50 Best Cocktail Bars near Laguna Hills

“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.“

“Taco Tuesday was the bomb!! 💣 😋 🙌 We had crispy chicken and shredded beef... The service was sweet and friendly ❤️ 🕊 🌮 I will definitely be coming back again! The margarita 🍹 was tasty abd strong. Very happy Franco's! Thank you! 🙏“

“Bonnie was an amazing waitress. The food was amazing. The atmosphere was amazing. The prices were slightly extreme. But the portions were good for the price. We had a lovely celebration for my daughter‘s 18th birthday. The waitress gave her a nice card at the end, with a little sweet treat. Would definitely recommend for a nice dinner to celebrate.“

“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.“

“Really cute vibey restaurant tucked in a quiet corner. Has a very cute patio. The burger we had was EXCELLENT and especially the French fries were both crispy and airy. They were really tasty. This was on the happy hour menu and really cheap.
They also have dj nights and lots of Argentian wine. Very nice, affordable place. Will come again“

“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 ?“

“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.“

“This is the local spot for me and the hubs. Miguel is an excellent bartender, and all of the staff are welcoming, attentive and kind. We usually come for lunch and their happy hour is also great. Also can't miss the tacos from Fonda moderna next door (their sister spot). When we have a drink our kids can play outside on the patio, hit a ping pong, or ride their scooters in the park. Overall a great spot!“

“excellent food atmophere and service!“

“It's worth your while to come and experience it.“

“Amazing steaks, the bone in rib ey and filet mignon for my girl was perfect. Barely talked the food was so good haha. Kyle was so gracious and welcoming , it was our first time here. I rarely give full stars but honestly this place and the staff deserve it. Expectations exceeded. Do your self a favor and stop by 🤙“

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

“This place is adorable. We've been here a few times now. Food is good and drinks are great. I mean who wouldn't like googly eyes on their sandwich bun and coconut drink?!“

“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.“

“Beautiful rooftop establishment. My cousin's employer celebrated her
She turned 50. The view, food ,vibe,service was on point. It gets a little chily so dress warm and bring a jacket. There's a bar too. I'm not a drinker but from what I hear it's worth your money.“

“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“

“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!“

“The is was our second trip to NEP and was as good as the first! Both the shrimp salad app and the squid and mango salad were so well balanced and tasty. The garlic noodles and shaking beef were sooo good. Nothing was too spicy but really flavorful. The shaking beef was so good we ordered another one! The cocktail that night was a raspberry sour and too was perfectly prepared. For a casual restaurant, these guys really put out the effort. Oh, and the sticky rice/mango desert was the topper. Not too sweet and the mango was perfect! Will be back sooner than later. Well done NEP.“

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

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

“A wonderful evening at Todos Santos with my wife. We were greeted by Daniel the owner and chef extraordinare who took us to a very nice table in the outside patio. We started off with drinks which were made by one of our favorite bartenders Jaime! The other bartender of choice is Francisco who had the day off. Kenya was our waiter and was superb, very personable and professional. We each ordered the appetizer salad which were so good. We spoke with Daniel about the fresh fish and decided on the Sea Bass for my wife and I ordered the Salmon and lobster plate. These two dishes were amazing upon presentation and even tastier than they looked lol. I must say since we began dining at Todos Santos from when Daniel took over this place has blossomed this restaurant into the best Mexican cuisine in Orange County. With multiple awards to his credit Daniel has new menu items that he creates regularly and now opens after hours on Tuesdays and Fridays with a DJ and dance floor. On Saturday and Sunday the restaurant serves breakfast from 10 am to 2 pm and the dishes are delicious. Make a reservation and ask for Daniel. Let him know George sent you. Great place, great food and amazing people! Highly recommended“

“Great food! Great vibe! Great time!“

“Great food, especially for the price in Laguna.

This Finneys location is particularly enjoyable, being one of the only 'watering holes' in Laguna, comprised of 30% locals every night.

They have great bar tenders overall, however there is high turnover. You'll be lucky if Kelsie is at the bar to serve you. The group of locals that rack it up 6-7 days a week were extremely disappointed to learn that she is temporarily only working 1 day per week. She contributed greatly to building the community here and its unfortunate that I won't be seeing as many locals as a result.“

“#SuperBowlSundayBrunch 🌷🤙😜🥳😎“

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

“This is my go to place afterwork with my colleagues! We love the food, ambience and to top it off , the owner is a Dodger fan so he always has the game on. They have a great happy hour. I need a place like this closer to home but till then, love coming here.“

“Living in the boonies of San Diego Co has benefits…(no traffic jams)…but few awesome perks…(like Tiki bars!!) Luckily the gods aligned, in Orange Co, and our last stop was the Stowaway. Intriguing, dark-painted, one small door marked the front of a strip-mall establishment… hmmm…sorta scary…but not really!! But there were two of us, and we had researched this place…so… The doorman looked at us, said a few things and unlocked a chain. We walked through curtains into the darkest bar I had ever been in, and shuffled toward the green lit bar…which turned red, then blue. The girl bartender handed us a card which we couldn’t read…it was really dark inside. From the shadows, up walked a bearded guy wearing a black shirt with hibiscus’s, smiled, extended his hand and said, “Hi, I’m “WILL”…can I explain anything to you? We had lots of questions…about drinks, Tiki ceramics, glassware, appetizers…and WILL cheerfully explained everything…He was fun, cheery, smart, and So Nice!! He brought us amazing drinks (a Tropical Margarita, a Cococano and totally fun ceramic sculptures from which to drink…an Angler Zombie Fish with a light, and Carved Volcano mug that had a flame show-by WILL, included!! Awesome!!) Totally wonderful décor…lights, bamboo furniture, comfy stools, the Skull Cave and waterfall, starry night ceiling, cool pool tables with lotsa room around them…everything thought through perfectly!!! We are definitely going back…VERY soon!!!! Thanks so much for everything, WILL!!“

“Phenomenal food and creative, cocktails and mocktails. We got drinks at the bar because we arrived early for our reservation. The bar was super lively, though a bit loud.  For dinner, we were seated at a table overlooking the surf. Such a stunning setting. We had absolutely amazing service from Nicole & Richard. Absolutely everything we were served from the drinks & popcorn in the bar, to our appetizers, mains, and dessert in the restaurant was absolutely phenomenal.“

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

“This place blew me away. First you are greeted with free valet parking. Next you see the stunning views of the luscious green mountains overhead. The staff are wonderful, very professional and greeting you by your last name. The texture of the menu is the best I have ever felt. The food is fantastic too, large portions and high quality. Be sure to walk around and enjoy the views after eating.“

“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.“

“We got the out of sight out or mind or someone had a late night, service. Our server was nice but not really present. Sat outside and there were 3 other tables that were already eating. Not busy, but took 15+ min to get a menu and another 20 min to order. The food was great & will give it another try.“

“Delicious and very nice set of menu“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“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.“

“Tango is an incredible atmosphere, gorgeous design, thoughtful, with an attentive service team, and the food is phenomenal by the way. If this European tapas restaurant and bar was anywhere else, there would be a line at the door, so if you are anywhere near Laguna Beach or Orange County, you should make the trip down. It’s worth every penny. Heart and stomach is full. I recommend Tango Laguna to anyone that ventures near the area.“

“Love going to Morena‘s for lunch and brunch. The food is as good as any I’ve had in Southern California and the service is better than most places. Prices are acceptable. If you want a real experience go for brunch the staff is so friendly and warm. It’s hard to come away with a bad experience“

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

“A strip mall bar, that is exactly what it should be. Locals at the bar, cheap drinks and a jukebox playing. Will return for the drink prices alone and I'll stay for the good vibes.
Also the beer selection was excellent. Just good ol' reliable classics. Not a whole lot for the beer nerds but this isn't really that kinda place.“

“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.“

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

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

“Omg! One of the best hand roll spots. My boyfriend and I were craving hand rolls after our San Diego trip and stumbled upon this place.

It's a cute small restaurant bar seating only in a U shape so be prepared for a wait but it's worth it!

Amazing customer service, shout out to (maybe the manager?) I asked if we can take our drink to go and she filled the to go cup partially to make sure we had a full cup to go.

The rolls were amazing, amazing flavors, everything was fresh. The uni toro roll was definitely my favorite. The uni was so delicious, and melts in your mouth.

The only downside if I had to give one is they don't substitute or make modifications based on allergies. I had said I was allergic to shiitake mushrooms because one of the rolls in the high roller set had it, but they can't modify. I still did the high roller and just took out the shiitakes. Other than that everything was great.“

“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 food and drinks. A locals favorite. 😍“

“Spicy chicken feet is at the right level of spiciness. They don’t have boneless option, so you have to do your work. And if you decided to order spicy chicken feet, order with diy rice ball. Not because it’s fiery hot, but the portion of one order is def not enough for two people. So if you are hungry, combo menu will be the best. Me and my friend got combo A, and we got enough of various dishes ( chicken feet+diy rice ball+steamed egg+fried chicken). Also this place didn’t seemed to be overly busy even in the Friday night. No need for reservation.“

“We ordered the Kalbi Starter Set and it was honestly the perfect portion. It’s $59 per person and comes with two signature cuts — the 48-hour aged center-cut kalbi was super tender and flavorful, and the American Wagyu brisket was rich but balanced. Everything is cooked tableside, which makes the experience feel elevated and stress-free.

The quality of the meat really stands out, and the shaken kimchi and sides made the meal even better. The space is modern, not overly smoky, and great for a date night or dinner with friends at the Spectrum.

Solid food, great vibes, and definitely worth coming back for.“