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!“

“Me and my girlfriend love this place, all the staff and waiters are super nice and friendly, and that's not even begging to say how good the food is, best rolls i have ever tried. AND amazing prices. Amazing presentation and the look of all the meals. love love love this spot and recommend to everyone.“

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

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

“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!!!“

“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!!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

“Great dive bar. Pool and darts“

“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.“

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

“It’s a great place to have a beer.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“pasta , lasagna very friendly polite and helpful waiter“

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

“great NY vibe with good food“

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

“restaurant worth together🥰🥰“

“Marcia & my friend Carol went Wednesday night for our first time. We had the best time. A great dinner & drinks due to our server Lazz. The ambiance was great & a beautiful view. We were treated like family by Lazz. And We will definitely go back because of him! We can’t wait to go out with our friends & family to share this amazing experience.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Had a really good experience at GU Ramen Taps & Tapas recently. The ramen was flavorful, the tapas were perfect for sharing, and the drinks selection was solid too. We went during happy hour and the atmosphere was super fun and relaxed, definitely a place we’ll be coming back to.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Seen this place for years and never stopped in. Been several times over the last year or so and it’s much more lively than you’d be lead to believe by appearances.

Happy hour is a great deal. Dog friendly patio is a plus but tight so leave the yappy dogs at home.

Had a number of different servers/assistants and they’ve all been super lovely.

Food is very consistent and delicious. Just has that good, locally owned je ne sais quoi.

Good lil haunt & will be frequenting“

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

“Great food, and awesome service!“

“Hi I dined here earlier today in the afternoon, Megan was my waitress she was very attentive, friendly, everything was great, I ordered their fish & chips, salmon with mashed potatoes, broccoli & carrots with iced water, my food was delicious, nice atmosphere it’s been a while since I’ve been to Hennessey’s Tavern since I usually go to the location in Seal Beach on Main Street. Nice service too.“

“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.“

“Celebrated our 11th anniversary here and it was perfect. Zack the host took great care of us right from the start. When we were about to sit down, someone tried to step in and grab our table, but Zack held it for us and seated us at the best spot on the rooftop. We really appreciated how attentive he was.

Greg and Lisa were our servers, and they were both so kind and genuine throughout the evening. My wife and I were enjoying a rare weekend away from the kids, and the three of them made our night feel truly special. The food was excellent and the rooftop setting in Laguna is beautiful.“

“Great place for 1/2 price taco Tuesdays“

“Stopped by Yard House for a cold beer after a warm Southern California afternoon, and it turned out to be the perfect place to unwind. Known for having one of the largest draft beer selections in the U.S., the restaurant features an impressive wall of taps with hundreds of beers ranging from local craft brews to international favourites.

With so many choices on the menu, I decided to go for the Sullivan’s Maltings Irish Red Ale. It had a beautiful deep amber-red colour with a balanced profile - slightly hoppy, malty, and very easy to drink. A refreshing choice that paired perfectly with the lively atmosphere.

What really stands out at Yard House is the vibe. The long bar lined with endless beer taps, multiple big-screen TVs showing live sports, and the energetic crowd create a casual and fun environment. Whether you’re catching a game, meeting friends, or simply enjoying a drink after work, it’s an easy place to spend a few hours.

And for the truly thirsty beer lovers, there is always the legendary Half Yard option - a giant yard-long glass that makes the experience even more memorable. I was happy with my Irish Red this time, but perhaps the next visit will be the day I take on the whole yard! 🍺🍻“

“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.“

“Although staffing can be sparse from time to time, everyone is friendly, eager to make the experience a pleasant one, and focused on providing a quality meal . A real treasure for those of us fortunate enough to live in Nellie Gail Ranch !“