16 Best Bars in Laguna Beach

“Each dish is spectacular. Love the calamari ….can be an appetizer to share or eat on your own with a salad. 230:Forest Avenue never disappoints!!!“

“Hi from down under (Sydney Australia). We visited Laguna beach in January and loved your town and this venue, plus the brewery down the road. Will definitely be back. Please come and visit us on the northern beaches of Sydney - very similar vibe to LB 🙏“

“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!“

“If you want a unique dining experience this is the place to go. The wait staff and servers they were all on point very attentive I never had to look around to look for anyone if I raised my head somebody was right at my table to find out what I needed or how they could serve me. Awesome awesome experience wonderful food. I will be back!“

“Hi I love it miss this place so much good dancing“

“My friends and I are staying here, and this evening we stepped out for a stroll by the ocean. We were feeling a bit peckish and wanted to make sure we had an interesting evening. We popped into our hotel lobby—and, as it turns out, there was live music playing! That’s right, folks: apparently, they have music here every single day. The atmosphere is actually very pleasant, and the music itself is excellent. We had a truly wonderful time. We weren't hungry, so we didn't order any food; they simply brought us some water while we sat back and enjoyed the music, along with the magnificent view of the ocean from the hotel balcony. I took a video and attached a photo so you could take a look.“

“great NY vibe with good food“

“restaurant worth together🥰🥰“

“The best restaurant with mussels in South Cali. Highly recommend!“

“This place was really good. We had a couple of the pork rice bowls and the portion of the meat was small. However, they ask you for your ID and card before you order (for context we say outside). The server said it was because we sat outside and wanted to avoid runners.
I would suggest maybe getting your customers to pay first if you are worried about that. I’m just a bit hesitant when I had to give my ID and credit card.“

“Every time we come to Laguna we stay at the Casa Del Camino. Rooftop is our first stop always 🥂“

“If you've ever spent time walking around downtown Laguna Beach, you've probably passed Hennessey's Tavern. It's one of those places that's been a staple of the area for years, and every time I stop in, it reminds me why it continues to be one of the most dependable spots in town.

Laguna Beach has its own personality compared to Newport. Things move a little slower, people seem a little more relaxed, and Hennessey's fits that atmosphere perfectly. Whether you're coming in after a day at the beach, grabbing dinner before walking the coastline, or looking for a place to enjoy a few beers with friends, it always feels welcoming.

One thing I've always appreciated is how versatile the place is. During the day it's a great restaurant where you can sit down, enjoy a meal, and actually hear the conversation around your table. As the evening rolls in, the energy picks up without becoming overwhelming. It's lively enough to feel like you're part of Laguna's nightlife while still keeping that laid back beach town charm.

The food has always been consistently good. Whether you're ordering burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, or classic Irish pub favorites, everything comes out fresh and satisfying. It's comfort food done right, and it's the kind of menu where almost anyone can find something they'll enjoy.

The beer selection is another reason I keep coming back. There's nothing complicated about it. Grab a cold pint, find a seat, watch the people walking through downtown Laguna, and enjoy the evening. Sometimes the simplest nights end up being the most memorable.

The bartenders and staff have always been friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Even when the restaurant is busy, they somehow manage to keep everything moving while still making guests feel appreciated. That's something I notice every time I visit.

As the founder of Beerslut, I spend a lot of time exploring bars throughout Orange County, and Hennessey's has always stood out because it doesn't try to be something it isn't. It's an authentic Irish tavern with great food, cold beer, friendly people, and an atmosphere that fits Laguna Beach perfectly.

It's also one of those places that's easy to recommend whether someone is visiting Laguna for the first time or has lived there for years. It appeals to locals, tourists, families during the day, and friends looking to enjoy a few drinks at night. That balance is surprisingly difficult to achieve, and Hennessey's does it exceptionally well.

If you're spending the day in Laguna Beach, make time to stop into Hennessey's Tavern. Grab a beer, order something from the kitchen, enjoy the relaxed coastal atmosphere, and take in one of the friendliest pubs you'll find anywhere along the Orange County coastline.

Five stars from me. It's one of those dependable places that never disappoints and always gives me another reason to come back to Laguna Beach.“

“What a great place to have a meal! A beautuful restaurant with a lovely big patio, delicious food, homemade pasta's and excellent service! We had Lino and he was so personable and checked on us often. We highly recommend the whipped ricotta appetizer and all the food was delicious! We even tryied the Amaro and it was like a sweet desert wine, but great after dinner! Thank you!“

“Great table on the roof, great service, and delicious pork chop. It was disappointing that the rack of lamb was removed from the menu. And the requirement to guarantee to spend $100 a person if I want to guarantee a table on the roof was ridiculous. This isn't Beverly Hills. This left a bad taste in my mouth starting my night. I'm glad we arrived early for our 5:30 pm reservation and had no trouble getting a rooftop table.“

“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.“

“Every first Friday in December, Laguna Beach celebrates Hospitality Night in the downtown LB village along Forest Avenue. We were there with thousands of others boisterously dancing & singing to music provided by talented local bands. We had reservations for our birthday party of twelve at 5:00. Kudos to Alessa for: Jolly smiling hostesses who assured us our table would be ready on time [even though the restaurant was full at 4:45 when we checked in] and it was! After being seated, the restaurant staff unknowingly put on an amazing synchronized service ballet at no extra charge. I was enthralled watching the bussers, food runners, servers, and managers deftly dance their way through the milling crowds on the sidewalk and around the tables tightly packed outside in the tented area without a single misstep/mishap. I gave an extra tip to the gentleman who served us for his incredible tray expertise carrying a dozen drinks and placing them gently in front of us [he remembered every order without asking] never spilling a drop! The "back of the house" wasn't visible to me, but I bet they're equally fantastic since they were probably crushed by the number of dishes to be prepared [and cleaned up afterwards]. The welcoming complementary [in-house baked] endless focaccia bread with a tasty parsley/basil pesto was a classy way to start our meal. Our orders weren't delayed and were served deliciously steaming hot. They even baked the scrumptious crispy prosciutto pizza to well done just as I ordered. Everyone in our party thoroughly enjoyed the appetizers and various pasta dishes which ended up being passed around the table for everyone to taste. Thank you Alessa for providing entertainment, eats, & drinks with skills and smiles.“