Jack and his team always provide awesome food. We've been going to Campus Jax and Jack shrimp for years. I highly recommend they have great music and a great atmosphere during the weekend especially read more

As a single woman I always enjoy going to Campus Jax. They are welcoming, the music is terrific, and the food is fine. Great atmosphere the minute you walk in. Come early though, the club fills up fast. Look forward to taking my girlfriends over the holidays. read more

Great Jazz. Restaurant in Orange County with various cover charges usually $20 per two hours of concert. There is ample space for the parking for free and the restaurant is hugely spacious. Excellent service by a very professional staff who worked tirelessly entire evening and took care of twenty tables with at least four or more guests per table. She was literally running on air. The jazz performance was pretty phenomenal for Orange County. It's actually like a real concert. The five members jazz musicians are all local college professors or teachers. They are impressive. The singer wrote most of her own songs and performed well. The foods were salty but hazy IPA neutralized the massive salty flavor of Gumbo, Pasta but BBQ sauce cauliflowers were impressive. I recommend you try this nice entertaining place. read more

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We had so much fun at JAX. The music was great, the seating was comfortable and not overcrowded. The food and drinks were good. I would definitely go there again. read more

Great place to enjoy live music! The food is really good, highly recommend the jackrice. Service was excellent and vibes immaculate. Will be back read more

Campus JAX - Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great music acts here but the food is very mediocre. I suggest eating elsewhere and just having drinks.

Awesome venue for jazz. I don't appreciate going to stadiums with thousands of people and prefer intimate venues and this is one of the best in OC. Best of all the food is really good. Looking forward to more concerts there. read more

This was our third time at Campus Jax--previously we came for the great Arturo Sandoval and to see the Irvine Barclay Jazz Band. This time it was to see a band we regularly follow, Nutty, which is a sizzling octet with imaginative arrangements that mash up rock anthems with jazz standards with a hint of Rat Pack style and humor. They played a 90 minute set with no break. (We hope they come back soon!) The owners have created a winning formula here, with a comfortable ambience and attractive decor that bests many of LA's jazz clubs. The drinks, food and service were quite good, too. (We had a burger and a crispy chicken sandwich, but they have a variety of appetizers and several full meal entrees available too. Casual food, well-prepared, not trying to be gourmet.) It's easy to get to (near John Wayne Airport on the coastal side by the 55 and 73 freeways, and has ample free parking. read more

Campus JAX - Nutty made its Campus Jax debut and we were there! Hope they come back soon. - Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Amazing food & great date night spot to enjoy live music! Been a fan for a long time & food is amazing. Jack shrimp & sweet thang pasta w/ chicken & sausage + bread & wine = great always read more

The food and drinks are awful, the service even worse, and the whole place reeks like a sewer, but I'll give them this: the music is fantastic. Do yourself a favor, eat beforehand and don't forget your nose plugs. read more

Oh my, no time for photos. This food is epic. Sweet Thang, next time with shrimp. The special Salmon with vegetables, yum. Mardi Gras Pasta, ya! Just as I remember, but 20+years later. Sooooo good. Desserts! We got 2, the key lime pie and the chocolate Pecan pie. Trust me. Service was attentive, with enthusiasm. Ambiance, it is a bar/club. Many nights they have a band or music. We arrived at the tail end of the Corvette Club monthly meeting. So nice that Campus Jax welcomed us. Great meal, we will be back and with more people lol. read more

Great food and great music. We love going to Campus Jax. The pulled pork sandwich is killer and I really like the Southern House Salad. In fact, I have loved most things on the menu I have tried. The musical acts are top notch. It's a hidden gem, and only about five miles from home. The servers are typically attentive and I think the prices are reasonable. If you love jazz, this is the place to go. read more

The food is still as great as it was at the PCH and Michelson Restaurants, fresh tasting and the spices are still mixed by the same person. The same cooks are still cooking the cajun dishes! I loved the food and atmosphere. Check out their website for more. CampusJax.com read more

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Great venue to have a fun filled night with your friends and family. We celebrated my birthday in December. The food and service were wonderful. The band was exceptional. We had a great time dancing to 80s live music. read more

Awesome owner and to top it off there burgers are to die for, and don't get me started on there chip fries, totally recommend it to everyone, super juice burger and so cheese read more

3.5 stars. Located in a quasi-industrial park in Newport Beach, Campus Jax features Louisiana-inspired food and live music. The room is cavernous and dark, and a bit boomy, but not overly loud. The crowd appears to be mostly on the older, "Causian" side. Not much ambiance, but once they get the levels right the music tends to sound pretty good and there's pro-level lighting as well. The surprise here was the food, which was actually decent and reasonably priced. The sirloin steak sandwich was tasty and generous and my barramundi (whitefish) was nicely cooked as well. I tend to avoid cole slaw but theirs was tangy and fresh and not too gloppy. They have a small (and price-gougy) wine list, and I suppose that's how they manage to keep most entree prices around $20, but if you like wine with your food you're going to get socked in the pocketbook... They also have a full bar. Service was pretty good and we kind of went on a whim b/c the featured band was led by someone I've played with before. It was a nice evening and all but not really worth the drive from West L.A. to Newport and the almost $200 price tag that included tickets. I don't think we'll be going back. read more

So surprised I had not found this place sooner. They always have great bands lined up and the food is really good. Everything I've tried id order again. Staff and management are the best! I love this place. read more

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Staff was very nice. Owner was an absolute douche. Don't support this place. Go to a place that has a respectful owner. I went up to this guy and discussed my issues and completely ignored my conversation and made zero eye contact. Never again. Rather go to claim jumper. read more

Returned to Campus JAX to see DSB - A Journey Tribute Band. Our second visit here didn't disappoint! We arrived when the doors opened so we could enjoy dinner before the show started. There's a minimum per person food charge but the food is pretty good and we liked the idea of a dinner and show night. The place filled up quick and was packed by 730pm. Although it was busy, service was outstanding and we never ran out of drinks. We got the Salmon Avocado Ancho Chili Bowl and Mardi Gras Pasta - both were excellent. It's a little tricky to find so use google maps and don't worry about parking, it's a huge lot and free. It's a venue worth checking out! read more

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Food is great and our group had a great time with the performer . Great place to enjoy a concert

Servers were friendly but the food was bad. The House Salad was covered in grated cheese, the shrimp had a smell to it, and the pasta was bland. read more

There's nothing about Campus Jax not to like. The place is wonderful! Great food, great entertainment, wonderful ambiance, friendly service, even the restrooms are great! Always clean and in working order. I've been there too many times to count and it's been the same every time, just perfect. Thank you for providing a place where I've made memories to last a lifetime. read more

Jack shrimp was delicious. Bread that comes with is also super good. Didn't feel too good afterwards since super rich but worth it. Great food read more

I've been following this business for about 16 years. Way back when it was Jax Shrimp. The food is really good and the Jazz is great. We were not expecting entertainment when we went, but we're pleasantly surprised. This is one of the only good places for Cajun. I highly recommend the Jax sauce and French bread. The Sweet Thang is my go to for dinner. Lots of great drinks, food and entertainment to be had. read more

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Always have been a fan of Jack Shrimp. Whenever I've been in town I try to go. I see it closed the original spot and found CJ. Ordered Jack shrimp to go and was utterly disappointed. Food and particularly the sauce had zero flavor and def not the Jack Shrimp I remember. Not sure if the chef forgot some ingredients or what but the bland shrimp sauce we received was not the business. read more

Mesa is an Amazing place. The food is so yummy and the music is always a Vibe!! I actually had my birthday dinner here and was very pleased with the service, food and ambiance. I will be back. read more

Campus JAX is the kind of place where good vibes and good food come easy. It's laid-back but still has a touch of class--think hearty plates, cold drinks, and a warm, unpretentious brasserie feel. The Supper Club side brings it up a notch with live entertainment and a space that's perfect for dancing, dining, and just having a great time. It's the kind of spot where you can kick back, enjoy the moment. All the servers were super informative, patient and very friendly. read more

Great music. Great food. Great service. This is the best jazz before on OC. We will be back!

I've been coming to Campus Jax since moving here in 2018. What brought me here initially was the Songwriter Nights. What keeps me coming back is the quality of the sound system, sound engineer, peel-and-eat shrimp and other clean food choices, approachable owner and hosts, up-scale aesthetics, support of local music. I am a radio content producer / DJ / Singer / Songwriter with Crohn's Disease. I greatly appreciate the dedication this venue has to clean food choices + their dedication to supporting local musicians. read more

Campus JAX - GROUND ZERO KOCI 101.5FM Newport Beach / Costa Mesa Mondays 7-9pm PT - Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

My wife and I have been coming here now for about 5 years. We absolutely love the vibe, the service, the employees, and the delicious food. We have never had a bad experience and the musical talent they showcase on a weekly basis is Las Vegas quality and then some. The variety of food on the menu is excellent and you can get a delicious steak, tasty seafood, or a cheeseburger with sweet potatoes fries, just to name a few selections. As an appetizer, the bacon wrapped dates are outstanding and if you're a dessert lover, their cheesecake is some of the best anywhere. We have gone to other bar and grill type of places, and they don't hold a candle to Campus Jax. If you are fortunate enough to eat or drink at the bar, Val is the world's nicest and most efficient bartender in all of Orange County. Looking forward to our next night out! read more

It was so much fun for my first time! Staff was friendly and service was great!! I went to go see Tom Kenny and the High Seas and omg what a time. Food was excellent too. I had a Cuban sandwich read more

Campus JAX - Tom and I by the stage - Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Not a great venue, or at least not one of the better ones I've been to. It's hidden on the side streets, music is super loud and the good part is the dance floor, but it's definitely more pricey than other bars I've been to and tbh, not great for a date cuz you can barely hear yourself think. Not very clean, but it's dark so you can't tell read more

First off, the venue was perfect to see Paul Thorn-so intimate! The service was exceptional--our glasses were never empty, food timing was great, had the bacon wrapped dates -huge fan! Will not hesitate to catch more artists there. read more

We were visiting Newport Beach and looked up someplace to eat and listen to live music. The listing came up under jazz, but it was actually more of a Singer/Songwriter performance of about 6 people. Two of them were outstanding, and the others were good. But that is only half the story. Jack, the owner went out of his way to make us feel comfortable, by allowing us to sample his special sauce. We ordered shrimp and grits- which were the best I've had to date- and I eat a lot of shrimp & grits. We also ordered the flaky white fish, which came with grits and cold slaw. also very tasty, but between the two I really recommend the shrimp and grits. The seating was good. spaced well. And the wait staff was amazing. They worked together so that anyone could help you. We never waited more than 5 minutes for anything. We also learned that they have live music. This is a hidden gem - don't miss it! read more

Second time in a row that they did not provide the shrimp I paid for in a delivery order. So disappointed. Do better. Update: Hopefully you read the response to my original post by Jack (owner). Awesome. Textbook on how to win a return customer. The food was excellent without the shrimp. I will be happy to eat here again and again. Wow. If the world had more people like this it would be a much more pleasurable place, with excellent food, great service and live music to boot. I appreciate your efforts. read more

This is a great choice if you are looking for a place to dance, drink/eat, and socialize with actual adults. (Ticket details: 2 general barstool seating) First, the staff (Thank you Sage and Val for amazing attention and wonderful drinks!) They were busy, but quick - always super friendly and made sure I had what I needed for an amazing night. The entertainment was amazing! The music was an appropriate level of rockin' but not painfully loud for the size of the venue. There was enough room to dance but enough seating to move in and off the dance area. The basics that are important were all there: easy parking, clean restrooms, and comfortable seating. Overall, very happy and I will go back - actually have tickets for this Friday. read more

First timer for us. Walked in to what was getting ready to the a paid show but got to sit right down for a drink and food. Staff was cool. Food was hot. Atmosphere was cool abs would make for some great photos. Pretty cool spot and a good find by the wifey. We'll be back for another round and a show! Thanks for the hospitality even as you were preparing for an in house concert. We appreciate that. Only down thing I can think of is clean the vents over the bar. Other than that we were pleasantly surprised with this hidden spot! read more

Campus JAX - Jambalaya- not too shabby - Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

*barf emoji* This place is absolutely disgusting. Smells like a sewer and the food is inedible. The waitress just picked up a napkin off the floor and threw it on front of my grandmas food. The music/performances are always good, but they make you purchase "food". I think this place could be better if they just put a little effort into it. It's very very very dirty...don't even want to think about how awful it would be if there was light inside. Proceed with caution. read more

I must have driven by the venue dozens of times on the way to the airport. A couple days ago we went to see the PettyBreakers and had a 'VIP' table for two ($80). The table was about 2/3 back from the stage against the wall. This required us to crane our heads at a 90 degree angle for the duration of the two hour concert. Take away: Confirm that you have seats away from the wall. The PettyBreakers were awesome! Each of the five band members was a consummate musician, and they played song after song without a break. HOWEVER, at least from where we were seated, the sound was muffled and at times we couldn't hear the lead singer (TP) at all. Not sure if the poor sound was only for folks along the wall. Food and drink prices are reasonable. Both of us ordered the salmon which came with grits and cauliflower. The salmon was amply proportioned but it was tough and had a fairly strong fish taste. Clearly sourced from an institutional food vendor. Recommend sticking with the Cajun menu choices which are the signature dishes. Service was good especially given the nearly full house. Bottom line: Would go back to see good live music (e.g.Arturo Sandoval!). Know where seats are before purchasing and do not sit next to wall. Go with safe menu choice. I hear the Jambalaya is good. read more

Pretty much what I'd expect in Orange County - overpriced and underwhelming. My boyfriend and I went to celebrate his birthday. I put that fact in the reservation notes and mentioned it to the hostess and there was no fun little extra for him. I didn't expect a parade, but a complementary dessert or something? A slightly better seat? Something? Nope. Ok, whatever. Because it was his birthday, I went for a VIP table which was basically a waste. We were seated near the back at a regular square table in the center of the room, far from the stage. Our view was blocked by the people in front of us. People kept walking behind us and, because they crammed too many tables in there, we kept getting bumped. $90 just to walk in the door and have a crummy view? Ridiculous. PLUS you have to buy an entree, which start at over $20 and average in the $30s and up. We shared a salmon plate and it was fine, tasty, but nothing special. The band, a Queen cover band, was fun. I did enjoy them, but the only place to dance was between the tables. The hostesses and our server were very nice and service was pretty good, not great, but fine. Overall, we definitely won't be going back. read more