22 Best Cocktail Bars in Irvine

“Feels like you’re in a NY loft bar and privileged to have the only rooftop view of south Orange County. Bartenders are top notch and make you feel welcome. Food is well planned with a cultured menu emphasizing the Asian diversity of the area. I cannot get enough of the calamari and the Spectrum Sunset cocktail. Also, a lovely hostess named Sasha greets you upon arrival which just sets the mood.“

“Very few places are as "on task" as these guys. If you're looking for executable innovation this might be your place.“

“Delicious food friendly staff best pizza and affogato I have ever had. Looking forward to the opening of the Ocean Ranch Restaurant!“

“I was invited to their soft opening and went last night with a few friends. It's a new late night spot with small bites and drinks. Customer service was on point! Ron does an amazing job catering to clientele and providing great hospitality. He is truly interested in making sure customers are happy and open to ideas for any improvements! Drinks were good and strong. We had the Japanese old fashioned and lychee martini. Best part was it was buy one get one free! My favorite food was the wagyu and blue crab hand roll. It was a cool concept, they did a "reverse" hand roll and I especially loved that part because the nori was nice and crispy. Very innovative! Can't wait to return and try more of the menu items. They are going to incorporate bar food in the future and can't wait to see how it comes along. Also, they had good music selection!!!!“

“I love this place…!!! Been coming here for many years…!!! Never disappoints… tasting menu is a must try at least once… you may try it again and again and never get the same thing… but ALWAYS good…!!!“

“Can’t say enough good things about the food at Nep! We started with spicy wontons, perfectly light and crispy calamari, and a shrimp salad with fish sauce dressing. All absolutely outstanding. The pork tomahawk with nuoc cham was cooked to perfection, and the garlic noodles are the best I’ve had since Crustacean. To top it off, the bread pudding is the best I’ve tasted outside of New Orleans (and I’m from New Orleans!). We can’t wait to return.“

“We had a wonderful experience dining here! Our server, Nia, was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the evening even more enjoyable. The portions were generous, and every sandwich we tried was absolutely amazing, full of flavor and beautifully prepared. Highly recommend!“

“Stopped here before my gfs departing flight and it was an amazing experience. The atmosphere was wonderful, the drinks were stiff and reasonably priced, and our bartender (Tucker) was the kindest and most efficient bartender I’ve ever had in my life. From now on, this place will be a mandatory go-to before flying out of SNA.“

“The restaurant also has complimentary bread 🥖 with olive oil.“

“Went to Cozy Pine for date night and we enjoyed it. Really feels like you are in a different place, inside a restaurant. Decor, cocktails and food were all great. Definitively worth stopping in.
Food is mostly “snacky” compared to Bacchus outside. We did not have a reservation and we’re still able to get seated, likely because we arrived early in the evening.“

“The hotel is clean and hygienic. Quiet on vacation. Like🥰🥰“

“Great Food and atmosphere! Mosic was our server and he was awesome. Asked what we were into for both food and cocktails and his recommendations were spot on. The Panama Prescription was divine and I loved the shrimp and grits. My husband had the 12 hour short rib and I can’t tell you which was better. We will be back with friends!“

“Tucked inside the Irvine Marriott, YNK Speakeasy is a cozy, stylish hideaway that feels more like an upscale living room than a bar. I came with five friends to celebrate my birthday, and we ordered just about everything: Smoked Old Fashioned ($21), Cactus Club ($18), Chakai Kyushikis ($27!), Momoe ($27!), Airbuzz ($18), Whiskey Sour ($18), and Smoke & Mirrors ($18). We also grabbed churro bites and a cookie skillet, which were tasty finger food options.

The drinks? Fantastic. Creative, well-balanced, and worth the hype. But with some cocktails priced at $27, the prices are on the steeper side, even for Orange County. That makes YNK a “special occasion” stop, not your regular Friday night spot.

The vibe is intimate, with comfy couches and high-tops, and the staff was warm and welcoming. One even shared that the menu rotates every few months, which is reason enough to return.

✅ Pro tip: Make a reservation for evening hours.
✅ Parking is paid, but the bar validates—bless them.

Overall, I’m thrilled this speakeasy opened, especially after the last one, which was in the backroom of their hotel kitchen, seems to have closed shop. While the price point keeps it from being a regular hangout, it’s perfect for a treat-yourself night. Cheers, YNK—you’re bougie, but I like you.“

“Had a most excellent Italian cappuccino with macadamia nut milk. Espresso was so smooth - just perfect. Thanks for the ❤️ you put into your shop.“

“I believe this is a restaurant run by Koreans. The young waitstaff all speak Korean, and the food is authentic. The key point is that the shops in this mall usually close at 9:00 PM, but they dare to stay open until 1:00 AM, and they are often fully booked. I greatly admire their wisdom and courage, highly recommend it.“

“Great food, highly recommend the fried chicken. Servers are fantastic.“

“Great experience with excellent food! Always good!“

“I ordered the Baja fish tacos and the Watermelon Margarita. The tacos were amazing and the Watermelon Margarita was one of the best I have ever had! 😎“

“Amazing service and food was great!!“

“We went to Habana for dinner when we went to OC to visit family. The place was beautiful and ambience classy. The food and drinks were wonderful! My favorite was the pepper shrimp dish. Absolutely awesome! Also, try the flan — you wouldn’t want to share it even if you were so full from your entree already.“

“Nice place with friendly staff, large bar is you don’t want to be seated.. Order came up fast..“