Howdy pad’ner… Looking for a great neighborhood bar with a lot of character and a great jukebox? Well, look no further than The Daley Double Saloon at 546 South Coast Hwy in Encinitas. This bar has a real “local San Diego” feel to it, and the history to back it up. The night my friend and I were there it was a bit quiet, so we talked to the bartender to find out a little history on the place. “The Saloon,” as it’s more commonly referred to, was built in 1934 and has remained under the same owners (the Daley family) since 1957. It’s easy to see there are some great stories hidden within its walls. This place looks like it’s straight out of the Old West with its long, wide bar stretching along the left wall and classic, green Naugahyde booths lining the right wall. There are deer antlers hanging above the antique bar mirrors and an enormous, three-panel mural depicting a wagon trail scene on the wall opposite the bar. The bartender, Don, seemed to be on a first-name-basis with most of the people there, which makes sense since he’s been working there for 12 years. Even he looked like a throwback to the Old West with his long hair and thick handlebar mustache… Classic.But aside from the pioneer-themed décor and old wood paneling, The Saloon has a great vibe to it. Dare I say it is the epitome of a North County bar? On a week night you won’t find many people there, maybe a few sitting at the bar and a couple more playing pool, but on the weekends it’s more of a scene. Now when I say, “scene,” I’m not referring to the same kind of obnoxious jager-slamming, kappa-alpha-douche bag scene typical of PB Bar and Grill. No, I’m referring to the chill, beer-drinking guys-you-saw-out-in-the-lineup scene that you find in places like Encinitas. The crowd at The Saloon is a mix of all ages and backgrounds, but primarily all locals, and you can feel that when you walk in. So if you are a K∆ ◊, please stay in PB because The Saloon doesn’t serve Jell-O shots, and wearing a Hollister Co shirt doesn’t make you a surfer And while I’m on the subject, if you’re a member of the Delta Ima Slut sorority, don’t come to Encinitas thinking there are “hot surfer guys” to hook up with. The Saloon doesn’t have a dance floor or DJ and I’ve seen cleaner restrooms in a strip club. The Beachcomber is a better bet on a Friday night for you, so go there.
But I digress, the real reason you go to a bar is to drink. They don’t feature draught beer, but they have plenty in bottles. The selection of liquor is pretty amazing as well. Of course, I’m always impressed when I see a new tequila I haven’t tried before. So you shouldn’t find it hard to get your fade on. The good news is The Saloon’s drink prices definitely won’t set you back. However, it is a cash only bar, so make sure to have enough on you or suffer the $2.50 service charge from the ATM inside.
The Daley Double Saloon gets my vote as a great bar. It’s lots of fun on the weekends and definitely within stumbling distance of a taco shop at 2 a.m. Be sure to check out the jukebox, grab a game of pool if you can, and say “hi” to Don when you saddle up to the bar. And though it might be tempting, save your spurs and 10-gallon hat for a Wednesday night at In Cahoots. Remember, this is Encinitas after all. Cheers!
