50 Best Cocktail Bars near Dana Point

“Nice view and not crowded on normal days. Nice for locals wanting a view without the crowds or parking hassles in Dana Point.

Food: Decent variety of standard bar food

Drinks: Beer and wine offered are mainly mass available - disappointed since there are good local options they could offer; but there's a full bar

Service: My wife and I had outstanding service from Randi; it wasn't busy but she knew the menu well and was friendly & accommodating

Interior: Full bar with sitting area facing away from the ocean; many tables and some front rail seats; view of the ocean is compact due to Doheny trees but still nice; furniture is lower end and dated

Exterior (Location): Great for walking access from Doheny and the harbor

Parking: On site valet is complimentary with purchase, very prompt“

“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.“

“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.“

“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“

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

“Amazing stay, gorgeous views and incredible hospitality! Loved it all and highly recommend!“

“👍 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!“

“Overall a great experience. Perfect for a date night. We were given an option of a lively or quiet experience. We chose the first option. I personally have never eaten a place like this before so it was an experience in itself. Food was good! Plenty of options. Shout out to Rafael our server! He was exceptional, & made us feel comfortable.“

“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“

“There are many restaurants in this neck of the Orange County woods. However, Bloom stands head and shoulders above them all. The menu is chock full of unique dishes, the food is always delectable, and the service is top notch. We try other places thinking we'll find another place like Bloom...but there's no place like Bloom. Bloom offers a truly stellar dining experience. Thank you.“

“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.“

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

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

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

“Randi made my visit exceptional from the moment I walked in. As soon as I stepped into the bar she welcomed me with such a warm and genuine smile that I immediately felt comfortable. She was friendly, attentive, and took the time to talk with customers, making everyone feel welcome. Her positive attitude and outstanding customer service really stood out. Thank you, Randy, for your kindness and professionalism. I'll definitely be back.“

“Obviously, the view speaks for itself and is stunning. That’s what drew us to the restaurant. We chose to do the tasting menu which exceeded our expectations. Patrick, our waiter, explained each course which is seasonally and expertly prepared by Chef Ron Fougeray who also came out and greeted us. The food is vibrant, exciting, and visually appealing. I also was pleasantly surprised that the tasting menu did not leave us hungry like other tasting menus have in the past. The portions were generous and satisfying. Can’t wait to come back next time we’re in California.“

“Excellent seafood on the San Clemente pier! Three of us got the yellowtail feast, and we all loved each of the four courses. Try dipping the complementary sourdough in the boil for the clams. The dressings are made in-house, and the blue cheese and ranch were great. While not part of the feast, the pasta that someone else in our fam ordered was also perfectly prepared and delicious. The kids meal was spot-on for our 6-year-old, with a cute portion of clam chowder and a generous portion of salmon. And we ended with an expertly-crafted creme brule. The staff was very attentive and friendly, despite being busy, and the majestic views and soothing-wave atmosphere from the pier are so refreshing to the soul. It can be a little chilly outside after the sun goes down, but they have heaters on the deck.“

“Excellent service and the food is incredible. Highly recommended if you enjoy a good steak and incredible drinks.“

“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!“

“Everything we ordered was amazing. From appetizers to desserts, all perfect. Highly recommend this restaurant.“

“Had a blast here, great food, service was awesome, and the atmosphere was incredibly fun. They have a great bar and amazing rooftop with a view. Anytime we are in town this is our new go to. Of note, the owner was walking around talking to everyone, he’s an amazing person who is passionate about creating a great experience for everyone! Shout out to Lori, she kept those glasses full, cheers!“

“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.“

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

“I went here after a long beach day and everything was a 10/10! the service was great as the staff was very nice and welcoming. The food came out timely and was absolutely delicious. AND the drinks were fantastic. I love that they have vegetarian options for my friend as well. I also went to another location on a sunday afternoon and the live music offered truly added to the experience. I cant wait to find a reason to go back“

“An incredible menu—and drink menu! Try the Indian Summer, the Splash Zone or the blackberry infused Houdini! You will definitely want to try their burrata and heirloom tomato starter. Their sourdough ciabatta, freshly grilled, is the freshest, chewiest, bread anywhere. When the simplest items are this outstanding, you will appreciate the salads and entrees.“

“We were excited to try Harvest for the first time because of its reputation for being farm to table. I especially anticipated the charcuterie board because not many restaurants have good ones. This one did not disappoint! There was a great variety of crackers and flatbreads, jam, cheeses, meats, fruit, nuts and picked veggies. My husband tried the Mexico drink which was served in a terra cotta cup and was a unique margarita. I had the France which was wonderful and unique with the sorbet served in a small spoon and the champagne served on the side so I could pour it into the drink myself. My husband had the burger which he said was very tasty. I had the farmer's salad which was unbelievable. It was fresh and had a variety of flavors, colors and textures and was filling as well as flavorful. I've been thinking about it since we were there, in fact. We were full but wanted to try the strawberry butter cake because rhubarb is rare on a menu, so we got it to go and it was also delicious. The only downside to our experience was our placement on the enclosed patio because it was a hot and humid evening with no airflow and it didn't seem that the restaurant had air conditioning. Now that we know, we will ask to be seated differently next time. There will definitely be a next time!“

“Great food! Great vibe! Great time!“

“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!!!“

“me and my boyfriend saw a sign for some cool cocktails and were drawn in. the avocado egg rolls are so good! the costumer service was very professional and welcoming. the star was the bison burger! so tender, just melts in your mouth & for only $16?! an absolute steal. would DEFINITELY recommend for a little date night or a night out with friends!“

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

“Great location! The restaurant was a bit small but they had a nice patio set up. Plenty of umbrellas and heaters. We had a party of nine, but since they weren’t busy when we got there, they were able to accommodate us easily. I think if we were to come at a little bit busier of a time it would be harder for them to accommodate just because of the amount of tables that they have. I would suggest calling ahead if you have a group larger than six.
The menu was good, small, but a variety of options. Their margaritas were good, nothing special.
Service was great, and we didn’t have much wait time on anything. Drinks were refilled quickly and the server offered modifications that made ordering for kids easier. She also quietly and discreetly asked if we wanted dessert. We ended up ordering it, but it was nice that she said it quietly that way my boys didn’t here. It’s tough going out and not getting dessert but when my boys hear the server offering it that’s all they want. It was very kind of her.“

“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.“

“Now El Matatan.

Elevated south of the border food and perhaps Laguna Beach's best burger - thick 8 oz patty with cheese, grilled onions, arugula and bone marrow mayonnaise. now available with a fried egg and bacon on top too.

I ordered it with a second patty for $15 extra and the dark purple Okinawa fries, which were next level - cooked crunchy for the most part, like chips! we ended up sharing the second patty... 12 oz of beef for both of us for less $$ than the 12 oz steak!

After we came the first time, I was CRAVING the Okinawa fries and I told several people about this place. Other friends have tried it and told me how good it was!

insane gluten free churro! wow. dreamy.

convenient location with street and several parking lots right nearby.

their menu is 95% gluten free without any substitutions! they make nearly everything in house. no generic sysco food here!

I am so glad this place opened. back a second time today to have the burger again!

the drinks are great and the prices are amazing! top shelf liquor at well liquor prices!“

“Thea was an amazing server. She recommended the perfect spread for our tapas dinner. We loved every bite she suggested and she truly welcomed us to the area as new residents. Genuinely a fantastic & memorable experience. We felt like good friends upon leaving. Can’t wait to return. 5 stars!“

“SARAH IS THE BEST IS THE WEST. after we got kick out of goodies. bc they thought our nevada id was fake (which btw turned out to be real bc we called the police and they scan it) sarah listened it our sob story even thought she didn’t have to. and everyone was so kind and accommodating. this place is a greatness for a chill vibe, if you’re looking to turn up. it’s not really the spot but to chill and drink and again have a chill cool night it’s totally fine. it would be cooler if they just offer a touch tunes to kinda set the vibe of the people
coming in. but again SARAH WAS THE BEST request her. <3“

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

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

“Building Skills That Last Beyond the Job Working at Snooze A.M. Eatery helps employees develop valuable, transferable skills that extend far beyond the restaurant industry. Team members gain experience in communication, time management, multitasking, and customer service—skills that are useful in virtually any career path. Employees learn how to work effectively under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude and high standards. These experiences help build professionalism and resilience, making Snooze a strong foundation for future opportunities. Additionally, Snooze emphasizes accountability and leadership at every level. Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their responsibilities and support one another as a team. This collaborative environment helps individuals grow as leaders, whether they remain in hospitality or move into other industries. By working at Snooze A.M. Eatery, employees not only earn a paycheck but also gain skills, confidence, and experience that will benefit them long after their time with the company For more articles like this please call Sean Sullivan at (657) 263-6082“

“This restaurant has quickly become one of my top picks! The food is exceptional—each dish is crafted with high-quality ingredients and bursting with flavor. Their drink menu is equally impressive, offering a delightful selection at reasonable prices.​ The staff and new owner are warm and attentive, always ready to offer recommendations and ensure a pleasant dining experience. Adding to the charm, they feature live music that perfectly complements the atmosphere—ideal for both lively dancing and relaxed listening.​ Whether you're looking for a casual night out or a special celebration, this place is a must-visit.“

“Great coffee and breakfast croissants.. enjoyed on their patio 💕“

“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“

“A uniquely delicious experience:
Actually ended up here by accident trying to find dinner at the downstairs tiki pub. Were swept off our feet by an intimate and well tailored japanese fishing/90’s citypop culture vibe, insanely good cocktails and the best sushi I’ve ever had. A bit more expensive, but I’d recommend this over its downstairs neighbor.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Stopped by Goody's Tavern and had a great time. Classic local dive bar vibe with a fun, laid-back crowd and plenty going on depending on the night. The bartenders were friendly and quick, and the drinks were solid without being overpriced.“

“Great spot! View and food were great!!“

“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.“

“Friendly front office receptionist & attentive valet parking attendants. This hotel is beautiful!“