While San Diego’s downtown clubs are a blast, it’s a good idea to expand one’s horizons and explore other parts of the city’s nightlife. Just up I-5 on the North County coastline is the city of Carlsbad, which offers just as much fun and excitement as the next clubbing town. There are three very entertaining locations that are not necessarily thought of as “clubs,” but offer food, music and social excitement that any college-age clubbing attendee would love. The best part is that these three places all have something in common: no cover charge. But be sure to bring the ID.
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One of these locations is the Coyote Bar & Grill, located at 300 Carlsbad Village Drive. Even though the Coyote Bar is considered to be a restaurant, it provides just as much fun and entertainment as a nightclub. For instance, it offers romantic outdoor dining and is an ideal place to bring a date. For those who are coupled up and want a clubbing atmosphere where they can actually hear themselves talk, the Coyote Bar offers great live entertainment on the patio outside the restaurant for dancing, drinking and mingling. The live entertainment consists mostly of classic rock, jazz and R&B in a very casual setting, and tends to attract a mature crowd.
The restaurant has an Old West feel, complete with a happy hour offering extensive tequila and margarita selections. For those with the urge to dance, the patio’s fireplace, fire rings, bright lights and tequila-shooting really set the mood for a feel-good time: a time away from studying to enjoy some dancing and good food. The menu features some wonderful appetizers, including stuffed jalapenos, grill-smoked corn on the cob, spicy chicken and roasted red pepper quesadillas. Coyote Bar entrees include smoked chicken tacos, and Yucatan shrimp and swordfish tacos. Not to be forgotten, their tortilla soup is to die for.
Another venue in Carlsbad that offers nighttime excitement is the Alley, located at 421 Grand Avenue, just across the train tracks from the Coyote Bar & Grill. The Alley provides more of a club feel for those who crave the strobe lights and glitter of downtown San Diego. The Alley once again attracts an older, more mature crowd, and also has live entertainment. It is a casual, intimate venue where anything can and does go. The dance floor is located to the left as you walk in, right below the stage where the bands play. Their featured bands play mostly classic rock. The bar is centered in the middle of the club, surrounded by tables where people can chat and drink.
The Alley is certainly worthy of its name, with its mysterious atmosphere, dim lighting and mirrors covering the walls. It is a great place to hang out, meet people and dance. A word of warning though: The music is very loud, so if you meet someone special while you’re there, that’s great — just get to know each other outside when you’re through dancing.
Last, but certainly not least, is Boar Cross’n Bar & Grill at 390 Grand Avenue, where you shouldn’t expect the usual clubbing atmosphere. Boar Cross’n keeps it simple, but still offers great entertainment anddancing. And for those who get tired of drinking and mingling, there are video games in an arcade as you walk in, along with five pool tables and a CD jukebox that bumps tunes throughout the night. Boar Cross’n also
features a central bar, surrounded by tables that overlook a dance floor packed with wild and crazy people.
This club is certainly not for the timid; it’s a place to get jiggy, within reason, and to get down with one’s “bad self.” Boar Cross’n offers live entertainment featuring classic-rock bands on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The bands keep the dance floor jumping with bright lights and a contagious beat. It is another place to go and be casual and hang with people whose ages range mostly from 21 to late-30s. The drinks are great, the music is fabulous and it is a fun place to forget about one’s obligations for a few hours.
Carlsbad can be a blast, and since there are no cover charges, make a night of it and check out all three places in one trip. Plus, if the clubs get too hot to handle, go outside and get some fresh air. The train track runs directly through the middle of that section of Carlsbad. You just might catch a glimpse of the southbound freight train or the northbound Amtrak, and that’s entertainment in itself.
