1. Cafe Calypso
City: Encinitas, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (760) 632-8252
Address: 576 North Highway 101
Description: North County Insiders swear this is the only gig in town—beyond the Belly Up, of course, which is the granddaddy of North County Coastal entertainment. In addition to great food (primarily seafood and Pacific Rim cuisine, with plenty of vegetarian options), this laid-back little cafe gets drop-ins from musicians who have fled the major music scene in addition to gigs with local celebs such as Candy Kane and Sue Palmer. It’s got a nightly lineup of live music that ranges from blues to rock to island groove and zesty salsa.
2. E Street Cafe
City: Encinitas, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (760) 230-2038
Address: 130 West E Street
Description: Enjoy eclectic furnishing—you can lounge on the couch or at the dining-room table, to study—and free Wi-Fi at this comfortable coffeehouse near Highway 101. Sit at one of the few outside tables or under the lazily rotating ceiling fans inside. There’s non-invasive live music most weekend nights; in addition to the usual surfeit of coffee drinks, bistro sandwiches, pastries, and desserts are served.