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6735 Quail Hill Parkway Irvine, CA 92603
949-502-4600
http://www.bacchussecretcellar.com Located in the Quail Hill Center, Bacchus Secret Cellar Wine
Shoppe & Bar is the ultimate outpost for imbibers. The high ceilings,
plush seating areas and bottle-lined walls give off a posh-but-not-intimidating vibe. The selection of wines is extensive, offering more than 350 varieties, with more than 50 choices offered by the glass. It hosts such weekly events as Tuesday nights' Magic Castle Night, featuring mind-boggling tricks by magic man John George; wine tasting
on Wednesdays; and live music Thursdays through Saturdays. Be sure to ask
about the wine club. More >>
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116 1/2 W. Wilshire Ave. Fullerton, CA 92832
714-526-3032
http://www.myspace.com/backalleyfullerton Back Alley/Front Street is the epitome of Downtown Fullerton nightlife. The two main rooms are separated by a perpetually unfinished, plywood-encased hallway and both feature a fully-stocked bar, standard tap and bottled beer offerings. The Back Alley sports a pool table (free) and jukebox, while Front Street features a ping-pong table (also free). The small stage at the Back Alley regularly features local bands and cover artists. The outdoor gated smoking patio affords access to the back end bar through a large window, creating a third section. Happy hour is Monday through Friday, 4-7 p.m., featuring $2.50 domestic drafts and $4.50 well drinks. More >>
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700 E. Bay Ave. Balboa, CA 92661
949-673-9783
http://www.balboasaloon.com Plopped in the middle of everything that is Balboa-shops, quaint homes, the Fun Zone and the Pacific Ocean-the Balboa Saloon is covered in fishing memorabilia including prize-wining fin-flappers pulled from local waters. Designated a historical site by the Newport Beach Historical Society in 2001, the establishment has been in its current building since 1924. Appropriate to the setting, the bar teems with folks fresh off the bay, swapping fish stories and comparing the day's catches while sipping pints. It offers a great selection of domestic, imported and craft beers as well as mixed drinks. The saloon also features two pool tables, dartboards, a jukebox, video games and a big-screen TV broadcasting your favorite sporting events. More >>
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601 S. Raymond Ave. Fullerton, CA 92831
714-871-7390
While playing a game of pool and enjoying a stiff drink at Fullerton bar Bananas, it's hard to imagine this joint has changed much over the decades. The large room is covered by vaulted wood ceilings supported by a lattice work of beams. Ceiling fans twirl, tube televisions flicker, and suds are slung. The crowd features a nice mix of young and veteran imbibers. Bananas offers a small selection of draft beers, but the liquor lineup at the full bar is impressive. Distractions include three pool tables and a couple of electronic dartboards. Thursday nights see performances from local bands; this old dog actually allows for some good acoustics. More >>
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16391 Beach Blvd. Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Located adjacent to the rapidly-moving traffic on Beach Boulevard, Bar Hookup is easy to miss. It's also really small. Inside, red paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling evoke the far east. Rumor has it, the building formerly housed a brothel. A large picture of James Spader from the film Less than Zero sits over the bar surrounded by candles and the room is dominated by a concrete dance floor ringed by a plush, red wrap-around bench. Featuring a full liquor offering this spot also serves up a small selection of brews on tap including: Blue Moon, Newcastle and Pyramid Hef. More refined palettes will enjoy craft beers in the bottle including Boatswain IPA, Baltika Beer, and Red Stripe( Miller High Life is also available.) More >>
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620 Moulton Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90031
323-221-9204
http://www.bwestcatering.com Located downtown in the Old Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery (now the nation's largest artist complex), this former loft has been transformed into a chic restaurant with a full bar and a display of contemporary art. We recommend the exquisite grilled portobello mushroom on white bean ragout and grilled peppers ($12), or the tri-tip sandwich on Armenian stone bread ($8). Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. Full bar; takeout; catering. AE, MC, V. More >>
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7052 Orangewood Ave. Garden Grove, CA 92841
714-891-1719
http://www.bartspub.com Located in an industrial park in Garden Grove, Bart's Pub is a neighborhood-style bar that packs a lot of fun into its confined space. Aside from the standard décor of beer paraphernalia, Bart's also features a roaring fireplace, three dartboards, six flat-screen TVs, six arcade games and four billiard tables. The joint hosts dart and billiard tournaments so frequently it has its own backlit tournament bracket mounted to the wall. The beer offering is respectable, featuring close to two dozen draft and bottled beers, as well as chips and cigarettes dispensed from a vending machine. More >>
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149 Linden Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802
562-901-9090
http://www.basementloungelb.com Although the friendly folk and promoters of the Basement Lounge still refer to it as such, the place officially goes by the moniker Club 149. Get the details on this Downtown Long Beach hot spot here. More >>
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2000 Main St. Irvine, CA 92614
949-442-7565
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2116 W. Oceanfront Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-657-8041
http://www.beachballbar.com Bars don't get quainter than the Beach Ball. Located within a stone's throw of the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean, this imbibery has been in business since the 1960s. Its charm is so well known the bar has repeatedly caught the attention of local newspapers as well as Esquire Magazine. Oak planks cover the walls of the dim interior giving patrons sipping a bottle of Newcastle or a cocktail the feeling of being inside of a wine cask. The lower level features a small pool hall and several TVs are attached to walls around the establishment. If you're a first time visitor don't be surprised if the friendly bar staff offers you some free homemade food and a sympathetic ear. More >>
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5755 E. Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach, CA 90803
562-494-7593
http://www.thebeachclubsportsbar.com With its rocky walls, bar top textured to look like crashing waves and ornamental surfboards hanging throughout the room, the Beach Club Sports Bar & Grill could have served as the set for the film Point Break. This restaurant and bar attracts thirtysomethings, some college students and families. Whether bottled or run from the tap, beers are always served ice-cold; the menu features an ever-changing array of seasonal beers, as well as selections from the robust Samuel Smith line. Entertainment is available via multiple ballgames playing on a dozen TVs. The bar also features a Tuesday trivia night and Wednesday-night karaoke. There is even a separate game room with a pool table and arcade games. And hey, you can play the lobster claw game; catch a lobster and it gets cooked free. More >>
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15549 Beach Blvd. Westminster, CA 92683
714-248-9585
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Beach-Girls/107157352688412 Located in a strip mall off Interstate 405 next to a Super 8 Motel, Beach
Girls is one of the more lively bikini bars in Orange County. The scantily
clad women wandering the room make small talk when they aren't busy pouring shots or dancing behind the bar as they greet patrons. Beach Girls offers a full liquor selection, a dozen beers on tap and a handful of bottled brews. Added entertainment includes a jukebox, flat-screen TVs surrounding the room, a dartboard and two arcade games. More >>
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301 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-374-3399
http://www.beachfront301.com
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301 Main St Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-374-3399
http://www.beachfront301.com
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210 E. 3rd St. Long Beach, CA 90802
562-436-4020
http://www.beachwoodbbq.com
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5300 E. 2nd St., Long Beach Long Beach, CA 90803
562-433-3907
http://www.myspace.com/belmontstationlbc Amongst the fancy-schmancy high-end boutiques and gourmet restaurants sits this wholly unpretentious local watering hole. Equal parts classy and divey, the exterior of Belmont Station looks great, with its large, picturesque windows and neat iron gate corralling the smoking section. Inside, though? Just your typical drinking establishment. A long, narrow bar greets thirsty patrons at the door. The other end of the room houses a small dance floor that exhibits live bands and DJs from time to time. Beware the Kamikaze shots, they'll knock you on your ass. More >>
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23512 El Toro Road Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-830-2255
http://www.bigshotsbilliards.com Big Shots Billiard Bar & Grill-or "the big red barn," as it's known by locals-
is one of the best places in town to shoot some stick. Inside this enormous wood-paneled pool hall are 13 billiards tables where you can get in on the action, or you can just sit at the bar and enjoy listening to an assortment of tunes from the jukebox. The joint offers free pool with lunch every Monday through Friday (11 a.m.-3 p.m.). Happy hour happens weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and features drink specials such as $3 off pitchers of beer. More >>
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323 N. State College Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92831
714-526-4950
http://www.bigsgrill.com Since it traded its cramped digs on Kramer for a cavernous space on State College, Big's Grill now feels like it's got room to breathe-and to offer lots of fun distractions. The bar area is located on an elevated carpeted floor with wood-paneled walls and bookshelves, which lend the joint a library vibe (perfect for thirsty Cal State Fullerton students down the road). This room features a pool table along with golf video game Golden Tee, several tables and pretty cocktail waitresses slinging suds. The bar serves a large selection of craft beers including Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Stone IPA, and Fat Tire. The lower floor, which sports a dance area, is where karaoke magic happens and the requisite tipsy slow dancing commences. Every day, the bar features specials on drinks, including its "Ditch Work" deal, which offers half off all beers from 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. So get there early and greet the day with a pint. More >>
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645 S. State College Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92831-5122
714-526-8481
http://www.bigsbarandgrill.com
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2751 W. Coast Highway Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-722-1100
With a Hawaiian theme and a view of the docks, Billy's at the Beach is one
of the more relaxing bars in Newport Beach. Sitting at the end of Riverside
Avenue on West Coast Highway, Billy's has a wide array of liquors, bottled beers and one of the best wine selections in Orange County. Ask one of the folks on the staff how many wines are on their list and they might chuckle and tell you they can't count that high. The rich wooden décor and low lighting are accented by the outdoor patio's pale granite tables and heat
lamps that surround a separate bar lined with bamboo. Live acoustic cover
artists are sporadically featured at Billy's and add to the bar's
tranquility. More >>
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330 Birch St. Brea, CA 92821
714-256-2100
http://www.birchstreetbarandgrill.com Birch Street Bar & Grill is the third bar to nhabit this space (formerly Entourage) in Brea's downtown promenade. The management has made some improvements to the overall Feng shui of the place by filling the large concrete floor with more tables and stools. A round neon sign emblazoned with the bar's name hangs above a vintage shuffle board table, and the dark-colored walls lend a nice pop to the room's brick pillars. The full bar serves up an assortment of bottled beers as well as a nice selection on tap including Stella, Boddington's Pub Ale, Shocktop, Bass Ale and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. There's also a mid-sized smoking patio with views of the promenade foot traffic for those jonesing for a quick change of scenery and a nicotine fix. More >>
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19100 Von Karman Ave. Irvine, CA 92612
949-752-5222
http://www.bistango.com Bistango is a fusion of fine wine, gourmet food, contemporary art and sophisticated architecture. The candle-lit bar offers a view of a small stage that accommodates R&B, Latin and jazz bands. Well-known for its list of more than 400 wines, Bistango also features a full bar and a modest offering of domestic and imported bottled beers. When dining at Bistango on someone else's account, we suggest the prix fixe. The rotating artwork on display (mostly paintings and sculptures) are available for purchase. More >>
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600 Brea Mall Drive Brea, CA 92821
714-990-2095
http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com BJ's is famous for crafting delicious brews in-house. The Brea location inhabits a space once known as the Gas Lamp Grill. The, multi-tiered room features sweeping brick archways, old-timey ceiling fans and a rich, dark-wood bar housing a large range of top-shelf whiskeys, vodkas and Scotches. The main event, though, is the beer, which ferments in large steel cisterns behind massive glass windows on the building's west side. There's the Jeremiah Red, Harvest Ale and the ever-popular Piranha Pale Ale. BJ's now serves selections from Placentia's craft factory The Bruery. It's a sweet spot to grab a pint, catch a football game on one of the flat-screens, and relax after fighting the hustle and bustle of the Brea Mall. More >>
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16060 Beach Blvd. Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714-842-9242
http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com
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200 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-374-2224
http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com
