I’m still so angry about my night here. LIVID! My friend and I tried to leave the bar to have a cigarette, and the bouncer refused to let us come back to the bar. He told us we had to wait in the ridiculously long line, that we had waited in prior. The bouncer then proceeded to SHOVE me and my friend into the door because we were trying to figure out what to do. He wasn’t letting anyone in and no one was trying to go out. He was lucky I didn’t call the cops for putting his hands on 2 girls. What a sorry way to run a bar.
Laura B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Diego, CA
Had half an hour before my meeting was going to start so I found a parking place near the«Cocktails» sign. PLEASANTLYSURPRISED when my margarita came. .. nice combination of «cheap» and DELICIOUS Friendly people. .. I will be back
Betz B.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Oceanside, CA
Hubby and I have been occasional patrons of this dive bar for several years. We’ve only patronized on Saturday afternoons, so cannot speak about the night scene. Bartender is always friendly and efficient. One thing we’ve noticed that we do not like… the alcove entrance that used to add a nice touch. It definitely kept the brightness out. Yesterday, the sun glare off the buildings across the street was so blinding that it caused a miserable ocular experience(and I was only drinking soda). Owner, you brought the pool table back, please consider bringing the old entrance back to keep the brightness down. It’s not enjoyable for people like me with sensitive eyes. We’ve heard others voice their dislike of the new open front door area as well.
Alicia A.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Encinitas, CA
We popped in around 6:00 for a quick drink on a Saturday night. We had heard the hype about the oldest bar in town and so decided to take my visiting mother in law for a drink prior to dinner. We sat at the bar. Bartender was not welcoming or friendly. He did take our drink order in a timely fashion. There did happen to be an unfortunate prank — most likely from mischievous teens — they threw a stink bomb through the ally back door. This quickly turned our unfriendly bartender into an angry bartender. We couldn’t he out if there quick enough. Wouldn’t go back even if you paid me.
LeeAnn B.
Rating des Ortes: 2 San Diego, CA
This is the type of bar that I enjoy. Relaxed, chill, not too crazy with just enough people that it isn’t boring. The drinks were great and reasonably priced. They could do with some music earlier in the evening, but luckily they have a jukebox near the front which helped solve that problem. I was teetering between a 3 or 4 star review, but when it came time for us to leave(around 10:30PM), one of the waitresses ruined the entire experience for me. I was standing near one of the booths waiting for my boyfriend to saygoodbye to others from our party and one of the waitresses purposefully slammed into the back of me with her tray which caused me to fall forward and it definitely did not feel too good. As she went through she said a sarcastic«Excuuuuse me» and rushed by. I don’t think physically touching someone is ever okay, but maybe if I was being annoying and drunk I’d understand more. The fact that I was just standing there, completely sober I might add, makes for no excuse at all. Fortunately for this waitress, I have a lot more class than her and walked out without a word other than«I’m Unilocaling about this.»
Jeremy S.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Carlsbad, CA
Saloon is a decent dive bar type joint with fairly stiff drinks, interesting clientele and some decent music playing in the background. This place isn’t necessarily my first choice of bars but is a nice option to get started on your night out. The bartenders pour some stiff drinks but tend to be a bit dismissive until the tip comes. The location is awesome but the place itself has a fairly dark feel to you, I mean literally everything in this place at night is dark… Kinda makes me wonder about the cleanliness with the lights on lol. Nevertheless, have been here several times to throw back some Hendricks and a beer or two and good times can be had. Pros– Location Stiff drinks Priced right Interesting folks Cons– Bartenders can be dismissive More dive than class Very dark Lots of drunkies late at night
Brittney G.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Encinitas, San Diego, CA
Denied entrance to 5 girls and 1 guy because the bouncer was homophobic. Do not bother trying to get into the saloon. Head on down to 1st street bar for a great DJ or the Union with deelish cocktails!
Cameron N.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Diego, CA
Stiff drinks and is honestly one of a kind. Very old school bar that fits perfectly into Encinitas.
Kathy p.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Sacramento, CA
The most disrespectful place I’ve been! Low life jerks. They called me and my girlfriends the ‘c’ word. Commented we were too old to be out. I’ve never been treated so poorly. Don’t patronize this place. I’m still appalled at the mistreatment and abuse!!! They don’t deserve a star but Unilocal won’t let me post without one.
Ben B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Del Mar, CA
It’s a five star dive bar… If that makes sense. We all need to chill out on trying to rate everything as if it’s going for a premier place to visit on holiday. It’s not. It smells like cat urine and wet plywood, but it’s a great place to meet people you’ll regret meeting 1 week later.
Matt M.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Oceanside, San Diego, CA
I must say, after coming here for my first time a few weeks ago, I was pretty disappointed. I had come here with a few of my friends and my girlfriend. And immediately upon walking up the two bouncers told us we had to wait to go in because of «capacity.» While waiting, groups of girls were constantly let in immediately solely because they had no males with them. I could understand such things if I were in vegas or even downtown but doing such things at a small, out dated little bar I felt was unnecessary. Upon finally getting in, the wait just to get a drink was just like the wait to get in. Literally only got served if you are a female. My Experiance here was very poor and honestly this little place probably isn’t worth even going too with the other options there are in encinitas.
Z P.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Oceanside, CA
Such a terrible hallway of a bar… The staff are rude and just plain ignant. I ordered two shots, they took so long to get me those shots that I ordered another 2 on top of them… Took those four shots of Bombay sapphire right in front those faggot bartenders, tipped them $ 10 and walked out like a boss. I might give this place another try, only if I’m with some hoes and they wanna go, then and only then I’ll try and persuade them not too, which won’t be hard. I’ll just whip it out and boom
Jesseca M.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Oceanside, San Diego, CA
This place is a joke. I got kicked out for yawning and being accused of falling asleep. Didn’t even get a chance to get a drink. Bouncer escorted myself and a friend that followed me out. He then wouldn’t let my friend in to grab the other girls with us. He began yelling at us for no reason. Watch out for that blond guy with the black gauges. Not sure what kind of place they are running.
Micah C.
Rating des Ortes: 2 San Marcos, CA
It’s a good stop during the Encinitas club crawl. Problem 1 includes a wait into the bar??? This is a saloon not a club? Next problemo número dos es loco club music. It’s a saloon how about some country. Problem number 3 it’s small & stinky… Meh just a club I mean saloon I mean bar. Aka no identity.
Conner J.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Diego, CA
Best Friday night in Encinitas! Amazing dive bar with good music. Usually gets going around 9 – 10
Tina N.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Diego, CA
$ 23 for two tequila shots and a Stella. Not bad. Music was good! Small but tons of space. Danced all night in the back. Huge fan blowing which was nice! Got a table rather quickly but really didn’t need it. Bar worked quick no pushing or shoving. Someone farted nasty so that was Yuck. Very cute spot!
Emily R.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Vista, CA
I have tried to call this place so many times and no answer. I don’t know how they expect to have a business when they can’t even answer the phone.
L.E. H.
Rating des Ortes: 1 San Diego, CA
Good service goes a long way with me. This place doesn’t cut it. The 99% of the male staff are kinda thugs and jerks. I know good customer service. I grew up in Las Vegas. Half my family works in the hospitality industry. I served cocktails all during college. So this isn’t my first rodeo. Newsflash – I’m the customer that tips large if you aren’t an ass. So, major fail bartenders. MAJOR. After(3) drinks, I left. The last guy was just a dick. Fat older dude, charges me a dollar more for the third drink as he had for the first two. I’m not a drunken idiot. That’s just ripping off the customer. I tipped well for both the first two, so that was just classless. Please remember not all your customers are drunken idiots. Some of us might treat you right if you all didn’t look so pissed off to be working there. So sorry, but I served and I have an MBA, I say if you can’t hang, QUIT. Because you suck if you are just a dick all night. My heart bleeds for you since I know how much weed and booz money you make in a shift. You know, I get it – high volume of customers. However, do you really think that a drunken 22 year old skank is going to pay more than a sober polite forty year old? None of you would last a day in Vegas with that attitude. Tall dude is arrogant and only serves the pretty ladies. Mustache dude looks miserable and would be more handsome if he shaved & smiled. Fat old dude, you are just rude. Enjoy the extra dollar that you tacked on to my last drink. Classy – NOT! Tacky and dishonest. However, its not like you’re the sexy one, so however you have to scam a customer, just go for it, before you have to start working at Chili’s. You’re just damn lucky I was raised right and still left you a tip knowing full well I just got hustled. FYI – I’m a fan of dive bars. Safe to say that any dive bar I’ve been to from NYC, DC, Miami, Chicago, Baltimore, LA, New Orleans, Key West, SF, hell even Knoxville, TN, has better dive bars than The Saloon in Encinitas. You now has the distinction of being the worst dive bar ever. The appeal of a dive bar is that people tend to be down to earth and easy going. I may even write a few other reviews on travel sites and bar publications, because EVERYONE deserves to enjoy their hard earned money at a place where treating a customer right is valued. Here’s the irony. I use to work for the attorney that handled legal matters for the bar and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the owner a time or two. He use to say, come see my bar. It’s great. LMAO! Dale, you have a good dive bar, but it’s just a hot mess and absolutely NO fun. Never will be back. Since I don’t want to pay a different price for the same drink or get attitude from the staff, I’ll just go to another dive bar. I’m sure they will appreciate my money.
Kathy S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Encinitas, San Diego, CA
This is a great local bar that’s dark(black walls), but clean and clutter free. Some of the booths are a bit worn and the tables old, but the bar tenders, Tab for one, are friendly and approachable. The pool table in the back has a new Jack Daniels felt. There isn’t a long wait to play and the pool is free. The pool sticks are in good condition. Every night at 9:00 the jukebox is turned off and the DJ starts to spread the love. Hump days bring you live music. There’s plenty of room in the bar to dance and grind.
Kainen B.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Carlsbad, CA
No lights, tv and music dont mix playing green day and john wayne, bar stools dont wrap across the whole bar the thing holding 3 stars is how strong the drinks are. Saloon if you read this, put a bit more lighting so it doesent look like a vampire club with all the red, match the so7nd with the tvs and your set! I see your potential awaken it !!!
Janet B.
Rating des Ortes: 3 San Marcos, CA
I don’t like this place anymore. I used to LOVE it and I mean LOVE it, as in every week, all night, get dressed up and excited over gin n tonics and PBRs and came here the other night, and felt so out of place. Maybe I’m not young and naïve anymore or so hip on trends, but the bartenders are just douchey. I don’t know what to say, they were never nice when I came before and they still aren’t now. The place looks nicer though, everything except the front door intimidating you that you will be arrested for a DUI if you drink(which I’m sure half the people do anyway). It’s an ok place. There’s better. It is cop central though, so watch out. I had a DD and still got followed.
Glenn C.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Vista, CA
Oh man this spot is a dive bar amongst dive bars. Everything from selling beer in a can to the low light atmosphere and sticky bar counter just amplifies that divey experience. Wifey loves this place, I am not always wild to come here but when I do cave in we always end up having a great time. The music is less trendy than you hear at the clubs these days so you will get a good hit of hip-hop, some top 40 and good amount of old school goodies. The room is much longer than it is wide so when it packs out, and it packs out, the walk to the bathroom can take a while. The bartenders have always been super friendly and quick on making drinks. The crowd is chill and always having a great time. I didn’t get the impression of too many of any specific group, just a bunch of folks having a great time to good music and drink specials. If you go during the week you will note how empty it is but it really gives you a chance to take in the atmosphere so I recommend hitting the bar on weeknights for a few drinks. They have booth seating all along the side and a Juke Box for music when they don’t have a DJ spinning. Definitely worth a visit and it stays open longer than D-street!
James G.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Seattle, WA
Well first and foremost, I am no stranger to this place. I am not proud of this, I just live way to close to here to not come here often. I have cut back a lot lately due to just being burnt out of coming here. Tip 1) If you are coming here on a Thursday, it may seem dead but will be full by midnight. It never fails, go in around 1030, no one really in the bar. Order a drink or 2, look up and out of no where it is packed. Thursday is also a good night to people watch. Tip 2) If you are going on a Friday or Saturday it is best to get there no later than 1030 pm. If you come any later than that you will be waiting in line and some nights the line can be 20 minutes or longer. Tip 3) This bar gets super crowded on weekends and you will get stepped on and bar tenders have no problem taking their time getting to you so when you order a drink make it count. Unless you are a regular and know the bartender these are the guide lines to follow to having fun at the saloon. This bar is long and narrow so enjoy the journey through and take note at the different types of people you see from thee entrance to the bathrooms. Get in where you fit in, grab a fireball shot and enjoy!
Tee L.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Los Angeles, CA
If I could give this dump –8735089327 stars, I would. The only good thing was the DJ. but, any place can have decent 90s hip hop. I’m not going to start paying compliments just because they had a guy w/itunes on his laptop. The ‘part owner’ of this place is not only a grade A douchebag bro, but a huge coward as well. He was blatantly rude to my gf – she was reaching for some napkins and he threw em out of the way so she couldn’t reach. WHODOESTHAT? Simply bc she stepped a little behind the bar to grab the napkins. This was AFTER the bartender(Joe) told her she could grab napkins/limes if she wanted some. So her bf tells her, that if the guy disrespects her again, to let him know. All of a sudden, 2 bouncers grab him and tell him he has to leave. Seriously? So your a-hole boss can be rude to his paying customers. and if we don’t like it, WE get thrown out? One of the bouncers even apologized, and said that he knows my friend didn’t do anything. but the douche is a ‘part owner’ so they had to do their job. Oh, that’s lovely. Go elsewhere for your dive bar experience. After reading all the negative reviews, I don’t even know why it was as crowded as it was. Wake up, Encinitas! Oh, and he also came out AFTER throwing us out. to talk his smack. The entire time, cowering behind the 2 bouncers, mind you. His employees even looked a little embarassed for him. Grow a pair – mommy and daddy’s money can’t buy you dignity, you little twerp.