Gone Country: Best Southern-Style Bars In And Around Orange County
Orange County might not seem like a region fit for country western fans, but there are a few spots that cater to exactly that crowd. From bars filled with hundreds of beer choices to low-key musical locales, enjoy enough options to fill an entire week's worth of fun. Orange County is varied enough to cater to all aspects of the American tradition, from steaks and booze to Cajun and blues.
Johnny's Saloon
17428 Beach Blvd.
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 848-0676
www.johnnyssaloon.com
Any place that designates itself as a saloon and not a bar is built for country fans. For more than a decade, Johnny's has created the perfect environment for those in favor of stiff drinks and Johnny Cash. The music is almost always western, the crew is always filled with southern hospitality, and this place is home to the world's first pour-your-own PBR bar. While it make look like a dive bar, once you're inside, the only thing you're diving into is a world full of country roots and having a good time.
The Ranch
1025 E. Ball Road
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 817-4200
www.theranch.com
Situated next to the Ranch Restaurant, the saloon is the place to go in Orange County if you're a country music fan and love live music. Offering everything from cowboy line dancing to live music shows, visitors here can get down on a dance floor that is 47 feet wide and features a top-of-the-line sound system for primo boot scooting. Be careful though, as the management takes its dancing pretty seriously and will not hesitate to kick out any bad apples screwing up the vibe. Mix in a delicious menu and a variety of drinks, and you have yourself one fine southern-style bar.
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The Posse Bar
13093 Springdale St
Westminster, CA 92683
(657) 227-7171
www.possebar.com
When a bar offers a annual horseshoe tournament, you know you're in a country bar. At Westminster's Posse Bar, patrons get to drink and eat in a western country themed bar that even offers moonshine! Reasonable pricing, pool tables, karaoke and more ensure that you'll be in good company as many others in Orange County enjoy the bar for these reasons.
Blue Bayou
1313 S. Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 781-3463
disneyland.disney.go.com
Not everyone identifies "Southern" with cowboy boots and twangy guitar. Take the Blue Bayou as example, a nearly 50-year old establishment within Disneyland's famed resort. Serving a blend of classic Creole and Cajun cuisine fit for any N'awlins native. After one plate of jambalaya, you may find yourself booking a trip or two to Louisiana to see the South for yourself. Just make sure to take part in one of its delectable deserts before calling it a day.
Steer Inn
444 N. Lakeview Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92807
(714) 974-5321
Anaheim's Steer Inn might not be the traditional country bar, but it's a great place to enjoy a steak and drinks in a place that offers both great prices and a country style look. The glasses are taller than Texas longhorns and are refilled at the drop of a cowboy hat, and those that try the Steer Inn often become lifelong customers, with the restaurant's cozy atmosphere and the bar's quality service. This is a "sawdust on the floor" kind of place, so don't expect to fit in if you're looking to get gussied up on a Friday night.
Cowboy Country Saloon
3321 E. South St.
Long Beach, CA 90805
(562) 630-3007
www.cowboycountry.mu
Voted one of the best dance clubs in the area, the Cowboy Country Saloon offers everything a true southern patron could ask for: live country music, casual dancing and cheap drinks. This large 15,000 square foot dancehall and saloon comes complete with not just one or two, but three dance floors on two levels, along with a pool room, and two full bars. Add in the country decor with rough cut cedar paneling and lots of rodeo memorabilia and you'll feel like you've stopped by a bar in Montana. If you're new to dancing, then you're in luck, as the Cowboy Country Saloon offers free dance classes for anyone new to dancing. But, even those just looking for a good laugh and a good meal should consider stopping by. Line dancing and two step is also on deck on the weekends, or you can enjoy a house band along with drink specials. The Cowboy County Saloon is one of the last local country bars Southern California offers, and that has to stand for something!
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