35 Best Bars in Costa Mesa

“Love it here! Music is always on point m! 😍“

“Food & drink: My husband ordered the Espresso Tonic & it was perfection. The foam was the ideal consistency so each sip had both foam & drink, never overpowering or messy. I tried the Angel Face, which was a bit more spirit-forward than I usually go for, but still balanced & beautifully made. We also grabbed an order of olives as a late-night snack, & they were fresh, briny, & the perfect little bite to accompany our drinks.

Service: The service was exceptional from start to finish. Our bartender/server took the time to walk us through the cocktail menu in detail, breaking down each ingredient & flavor profile so we felt confident in our choices, even with such a bold & adventurous menu. She truly made the experience memorable with her warmth & knowledge.

Ambiance & Vibe:
This is a true speakeasy vibe–small, intimate, & lively. The size of the space means you can hear every conversation around you, which adds to the energy but could feel loud if you’re looking for something quiet. The lighting & cozy décor make it feel like a tucked-away find. Tip: bring a sweater, as it does run on the chilly side!

Value & Price Point:
For craft cocktails, the prices are exactly what you’d expect..& honestly, the level of service & quality made it feel like a bargain.

Overall Impression & Tips:
A hidden gem for anyone who loves a good cocktail adventure. Come ready to try something new, ask questions, & trust the bartender’s recommendations..you’ll be glad you did. Perfect for a date night or a casual nightcap after dinner.“

“Nice place.“

“We were in town, visiting family members. It turned into a full-blown nightmare for my son and I. To erase the negativity, our hotel clerk recommended this jewel of a bar across street...from the moment we stepped into this place, it turned into an awesome experience and made our last night in town, fun and relaxing. Pool, music, people...genuine. The lovely, energetic and experienced bartender, was absolutely on-top of ensuring not just us, but that all the clients, were taken care of. If you want to distress and wipe off the negativity, this is the place to be!“

“Perfect place to hang and catch up“

“Visited this bar for the first time and was truly impressed. The décor is stunning, the cocktails were excellent, and the atmosphere felt effortlessly chic. I also have to highlight the wonderful conversation with the bartender and their fantastic mezcal recommendations—absolutely spot on. A beautiful experience all around!“

“Hit the mark, prices ok, 24/7 Willy Wonka on TV👍“

“This is a good place to bring someone who is new to the area. I feel that if you live near this restaurant, as I do, that there are other places that are better for tacos, honestly. That being said, their presentation and food is very good,“

“The staff was very kind and attentive to customers. They had a great beer selection and some cocktails that were fun to try. I got 2 flights and sampled several options. All tasted great. Best beer on tap, best Japanese beer in Orange county.“

“This place is a hidden gem! The food will exceed your expectations. The only improvement I would love to see is beers on tap.“

“Cool spot, came here on a Monday looking for a place that stays open late, this place blew my expectations for a regular bar, we had a DJ playing house music, the strobe ball was cool, great low lit ambience, felt like a goth bar with a modern kick to it, booth seating was comfy and spacious. Drinks acceptable, had a few beers on tap and Espresso Martini, this is now my mid week go to spot. Definitely will come back.“

“Oysters are always super delicious and fresh! The list of oysters is extensive and ever changing. The salads are so filling and the clam chowder is the bomb! Staff is always friendly and the service is great.“

“I go to this bar more than I like to admit and I’ve found that it’s not just because the drinks are cheap, the people are weird, or that’s it’s always a fun night. I find myself going back because the service is top notch. Kari is always on top of it and Rory is always holding down the fort. Hats off to you both and I’ll see you next weekend“

“Love the atmosphere, everyone that walks in just wants to have a drink, a good time and make friends... Best little dive bar in Costa Mesa and Penny is the coolest bar tender :-)“

“overall, it was a good experience. I went there with a couple of friends to have some beers and play some pool. warm and cozy. people were nice. I would probably give it a five star if they had a cocktail waitress to make it easier to get drinks.“

“This place is a vibe. Awesome decor and pretty good drinks but the bartender was a bit tudey. I ordered 2 drinks for my Wife and I while she was in the bathroom. They said they were out of the one for my wife so I turned to ask her as she’s walking towards me and before I could finish my question to her the bartender asks “Is there anything else for this order?!” Thankfully she said whatever you’re having or I would have felt like I was inconveniencing this poor man at the beginning of his shift with a practically empty bar. I’d come back but would make it a point to have a back up drink in mind just in case I happened to bother this guy on another “off night”.“

“The most notable featurr of this bar (with good food & apps) is the bartenders also work the floor as servers and they are all pretty. But their efficiency and professionalism is equal to their looks, so the women customers, accept them. I know that last sentence was terrible, but it's true and I'm too tired to re-word it.“

“Updated review, in all fairness!

So my last review was 3 stars 🌟 because it was not a positive experience, bad service etc... but giving it another chance I've gone back with friends 3-4 times in the past 2 months, had to see if it was a trend in anomaly. I'm happy to say that the service has been great, even greated at the front door, and a thank you on the way out, the food was great, came during Happy Hour and portions are the same, no games! No short order kinda deal, place was packed and food was great! Ill be back for sure and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND“

“The cheeseburger was AMAZING!!!“

“Delicious Italian cuisine! Stylish interior of the Restaurant!“

“Nice place, clean and friendly staff. Most importantly, the food is so awesome. The owner takes pride with his food! Not only the plating looks nice, but it’s so tasty. I don’t even understand those 1 star reviews. Will definitely come back for more!“

“Amazing food and atmosphere. We sat at the bar and have to give our bartender/waiter Jake a huge shout out. He was the best! Definitely going back again.“

“LOVE the GOAT‼️♥️ 1st place I headed on my last day to begin my RETIREMENT‼️ Life is good‼️😃“

“Service was top notch -extremely nice and informative on menu. Food was ridiculous good I recommend the grapefruit salad with chicken“

“Food was delicious champagne was nice we also enjoyed the music“

“It was chill, not too crowded, great music. I didnt eat anything, just came for the music.“

“Great work by this group, every year! Fun stuff!“

“Happy hour before OC Fight Night!“

“We stayed at the Hilton in Costa Mesa and had coupons for complimentary Continental breakfast 2 mornings. The first morning we upgraded to hot buffet breakfast that included scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, oatmeal. The eggs were powered, the sausage tasted like cardboard and bacon was so-so. The oatmeal was homemade and was good! This breakfast cost $18.00 + tax. The second morning we ordered off the menu and was better choices getting fresh cooked food. My wife had omelet with hash browns and toast and I had eggs Benedict with hashbrowns and tomato slice and coffee. We both enjoyed these menu options!“

“Roberto is the best cook! The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. The best part was the breakfast Saturday morning! Roberto made the best cuisine, the servers Roberto (another) and Adrianna were the most friendly and warm welcoming staff!“

“Great place to watch the games good food“

“Great Chips & Salsa! Chilaquiles are THE BEST EVER! Portions are huge! Great margaritas! The staff is THEE BEST! Highly recommending casa for dining in or catering your next event! The fiesta packs will feed a small village! Great for parties or get togethers when you just don’t feel Like cooking!“

“Stopped in at Social in Costa Mesa while spending a weekend down in Orange County, and I’m so glad we did. I’d heard great things from friends, and this place definitely didn’t disappoint. The food was absolutely amazing, the atmosphere was spot-on, and the service was just as good.

It wasn’t too busy when we arrived—probably because it’s Christmas season and everyone’s out shopping—so we got in right before the lunch crowd. I heard it was packed the night before, and I can see why. Everything we tried was top-notch.“

“We went for Sunday brunch and it did not disappoint. Our server Roberto was super kind and always made sure to check in on us. The food was good for a brunch buffet. They had freshly made tortillas for the taco bar and the made to order omelette at the omelette bar was delicious! The complimentary pancakes were also super yummy! The servers were always walking around to be sure the bottomless mimosas were being refilled. Super great experience and we'll definitely be back.“