50 Best Cocktail Bars near Dana Point

“I'm giving it a 5 for the staff. I briefly looked at it, thinking it was an independent rooftop bar, not realizing it was connected to the hotel.Our drinks were ok, prices were average. If you were staying at the hotel, this would be a great experience. If you were bar hoping or anything of that nature, I would go here if everything else was packed.Again, staff was incredibly nice and we stayed for them ?“

“This restaurant is a hidden gem. The food is incredible, the service is amazing, and we love the live piano music. There are so many restaurants in the area to choose from, but we find ourselves always choosing Luxe.“

“I was immensely grateful to step into a stunning restaurant that exuded elegance, with an impeccable standard of service provided by the professional waitstaff. The warm welcome from the owner at Homeslice Dana Point was truly heartwarming, setting the tone for a memorable evening. As I perused the menu, I was pleasantly surprised by the affordability of the exquisite cuisine. Every bite felt like a culinary journey through Europe, and the ambiance was akin to a cozy evening abroad, with fellow diners basking in the joy of a Saturday night well spent.Thank you .Fahim Fazli“

“Always enjoy staying at the Waldorf Astoria. Nice escape, great location, attentive staff. Perfect getaway.“

“Really enjoyed my stay! The rooms were quiet and comfortable, the hotel bar was fantastic, and the room service was excellent. Loved the thoughtful little amenities—they really made a difference.“

“Great service, Jack was super welcoming and made sure we were enjoying the time there.“

“👍 Great food and drinks. A locals favorite. 😍“

“The food? IMPECCABLE. I went with a large group of friends and we decided to try just about everything, sharing around the table. Yum! Best. Idea. Ever. The Ambiance was just as we had hoped - ideal for us to comfortably hang out and yap a bit. It was a perfectly fun and inviting atmosphere. The service? AMAZING. We had Mikey as our server. He was so fun, so attentive, so friendly. You'd think he was just one of our group. He made us feel welcome and watched over. I can't wait to come back to Salt Creek! And, Yes! We are asking for Mikey! So should you!“

“Truly outstanding. From flavor to quality to service, this experience was exceptional. The only negative was that our table was beneath a vent; therefore, we were freeeeezing. 😅 We even had an opportunity to meet Teemu (the owner) himself. Already looking forward to our next visit!“

“Annie is an incredible lady who makes you feel like family from the moment you walk/roll in. Thank you for being amazing, Ann!“

“Tuesdays if is Allie, excellent bartender. I recommended go on Tuesdays, she is very Attentive and always has great atmosphere, the vas has Pool tables ,fun place to enjoy time with friends when is a nice bar tender. The bar Do No sell food . But allow you bring your food.“

“The foxx is the best If you want a good place This is it“

“My wife's and I favorite spot in all Laguna, we've been to all the bars, taverns n this saloon by far is THEE BEST...every year we make it a must stop spot.....I'm a photographer at heart and this classic saloon is AWSOME, the coziness, ceiling n decor, flooring, masonry and the patina bar. Nothing else comes close.“

“excellent food atmophere and service!“

“Came for lunch with my gran about a month after my grandfather passed. It was my gran's first outing since the funeral and i was worried but our server was this adorable silver haired woman named Rebecca. She had my Gran laughing the whole time. We ordered combos and the suggested jalapeño watermelon margaritas, which were spicy and refreshing. We needed a nap afterwards because we were too stuffed! My gran won't stop asking when we can go back. Thank you South of Nicks for lovely meal, and Thank you Rebecca, for helping a family member feel normal after tragedy. You are in our prayers“

“Had a wonderful evening out with my wife at Ironwood Cellars in Laguna Hills. We had reservations for 5:30 p.m. and arrived early. We were greeted by Joe, the manager on duty, who was very kind, professional, and welcoming. Art was our server and is amazingly gifted in customer service professionalism and overall people skills. Yes, showing the love. We started with tequilla drinks from the bar, and we each had a wedge salad. Joe sent us over a wonderful Agnolotti appetizer as well, which was more than kind. The ambiance was positive and upbeat, perfect for the evening. Sergio was also quite attentive in making sure our table was serviced properly. We ordered our entrees with my wife having the halibut dinner, and I had the famous giant meatball dish. Both meals were hot & tasty and presented well. We had a terrific time, and Art surprised us with a complimentary dessert 🍨 with berries. The restaurant is so nice and offers an outdoor patio and bar seating as well. The wine list is extensive, as are the craft beers. Highly recommended.“

“It is nice for Bloom to have a Happy Hour. The drink selection was excellent, the Happy Hour food was very tasty and nice portions. Hoover is a great host behind the bar and increased the pleasure of the experience. We look forward to returning to Bloom for the Happy Hour. Tim“

“I recently had the chance to go to The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar with my husband, and I absolutely loved it. From the start, the oceanfront atmosphere made the whole experience so special — nothing beats enjoying a good meal while listening to the waves in the background.

I ordered the Salmon BLT, and it was simply delicious. The bread was fresh with the perfect texture, the salmon was juicy and well-seasoned, and the avocado, lettuce, and tomato balanced everything beautifully. The crispy bacon added the perfect touch. The side of mushroom rice was flavorful yet light, which paired really well with the sandwich.

My husband went for the classic Fish and Chips, and he was just as impressed. The fish was perfectly golden and crispy on the outside while tender and fresh on the inside. The fries were hearty, and with a squeeze of lemon and the dipping sauce, it was spot on.

I enjoyed a chilled glass of white wine with my meal, which rounded out the experience perfectly.

Overall, it was a delicious lunch with spectacular views and very good service. I left feeling so happy to have shared such a wonderful moment with my husband. We’ll definitely be coming back soon.🙊🫨💃🏻🙌🏻“

“It was my first time here, and the food is delicious. Love the simple & quaint decor. Definitely will be back!“

“What a great place for taco Tuesday! They have two types of Tuesday menus and I had the fish taco that ended at 5:30. I had two different ones and they were fabulous. Drinks go on all night and they were very good too. I will definitely be back.“

“Wifey suggested we make it to the Sawdust Festival so while in town we decided to get some dinner. Located near all the hot spots Tango offered convenience with outdoor dinning. First off Niko was our server. Very nice gentleman who was very attentive and informative. Made us feel like we tourist in his homeland of Argentina. Now the food. My expresso Negroni well that was a let down. Not for me. Wifey had a sangria albeit that it’s called something else. Tapas were good. Highly recommended the asparagus wrapped with prosciutto. The steak skewer definitely. The issue and only issue I had was the traffic and the smell of fumes. Not much can be done about that maybe next time we will sear indoors.“

“Excellent smash burgers and service.
The whole restaurant is like a piece of art, beautiful and well put together. Great rooftop deck and outdoor patio. I’m sure this will become an extremely popular San Clemente establishment given the food, vibes, and location.“

“Okay, full disclosure: with four kids, a date night that doesn’t involve drive-thru fries or someone asking for ketchup is already a win—but Jane in San Clemente? Total glow-up moment for us.

From the moment we walked in, the vibe was chef’s kiss. Dim lighting, gorgeous design, cozy but elevated—like Pinterest and a speakeasy had a very classy baby. It felt grown-up and cool without being pretentious (because let’s be real, I still had a Paw Patrol sticker on my shoe).

The cocktails? Don’t even get me started. These are not your average drinks—they’re the kind you sip slow, admire the garnish, and then immediately plan your next visit so you can try another. I had one with gin and lavender that was dangerously good. My husband kept raving about how smooth his bourbon cocktail was. We felt fancy. We felt alive.

And the food, though a smaller menu, is incredible. Small plates, yes, but big flavor. Everything was well thought out, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. It’s not a place for giant portions, but it’s perfect for sharing and savoring between sips and conversation.

Bottom line: Jane is date night perfection—whether you’re escaping the chaos for a few hours or looking to impress out-of-town friends. It’s moody, delicious, and full of that “we need to do this more often” energy. We’ll be back. Probably with a babysitter already booked.“

“Such a great atmosphere and delicious food thoughtfully made with great taste, love and presentation.“

“What a fabulous place. Went there to celebrate mutual birthdays with my BFF. I loved everything about this restaurant. Our bartender was fabulous, our meal, Branzino.. delicious, eye appealing, beautiful presentation and enough to split We met the owner who spent ample time with us as we asked questions about his journey opening the location, his background and the concept/vision for the restaurant and we met the GM. I loved the ambiance, open and welcoming and they have a mercado with authentic product. Next time I'm going to the pizza bar with some more birthday girls!“

“We stumbled upon this hidden gem in Laguna on our last day there. Can’t believe we missed it! After visiting Finneys in Santa Barbara, we were expecting a lot, but this place totally exceeded our expectations. It’s right off the beach, with an incredible selection of beers. The service and food were also top-notch. If you’re looking for a great spot to grab a bite or a drink, definitely check them out!“

“First visit was on a quiet Wednesday. Immediately impressed with the greeting and beautiful upscale space. Were were seated upstairs with a nice view. Our server gave a good overview of the menu. I would characterize her as professional but not overly personable/friendly. We split a rib eye which was cooked perfectly and super tender and favorable. The Caesar salad was ok, it was kind of like a bowl of parm with some lettuce on the side. Probably would pass next time. Oh, my hot tip is get the meat board which provides several different cuts. We thought it was too much meat for just the 2 of us (server said about 20oz of meat), but the table next to us had it and they raved about it. Always doggie bags or good for e-4 people“

“Awesome place! Great food and drinks and a nice atmosphere. Watching my 49ers game. 🏈“

“This has turned into a locals hang out. Waitresses seem to know the clients well. The outside dining is perfect for happy hour as the sun starts to set and the afternoon breeze sweeps in. Umbrellas keep you in the shade earlier in the afternoon. I LOVE the FLAUTUS. Light and crispy on the outside with a moist protein topped with a generous portion of guacamole. The bar is a fun place to hang. Bartenders are busy but friendly enough. This place has patrons with the San Clemente friendliness.“

“Such a great place. Nice addition to San Clemente.“

“Stumbled upon 237 in #LagunaBeach after a serendipitous encounter with the owner, who recommended her newly opened restaurant.

What a find! I just had the best burger of my life! . This place, formerly known as Breeze & Brew, is a culinary gem. If you're in the #California area this #LaborDayWeekend, make sure to experience their incredible food. Highly recommended for any food enthusiast!"

Burger 10/10 would recommend! ❤️

Dietary restrictions: Very accommodating for any food issues.“

“We enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at Splashes. The restaurant is perched just above the beach with beautiful views and sea breezes coming in through the open doors. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. We will definitely be back!“

“It was our first visit to Harvest and we loved the experience. The food was delicious . We had a bit of a wait for our food but we were not in any hurry so it was not a big deal and the servers were really good at checking in with us and apologising for the delay and were super friendly . We will definitely return .“

“We live right up the canyon and had never visited. Highly recommend!! Great food, reasonable prices, our waitress, Cassidy was so great! She was efficient with everything and just had the nicest personality. We will be back!!!“

“Very pleasing atmosphere calm peaceful elegant great peace of mind I enjoyed my food there and drinks are great as well“

“The Pantry is a cozy coffee shop offering a great selection of coffee, teas, and light bites. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot to relax or catch up with friends. Friendly service and quality drinks make it a local favorite.“

“Incredible food and service! My mew favorite place!“

“Best place for local Italian! Highly recommended...“

“Great food in a great location. Would definitely go back.“

“4.5 actually. Cool decor. Great concept--a speakeasy sushi bar (actually upstairs from a Goonies inspired speakeasy). Friendly staff. Very nice cocktails. And quite good food, but I wish there were larger portions offered (my only complaint). Definitely worth a visit or revisit.“

“Great food! Great vibe! Great time!“

“We celebrated an early Mother’s Day Saturday evening. Outstanding👏😎flavors, presentation, dessert, cocktails/ vibes..And our waiter(Luca) was personable , fun.“

“The atmosphere is a wonderful and relaxing change from the high tech look of too many restaurants today. It's softly lit and comforting. The food is excellent. The branzino was cooked perfectly, the side dish of french lentils was a treat and the apple pie delicious. It's a treasure.“

“Great time .. and the most amazing food .. dubble bubble shot is a must here never in my life anything like this .. but the best ohh and the cabbage wrap Thai style is the best“

“I have been going to this hotel since the 1980s. It’s the best. My husband and I spent three new years eves there. We usually stay a week. Love it. I’ll be so happy when the rooms are available again. I can hardly wait. Love everything about it. The food is delicious. The patio is very enjoyable. And just a few steps to the beach. Love it. Thank you. I’m. Beverly. Anderson.“

“This place is awesome, under new Ownership who they really know how to make it happen, their food is great, drinks are also great, their entertainment is by far the best in San Juan Capistrano and their staff is really second to none!!!! A must !!! So if you are looking for the best place in town, this is it.“

“Food was fabulous, the Rock of Ages Band was fabulous, and our waiter, Zach, was fabulous. Such a wonderful night out.“

“Great place to dive n drink“

“We popped into Goody’s for a couple beers this afternoon and had such a great time! The bartender, Heather, was fabulous!!! We were visiting for the day from San Diego and because of the hospitality, we felt like locals! We got to sit at the bar with our pup too so that was a major plus! Any time we are in San Clemente, we will definitely stop back in for a couple drinks! 10/10 recommend!“

“Very long wait times. Terrible customer service and overall, one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had in my life. The waiter messed up our order and argued with my wife about how he did not mess up the order and continued to argue with my wife, which further upset me and my parents. I asked the waiter to leave and requested to speak with the manager. I had explained everything to the manager and told the manager that because the food came out wrong and the waiter argued with my wife, that it was time to go because the waiter ruined our meal and our experience. After paying for 3 meals that we did not eat, the restaurant manager was extremely rude, told us to leave, and to never come back. We left very angry and upset. This restaurant ruined our entire afternoon. I do not recommend this restaurant because of the terrible customer service. If you make a mistake, own it, and make it right. Not the case here, they just want your money and send you on your way as fast as possible. If you’re looking for a nice dining experience there are far better options than this place.“