Best Summertime Bars In Orange County

While it was Long Beach’s Sublime that brought us the phrase “summertime and the living is easy,” it is Orange County that has the best bars to cool off in when the sweltering heat requires a drink or two. Summertime means relaxing outside with a stiff (and hopefully cheap) drink while passing the long, hot days with good food and even better company. From fresh margaritas and outdoor festivities to the Magic Kingdom and beyond, these locations are guaranteed to get your flip-flops and board shorts in the door for a drink, a bite, and maybe even some dancing.

Baja Sharkeez
211 Main St
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 960-5282
www.sharkeez.net

Sharkeez has you covered with rotating drink specials, outdoor seating and the occasional DJ dedicated to making you sweat, not from the summer heat, but from all that dancing you’re bound to be doing. Located two blocks away from the beach and featuring street and garage parking, it doesn’t get much better than this, especially when the breeze kicks in. If being this close to the beach gets you in the mood for seafood, you’re in luck. The tasty fish and lobster tacos will take up some of the bar space that your mojitos are sure to occupy.

Yucatan Grill
550 Pacific Coast Hwy #111
Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 430-4422
www.yucatangrill.com

For some people, the words “summertime” and “bar” combine to mean only one thing: frozen margaritas. If this is the case for you and yours, Yucatan Grill’s fresh margaritas are right up your alley. Maybe it’s the fresh lime and lemon, or potentially the strength with which these drinks will hit you, but Yucatan Grill’s margs are hard to beat. Add in an amazing Taco Tuesday, delicious Mexican food, and bacon-wrapped shrimp, and there is no reason not to make this your summertime drinking destination.

Sol Cocina
251 E Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 675-9800
www.solcocina.com

Take over 60 tequilas, authentic Mexican food and a beachfront restaurant, and you have Sol Cocina, the best Baja summertime choice in Newport Beach. Grabbing a patio seat means eyeballing the bay while happy hour drinks keep you from eyeballing your bank account. With complimentary valet parking and a Sunday brunch that features bottomless mimosas, few places offer this many reasons to spend your summer day and night in an establishment.

The Cannery
3010 Lafayette Road
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 566-0060
www.cannerynewport.com

Another beachfront property in Newport Beach, The Cannery combines exquisite drinks with top-notch dining. On a warm summer night, let the famous Bloody Marys (sometimes topped with a strip of bacon) or other marque drinks set in. Many of the cocktails on the menu are accompanied by quotes from famous folks, from Ernest Hemmingway to Ron White, and the happy hour features some great drink prices and a half-off sushi selection. This is the classiest location on the list, but the views and ambiance can’t be beat.

Alcatraz Brewing Company
20 City Boulevard West
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 939-8686
www.alcatrazbrewing.com

If the key to a good summertime bar is selection and price, then look no further than the Alcatraz Brewing Company in Orange. There are few things better than brew house ale made from passion and dedication, and Alcatraz does both extremely well. They even offer a different $4 pint every night. Add in a sports-friendly environment and a Northern California-themed restaurant and you have the makings of the best place to catch a ballgame and drink every kind of seasonal libation.

Jesse Seilhan is a writer, editor and photographer from the California Bay Area. After moving to Long Beach, Jesse continues his passion for writing and music by covering concerts, interviewing top artists, and giving a dose of wisdom in a crazy, mixed-up musical world. His work can be found at Examiner.com.