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    The Cooler

    4.7 (104 reviews)
    InexpensiveBeer Gardens
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Aimee C.

    Cutest roadside craft beer bar! The service was great and there was live music. Perfect ambiance

    Hard cider and a honey blonde ale (forgot which one)
    Vanessa L.

    Cute little beer hall with a nice patio! Went in the morning at opening for a quick stop w a friend. Got the hard cider and loved the fruity-ness of it. Friend got a honey blonde ale and it was so easy to drink

    the menu

    This place rocks! Very chill and a great variety of beer and ciders! I like the outdoor seating and the locals are friendly. They laughed at my jokes!

    Tricia G.

    Christine is welcoming and gives you the local vibes you want while visiting Julian. Great beer and such a chill atmosphere. Add Cooler to your list of todos in Julian, you won't regret it!

    beer flight, julian apple ciders
    Imee P.

    Our first time here, definitely not our last! Thank you to the friendly staff for being informative and helpful. Beautiful location and patio to enjoy drinks. Cheers!

    a hand holding a pint of beer
    Jorge M.

    Amazing server here! The ambiance is the best. Beer selection excellent! The merch is a must! Thank you to @Christine for taking care of us with the pours! Will be back very soon!

    Beer flights! Many options, knowledgeable staff, good selection

    Such a fun hidden gem! Nicest people, great local beer, fun atmosphere, what more could you ask for? A must stop on the way to or from Julian.

    Nickel apple pie ale

    Very nice ambiance, a kind bartender named Talia helped us today, I got the Nickel apple pie ale; super good I wasn't sure if to eat or drink it! lol loved it!! Highly recommend stopping by here they've got great service as well

    Kaitlin V.

    Perfect place to stop as we were leaving Julian! Loved trying local Julian/San Diego beers. I also love any place with games. They had this great selection of board games, along with pool and live music/karaoke at night

    Bar games
    Lisa W.

    I was disappointed as it was a hot day but when I entered into the cooler it wasn't "cool". I was imagining an ice box... instead it was still warm and the inside is like any bar in Julian, hot. There were a ton of bar games, and it was free. We like! Big patio space with plenty of seatings. The bartender was nice. We like him, we felt he really did care if you got a good beer. A lot of their beers were from BNS brewery. My bf had the IPA and it was good. He enjoyed it. I got the hard kombucha (Boochcraft) my favorite and was satisfied.

    Samir B.

    Great spot. Christine is an amazing bartender. Tons of choices. Pool table. Music. Plenty of games and seating. Highly recommend!!!

    Woman singing on the patio at open mic night

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    7 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Hands down best place to grab a beer and a game of pool while up in the mountains! Also... beer anyone???

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    3 years ago

    The bartender, Christy, is very friendly and knowledgeable about the taps! Welcoming atmosphere and live music on Saturday and Sunday

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    3 years ago

    Love the atmosphere and the brew. Gotta get the mead mixed with Julian hard cider black and blue

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Review Highlights - The Cooler

    Christine was great at helping us select great beers to try and recommend other tasting rooms to try.

    Mentioned in 10 reviews

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    Julian Beer Company

    Julian Beer Company

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    This is a tough one. This place does good food. And beer. But I went in asking about their…read moreprotocols for gluten allergies. There are limited dinner options in Julian. And with a kid with celiac, who can get sick for days if a crumb of bread is digested, options are even more limited. We were stoked when the woman at the register pointed out that the bbq and salads were mostly GF (without croutons). And while she did mention there's a chance of cross-contamination with the gluten free pizza, as they make pizzas and there's flour around, she mentioned they change gloves and use clean utensils and have had many celiac folks eat there without issue. Bit we went instead for the most basic and least risky options. Half smoked chicken and a wedge salad. Then I saw the house made pickles. My kid loves pickles. I asked if they were GF. Any seasoning or anything that might contain gluten? She asked the cook and he said no. Gluten free. Which makes sense. They're pickles. Took the order back to the house and the kid went straight for the pickles. I don't have the time to explain how awesome it is when this kid, who's whole outlook on food has been shattered because of the celiac, can have some pickles and not have to think about getting sick. But here we are. From pure joy to anxiety and sadness in two seconds flat. I'm posting this not to bag on this establishment or the people that work there. We know it's a kitchen that serves food and drinks containing gluten. But when I've asked about protocols and tried to do my best to get the info, as well as making it clear that we are trying to be very careful about gluten as it's an allergy, not a preference, and then being reassured that the pickles and the bbq is as safe as they can make it, I was pretty bummed to find a whole freakin crouton in the middle of the container of pickles. Half of which the kid had already happily devoured. We The restaurant industry is not set up for people with food allergies. We know this. We try our best to navigate it by asking questions and getting as much info as possible. There are places that don't even know what celiac is. So we leave. There are places that are extremely knowledgeable about it from front of house to the chef. Those places we can put more trust in. It's never 100%. But fortunately we've had more good experiences than bad with restaurants that take it seriously. I'm sure this was a mistake. Not intentional. Pickles too close to the croutons. I can see how it can happen. All I'm asking is to be better about it. Be aware. Especially when I've asked repeatedly if it's all good and the answer given is yes. Or just tell me it's not safe to eat there for people with celiac and we can be on our way. A lot of restaurants are becoming more aware and offering more GF options. This is great. Lots of people eat gluten free to avoid carbs or because of gluten sensitivity. Celiac is another level. And a painful one at that. We appreciate and love going to eat food at places that take it seriously. Hoping for more of those places in the future. Julian Beer Co. we love you, but take note. Croutons don't belong in your pickles.

    Jbc is always a great place to go. In Julian California. Highly recommend them. Pizza are good…read moreribs sausages salad. The staff is always professional and polite. They make sure they take care of you. They have entertainment some times. Got a pizza and susage and it came out great. Thank you yo the staff did a amazing job. Will be back.

    Photos
    Julian Beer Company
    Julian Beer Company - Pulled pork sandwich

    Pulled pork sandwich

    Julian Beer Company - Red Planet IPA beer

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    Red Planet IPA beer

    Nickel Beer Company - Build your own flight

    Nickel Beer Company

    4.3(193 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    We love this place and come here every time were passing through Julian! Friendly staff, good vibes…read moreand great beer selection-- The Stonewall Stout is the bomb! and loved the wet hop IPA selection. Dont know who the brewer is but seems to really love the craft - just look at the description of their Violet IPA: "Brewed with my best friend Brandon Hernandez of SD Beer News in honor of his late Grandmother. Made with Butterfly Pea Flowers with Topaz, Strata, Simoce and Mosaic hops". You wouldn't find this at most larger, non independent breweries!

    We've been going here, infrequently, for 10+ years. It's a low key place to grab some tasty beers…read moreat a decent price, and maybe a bite to eat. Most recently, we visited on a Saturday afternoon and were pleased to see Ay Mamma Tacoz ready to serve. Excellent street tacos to wash down the cold beer. So about the beer selection, always plenty of options. Always something new to try. What caught our eye on this visit was the wording on the menu. They had SEVERAL flavors listed as "GR". Turns out that stands for Gluten Reduced. This is huge for us as one of us can't enjoy regular beer due to gluten intolerance. If you happen to be someone with a gluten allergy, but can tolerate some gluten ... Give it a try. Nothing better on a hot day than a cold beer. (They also carry a GF cider or two if beer isn't your thing.) A tip for the fair-skinned is to bring some kind of covering if sitting outside. The sun beats down some days and there is very limited shade. An hour outside in the sun can mean a painful night later. I give it 5 stars because my expectations are realistic. It's not fancy, but it's welcoming, fun and convenient if you're in the area. Worth a try if you've never been.

    Photos
    Nickel Beer Company - Dog friendly

    Dog friendly

    Nickel Beer Company
    Nickel Beer Company - Flight

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    Flight

    The Gärten - Daily Special Bacon, Jalapeño, pineapple

    The Gärten

    4.6(75 reviews)
    39.5 miLinda Vista
    $$

    This is a great space! Love meeting friends here - locals and tourists are always pleasantly…read moresurprised by this literal 'hidden' gem tucked in the middle of an industrial area (parking may take a bit to find). The main food available is from Pizza Cassette, which has delicious sandwiches and wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza pies. Drinks are available from a brewery, a trendy and unique wine spot, and a meadery! Truly something for everyone. It's dog friendly and great for groups to still feel intimate with standing areas, barrel table tops and picnic style tables. There's usually always something happening like trivia night or live music, but heads up, they don't stay open too late - won't be an issue for most, but in case you're looking for a spot at 8pm, double check the hours, especially for food.

    The Gartën is one of my favorite "third place" with tasty pizza, mead, wine, and beer options…read more The Gartën contains 4 businesses: Lost Cause Meadery- world wide award winning mead from traditional to more experimental Oddish Winery-- by the same minds of Lost Cause, fun funky wines Deft Brewery-- from European style beers to classic Cali IPAs deft will have something for everyone, beer wise Pizza Cassette- one of my favorite spots for pizza, with amazing gluten free crust as well as vegan cheese so definitely something for everyone. Weekly specials for their pizza too so stop by often. I love the staff at all of the establishments, I can tell they enjoy working here and believe in their products. My only "complaint" has nothing to do with the businesses but rather the parents who can't control their kids. Please please please keep an eye on your kids. It's not the job of the people working here to keep your kids safe. Please rein them in so they aren't trying to go into the "behind the scenes" area with all the equipment and machines are. At the end of the day this is a place as alcohol-centric, so it also makes me wonder why on earth you're bringing your kids here to begin with but c'est la vie.... If they're going to be here, keep them safe and in check.

    Photos
    The Gärten - VIP flight from Lost Cause Meadery

    VIP flight from Lost Cause Meadery

    The Gärten
    The Gärten

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    Bare Knuckle Brewing - Quality Craft Beer

    Bare Knuckle Brewing

    4.8(52 reviews)
    37.0 mi

    I had a bookclub meet up here and didn't even realize it was here before then. The brewery is a…read moregood size but there's a huge patio with a bunch of seating also. There was about 30 of us that came in on a Sunday. This was a pretty busy spot with families, kids sports teams, pups, everyone was here. Somehow we managed to get 3 bench tables for our big group. I was deciding between a few drink options but decided on the guava cider, pretty delightful. I also got some carne asada nachos. The nachos were huge, not spicy, but good flavor. I'll definitely have to come back and check out the other drinks and a smash burger or pretzel.

    Bare knuckle is a plate Knuckle is a fun spot to enjoy and open space , good food and a few beers…read more From what I saw most seating is outdoors in a very open space. They have benches that are great for groups. You have two sides you can order from and over all it's a pretty cool spot. The service is good, and the food comes out rather quick. Everyone seems really nice and gave suggestions too. The beers were decent, I'm more of a stout guy but got one of their blonds and it was ok, but they don't have a huge selection but you can see they stick to lighter beers. The food was actually pretty good, sometimes breweries don't have great food but the pretzel was actually pretty good with the dips. The fries/ ships were interesting they were soft and slightly crispy. Some friends got the nachos and they were decent too. We all enjoyed our time here while they did a little Ren Fair and I'm sure we will come back.

    Photos
    Bare Knuckle Brewing - Hands Wraps IPA

    Hands Wraps IPA

    Bare Knuckle Brewing
    Bare Knuckle Brewing - Starter

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    Starter

    Biergarden Encinitas - Short rib sandwich with truffle fries & chorizo mussels

    Biergarden Encinitas

    3.9(1.2k reviews)
    37.6 mi
    $$

    Came here with a friend on Easter Sunday around 9:30 PM and had a great experience overall. It was…read morepretty mellow for a holiday night with just a handful of people there with plenty of seating both inside, outside, and at the bar. We ended up grabbing seats at the bar, which was a great choice. We ordered the: *Fig Burger with Brussels Sprouts: the Brussels sprouts were phenomenal. They had what tasted like pecans, some kind of glaze, and cheese... seriously so good. The Fig Burger itself was just as impressive with such a unique combo and absolutely delicious. *Steak Sandwich with Onion Rings: this was also a standout. Perfectly cooked, super flavorful, and came with a great dipping sauce that really tied it all together. The onion rings were crispy and on point too. First off, I love that they offer a variety of sides (sweet potato fries, truffle fries, mac & cheese, Brussels sprouts, etc.), though most come with a small upcharge. We had a few drinks and even grabbed a bottle of wine from the bar to take back to our Airbnb, which was a nice bonus. The vibe was relaxed with TVs playing highlights from a basketball game, and the bartender/server was awesome. Parking was easy with free street parking, though that might've been because it was late and a holiday. Only heads up: definitely call ahead about kitchen and closing times, especially on holidays. Online said they close at midnight, but they were actually closing at 11 PM. We were told over the phone the kitchen closed at 9:45 PM, but when we arrived at 9:30 PM, it had just switched to last call. Thankfully, they were kind enough to still get our order in. Overall, phenomenal food, great service, and a solid spot worth checking out. Would definitely come back.

    My friend and I were doing a mini food crawl through downtown Encinitas and decided to stop by here…read morefor a quick snack and drink. I guess you could call it a bit of a girl dinner (or snack) - aperol spritz + onion rings. The vibes were great, especially the back patio area. The service was also pretty solid and we didn't feel like anyone was rushing us out, despite just ordering nibbles. Great spot overall!

    Photos
    Biergarden Encinitas
    Biergarden Encinitas - Cardiff Crack Steak Sandwich was delicious.

    Cardiff Crack Steak Sandwich was delicious.

    Biergarden Encinitas

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    El Lugar de Nos - Bread plate.

    El Lugar de Nos

    4.4(116 reviews)
    36.5 mi
    $$

    Found one of the prettiest restaurants in Tecate, B.C., El Lugar de Nos, owned by Chef Mariela…read moreManzano. The restaurant is full of beautiful art and little treasures that make the whole space feel magical. The service was amazing and very quick. They also bring a stand for your purse. All the food we ordered was phenomenal. We started with guacamole for the table (shared between six people) and it was the perfect portion. For brunch I ordered the Tostadas de Borrego (lamb tostadas) and pork belly tostadas with pozole, and every bite was incredible. The lamb meat was super tender and flavorful. The pork belly was flavorful and with the pozole created a nice bite. Definitely adding this spot to my "must go back" list and try more from the menu.

    Stopped in at El Lugar de Nos and I'm still thinking about the food. I ordered the Tacos 84 (the…read moremeat is cooked for 84 hours!) and they were out-of-this-world good. Also tried the quinoa salad and a beet plate from the specials menu. Both were insanely delicious, with portions so big I couldn't even finish. The vibe inside is adorable. It's kind of shabby chic farmhouse, cozy but stylish. I had a spicy mezcal margarita that was smoky, refreshing, and came with a frozen watermelon garnish that was such a fun touch. Service was super friendly and attentive the whole time. Definitely recommend making a reservation since it gets busy. I'll absolutely be going back.

    Photos
    El Lugar de Nos - Inside restaurant decor

    Inside restaurant decor

    El Lugar de Nos - Ice cream

    Ice cream

    El Lugar de Nos - Inside restaurant decor

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    Inside restaurant decor

    The Cooler - beergardens - Updated May 2026

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