38 Best Bars near San Juan Capistrano

“Walking through the streets of San Jan Capestrano we stopped for a drink in this place. From the outside it looked like a normal pub, but once inside we found ourselves immersed in a sea of ​​memorabilia. Having been there in the afternoon, we only drank, but there is also live music and dancing. If you pass by, also stop for a drink because it's worth it. Friendly staff.“

“First visit, I had the “special” (see photo) smash burger. Really good deal, only $6, instead of the normal price of $17.25.
Outdoor seating on the street side, was nice, friendly server did a very good job.
Irish Nachos was good, served on a hot plate.
Double patty “smash” burger was good, my only complaint was it really wasn’t a smash burger, because it didn’t have the normally tasty crispy edges.
Plate served hot, good fries with very good ranch style dip.
The best parking is a paid lot to the rear of the restaurant. But the walk to the restaurant is difficult, especially for a mobility challenged person, due to the steepness of the alleyway.
Recommended, we will be back.“

“We had a stellar experience at Don Juan Mexican Kitchen! The service was perfect; very friendly and accommodating without being intrusive, and food and drinks were served in a very timely manner. The food was absolutely delicious. Our party of four started with the crispy pork belly bites, which I think were the best I've ever had. Our daughter had the Ensenada salad with shrimp. It looked very fresh and beautiful, with the largest shrimp I have seen in a long time. She really enjoyed it. The rest of us had a variety of tacos, and they were all exceptionally good. The drinks were expertly made with very fresh ingredients and were beautifully presented. We were celebrating my husband's birthday, and they brought out a dish of ice cream with the best fresh-made and hot churros that I've had. All in all, I would give them a 10 out of 10 and look forward to returning.“

“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!!!“

“Went there for Oktoberfest. Nice friendly staff, great beers.. Had a bratwurst next door at a popup. The sitting area is next to a tiny dog park so I was able to run my dog while having a beer.
Nice location, park in the strip mall next door or on the street“

“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!“

“Oh goodness. Why did it take us over a year to find out about this place??

First: you can either park along el Camino or parking is along Avenida De La Estrella located right above restaurant. There is a stairwell that brings you right down to it.

Be sure to go on Tuesday… taco Tuesday… where they have a phenomenal/affordable menu! Honestly the best shrimp taco I have ever had. I’m just sorry I filled up on chips.

They are only opened for lunch on the weekend.

The best part… PET FRIENDLY PATIO!!!!

Update: Doug and I have gotten to know our waitress amber. Bless her.. she waits on the whole outside and she hustles. Food and spirits all so good. Thanks Amber for always remembering 2 ice cubes and being an outstanding server.“

“OC Local Taproom is a great place for fabulous beer (more than 55 taps), wine and craft cocktails. The food is also fantastic. The best staff of any place we’ve been, with plenty of TVs for gem time and games for the kids. This is our go-to place. Highly recommend.“

“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 small wine and deli boutique is located in a small strip just behind a gas station. Limited parking but there is handicap parking.They have metal tables outside the door for relaxing and consuming your meal.The door is covered with signage and rules but don't let that deter you from entering the establishment.The inside drink and wine area is clean and well-stocked. The organization of the products was great.  As I walked to the back, to my right was a wine tasting bar and to my left was a pretty nice deli. The young lady at the cash register greeted me upon entering.  When I walked to the back of this quaint deli/wine store I came to a cooler well stocked with local and imported drinks of all kinds. It's not just a wine bar. It's not just a deli. It's an experience.They had many sandwiches to choose from but I chose the sausage breakfast burrito. It was recommended by the clerk that I get some green sauce with it and she was right. The burrito was pretty big and crafted with care. With each bite, I had a taste of the eggs, sausage, cheese, and hashbrowns. Many burritos I encounter are just thrown together and rolled up where you get a different burrito in each bite. You could see the care even in the wrapping and cutting in half for easier consumption.The size of the burrito:The burrito is about as round as a Starbucks Venti cold cup and the length of a Venti Starbucks plastic straw. The breakfast burrito was cut in half for easier consumption.It took about five minutes for the burrito to be ready for me to take it to go. Total was $10.76 with tax as of 1/7/24 and was worth it.It was a lot of fun browsing the cold fridge drinks and entertaining myself with their clever names while I waited for my meal.I definitely recommend this secret wonder if you're ever in the Aliso Viejo, Ca area.“

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

“Always enjoy staying at the Waldorf Astoria. Nice escape, great location, attentive staff. Perfect getaway.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Lisa Lisa Lisa!!! She simply makes you feel like you're the only one in the bar. The ambiance is amazing while you have a beautiful breeze coming through the outdoor patio area (that's my favorite part of the bar). There's billiards and a super fun lovely community that calls this place their local bar! Lisa knows what she's doing and her customer service speaks for itself. If you're in San clemente and looking for the locals' bar, Outrigger tavern is where to go

Parking: Plenty of space to park

Wheelchair accessibility: Definitely wheel chair accessible“

“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.“

“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 ?“

“Marine room is a staple in Laguna. It can be wonderful and also for the ladies. Sometimes the men there are VERY aggressive. Nothing Marine Room can do about that, just something to know. Most of the time they have a great band. Drinks are fairly priced“

“Nice little speakeasy. The entrance is unique and we loved the decor and vibe. The service was standard and the drinks & sushi were good but nothing to blow you away. Recommend they change to paper menus! The phone menu was hard to read and it took away from the ambiance they're trying to create.“

“Great place to play and party.“

“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“

“Stopped in on a Friday night. They had a live band, beautiful bartender that made great drinks, and a great atmosphere. My lady and I had a great time. Highly recommend you stop in and check it out for yourself. We will be back!“

“I thought that I had experienced hospitality prior to my stay at the Montage and my drinks at the Lobby Lounge. I was mistaken. I have felt more loved and at home at the Montage, and Lobby Lounge, than I have in my entire life. The staff here is the absolute best in the world, bar none. The level at which this staff operates is truly a blessing to be able to behold. Everyone was the absolute pinnacle of service, however, Sadie and Kris went above and beyond my wildest expectations. The warmth and hospitality that these employees provided was something I didn't even know existed in this world. I just got back from St. John a week ago, and that didn't have a damn thing on the staff here. This is the best bar in the world, with the best staff in the world, with the most lovingly crafter cocktails and conversation in the world. Bar none. I will frequent this establishment until the day I die. I'm personally agnostic, but GOD BLESS the staff at the Lobby Lounge and the entire staff of the Montage. Changed my life.“

“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.“

“We have had the pleasure of dining at Hanna's for decades now. Every meal has been memorable for excellence in cuisine, service, and gracious hospitality. Their wine dinners are superlative. We've enjoyed several paired wine dinners with them over the years and they've always been amazing. Tonight's Caymus dinner with Mr. Wagner was especially fantastic. FINE dining indeed...“

“Don't sleep on JDs!!!! We booked JDs rooftop for our wedding after party and it was one of the best decisions of the entire weekend. Justin was so cool, easy going, straightforward, and helpful. You can bring in your own outside food or order pizza from Gibronis downstairs, OR Justin will connect you to a preferred vendor that works JDs all the time. Our guests had a blast and we ended the night downstairs in the bar with the live DJ dancing the night away. Bonus points for the private bouncer Justin provided for our group who helped me put a bandaid on my finger (had a little too much fun.) 10/10 would do it all over again. Can't wait to go again when we visit San Clemente next!“

“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!“

“Great location in San Clemente for delicious food and great service. I recommend the brussel sprouts! Yum.

Parking: There is a free parking lot just around the corner that had plenty of spots, but I imagine on weekends it's probably harder to find parking.“

“great NY vibe with good food“

“I hosted my 10 year high school reunion at Goody’s and can’t say enough good things about the experience! The manager Erika was BEYOND helpful every step of the way from figuring out logistics to even lending a hand with decor. It was so special to host the event in our hometown and Goody’s made it even better. Thank you Erika and team for the best night!“

“Matt, Michelle, and sons have been winning over the hearts of many locals and travelers like my wife and I for ten years. The ambiance and beautifully designed facilities boasts a spacious interior and exterior accommodations for cozy couples to larger groups. An amazing and diverse menu with a great wine, beer, and craft cocktails selection can exceed even the most particular palate. Personal recommendations include the prime rib or tomahawk steak champagne brunch or the terrific eggs Benedict. The chicken and waffles also became a fan favorite. The burgers are scrumptious and the fish is phenomenal. The steaks and... okay, everything is worth a try. (Don't forget to try some of their own homemade salsa with the appropriate menu items. They have many other homemade products available so give them a try). Just when you thought it couldn't get better. Matt has an outdoor extension project in progress that will accommodate additional bar, dining and music venue. This is hands down my favorite restaurant in California. Hoping that it becomes yours too! Cheers“

“Rafael the bartender was very gracious to surprise is with this delicious dessert for our anniversary. He made us a delicious liquor, coffe drink called Callejito yummy. The appetizers were tasty. We had the octopus in lentil curry sauce and the grilled artichoke. Very tasty. We will be back in 2 week.“

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

“I stumbled upon this delightful Italian restaurant while visiting the area, and I’m so glad I did! It can be a challenge to find a truly great Italian spot in the Valley or I.E., but this place exceeded my expectations. From the moment I walked in, the service was outstanding. The maître d, manager, head waiter (all in one)—was attentive and engaging, checking in on us throughout our meal. It felt more like a warm, family-run establishment than a typical restaurant, with staff and regular patrons sharing hugs and laughter.
The complimentary salsa served with the bread was an interesting twist—I appreciated the cucumber base, but being a traditionalist, I usually prefer simply good olive oil and balsamic vinegar. At first, I thought it was pesto, but it had a unique flavor that prompted us to inquire about its ingredients.
While the food was delicious, I did feel that the portions could have been a bit larger for the price, and the salsa accompaniment with the calamari didn’t quite hit the mark for me. However, the true star of the meal was the sauce—it was absolutely fantastic, with no complaints whatsoever.
Overall, I had a lovely experience with great service, a warm ambiance, and delicious food. I would definitely recommend giving this place a try if you’re in town!“

“I ordered the ramen tofu because there normal ramen was a combination of tonkotsu broth with pork and chicken.
Since I don't eat pork, it had to be the tofu one, which is really sad for me. I was expecting them to add chicken to it, but they couldn't, so I had to order a chicken lolipop on the side, which was actually pretty good.
So if you don't like/eat pork it's gonna be hard for you in there but otherwise the ramen tofu was good but I didn't want to eat tofu because I don’t like it but chicken but like I said I had no choice but to order it.“