One of the best ways to relax and unwind while on vacation is to indulge in some local live music. While the San Diego music scene is quite impressive, you don’t have to go all the way downtown as there are plenty of spots with talented artists in North County! We have gathered 12 of the best spots to experience some great music for our Haustay guests staying in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Solana Beach.
Carlsbad
The city of Carlsbad has a diverse culture full of history. Showing support for local performers enriches the community. Grab some food and a drink at any of these neighborhood locations and you will get a real feel for the heart of the city.
1. Carlsbad Landings – 2198 Palomar Airport Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92011
A local secret, located at Carlsbad Palomar Airport, The Landings is a truly unique concept, offering locally-sourced craft beer & cocktails, a well-curated wine list and a pub-inspired menu. Every seat in the restaurant has a panoramic view of the tarmac to watch planes take off, land and taxi by. They offer live music five days a week, happy hour and weekend brunch. It is fun for the kids and the adults too! Click here for more info on their live music.
2. Le Papagayo Carlsbad – 660 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Located in the Carlsbad Village, Le Papagayo offers a unique fusion of Mediterranean and New American coastal cuisine along with nightly live music all wrapped up in a quaint art gallery style casual dining establishment. This is also a great spot to watch sports as there are multiple TV’s throughout the restaurant. Click here for the live music calendar.
3. Black Rail Kitchen + Bar – 6981 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Located in La Costa, Black Rail Kitchen + Bar is a vibrant and unique neighborhood gathering space serving inventive California global fare crafted by renowned Michoacán-born executive chef Moises Hernandez.
Cozy up next to one of their expansive patio’s many fireplaces and enjoy deliciously prepared dishes, daily happy hour and “last hour happy hour” before closing, craft beverages, a glorious sommelier-driven wine list, local beer and live music from some of the area’s top jazz musicians and Black Rail Kitchen + Bar’s very own house band. New to Black Rail Kitchen + Bar: a New York jazz café experience every Sunday: jazz brunch, with an all-new menu of food and craft cocktails. Click here for the music lineup.
Encinitas
Located along six miles of Pacific Ocean coastline, Encinitas is an unspoiled reminder of the historic Highway 101 beach culture that thrived in the mid-1900s. The city’s eclectic downtown has long drawn surfers and hippies with its unique and dynamic blend of San Diego’s top surf shops, coffeehouses and record stores.
4. The Roxy Encinitas – 517 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
If you’re looking for a time-machine back to the 1920’s, be sure to check out The Roxy Encinitas for a fun, jazzy atmosphere, classic cocktails, and live music seven days a week. They recently remodeled their building to resemble the look and feel of a classic 1920’s speakeasy. The menu is designed to create a sense of community between friends, family and neighbors. Click here to check out the music schedule.
5. Mr. Peabody’s – 136 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024
Mr. Peabody’s is a family owned restaurant that has been operating in Encinitas since the 70’s! This is the place to be for large portions, affordable prices and a casual atmosphere. Check it out for dining, drinks and live music every night! Click here for the music lineup.
6. 1st Street Bar – 656 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
1st Street Bar is a popular longtime local watering hole with a retro vibe offering a full bar, live music & billiards. If you’re looking for a classic bar scene, this is the place. Click here for the music calendar.
Oceanside
Oceanside is a true SoCal beach town with a laid-back vibe. The city boasts gorgeous beaches, a historic wooden pier, quaint New England-style harbor, and charming bungalow neighborhoods and chances are you’ll find performances by talented Oceanside artists at one of the many fantastic venues in town.
7. Coomber Craft Wines – 611 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92054
Maureen and Skip Coomber began producing wine in Santa Barbara in 2009, purchasing grapes from carefully-chosen high-end vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Central Coast. They were pleased to open this Winery and Wine Tasting Room in the friendly beach-side community of Oceanside in 2009. They have live entertainment nightly and are now serving artisan pizza nightly as well. Check out the music and events calendar here.
8. Pour House – 1903 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
The Pour House was opened by longtime Oceanside residents David and Emily Rassel in 2014 on South Coast Highway 101. It is one of Oceanside’s most prolific music venues and the restaurant features an upscale bar menu with items like seared salmon. Customers are welcome to dance the night away on the floor in front of the music stage! They offer up live music nightly along with TV’s and a pool table. To see who is is playing and when be sure to check the Pour House event calendar here.
9. Black Plague Brewing – 2550 Jason Ct, Oceanside, CA 92056
Established in 2017, Black Plague Brewing is an award-winning craft beer brewery offering quality hand crafted beer with a memorable taproom experience. They are open 7 days a week with live music on Fridays & Saturdays. The tap room is kid and dog friendly as long as both are on-leash (haha) as there are also arcades, a big theater screen TV, and plenty of space to hangout and be comfortable. Along with live music is Family Feud Night on Wednesdays and Trivia Night on Thursdays. Check out the calendar here.
Solana Beach
Solana Beach, coveted by locals and visitors alike, is known for its walkability and is home to endless scenic trails, surf breaks, natural tide pools, and a wide variety of eclectic, locally-owned shops and services that are almost all within a 30-minute walk or less from Fletcher Cove, the main beach.
Solana is also home to the Cedros Design District, a hot spot of prominent designers, boutique agencies, and delectable restaurants.
10. Belly Up Tavern – 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075
The Belly Up opened in Solana Beach, California, in 1974 with only a couple of mics and no stage. Over the years it became a frequent stop for legends including No Doubt, Black Eyed Peas, Mumford and Sons, Childish Gambino, and perhaps most famously, the Rolling Stones played a private event here in 2015. This is a great place to see live music as the venue is intimate. Click here for the lineup!
11. Saddle Bar – 123 Plaza St, Solana Beach, CA 92075
The Sadddle Bar is a long-standing small tavern near the beach drawing crowds with happy hour specials, DJs & open-mike nights. This is the spot to go if you want to watch the 49er’s game! Click here for the calendar.
12. Carruth Cellars – 118 S Cedros Ave #C, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Established in 2010 and with multiple San Diego locations, Carruth Cellars offers award winning wines made with California’s North Coast grapes and an atmosphere to match. This unique urban winery is conveniently located in the heart of the Cedros Design District. Open daily, check out their calendar here.
