Was walking down the street in Encinitas with a work colleague and decided to stop for a drink before grabbing an Uber. The door was open and a few guys were standing around the bar inside. We walked in, asked if they were open, and they welcomed us to grab a seat, while letting us know "the DJ doesn't start for an hour though". I'd obviously stumbled into a spot I'd normally not frequent, but hey... I was already sitting on a bar stool and ordering an Old Fashioned! Friendly staff and decent prices. The booths to the right were a little worn, but as this place is more of a club than bar - that stands to reason. I only stayed for a single drink and then left, but the place started filling out as I walked out the door. BTW... the rope out front should have signaled to me that this place attracts a younger crowd (I initially missed that tip!). read more

Came here on a random day not dressed for the club haha had fun regardless. Def the type of place you can dress up for or roll up in crocs, which honestly I kind of like - there's no pressure to be or dress a certain way. The music started to pick up around 11, I guess anything before that was a warm up? People were cool, lots of people standing around, but if you want to dance will have to stand near the stage! Don't think there's food there and did not drink there either lmao but the workers there were nice and helpful! read more

Manager Don's Behavior Was Completely Unacceptable - My friends and I tried to go to Shelter last night and were denied entry because one of us had a service dog, which is illegal under the ADA. When we calmly explained that the dog was a trained service animal, the manager, Don, became defensive instead of correcting the mistake. Then things got even stranger. Don looked at our friend (who is Black and has never been kicked out of a bar in his life) and randomly claimed he'd kicked him out "four times." He started laughing and speaking in an extremely demeaning immature way. When we pushed back and asked why he would say that, Don immediately got confrontational. When I questioned him on it, Don suddenly started yelling "white privilege! white privilege!" at me-- because I defended my boyfriend, completely out of nowhere. Nobody brought up race except Don. The comment didn't make sense, didn't relate to the situation, and felt aggressive and out of line. At that point it honestly seemed like he might've been intoxicated or unstable. Nothing else could explain his embarrassing behavior especially because he had just come back from drinking at Sago while on the clock. Overall, it was one of the most unprofessional experiences I've ever had at a bar. I hope ownership looks at the cameras and addresses Don's behavior. To summarize, the situation involved: * A clear ADA violation (denying entry due to a service animal) * Dishonest statements about our friend being kicked out previously * Racially charged comments that Don himself initiated * Don shouting "white privilege" at a customer * Don appearing impaired or erratic while on duty read more

I've been going to shelter for years. It's been a staple in the Encinitas nightlife scene, but yesterday had to have been the best visit I've had thus far. My friend, and I decided to go to shelter after dinner and the bartender Esteban made such unique delicious cocktails. The service was top-notch and my friend and I had the best night! read more

Shelter - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

It's a decent place with decent music. They were playing house music but didn't give a dance floor which I found strange. The bottles there were very expensive as well. read more

Shelter - House dj - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Esteban Susa was a piece of work...dude absolutely ruined my night back in the hometown with my siblings. I came in with my little sister on her last night before going to Asia for 4 months. I gave her multiple $20s to cover our two drinks and give him a tip. She was in the process of counting and handing out the cash to him, and in the time between her pulling out that cash that I gave to her, and him collecting his total... he thought it'd be a great idea to throw a lime wedge at my face and demand a payment. I politely told him I'm not paying for such disrespect and started walking towards the front door. He decided that it would then be a perfect time to personally escort me out and tell the neighboring bouncers not to let me in, (he was mad that I wouldn't pay for a drink after being so thoroughly disrespected). I was calling it a night at the point anyways, so it was a moot point. Honestly he embarrassed himself, and the entire establishment. I'm a bartender him myself, in Newport Beach, and I would never treat a customer so poorly (again- he threw a lime wedge at my face after I gave my sister the cash to pay him). Bottom line- get Esteban out from behind the bar, he does not respect his guests well enough, nor does he have the proper patience to deal with folks trying to be good patrons. Management- look at the footage +/- 30 minutes from 11:15 pm on 3/14/26- he really thought he could just tell Manny (the guy running the line) that I was the villain and get away with it. I'll be telling everyone in Newport to avoid Shelter like the plague indefinitely unless I hear a response. I've never been so disappointed with an establishment's front runners- Esteban has to leave if I ever bring anyone back there. This place failed to teach him proper customer service. Don't come here unless you want to be ignored and then disrespected for trying to get a couple of shots. (Would leave a zero if possible.) read more

Shelter - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

I had a surprisingly great time at Shelter! I wasn't expecting much based on other reviews, but I went with a group for a birthday celebration, and it turned out to be awesome! It wasn't too busy on a Friday night, which made it comfortable to enjoy. My Bay Breeze drink was tasty, and they make a GREAT tequila mule that I highly recommend. The DJ was fantastic--I'm not usually a huge fan of house music, but he was spinning some choice tracks that kept the energy up. I also loved how they clear out the tables around 11, transforming the vibe into more of a dance club feel. Overall a fun night was had by all and I can definitely see myself coming back. read more

Ahhhh, the shelter is still in business?!? I sometimes think back to when I helped clear this place out on a Saturday night about 12 years ago. My friend who bartended in Del Mar restaurant asked me if I had heard about what happened at shelter the previous wknd and then I remembered... My other buddy who was there said he looked over and I had thrown a nice right hook and hit two guys (smthg that I thought was only possible in movies or animation). The whole place erupted into a brawl and the bouncer had caught me from behind at some point and choked me out. I came to sitting out front on the curb when all the cops and first responders had arrived. I jogged home and I believe I went back one more time the following weekend just to have a drink and never return. It's a great location for coked up dbags and other rad folks in the area. Good to be sober nowadays read more

On Halloween night, my friends and I were at saloon (awesome by the way) - we were dancing by the DJ booth, when a Shelter employee (in a toga...) bursted through an unmarked door, shoving into my friends and I. He told us to calm down / tone it down and watch out, saying there was a door here and we should get out of the way. I asked him what the problem was and he was SUPER rude about it. He told us repeatedly to move and get out of the way - which we would have, if there was a reason to. Having a good time at saloon is apperantly not ok with some shelter employees. Very rude and out of the ordinary - especially on a busy night like Halloween. read more

Long lines.. bouncers get a tip to get you in.. beautiful ladies everywhere and pumping house music it's a small taste of the club scene in north county and I say Do it!! read more

If I could give zero stars, I would. We came to this club expecting a fun night out, but instead were met with absolute chaos and a staff that clearly has no idea how to handle it. One of the girls at the club literally poured a drink on us and then pulled another girl's hair -- completely unprovoked. When we tried to calmly report it to the staff, not only did they ignore it, but the manager actually kicked US out. Apparently, asking the manager to do his job is enough to get you removed. Instead of addressing the actual aggressor, he decided it was easier to silence the people calling out the problem. Completely backwards. If you enjoy being assaulted, gaslit, and blamed for other people's behavior -- this is the place for you. Otherwise, save your money and your sanity and go literally anywhere else. The management here is a joke, and the security is just as useless. Absolutely embarrassing excuse for a venue. Never coming back. read more

Me quitaron mi ID de México xq sigo un era "fake" me tardo para cruzar para México 6 horas si no saben cómo chequear los ID's de otros países para q trabajan? read more

Everything was fine except the complete d bag of a manager. He was completely unprofessional and rude for no reason at all. He kicked out just one of our friends for looking at him wrong. Another one of my friends the same night had a similar experience trying to buy a table. The manager was extremely rude and was completely uncooperative. 100% not be returning because of the way this place is managed. read more

Wow! wow! I lost a $700 bracelet and they refused to look for my bracelet. The owner was Matt was so rude to me, and told his security staff to refuse to let me in....after i rejected his advances. How scummy is that??? Extremely unprofessional staff! John is a total wacko!!!!! read more

Very rude manager, made me and my friends extremely uncomfortable. There's a reason no one likes this place, it's gone downhill so fast because of the manager, ask any local, their reputation is trash for a reason read more

I wish I could leave 0 stars. The worst bar in the world. Let kids in in front of the line claiming they have "bottle service" when they clearly do not, they just know the bouncer. Terrible staff. Terrible people working the door. read more

I'm going to keep it brief. It's a decent club but whoever the security guy with the ponytail and tattoos is, needs to realize that his job is NOT to guard just his girl and start running through the crowd and shoving people and then when he gets pressed about it, he continues to take no accountability. Completely unprofessional individual and overall an L of a night. read more

Watched the bouncers take so much cash from random people to cut the line and let them in.. while so many people had been waiting over an hour in line. i would watch them pocket so much money, let random guys whisper to them and they would let them cut the line and it was all just very shady. Once you get into the actual place, it's unbreathable. It is extremely crowded and the poor bartenders. There was many 3 bartenders for hundreds and hundred of people. I'm guessing they want to save costs and not hire more help for these bartenders that are already so Bombarded. This place has a great concept and location but clearly terrible management read more

Shelter - Bribes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

0 stars if i could. got a drink fully poured on us and had a friends hair pulled by an intoxicated girl. when approached by the manager, we were kicked out for being upset about the situation. he put his hands on my friend as he was shoving her out and yanked our brand new drinks from our hands. (we are completely sober this entire time). His name is don and he is the manager. Another employee witnessed the whole situation and as he defended us and explained what happened to him, he was fired on the spot. poor excuse for a manager and a man in general. if you want to have a good experience do not go to this bar. first street is down the corner. go there read more

Everything was a disappointment except the bouncer this time. We got charged $56 for 2 drinks of gin and tonic. The bartenders poured some shots for themselves and then us; they then said it was on the house but I think they probably charged us that. The DJ was okay. Nevertheless, I appreciate his hustle and energy that he tried to bring. I love the booths and decors inside. There was a backyard with a campfire which was cute. The negative stars are mostly for the outrageous pricing without an itemized receipt read more

They can improve everything, starting with their service. Recognize your city and respect it. Do NOT go here, it is not worth your time.

Not a good experience here :( bouncers were awful and seemed like they were under the influence of some hardcore stuff.. management should really re brand. Also, pretty sure they go way past max occupancy because you can't move once you're in there. Extremely packed. Nothing good to remember about this place read more

It was my first time at this bar Friday night like I enjoy it but it was soo packed you could not walk anywhere. I would gladly come here again just not in high heels that was a struggle bus for me. read more

Great club in Encinitas who knew. No cover which is always great prices are decent some cheap some expensive. The vibe overall is great so happy to discover this place. DJ was great, bartenders are great, bouncers are great. Overall a great place to go have fun read more

Meh, if you live in North County... there really aren't many choices for a lively night out with DJs and dancing. Thus, you are stuck with a mediocre experience in terms of the service, price, etc. The vibe is often dictated by who is running the night (DJ, promotion, etc). Best plan is to have a cocktail elsewhere and arrive early to avoid the annoyances of a line and bartenders. The sad thing is that Sago is owned by the same person... and don't expect much different there. Still worth a try, but take heed and keep expectations moderate. read more

Decent little cocktail bar. Really cool touch how the roof is open, nice airy feeling. The decor is great and even though the place is pretty small it felt somewhat large because of the missing roof. I came here during the day, it was very empty and quiet. The drinks are pricy but were very good. The whiskey sour was pretty solid. I felt that they needed another bartender. There was only 1, and it was pretty hard to get his attention especially with the barstools being occupied. Decent place, I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. read more

Shelter - two cocktails sitting on a table - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

I usually have a fun time here especially cuse of the DJ I think his name is gabe .... but this time I got overcharge I gave the bartender a tip and he decided to add more I only ordered 2 drinks and gave him a 4 dollar tip but then found out on my card statement he added 10$. So I called my bank card and they said to get in touch with them first so I did ....and was called an asshole so I decided I wouldn't deal with them directly I never write reviews but I saw on here that they also got over charged so just be careful with the overcharge transaction when visiting . I doubt that my Mexican mule and beer were 33$. read more

Shelter - Email between this establishment and myself - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Great fun DJing here on a Thursday night. Extremely lively, great crowd!! Looking forward to returning!! read more

Had friends in town and made a game time decision to get a table here. Booked at 9 PM for 6 via Yelp with an arrival time of 11:15, no problem. Walked right in past the line and got set up. I wouldn't go here without a table. It's a young crowd and super crowded. With a table, would I come back? Hell yes. - Sound is epic, bass in my bones - People having fun and good vibes overall (though crammed in like sardines) - Music choose was overall decent, not exceptional - IMO, but the sound quality made up for it and they did play some bangers - Service was great, our bottle ladies were the best We raged. read more

Literally won't let you in unless you pay the bouncer. horrible experience. just got out of line and left. bouncer wouldn't even check ID's either if someone paid him. He was so rude to me to. don't recommend read more

If I could give a place a negative 5 stars it would be this place, I made an account because of how bad the experience was here, saw cops go to the bouncers multiple times because they kept taking real IDs and then yelling at the people to get out even after they were in the wrong and let multiple groups of girls cut in line which made everyone who was waiting in line wait even longer. This place sucks and the people who work here suck too. read more

Bouncer with man bun took several real ids and had to get cops involved. He turned away many paying customers and was not correct about a single id. read more

Rude staff member, and no service after sitting there for 15min, yet four guys stocking bar, the doors were open for business as far as I could tell, but notice other people also left...it was unfortunate to go back hoping for the same experience and be let down. Ended up at a spot across the street with live music and had a great time! read more

Rating 3 stars because i solely love going for the music and my experience overall with this club, ive had a great time. lines can get long and crowds of people sometimes cut the line which is quite unfair. People cutting the line makes the wait to go inside take longer if it's a crowded night. The people there are 50/50, girls shoving and being rude for no reason, some girl fell from her booth and grabbed my neck when she fell down which pissed me off. It can get super crowded and packed inside which makes it hard to navigate through the club and you can't really see because it's so dark inside. Sometimes I feel sorry for the workers trying to clean up and get through on busy nights and have made friends with one of the servers who was really nice :) read more

I've only been when it's turned into a night club, the ambiance is fun, the rooftop opens up revealing the sky, it does get pretty packed on the weekends, so if you don't like a crowd, buy a table with a large group. It's a house music/techno club, I enjoy this music to a certain extent, so sometimes it can be overboard personally, but if that's your vibe when it comes to music, they do it perfectly! The bathroom is always a longgg wait as there's only 2 stalls. But overall a good place, with good service! read more

Drinks are over priced, place is absolutely PACKED, and they need more bartenders. There's only 2 bartenders and they can't even keep track of who was waiting there the longest. I waited 30 minutes for a drink while others were walking up to the bar and got their drink within 60 seconds. They have 0 awareness. DO NOT GO HERE!!!!!!!!!!! read more

This place just provided me the single worst night of my life. Me and my friends waited for an hour in line (sober) to get into this bar. When we got to the front we saw men slipping the bouncer money to cut the entire hour long line but we ignored it because we just wanted to get in. The bouncer took both my and my friend's IDs and told us that they were fake. We told him they were not and asked what other identification he needed to verify that our IDs were real. It was truly sad to see the bouncer in such a state of disarray as he tried to explain through his clear substance abuse issue that he was not going to give us back our IDs and would not even bother to look at our passports. This man was using at least one mind altering substance (grinding teeth, large pupils, erratic movements and actions) and I genuinely hope he gets the help he needs from friends and family to overcome this. We proceeded to call the cops after this man would not give us back our government issued IDs and the cops came, verifying that our IDs were real and instructing this bouncer to give them back to us. The bouncer then began screaming at us to tell us that we were banned from this bar and it's sister bars. Why? Because we were right about our IDs being real? I am writing this review to not only save others from wasting their time at this place but also to get this troubled man help:( I genuinely hope the best for him in his recovery read more

Celebrated a friends bachelorette night here and the service was impeccable. Donangelo, the VIP host was extremely accommodating with a few changes to our table and with all of our requests throughout the night. Our Server Madison was so sweet and fun to be around she was so spunky and we loved her personality. Her skills should be admired! Mateo at the door was also so pleasant to be around with other specific requests and everyone really surprised us with how incredible the service we here. 100% recommend read more

This place is weird. The bouncers need to learn a thing or two about de-escalation before going straight for a choke hold on somebody... yea. Also the son of the owners uncontrollably hits on woman and makes the establishment look tacky. Drinks were great but ambience needs a complete check. read more

My friend and I from Florida came at 10:00 PM to get a drink for our last night in San Diego. When we got in line, all three bouncers checked our IDs, suspecting them to be fake, then told us if we wanted them back that we would need to call the non-emergency police number. Obviously, we needed to get our IDs back (getting on a flight in the morning) so we called the non emergency number and two cops showed up. The cops verified they were real, they gave our IDs back, and we still weren't allowed to come in per management. Obviously, we would never cause any type of scene anywhere, so there was no reason to not finally just let us go in & buy a drink after this ridiculous ordeal. One takeaway from the experience: The "boss" of Shelter & Saloon is the most narcissistic, sexist man I've ever met. Ladies, try to stay away from this guy; short with the stupid clear earpiece & dark hair. Calls himself the boss, he will show zero respect to you & probably comment about what you're wearing while he's at it. Just an absolute creep. Great last night in San Diego as an of-age female! read more

Shelter - a sign on a building that reads shelter - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California