1st Street Bar

This place just isn’t fun. Bad service and rude bouncers, plus the music is too loud to actually talk to your friends.
I’d recommend Saloon if you want a divey vibe. There are many other great spots to hang out in Encinitas.

Wow! Would truly enjoy saying «a diamond in the rough» or had a decent time or even «alright». Unfortunately, I can not. I will say that I am new to the area by way of N.W. but cannot condone the use of n***a by a 90% white crowd and being accosted by the remaining 5% minority crowd (pushed & threatened) and (D.J. that has a set playlist while he texts).even the bouncers said this isnt the place for, well, anything, and recommended other spots (at least they were honest from the git… –thank you by the way-​being sweated out (no fans, no A.C.) while paying for the privilege of being in the establishment! If you are looking for a place to spend your dough, time and time again; it has been been shown to me, head to the Gaslamp or anywere else (I will have a house party rather than this joint!!!) to have a good time!

Updated to five star because they took down the Seahawks flag. In all seriousness, just a killer place to relax and hang out with friends.

I’m not a huge bar fan I am more of a club guy. The bars I do visit I take notice of which brings me to this review. I was in california on vacation and some friends of ours asked us to meet them at the 1^st Street Bar.
I got to admit I really loved the atmosphere it was very welcoming and unique. On top of that the drink prices were very competitive and the bartenders sure knew how to make some amazing drinks!
I most definitely will come back here again. I got to meet Mike Chopp and after getting to know him I knew that 1^st Street Bar was doing something right!
Thanks again,
Justin

Worst service ever. Both bartenders were so rude. When I asked what was on tap since I couldn’t see from where I was sitting on the side and also because it was dark, the bartender rudely pointed to the tap and said they are all right there. Just terrible people working there, they clearly hate their jobs.

Tried to get in and the bouncer told my (obviously over 21 aka 25 years old) friend that he had to show two forms of ID. My friend showed the bouncer everything in his wallet and could not get in. Ridiculous.

Every time I come here I get horrible service. Recently, I tried it again after not spending time and money here for a year and experienced poor service again.

Nice bar in Encinitas with good drinks and service. They don’t serve food but you can bring your own.

Very unfortunate what this bar has become. The staff is rude and unprofessional. These people are the biggest pricks and an embarrassment to San Diego bar culture. I’ve spent a lot of money here in the past and never been more ashamed of a local bar. I will go elsewhere and spend my money where I am more welcome.

I just paid $ 5 for a Miller High Life. In a dive bar?! This should be $ 3!!! Way over priced as I clean my my nails to get the dirt out.

Rude security mini-​piece gaurd, unapologetic bartender owner. the mini pawn piece guard was very rude and incredibly unprofessional. unforgivable business, not coming back ever!
the mini piece guard bothered me and fought with me over the jukebox when i play hard rock music, the only music i can tolerate. it’s never a problem. the fat bald Mexican greedy mini-​piece guard turned it off and made it a problem. he cussed he cussed at me, blocked me from not coming in. i personally never drink alcohol for personal reasons, but I’m old enough to go to any bar. as a security guard in general, he should only focus on other people getting too drunk, breaking up fights and throwing questionable problem people out, not fucking teach me jukebox manners.
NOTE: i got reported that my review got removed, i must’ve typed it too angry so i re updating it. i don’t care if my review is removed or not. screw u bar! you have lost a costumer for unprofessional-​ism, rude greedy guards and not doing anything to fix it! have a nice life!

Great location and awesome beer specials. Check in for $ 7 pitcher. I plan on coming back again soon :)

Terrible place, terrible service
«Shawn» was anything but helpful or professional. I came here with 9 other patrons. Upon entering I told the bartender that there will be 9 others coming in shortly.
Being that it was an empty bar at the time, I figured this would be a nice «heads up». Instead of asking me what I will like to order, she says «I’m going to need all IDs.»
While this was going on my friends started to trickle in. A short man playing pool, wearing no type of uniform, name tag or that had any type of professional appearance yells at everyone walking in. «HEY better get your IDs out, going to need all your IDs». Shawn said he worked there and continued to play pool.
One of my friends didn’t have her ID present because she needed to give it up for the bike rental she had purchased earlier on in the day. She said she wasn’t going to drink but was told she had to stand outside. She is in her 30s.
After this spectacle, shawn walks up and attempts to apologize. He says «I’m sorry. But you all are Asian and you know Asians look young. I am from Seattle and if it’s one thing I know best its Asians»
This is where I drew the line and told him if this continues we could go down the street and order beer. Shawn immediately tells the bartender to «cut him (me) off». I asked shawn for his name and he stuttered. I asked him for the name of his supervisor and/​or owner of 1^st street bar. He wouldn’t say anything.
After walking out. Some of my friends needed to finish their beer. I sat on a small wall outside the bar to wait for them. Shawn came out several times to continue the argument and entice/​rekindle something that was already over and done with.
I got tired of him harrassing me on the street so I went across the street to Beirgarden where they appreciated me and my business.
I also went on their website recently and read their history. Last sentence states, «1^st Street is a locals bar on the 101, as it’s always been, and truly a great place to celebrate with friends — old or new.»
From my experience there I would have to say this sentence is inaccurate. It should say, «1^st street is a locals bar on the 101, as it’s always been and truly a rude and unprofessional place if you are new costumer. So if you aren’t from encinitas and just trying to spend money here please think again and go somewhere else or we will be racist and sexist to you and your friends.»

I’m unsure why this place gets bad reviews. Its a very basic bar, the bartender was working his azz off hooking everyone up with drinks ASAP! They have a pool table that is 75 cents and the smallest shuffle board you’ll ever see. TV’s everywhere and a small stage (tin can) for DJ’s or whatev. I will def check this place out and shoot up some pool while waiting for my train.

You can find this bar right off the 101. Its the only wooden building in Encinitas that captures your attention as your driving through.
Ive been here about 3 times already, and all three times ive had somewhat of a similar experience.
The bartenders are quick and attentive, especially on the weekends. They have a DJ that comes out on Saturdays and they turn their small area where the pool/​shuffle board is into a dance floor.
Their beer choices for drafts isn’t anything spectacular, but their full bar makes up for it!
Ideally, this is a good stop for bar hopping but I wouldnt spend more than 30min at this joint. Its always filled with issues (jarheads & rowdy ass locals). They have way too many bouncers too that are a bit on edge and seem to come off rude when checking peoples ID’s.
Overall, its a good place for ONE drink. There is plenty of fun bars just walks away.

Eh. Something in here just gives a bad vibe. Like the place is about to get robbed or a mountain lion is about to enter through the back door and mutilate a guest. I dunno. It’s just ok I guess – for like 1 beer on an Encinitas pub crawl or something.
PS: keep in mind that it doesn’t get better as the night progresses. The best it will be is the minute you step foot in the door.

Steer clear of this place, the bartenders are horrible. I was here with 8 friends and had 2 drinks. I was standing by the bar, watching sports center, when the bartender asked if I wanted another drink. I politely declined saying «no thank you», and she walked away. Next thing I know, the bouncer comes up behind me and says «I need to talk to you outside». I walked out with him, thinking it was a case of mistaken identity as I had not done anything wrong and was minding my own business, when he tells me the bartender kicked me out for «loitering by the bar». My eight friends (who were all ordering drinks) and I promptly left and won’t be coming back.
It seems like a safety hazard to me if a bar is going to force drinks on you and then kick you out when you decline.

My boyfriend and I initially went to the Beir garden last Friday but the wait was about an hour to sit down, we kept our names on the list but spotted 1^st street bar from across the way and decided to grab some beers there while we waited.
It was pretty early in the night so the crowd was minimal. We got ignored by the two female bartenders but ended up being served by the tall male bartender. The chalkboard said «Fridays: half off pitchers!» So we ordered a pitcher of Red trolley. The bar is kind of a grunge bar, a little outdated but cozy and clean. There was a pool table, a stage, and a few other «bar-​like» games around. The bartender was really cool and funny.
After finishing our pitcher, we decided we need food from filibertos but wanted to come back afterwards. The bill was $ 12 for the pitcher. It seemed pricey to me for being half off but my boyfriend said it was somewhat reasonable.
(Side note, we had decided not to go back to Beir garden.)
After filling our stomachs with Mexican food (of course) we came back to 1^st. There was a female bartender there now as well and another younger guy. The female was quiet but pleasant. We ordered the same pitcher. Long story short, this bill was $ 9. We didn’t want to cause a stink and it was too loud to ask questions but my boyfriend later on befriended the younger male bartender and asked «hey how much are the half off pitchers?» He said «$ 9 usually» we laughed about it and told him the first guy charged us $ 12 and she charged us $ 9. Probably an honest mistake, who knows… but now we know for the future.
This is right on the outside of the «hip» part of Encinitas. I’ll definitely come back here next time I want to go have some fun but don’t have to dress up so much to fit in.

If you like to play pong, shoot pool and drink beer, this is your place. Crowd changes later at night to a younger crowd and a band on the weekends
If you can’t be mature enough to get past the bouncer then you are not mature enough to be at the bar. The bartenders are more than fantastic, They are damn funny and I’m a frequent flier. They serve beer and liquor, they aren’t here to sell you your next car. 1^st Street is fun… their bartenders are hilarious. There’s a reason the bar is always 3 – 4 deep, because serving beer and liquor is their specialty. And, the bartenders are so experienced they don’t scam you on your drinks and can make every drink possible… ask my husband he’s a former Las Vegas bartender and he doesn’t work here.

50% off pitcher with Unilocal check-​in BUT THEY WOULDN’T HONOR IT.
I checked in to 1^st Street Bar when I was waiting in line. Saw the check-​in offer, what a nice surprise! We ordered a pitcher of beer and we showed the bar tender my Unilocal app. He looked so impatient and he asked «What is this», I told me «Yelp check-​in offer». And he said, «You can’t use it on weekends». Well, that’s not what is says on the app.
Anywaysss
The bar needs updates! It looks so old and dated. Dirty, the floor was all sticky, so gross. I had to clean my shoes after I got home. There was a ping pong table but people just used it to put their drinks on. Weird crowd too.
No, I don’t recommend this place.