50 Best Bars near Laguna Niguel

“Shannon is a sweet & smiling server who made my visit for a quick drink special.“

“This spot is a hidden gem inside Whole Foods. As a carnivore, I highly recommend their steak and eggs for when they offer breakfast, and the steak and frites for lunch. You really can’t go wrong with any of their food though. They have lots of good beer choices, and it’s a nice and clean ambiance inside.“

“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!“

“I absolutely love The Bistro K. They have the best staff who have been there a while and the owner and her family are the best! A great breakfast menu makes it a perfect place to start the day. The lunch & dinner menu will keep you coming back. They have a long history in the restaurant business and it shows in every meal. It was a real pleasure to see Tony there when we were there in April. Very sorry we missed Katia- such a wonder host and just a delight to meet.

You can’t beat the prices either. I wanted to order everything on the menu!

So much fun to watch customers come in and be greeted as old friends and family. Everyone has a table at The Bistro K ❤️

5 stars all the way.“

“Really enjoyed the hospitality and ambiance at Salt Creek Wine Company. Sean took great care of our group and besides serving us great wines, took the time to share his knowledge and thoughts. There are so many events and clubs going on here regularly, and I'm excited to come back and participate. This is everything I enjoy in a great local business. Thanks for making Laguna Niguel a great spot to live.“

“Seats are comfy and theater is large so it can accommodate a lot of people. Large parking area.“

“Thank you El Cortez for putting together an amazing dinner to go. The chili Verde was amazing as well as all the other items we ordered.“

“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!!!“

“Awesome little local beer bar. Modest, but great selection of beer. I always felt a friendly welcome every time I go in. Christian, who owns the place is great, and always recommends good choices for whatever your palate is feeling. My favorite place for beer in town!“

“We were visiting from Scotland, having previously lived in NYC for many years, and were desperate for a nice Italian meal like we used to get when we lived in the States. We could not have been more impressed with the food and the service, and made sure we got a second visit in before we returned to Scotland - I just wish we could have gone back a third time… and fourth !!!! Highly recommend !!!“

“Intimate 50 guest pub w exceptional appetizers and entrées at reasonable prices..“

“Fantastic atmosphere. Felt like sitting in the hull of a pirate ship. Best selection of rums I've ever seen (more than 100). All that and surprisingly reasonable prices on expertly crafted drinks!“

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

“This building was just your average bar, but the service and clientele were phenomenal!! I was in town visiting my son at Camp Pendleton for Thanksgiving. Jess didn't just give suggestions of a place to try and get reservations for Thanksgiving dinner, she called, got reservations set up, and made it happen for us. I instantly felt at home and made life long friends.“

“A great cowboy dive bar! Its been in SJC for years! Local party spot mostly mature folks who still like to kick it up and country dance. A few 30yo’s! Great bands! Generous pours! Come On Down!! Security are young Marines 😉🥰 and the
Manager was a Gunny 😎“

“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.“

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

“Great selection of beers and wines, and I love that they have both wine and beer on tap. The sandwiches and breakfast burritos are really good too! The people working here are very knowledgeable about beers and wines, they always have a recommendation. I’ve been coming here for over 10 years, highly recommend.“

“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.“

“One of the last great dive bars in the US with a great selection of local craft beers on tap. Awesome bartenders, great live music and an amazing hidden wine store and lounge in the back.“

“Such a great spot in Laguna Beach! The Marine Room Tavern has the perfect mix of laid-back coastal vibes and elevated comfort. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the service is genuinely friendly, and the drinks are always on point. Whether you’re stopping in for a casual bite or settling in for a relaxed evening with friends, it just feels like one of those places you want to come back to. Bonus points for the location and people-watching—Laguna at its best. Highly recommend!“

“Outrigger Tavern is a classic San Clemente spot. Great drinks, friendly bartenders, and a laid-back local vibe that makes you feel right at home. Perfect place to unwind, catch a game, or hang out with friends without any fuss. Always a good time and a place I’m happy to come back to.“

“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 ?“

“A great place to hangout with friends or the family. Friendly, fun and professional staff. Bar, BBQ Grills, Games, Gym, Lounge, Pool and more. Play some bocce ball, bbq, a friendly game of air hockey or skee-ball. Enjoy a glass of wie, cocktail or a beer from Left Coast Brewing. Indulge in a serving of Blonde Marvel or Trestles IPA. Karaoke was just added to the first Friday of the month events. Great food trucks on the first Friday of each month too. Jog, Walk, Drive or Golf Cart over for a great relaxing and recharging experience.“

“Great place to play and party.“

“Momoku No Usagi in San Clemente is one of those places you can’t wait to tell friends about. The sushi is fresh, beautiful, and seriously delicious, the cocktails are well crafted and addictive, and the team makes you feel instantly welcome. Its cozy “speakeasushi” vibe makes it perfect for casual nights or special celebrations.“

“We had the best experience with Sadie at the Montage! She was so sweet, attentive, and honestly made us feel so comfortable the entire time. You can tell she genuinely cares about her guests because she went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. Her recommendations were spot on, and she was super friendly without ever being pushy. Thanks to her, our time here felt extra special.“

“We ate Sombra Cantina a few times while we were at the Waldorf Astoria. It is an excellent poolside bar and restaurant. I really enjoyed being able to order food and drinks while hanging out at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria pool! The service was great and so was the food! We ordered the Chicken Flautas and the Sombra Nachos. The nacho plate was huge! I highly recommend eating at Sombra Cantina if you are staying at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach!“

“Sean the bartender here makes this place really shine. He's super friendly and knowledgeable about the beer and wine. The selections are top notch and the food options are varied enough that you could try something new before hitting a repeat. Such a great spot to chill after work, can't wait for another visit!

Parking: No problems with parking, there is plenty.“

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

“Been coming to Rush for years! I love it here and it feels like family. The wings are amazing and I’ve brought my son in here a couple times for lunch and he loved it. The karaoke on Tuesdays and Wednesday is awesome 😎“

“This is my favorite bar!! I’ve been coming here every week for over a year and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. I live for karaoke Tuesdays with G and the buy one get one free burgers. The fries here are my favorite ever, and these burgers are absolutely 🧑🏼‍🍳💋😍. The chicken tenders are incredible, the sausage rolls, the churro waffle sundae, fries sampler, everything I’ve tried here is incredible and I’ve never been disappointed. I’m very picky but according to my friends their roasted brussels sprouts and cauliflower is great too. Their December burger of the month is a must-try, I literally have dreams about it. Vivi is an incredible bartender, I am a lemonade snob and the Hennessey house-made lemonade with Tito’s is my all-time favorite. The margaritas are also great. I highly recommend this place. Good food, good vibes.“

“Stopped in for lunch at the bar inside Whole Foods Market in Irvine and had a much better experience than I ever expected. This isn’t just a typical grocery store café—this is a legit spot for a quality meal and cold draft beer.

We ordered two bacon cheeseburgers and were impressed across the board. The burgers were cooked just right, with thick slices of bacon, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, and perfectly melted cheese stacked inside a soft, glossy bun. The presentation was great—each burger served on a metal tray lined with custom Whole Foods wrap paper, paired with a mini fryer basket of hot, crispy fries and a stainless ramekin of ketchup. The fries were golden and fresh, with just the right amount of salt and a great texture.

There’s something satisfying about sitting at a clean, well-lit bar with natural light pouring through the windows and a long row of taps behind the counter. The beer selection here is impressive, especially for being inside a market. A wide range of local and craft brews on draft gave us plenty of choices. The pours were cold, crisp, and served in proper pint glasses with just the right head.

The bartender was courteous, quick, and knowledgeable—not just about the beer but also about the menu. Service felt personal and attentive without being overbearing. You can tell they care about maintaining quality here, and it showed in both the food and the way the staff treated us.

All around, this is a great place to sit down for a relaxing lunch or early dinner. Plenty of parking right outside, and you can grab groceries afterward if you need to. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area and want something casual but done right. Would absolutely return.“

“Had a nice evening at Dominicos on the lake this evening. My wife and I had reservations and were fortunate to ask Kory for a patio table which he accommodated. Michael took us to our table and was very kind and professional. Pedro came by with our bread and water and said hello. He is one of the hardest working individuals at the restaurant. Eddie our server came by and took our orders with a bottle of Austin Hope and bread to start. My wife ordered a chicken breast salad and I had the chef's special stroganoff which was amazing. Unfortunately my wife's salad came out 30 minutes after my stroganoff which was a cardinal sin in the restaurant business and we mentioned it was not acceptable. Eddie apologized and we also had Steven, the GM, come by and also apologize and ensure the salad would be out shortly. The salad was delivered, of course after I ate my entree and Steven dropped off and apologetic gift certificate for an appetizer during our next visit. We also ordered an additional beef stroganoff plus an order of meatballs to take home for tomorrow. We undertake things happen and it's certainly nice to see the restaurants busy again but a party of two receiving their entrees 30 minutes apart is not conducive with quality service. I am guessing the chef either misplaced the order or overlooked the obvious and we hope next time we will not have such issues as the restaurant is very good and in a fantastic location. Michael also came back around and stated he was concerned about this mishap and would look into this. As a retired government administrator and former restaurant manager in my college days I expect the simple things like entrees being delivered at the same time to be in sync with quality service and dining. We will be back and see if in fact this was an isolated incident. Good food and ambiance plus. As a writer for Trip Advisor, Yelp and Google I am graceful in my comments and specific in areas needed improvement. Thanks you.“

“Food is excellent, pool games are legit. Good times by all“

“The food was so delicious.“

“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“

“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!“

“I visited my brother who lives locally. He took me and our other brother here because he loves this place and goes frequently. Being a wine lover, he let me pick our dinner wine. Came across an O’Shaughnessy Cabernet and had to stop right there. I know the product, had the pleasure of drinking this with Luke Russ when he did a wine dinner in northern Illinois a few years back. The owner saw the bottle on our table and introduced himself to us and we talked about Luke. Great moment. Fabulous food! Asparagus fries, halibut, deviled eggs, butter cake…. It was all fabulous! Look forward to returning!“

“Super great food and staff! Our waitress was awesome and the food had great flavor. The fried pickles were perfect. The brisket sandwich had some great flavor combinations! Would absolutely recommend to anyone! The frozen huckleberry lemonade is a must try and the Pineapple Express martini is as well. Love it“

“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!“

“Great service, great food!!👏“

“pasta , lasagna very friendly polite and helpful waiter“

“Was recommended by a friend to check this place out on our trip in California. We got there when they opened, so we were served immediately. Our waiters were super friendly and made sure we were well taken care of. Wish they had a little bigger of a menu selection, but the food is amazing regardless!“

“Absolutely wonderful food and service. Never fails!“

“great NY vibe with good food“

“Excellent experience! Excellent food! Excellent service! Fantastic little owner owned/operated Northern Italian cuisine restaurant. We will return!“

“Amazing venue, Great beers and pizza! A must do if you are in the area!“

“Great late night bar, live music inside, good drinks and cool outside venue.

Lots of friendly people and they have two seperate bars in one. Inside venue for music and a LARGE outdoor patio for kicking with friends.

Service is good, but they could use another bartender on staff for Friday and Saturday nights“