diego

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So, you're a North County local with downtown desires, but this weekend you just don't have the energy to make the Gaslamp commute. This is a story we've all heard and lived before. Don't fret; it's still possible to have a great night out in North County.

Bars located in the following coastal towns usually have a laidback vibe and the drinks tend to be on the cheap side. Discover the top bars in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, and Del Mar.

The Golden Tee Cocktail Lounge (Carlsbad)

Always packed for last call, the Golden Tee has become popular with a younger crowd in recent years. The "Tee" has a great jukebox, two pool tables, fun bartenders and smoking is allowed "at your own risk." For all of you night owls with insomnia or early birds looking for a breakfast shot - you're in luck - the bar opens at 6am.

The Alley (Carlsbad)

Craving a coastal dance floor in North County? The Alley offers Karaoke Sunday-Tuesday, hip-hop on Wednesday, and live music Thursday- Saturday. The large windows facing the street succeed in tempting passersby to pop in for a drink and a dance.

Warning: The Alley (a.k.a. the Wrinkle Room) typically hosts an older crowd (30's+). It is the perfect spot for mature adults looking to avoid young kids, or on the flip side, it's a great spot for young cougars chasing after silver foxes.

D Street Bar and Grill (Encinitas)

An upscale sports bar by day, D Street packs ‘em in like sardines at night. On weekends, the DJ spins loud rap music while hot chicks and gorgeous guys bust a move on the dance floor. The upstairs Zebra bar is available for private parties, up to 50 people. Come watch a game on one of the several Plasmas TVs lining the walls during happy hour and get $2.50 domestic beers and $2.00 off all appetizers.

The Saloon (Encinitas)

For some reason, it's become cool to wait in line for a half hour to get into this dark and dingy saloon on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Not to worry girls, the clientele consists of mostly cute, twenty-something surfers and skaters - not ancient cowboys. Well, except for The Cowboy. Pool tables, an outside smoking patio and cheap cocktails keep the locals happy and coming back frequently.

Duke's Cardiff Office (Cardiff)

As the name refers to the place astray husbands tell their wives they've been spending most of their time, the "Office" is one of the best dive bars in North County. Open since 1965, the Office boasts an array of sports paraphernalia on its wooden walls, including a large selection of local surf memorabilia. And if you drink enough, you won't even notice the weird guy staring at you from the end of the bar nor the lovely smell of spilled alcohol and vomit reeking from the carpet.

The Shanty Cocktail Lounge (Cardiff)

A trip to the Shanty always makes for a pleasurable experience. It's a bar you can walk into and instantly make friends - or at least get a new friend to buy you a drink. The bartenders are funny and friendly (especially Troy) and they sure do make stiff drinks! So shanty on over to the Shanty to shoot some pool, play darts or chain-smoke cigarettes in their covered smoking lounge while chatting away with the old-school Cardiff crew.

Yogi's (Cardiff)

A big improvement from its old location in a community strip-mall, the new beachfront Yogi's is a winner with the North County crowd. The bar is packed with football fans, young and old, during the week, and turns into a pumping dance club with a live DJ Thursday-Saturday nights. The no dress code attracts a diverse crowd as one frequent patron named Jessica exclaims, "I love the new Yogi's! I don't care if the guys are wearing sweats, I can still put on my heels and dance all night long. It's awesome!"

Belly Up Tavern (Solana Beach)

The Belly Up is one of the only venues in North County to offer live-music nearly every night of the week. And we're not talking about local garage bands, more along the lines of international superstars including Gregory Isaacs, Pinback, and The English Beat. The crowd is mellow and the vibe is chill. The Belly Up is a perfect place to have a few drinks, enjoy a great concert - and actually see the band up close.

Jimmy O's (Del Mar)

Jimmy O's is an enjoyable place to watch a game, eat upscale bar food, and drink beer; but after dinner time, the meat market opens and the whole scene changes. Too many Plasma TVs may make you dizzy and it tends to get really hot and crowded. You may run into a few San Diego Chargers players, and if you really want to splurge, table service is available for $250. Be prepared to pay for expensive drinks and put up with a crowd.

En Fuego Cantina & Grill (Del Mar)

Bleached blondes, Armani jeans, and embellished boobs are a few of the first things that come to mind when one speaks of En Fuego in Del Mar. If you're down to hang with the upper-crust of the Del Mar party crowd, you will have a blast. A large outside patio with several full-service bars makes for an ideal nightlife atmosphere. Mexican food, top shelf margaritas, and outdoor dancing make En Fuego entertaining - even for an evening of people watching.