Costa Mesa's Best Bars
When the local competition is Surf City, USA, and the empire of the Mouse, it's tough to be a small OC suburb and still hold sway when it comes to being a destination. However, while Costa Mesa is known mostly for being the home of the OC Fair, there is a unique meld of small town charm and forward thinking modernity in its few square mile stretch. Boasting a slew of diverse dining options, boutique shopping, and a subliminal element of artistic nurturing, Costa Mesa functions like the cool cousin of Orange County. When it comes to scoring a drink, the little city manages to house options that suit just about every desire environment. Here is the scoop.
The Boulevard
1824 Newport Blvd
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 515-0700
www.theboulevardOC.com
Formerly The Helm, The Boulevard manages to tout the feel of handcrafted cocktail lounge without the snobbery often associated with a bit of swank. Martinis are the name of the game here and considering you're likely to hear standards like Sinatra, Martin, and Mathis a martini seems like the perfect fit. Blood orange cosmos, Lychee pomegrante martinis, and healthy beer list with locals and classics equal lots of choices and with a buy one get one free happy hour from 3 to 6pm in week, it's tough to not settle in. Equipped with big screens for the game and the digital jukebox for the tunes, The Boulevard figured out how to class up comfort when it comes to having a few cocktails.
Elizabethio
891 Baker St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 546-8580
www.kitschbar.com
Vintage chandeliers, dark wood, leather furniture, and candlelight pair well with an Old Fashion, a proper Manhattan, or the casual bottled beer at Kitsch. Nestled in a non-descript strip mall, the stylish take on the traditional dive equates to great tunes, hand crafted cocktails, and an inviting destination for some sipping and socializing. Dressed with subtle art on the wall, the 'L' shaped bar is staffed with swift drink slingers that can move glasses quickly and still put together some quality cocktails if you're drinking for pleasure, not speed. A healthy distance from the bustle near the old Triangle Square, Kitsch is the obvious drinking destination for those in the know.
The Wayfarer
843 W 19th St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 764-0039
www.wayfarerCM.com
Formerly the Detroit Bar, this live music venue fires on all cylinders offering a full menu of tasty grub, an extensive cocktail menu, and professional quality stage, sound, and lighting. Going to work transforming the existing floorplan, The Wayfarer is decked out with modern furniture, communal cocktail tables, and a gorgeous backbar that rivals the stage as the centerpiece of the venue. Anchored by a rotating list of emerging artists peppered in with national headliners, the entertainment only adds to the ambiance. Offering happy hour from 5-7pm during the week and a $10 boilermaker always at the ready, The Wayfarer take the less is more approach in injecting some cool into Costa Mesa.
Commissary Lounge
2968 Randolph Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 557-1861
www.commissarylounge.com
This sprawling warehouse style locale is the personification of Southern California skate culture in a bar. From the pop culture slanted art adorning the walls, to the timeless hip-hop soundtrack that runs the house system, to the straight-forward, single-shot drinks flying from behind the bar, Commissary Lounge boasts the kind of stylish simplicity that flies in the face of the current mixology trend. Complete with loads of space for big parties or just plenty of elbow room, the ability to breathe during a night of extensive drinking is always a plus. Typically brimming with a fashionable crowd of 20 and 30-somethings, Commissary is the place to go when you want the energy, without the shoulder bumping.
Tiki Bar
1700 Placentia Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.270.6262
www.tikibarOC.com
From punk rock to good vibe reggae, the Tiki Bar is a right of passage of sorts for local musicians and novice heavy drinkers. While the name suggests you might find leis, tiki heads, and Mai-Tais, the reality is more like cheap, stiff drinks, fantastic people watching, and a diverse roster of monthly entertainment that keeps things fresh. Definitely not for the fan of muddled cocktails or curled mustaches, the Tiki is the anti-hip, the destination for get hammered and not caring what band is playing. Every city needs a bar where you can potentially embarrass yourself and not have to worry about being judged should you happen to walk back in.
