Orange County is the third most populous county in all of California and the sixth most populated in all of the United States with just over three million residents. It spans a number of diverse communities, from the retired artists in Laguna Niguel to the amusement parks and professional sports stadiums of Anaheim to the incredibly wealthy of Newport Beach. In other words, the numerous different cities within it will undoubtedly yield some excellent bars. Below are the 16 Best Bars in Orange County, helping to shape how the locals in this coveted area of Southern California have a good time.
Source: wikimedia.org
An incredible wine list, good small plates and a relaxed atmosphere in the Fullerton area make Vino Nostra the best wine bar in the OC, despite some very steep competition in all the surrounding communities.
Vino Nostra
123 E Commonwealth Ave
Fullerton, CA 92832
Arguably the best brewery in all of Orange County, which is a coveted title, is Valiant, who serves their finest in their brewery along the Santa Ana River. The beer selection is so good that beer snobs from counties and states away will travel to try it and the food is pretty solid as well.
Valiant Brewing Company
2294 N Batavia St
Orange, CA 92865
Popular amongst the fire and police crowds, Posse Bar is ideal for watching a game or just getting a real sense of the local Westminster community.
The Posse Bar
13093 Springdale St
Westminster, CA 92683
If you like whiskey, tatts and no BS, Huntington Beach’s Johnny’s Saloon is your heaven. Here the drinks and the scene will make every second in this dive bar worth it.
Johnny’s Saloon
17428 Beach Blvd
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
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A Costa Mesa classic dive since the late 60’s, La Cave is one of those American Steakhouses that was built when Sinatra was a moral compass in Southern California. While the food may no longer be as reliable, there’s no better spot to grab a martini or another classic America cocktail in this upscale OC community and feel like you traveled back in time.
La Cave
1695 Irvine ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
A neighborhood bar in West Anaheim, Take 5 is located behind a strip mall, has a bartender with attitude and people who have been coming there for decades. The music is load and there are smokers in the parking lot overlooking other businesses that are closed after sundown. Dive bars don’t get much better.
Take 5
10570 Magnolia Ave
Anaheim, CA 92804
Arc
3321 Hyland Ave
Ste F
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Formerly Detroit Bar, The Wayfarer has kept the live music tradition alive in Costa Mesa and has excellent drinks and food to boot. There aren’t many venues like it in all of Southern California.
The Wayfarer
843 W 19th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Fullerton is quietly one of the better communities in all of the OC and lacks the pretention of the beach communities. This is on full display at Bootleggers Brewery, which is a craft beer lover’s dream come true, along with a great location and plenty of outdoor games to keep drinkers occupied.
Bootlegger’s Brewery
130 S Highland
Fullerton, CA 92832
This Latin American inspired Santa Ana joint makes incredible food, but their cocktails are unmatched, as they are large and quite strong. Try the Pina Colada if you are feeling frisky.
Lola Gaspar
211 W 2nd St
Santa Ana, CA 92701
One of those bars whose décor was made party night by party night on Sunset Beach, Turc’s is a good time from the moment you enter, with good inexpensive drinks and more character than you could make up. It’s an OC classic.
Turc’s
16321 PCH
Sunset Beach, CA 90742
This Seal Beach institution is beloved by locals and an ideal place to deal with that hair of the dog over brunch. Try their Detroiter beer cocktail or Moscow Mules, multiple times. You won’t be disappointed.
320 Main
320 Main St
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Tiki bars are something of anomaly in the United States, but unique to Southern California. Trader Sam’s is undoubtedly the best in the OC and arguably the best in all of California with their wide varieties of rum drinks, excellent décor and pretty solid bar eats. Plus, it’s at Disneyland. There’s no better or more memorable first date spot.
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
Disneyland Hotel
1150 Magic Way
Anaheim, CA 92802
In a tough location to find in the Tustin area, Acai Republic is universally known as a place that will make a acai smoothie that will knock your socks off. Perfect on a particularly hot day in the OC and a great alternative to an after beach beer.
Acai Republic
632 El Camino Real
Suite C
Tustin, CA 92780
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Best known for it’s drag shows, this Santa Ana LGBT club always shows a great time and has excellent food as well. If you feel like eating, of course.
Velvet Lounge
416 W 4th St
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Part of the new Union Market development in Tustin, Central Bar has a ton of excellent cocktails and a great atmosphere, making it almost guaranteed to stick around for a while.
