Classic "dive bar" in the best sense of the phrase. Located in south end of San Clemente on the freeway frontage road, lots of parking, and a very fun lively place. Great music playing, nice convivial crowd. Drinks are reasonably priced, the bartender yesterday (12/6) in the evening was super charming, overall cool place to hang. I'm sure it's mostly locals who go there. Will definitely return next time I'm in the area. read more

We were camping nearby and were on a scooter ride and saw that there was a bar down the street. Had to stop by as we are bar hoppers from time to time lol. Very good shots and vibes !!! read more

Big Helyns is what a dive bar is and should be. Good drinks and cold beer with a few tv's and games. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. read more

Awesome place in the middle of the brutal LA-SD drive. Regular named Andrew recommended I get a pickled egg. He also says Jess is the hottest bartender anywhere and he's not wrong. Real fun, good music, eclectic crowd. Would recommend as a great pit stop. read more

Retired disabled Humint (Beirut '83). Bartender on Friday night poured my beer in a plastic glass. I politely asked her for a real glass because I have little feeling in my hands and have involuntary movemen that can squeeze plastic and spill. It's embarrassing. She refused, citing the need to use plastic because there was a big crowd. At the time there were 12 people in the bar. If the owner reads this, you know me. I'm the guy with the big black and white dog. I've been coming for over 20 years. If you fire that bartender, email me at: corribean46@gmail.com. Until then, sorry to lose contact with the young Marines. read more

Jess is an amazing bartender who truly lights up the room! Her energy and service are unmatched. The ambiance at Big Helen's is incredible--such a great place to be! read more

Like being in your living room as far as vibe. Love the place... Can't even imagine the place on a rocking night, it's fun at 11am read more

Best dive bar in town! There is always a party at Big Helyns! I would totally check it out!

Prices are great and fun vibes, don't miss this San Clemente classic. Outside area too.

Been going here for many years from the owner Gary Gayou to the staff great bunch of people the last watering hole in Orange County love big Helen's read more

I love coming here They have pinball, darts, and pool. The bartenders do an amazing job Drinks are a good price It is a dive bar but I love that! read more

Big Helyn's bartenders here are abrasive and rude. * My drink was served in a dirty glass * The place itself is sticky and smells like it never been cleaned * Entire place reaks of body odor and is downright out of place in San Clemente Summary: If you want to have a drink and gawk at a girl in a bikini, try your local strip club. At least they will be friendlier than the decrepit bartenders that work here. read more

Bartender allowed a super-wasted guy to mill around and kept serving him. Dude had a torn shirt and torn jacket, such that 1/4 of his bare back was exposed...and he stunk like someone whom had not had a shower in 1-2 weeks. The guy sat at my table and I felt sorry for him so I listened to his story. He became increasingly agitated and was spraying spit into my face. As a visitor to this bar, I assumed that me, being a non-local, was just not appreciated...I left with my drink 1/2 full wondering why the bartender choose to keep serving this guy and ignoring me. I got the feeling that visitors were not appreciated here. read more

One of the best dive bars I have been to! How did I not find this place sooner? Drinks are so cheap!! $3.75 for a Coors Light! Can't beat that!!!! Drinks are stiff, if you don't drink beer! You definitely get what you pay for and more! Bartender was smoking hot and on top of it, we never had an empty drink in front of us! Very attentive! They don't serve food but they allow you to DoorDash food to the bar.. (we came in yesterday (Saturday) and had Jersey Mikes deliver straight to the bar where we were sitting outside on the patio, there were 6 of us. Jess was the absolute best and her service was outstanding!! 10/10 recommend. Think I found my new watering hole! read more

Ignore the bad reviews from the whiny millennials who come to a dive bar that serves real drinks and can't understand why they don't have craft beers and trendy mixology drinks for 16 bucks a drink. This is a neighborhood bar...a real bar...not a trendy Artisanal Bar. Go to Big Helyns for a real drink. read more

THE BARTENDER JESSICA WAS SO MEAN, just kidding lol she was so nice and this place was so cool to come in and get a beer and relax. Definitely coming back here for another drink next time im out here surfing read more

If you love dive bars (and I do) then go to Big Helyn's. All the negatives on these reviews (fights, sticking to the floor, strong drinks) are positives in my book. If you are that uptight, I am sure that Las Brisas has a $25 margarita ready for you. read more

The great thing about dive bars is that they're usually dark, cheap, and no one expects you to "put on a happy face". Typically I enjoy the people that wander in and out of dive bars at all hours of the day and night. Occasionally I meet an interesting person with a colorful story - even if the story can be somewhat incomprehensible at times. But Big Helyn's really ISN'T that kind of dive bar. None of the patrons could talk, much less relay an interesting story as far as I could tell. I may have picked a bad time to go in, but it looked to me like a lot of the patrons were either super-drunk or on hard core drugs (not just your run-of-the-mill SC stoner.) Calling this place DIRTY is being conservative. My feet stuck to the floor every step I made. Also, there was a fight. I wasn't there an hour and a barstool went flying. The sun wasn't even down yet. Not my idea of a "good dive bar." The up side? The bartender was very attentive (I had a beer) and you won't find a cheaper drink anywhere in Southern California. read more

No food. Drinks are shitty. Bartenders are rude and you find coke in the bathrooms. And the place smells like puke and crap

I personally prefer dive bars and not 'trendy' places to drink. This place is super mellow with mostly locals about 40-50 aged, but friendly locals, don't worry. They got some good music playing and a box to play something you want to hear. They got tvs usually with whatever game is on and pool table to kick back with some buddies. It's a smaller bar that just fits the bar couple tables and the pool table just right and there some empty space to dance if your drunk self so desires. I just enjoy going there for 'big helyns';) If your not local, 'big helyns' is known for having woman as bartenders with big boobs:) big tits, playing pool, watching the game and some Jonny walker black label, I can't complain. If you like mellow bars just looking to have a drink and enjoy yourself this is a great place towards the end of Camino real/SC by Carl's Jr., cafe deal sol and lowers lot. If you are one of those weirdos who are trying to look cool and care what other people think and posting 'insta worthy' shit then go down to Laguna beach, San Clemente might not be your place, please! read more

LOVE this bar. Stumbled upon it after the American Nightmare reunion show in LA on New Year's Eve... We drove straight back to San Diego because I had to work, but I wanted to find a chill dive to ring in the new year at. I would love to come back here and get fully trashed, but the one problem is, it's in the middle of nowhere! I ordered a crown&ginger, and my boy got a beer. He said.. "The drink is on me for the lady, but you sir have to pay for the beer." That was super awesome. 15 minutes later, it was time to pop the champagne and toast to the New Year. The bartenders were kind of tipsy, and so were the patrons there, that it was about 5 minutes after the actual countdown that Big Helyn did their countdown. And you know what, that is fine with me. Great bartenders, chill atmosphere, and Billy Idol blaring from their jukebox... I can't think of a better way to start the new year than with Big Helyn. read more

Big Helyn's Saloon - Super awesome dive. - Pubs Near Me - San Clemente, California

See all

This bar over serves already wasted patrons, doesn't stop or prevent fights and allows underaged kids to drink. Only a matter of time before it is shut down read more

If you like dive bars then you'll love Big Helen's. Good bloody Mary's. Sweet and nice bartender(s). Cheap. Dark inside. Hard to hangout on a sunny day but just be prepared. Sat on outside patio and dished up the sun. read more

Day drinking here has been good they have a decent selection of alcohol. Other than that that's all they have going for the place.

Thank you, yelp, for leading me here. I was in town for a couple nights and thought I'd stop by. It was pretty much exactly how Luke described it, but better. End of the night: sneaking onto Camp Pendleton with a hot marine? Yes, please. The End. read more

Cons: there is no food (perhaps this is actually a good thing), there is no parking, the bathrooms start out clean but go down hill pretty quickly, they get short on glasses and seats Pros: they allowed us to order food and have it delivered, great people watching, our bill was cheap read more

If you are looking for a bar where you are going to find attractive women you should stay as far away from this place as humanely possible. The only women that are attractive here is some of the Bartenders. I was a regular at this bar on weekdays for about six months and the reason for my 4/5 stars is the really laid back atmosphere. The bartenders will actually bullshit with you and act more like your friend than employee. Also alcohol is SO cheap! And for an alcoholic like me a four dollar jack and coke and pitcher of beer sounds better than a blowjob. A 5 star dive bar with 3 star taste ;)! Also there is some pretty big douche bags that come here some times and think that the punching machine is an actual test of their combat abilities...HA read more

I have been a San Clemente resident for many years now and until today I had not ventured into Big Helyns. I have been missing one of the best spots south of L.A. The bartenders such as the beautiful Angele, are true in all aspects of bartending. They know how to make and mix a drink, mixologist is a word that comes to mind. People that come into Big Helyns are locals, marines, bikers and/or anyone that wants a comfortable environment to be in. The drinks are great. The service is awesome as if every employee was an owner or a stock holder. Angele, thank you read more

This bar is amazing! The customer service is great. The ladies behind the bar were so friendly. They greeted each guest with a smile and warm welcome. They're cute as hell. The patrons were friendly. I recommend this dive bar to anyone looking for a chill place to have a great time! read more

Came here on my way to Ocean's 11 to play poker with a couple friends...walked in and thought hmmm what a divey place to have a drink. I'm in! So I had three jack and cokes because I had to drive...prolly more like 6 jack and cokes they were pretty strong... the place has a pool table a few characters at the bar...and other shoddy characters..make sure you don't stir up any sh*t here and try not to come alone. read more

O-M-F-G. Yeah, I just wrote that. Why? Simply because of the shenanighans I've gotten myself into at this fine establishment. Well, don't let me lead you on by using the word "fine" in my review. I don't mean it's fine in aethetics, but rather in spirit. Basically, you don't know what a true dive is until you visit Big Helyn's or an equivalent. Dirty, stale, cheap drinks, friendly bartenders, cash only (with an ATM on site), juke box, pool tables, smoking patio out back, single bathrooms, dark.. yup, bonafide dive. I was a little out of my element when I first visited, but after a few drinks with some friendly, ready-to-party marines, it's been nothing but good times. read more

Great place to have some Drinks with Friends near the beach here in San clemente . Margaritas are pretty good service was fine

They used to have a drink called a "clown puncher" with a punch card to go with it. After 5 clown punchers you got one free. The house wine is Jaeger and you can't pass up the low-life special (tallboy of high life and a shot of Jim Beam. The diviest of dive bars. Great prices, terrible atmosphere, occasional the bar tenders are drunker than the patrons, and you may encounter a Marine on the verge of alcohol poisoning. 10/10 would recommend. I miss this bar. read more

The place is the poster child for dive bars. Raunchy! But beer is cheap and pool table is level.

This place would totally be great if they had music going. Allot of old timers here :) very chill, and the bartenders are absolutely adorable and super sweet! The prices are great and the environment is welcoming. Crickets.... In their defense I went here on a weekday around 3 pm. It is the kind of place you can chat with a friend over a drink, which is what I did. And get drinks with a friendly smile and watch some sports. read more

Last bar in OC, Right by Trestles. Stiff drinks, Hot bartenders Worth checking out.... read more

Helen's was awesome!!! I loved it as my first time here! Except Chris became an a**hole after he said my friend and I could play a game of pool. We even told him "well people are still sitting at the bar" and he told us "well they aren't the same as you" he grabbed the balls from the pool game so we left!Would love to return on a night he's not working. The batenders were sweethearts and I absolutely loved Megan! She was a rock star! read more

BEWARE! Payed with a credit card and was nice enough to leave the tip in cash. Turns out the bartenders added themselves a little extra tip on top of what I had already left. Pure Sketchy!!!! I wonder how many people they scam read more

Blew in from out of town, was introduced to this great dive bar by a (no longer) friend (read POG). Met some Samoan rugby players, my favorite biker guy Gary and the best bartender Jenna and about 4 grunts. Marines everywhere! Cheap pitchers. Had my tall boy of PBR ripped open by the Samoan which was hilarious! If you want to have a fun night with some hot guys, come here, and you won't be going home alone! read more

Great dive bar. It's got pool tables, music, and alcohol. Really it doesn't need anything else. If you're in South County and you're too far from the Swinging Door, hit up Big Helyn's. read more