Watch CBS News

Best Places For Day Drinking In OC

day drink friends alcohol
(credit: istockphoto)

Etiquette says that you should wait until at least 5 p.m. before you tip back your first beverage of the day. However, sometimes you just want to start drinking while there is still plenty of daylight left. Maybe you're celebrating a birthday, maybe you have a long weekend ahead of you or maybe you need some hair of the dog that bit you. Whatever the occasion, here are some of the best places in Orange County to do your day drinking.

bar snacks beer chicken wings
(credit: istockphoto)

The Salty Dawg
1214 N. Parker St.
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 532-9977
www.twitter.com/TheSaltyDawgOC

The Salty Dawg is a great place to do some day drinking and not only because you will be served cold beer (no liquor here) by a beautiful bartender in a minimalist outfit. This is a great place to drink during the day because you can get a 34-ounce mug of craft beer for $8. Frankly, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal anywhere in the county - or a more lively day-drinking crowd. The Dawg also has a patio so you can enjoy those frosty beers outside.

the pump room OC
(credit: Nick A./Yelp)

The Pump Room
1532 W. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 978-6010
www.facebook.com/thepumpproom

Some places are great for day drinking because you can enjoy your drinks and the weather at the same time. The Pump Room is a great place for day drinking when you want to forget that it's daytime. Sure, the place is dark, but you won't mind with all it has to offer - namely attractive bartenders, pool tables (pool is only $0.50 a game) and reasonable drink prices (a schooner of Stone IPA for $6.50). With those benefits, you might as well forget that it's daytime until you step outside and realize you've whiled away an entire afternoon.

house of big fish ice cold beer
(credit: Johnny Mounson)

The House of Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer
540 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 200
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 715-4500
www.houseofbigfish.com

The name of this place says it all. This is a place where you can get big fish and a good selection of ice-cold beer. The atmosphere is both lively and relaxed. This is a great place to while away a few hours not just because of the good food and beverage selection. It is also a good place to people watch and catch the amazing sunsets in Laguna Beach.

Related: Best Gastropubs In Orange County

Italian Teenager daily life
(credit: Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)

Paul's Cocktails
207 W. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 639-2480
www.facebook.com/Pauls-Cocktails

If you want to do some day drinking, no one says you have to wait until late morning or noon. Paul's opens its doors at 6am That's right, 6am. Whether you want a little hair of the dog that bit you or start a celebration early in the day, Paul's is the place to go. Not only will you find affordable drinks and a good crowd, but if you go on Monday, you can play pool for free. Cheap drinks and free pool make for a pretty good day of drinking.

swallows inn
(credit: Eric W./Yelp)

The Swallows Inn
31786 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 493-3188
www.swallowsinn.com

The Swallows Inn is a great place to do some day drinking for a couple of reasons. First, it is one of the most relaxed towns in Orange County. Second, it is an honest-to-goodness cowboy bar. There aren't too many other places in Orange County where you will see the patrons wearing spurs. The best reason to do some day drinking at The Swallows is that the bar hosts live bands starting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. Taking in some live music with the beverage of your choice is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Related: Best Pre-Game Eats In Orange County

View Best Places For Day Drinking In OC in a full screen map

Gary Schwind is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.