50 Best Bars near Lake Forest

“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 !!!“

“This is a great new place. The owner is very nice. You can reserve tables. They have live music playing on Fridays and Saturdays and videos on the screen in between. I had a great flatbread. I will be returning to check this place out again.“

“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 😎“

“Absolutely wonderful food and service. Never fails!“

“Super delicious, great big portions, affordable and authentic. The folks running this are Japanese, super friendly and accommodating, and super quick and efficient too. Everything was delicious, we had the California spicy roll, king tiger, Philadelphia roll, and an eel dish. I will 100% be back to bring them business, this is now my go-to sushi restaurant in Irvine forever.“

“Well Julie & I Love Dance Together At Bigshots Billiards. My Favorite Food Is A Cheese Pizza & Julie Loves Salad.“

“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!!!“

“Cooks is a staple in the biker community of So Cal. The food is awesome and beer is cold… Almost always live music too.“

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

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

“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!!“

“The bartender Jaqueline was phenomenal!

Tuesday night, the place was moderately packed and she single handedly served the entire place both behind the bar, in the dining room with the best food service and was the quickest most efficient lone server on the planet. She absolutely blew me away!!!! Thank you Jacqueline, we had a blast and great games with plenty of TV screens everywhere too!“

“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.“

“Friday night Prime Rib is the best you’ll ever have...“

“Great place love going there !“

“Great little place to have a quick drink or spend a Friday or Saturday night. They have multiple TV sets for watching the game,two pool tables and an old school shuffle board .the place is clean and even they bathrooms were kept clean and fresh.The bartender was a beautiful young woman with an affectionate smile and was busy and still made sure to c g neck on her customers and make sure they were good.i would recommend this spot over any other in the Tustin area come down to nite it's always funn“

“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!“

“Great dive bar. Pool and darts“

“I went here with friends and had a great time. The service was great, the bar tender was extremely friendly and welcoming. The regulars welcomed is to sit with them and made us feel like we had known them for years. It is a great place with good people.“

“I sometimes stop by this bar after work — either to grab a drink or have dinner after picking up groceries. Great atmosphere, wide selection of drinks, and it’s very convenient being right inside the same building. Always a nice spot to relax for a bit.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“It’s a great place to have a beer.“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“Great service, great food!!👏“

“pasta , lasagna very friendly polite and helpful waiter“

“great NY vibe with good food“

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

“Un lugar muy lindo y muy bien atendiendo y con mucha diversión se los recomiendo“

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

“WE had a 70th birthday brunch with 6 of us and it was a lovely luncheon. The weed-wacker made it hard to hear for a while, but the ambiance and beautiful views made it worthwhile. The service was a bit slow but the food was delish and everyone found something different to try. We were seated right upon arrival and I think we all decided we'd go back again with our families!“

“The food isn’t as wonderful as it use to be but it’s still very good. I’m sure they are doing the best they can under the circumstances!“

“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.“

“restaurant worth together🥰🥰“

“GREAT food! Some of the best ramen I've had.
Vegetarian and vegan options - if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions definitely let them know when you're ordering so they can accommodate. One of the included ramen toppings is narutomaki (fish cake) even if you get the vegetarian/vegan broth; so if you tell them what you can/can't have when you order they can relay it to the kitchen :) . The service is great and everyone is friendly and happy to help! It's a busy, cute, place but the bar seating is comfortable and they are quick to get you taken care of.
Shoutout to their yummy matcha ice cream cone as well <3“

“Came Up To Work In The Area Today To Repair Some Horse Trailers And I Was Told By A Local Resident James Lacono Megan Coltrane And A Couple Of Others. What an Amazing Place. The atmosphere was incredible the outside seating area look very relaxing. It was busy when I was there so I chose to sit inside nice tables lots of TVs. The staff was amazing and the owner was a very nice lady. I apologize. I forgot her name but she thanked me and it was just a great time. I will definitely be back.“

“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.“

“We had brisket 7oz and it was delicious! love the rolls and peanut coleslaw. Our waitress checked with us frequently and provided excellent service. Thank you!“

“Great food, great service, and great entertainment, especially the sax and guitar duo (Dave Rivera and Saxophone ONE)!“

“Service was great! We tried the calamari and did not care for it. We never asked but the waitress removed it from our bill! She was a wonderful waitress! We also tried the spinach dip and the firecracker shrip and it was okay. I would try something else in the future. For my main course I got the pork chop. It was perfectly cooked. The veggies that were served with it were delicious. I would definitely recommend this dish!“

“Wonderful place to go to celebrate! We thoroughly enjoyed our special day here celebrating my mom's birthday
The service and food was excellent. I recommend the house salad, very fresh and delicious. I also had a chicken tostada, also yummy. They even sang happy Birthday to my mom. Exceptional service.“

“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.“

“Love this place! Great burgers and fantastic cocktails. The best part about Eureka is the staff!!!“

“Always past this spot when visiting Laguna Beach. Driving for over 5 hours I was craving for a burger. Bouncer was cool and a vibe so we knew it was going down inside. Juanita was busy but took time to let us know we can sit anywhere. Immediately after we sat down Juanita smiling and making sure the table was clean and even pulled chairs over so we can have the room we need. U wanted Don Julio repasado. Only had 1942. Lowkey wish they had other Don options and more tequila options in general, very limited. However ordered Casamigos with soda water and 2 splashes of pineapple juice. Both drinks was made to perfection. Typically my order is pretty straightforward but often get too much soda water or to little pineapple juice. This was just what I needed. Ordered Irishman burger, onion rings, and extra plate. Food came out and Juanita executed with burger and fries split. Food was great, atmosphere had great energy with smiles ,laughter and a live band. Even got graced with Santa. Definitely will be back.“