30 Best Bars near Avila Beach

“Certainly partial to this place based on the name but it is a staple on the boardwalk in Avila Beach. Over the years they have continued to evolve and grow. Great outdoor and indoor seating options. Good music selection with solid live music on the weekends. The service, no matter how busy they are, is always on point. They listen, provide options and are always friendly. I am a local and this is the place the locals go! Its a must see while in Avila.“

“I love this place! Wonderful ambience, great food and good value!“

“The food and the bar tenders were amazing! Had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Thank you“

“The owner was extremely personable and her food recommendations were spot on. I had never had Peruvian cuisine and I enjoyed the whole experience and food. My table had a view of the creek. She gave me excellent recommendations of other places to eat during my stay.“

“Yes, you will need a reservation, but they were kind enough to reserve a special table for us to honor our 10th anniversary! We were greeted with smiles and staff was quick to offer either still or sparkling water [nice]. Our water pourer, Maddie, was ahead of our thirst all evening and our glasses never were empty [we went through three bottles!]. Our server, Haley, was attentive and professional. She very capably poured the Justin Isosceles and went over the menu to answer any questions. My tuna tataki was exceptional...it may be an appetizer, but it was incredibly tasty and filling. The lady thoroughly enjoyed her local sablefish [first time] and its yummy accompaniments. The wine list is strong and reasonably priced. Beautiful views of Pismo Beach enhance the dining experience. The restaurant is on point, clean top notch restrooms and obvious elegance. We couldn't believe there wasn't any dress code...folks showed up looking like they just walked off the beach without a wink. Ahh...the beach life in Pismo is quite relaxing.“

“Scenic rooftop bar with great drinks.“

“Shindig Cider is the kind of place that reminds you there is a whole world of craft beverages beyond beer. While many taprooms focus on the latest brewing trends, Shindig has mastered something that doesn't always get the recognition it deserves: exceptional ciders and meads.

What impressed me most was the creativity and quality of the drinks. The ciders and meads are flavorful, approachable, and incredibly fun to drink. Some are sweet and fruit-forward, almost like candy, while others offer more complexity and balance. Whether you're new to cider and mead or already a fan, there is something here that will surprise you.

Located in the treandy new neighborhood of San Luis Obispo, Shindig benefits from being part of one of the most exciting beverage destinations on the Central Coast. The area has evolved into a destination all its own, with breweries, tasting rooms, wineries, distilleries, food vendors, and even fitness studios all sharing the same energetic atmosphere. You can easily spend an entire afternoon or evening exploring the industrial warehouse logistics complex.

The taproom itself has a lively and welcoming vibe. There are TVs showing sports, plenty of space to relax, and a crowd that is there to have a good time. The tasting room is dog-friendly, making it a great place to bring your four-legged friends while enjoying a drink. Food trucks regularly stop by, giving visitors plenty of options to pair with their cider or mead.

One of the things that makes Shindig stand out is the atmosphere. The place feels like a true gathering spot, attracting a fun, energetic crowd and creating the kind of social environment that makes you want to stay for another round. Whether you're meeting friends, watching a game, bringing your dog, or simply enjoying a sunny afternoon, the experience feels more like a celebration than a typical tasting room visit.

Shindig Cider delivers exactly what a great craft beverage destination should: unique drinks, a welcoming environment, and a sense of fun that keeps people coming back. If you're visiting San Luis Obispo or looking for something different from the usual brewery experience, Shindig is absolutely worth a stop. It's a party atmosphere with great ciders, creative meads, and a crowd that knows how to enjoy both.“

“looks lot different in the bar it's been year's since I been to Pismo Beach I meet lot nice people when I stop in I'll have come back someday“

“I’m a working musician and I play Pismo a lot! This place is absolutely the most consistently enjoyable grub always!!! Today was even better! Missa was so kind and made sure I got grilled Serranos with my Baja Tacos!Chris was such a pleasant waiter… very attentive and super cool to chat with. Great job, AGAIN Cool Cat. See you in March with Lipstick Revolver.“

“My wife love staying in the rooms there with the hot tub right in your room. We also like to use the hillside hot tubs. The gift shop is nice also.“

“We loved swinging into the bar late at night! It was pretty empty, but the bartenders were fun and the drinks were good! We grabbed a slice of cake too, which was huge but not exactly what we were hoping for, but we couldn’t leave without trying the cake. We got the bees knees and raspberry lemon drop.“

“Headwaters at Hotel Cerro offers something unique that you won't find in the area - a rooftop pool bar with views of the best area on the central coast. The food and drinks are great, the staff are friendly, the vibe/atmosphere is inviting and relaxing, and the pool is always at a comfortable temperature. I would highly recommend checking this place out!“

“Just a great vide Friendly Very good wines Not a wine drinker but the red was excellent“

“The July 4th Fried Chicken and Bubbles Event was awesome. Service was great and the fried chicken and bubbles was phenomenal. Making this an annual event.“

“I've had the pleasure of being blessed enough to know the operator and owner of this restaurant, Leonard, for many years through his different businesses and locations. Just like everything he does, he cares about his business, watches over it, talks to the people, and takes care of his customers. Always, everything is exceptional. It's another great experience by him and his team. I had a great meal tonight. It was great spending time talking with him, as always. You will enjoy it, also, no matter what age or group you're in. Thank you.“

“Delicious Mac n cheese and very good tri-tip, loved the breezy seating and friendly staff!“

“Stopped in by happen-stance. Great vibe...old dive atmosphere. Bartender (Garrett) was super-nice. Drinks were above average. Place offered tri-tip sandwich (potluck style...as in for free, excllent taste).

Highly recommend. Hidden gem in Los Osos. Definitely coming back.“

“Good food Good service Good price Will be back!!!“

“The older busboy was the best!“

“Eric is a master of his craft. Knowledge and attention to detail like he possesses is very rare in the industry. My wife said one of his cocktails (Clover Club) was the best she's ever had, and I agree. He also gave us a detailed history of the cocktail as well. Super cool! If you appreciate great cocktails this is the best place in SLO, easy. And thank you Eric, for a fantastic experience! 👍“

“No trip to San Luis Obispo is complete without a trip to Bull’s Tavern. My first drink here was in 1981 when I was a Senior at Cal Poly.“

“👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍“

“"LIFE'S TOO SHORT . . . HAVE A BLAST!" Well, I certainly did. I discovered this establishment while on a trip to the San Luis Obispo area (combination of business and pleasure). My lawyer, Barry, and I decided to give it a try for lunch. Great selection of microbrews; always a plus. I had a couple pints of one their own IPAs. Barry just had iced tea. He doesn't drink; says it hinders his judgment on the job. In addition to representing me, he also aids in the evictions of apartment tenants who are several months late with their rent. (I've noticed a lot of them seem to be single mothers with at least three kids, but I digress.) We split the Chili Cheese Waffle Fries for a starter. Loaded with chili with the right balance of spice and heartiness to it. On top of that, it didn't give me any digestive issues! Excellent burgers here. I had the Jalapeno. Half-pounder and Angus, the way it should be. Barry had a Margherita Pizza, which I thought strange coming after chili cheese fries. He said it was a lot better than the one he had at Northern Italiano a few weeks back when meeting with another client of his named Lance. Our server, Amanda, was exceptional. Just the right amount of EYE CONTACT. Regularly CHECKED UP on us, but not to the point of intrusiveness. I emphasize those points because a lot of servers today don't understand that eye contact and checking up on the customer are indispensable components to providing quality service. Barry and I were tempted to take her golfing with us. Regards, Mitchell D. Cumstein“

“I’ve been going to Valley for 40 years. These guys treat you like family. They really put out a great vibe. Try their deli. They make great sandwiches and burgers. I take my sons there all the time. The food is great along with the positive atmosphere. Hey Frank!“

“I haven't eaten here yet but the bartenders here are so spot on amazing it's unbelievable. They see me approaching and my drink set up is on the bar just the way I like it. I love it here and everybody is loads more fun than a barrel full of monkeys. I prefer the daytime/early evening cast of local characters and hard working folks who have manners, intelligence, and moral fiber, which is sorely lacking these days. McCarthy's is the shizzz!“

“Chicken fetachini was delicious but the chicken could have been a bit less tough. Also for the price a small salad would have made this a perfect meal. My husband said he likes his meatball san dough but again for the price wish it would have has more substance. The cheesecake was perfect.“

“Food at La Casita Mexican Restaurant was delicious! Drinks at the bar were super tasty and 10/10 on presentation! Margaritas and Palomas are recommended!👏🏻💯Can’t wait to come back on our next visit for Karaoke 🎤 night!“

“Absolutely love staying at this resort, and the Clubhouse Grill is a large part of that. Lively atmosphere, always friendly servers, and excellent food! Fun to eat outside on the patio while watching live music or golfers (depending on the day), or to eat inside watching sports on the large screen TVs. My husband generally gets the rib eye, and I have a few different favorites.“

“Service was outstanding! Food and beer great as well. First time there and will go back.“

“Clean and comfortable rooms. Exceptionally hot shower. Friendly Staff. Free games in the restaurant (do yourself a favor and get a smashburger from there)!!!“