I arrived a little before opening to secure a seating. Once you walk in, there are a couple of tables and around 6 seats at the bar where you can get a close up look at the bartenders making drinks. We were super excited to try this place out since I heard that the bartenders used to work at Detention, a restaurant we really loved. Junichi (4/5): Smooth, and leaning heavier on the smokey side. I personally don't care for smoke forward flavor so thats the only reason I ranked this lower. Butter Milk (5/5): This is a clarified mint chocolate chip ice cream vibe. Definitely on the sweeter side (great as a dessert cocktail), super smooth, and delicious. *the best sip Ms. Wednesday (5/5): A spirit free cocktail that is citrus and pineapple forward. It was little sweet but really refreshing. The drinks did not disappoint! They have so many more drinks on the menu that I am really curious to try the next time I go back as well as trying Naisho, the omakase experience speakeasy in the back of Highball. read more

I waited in line to get a reservation. There was a single opening for 8pm i was told. I asked the hostess to give me 1 minute to confirm with my partner via phone call. 48 seconds later the hostess gave away the reservation. No warning. No notice. Nothing. There were 2 people behind me so I tried to be cordial and had the hostess help them so as to not have people wait on me. The hostess did not even say she could not hold the slot while i did a quick call. If she couldn't, she should have said so. Otherwise, what is the point of letting me call only to tell me that the reservation was given away after the fact? I didnt think she would give up the slot like that. Poor communication. Absolutely atrocious customer service. Terrible experience. Edit: August 7, 2026 in Response to Business Manager Natasha's reply Your response is completely disingenuous. Your own website https://www.highballcm.com/ clearly states "WALK-INS ONLY" Therefore, how did another guest call in to take a reservation from someone, like me, who took time out of their day to come in person and wait in line as a walk-in pursuant to your website? Not only did you make a mistake and/or fail to exercise decent service, your attempt to cover it up is also completely bogus. read more

Super cool that such bars are finally opening up here. Bringing a bit of Japanese bar culture to Irvine/OC. Free parking in the lot. No reservations, you walk in, put yourself in the wait list n wait. This is the only thing I disagree with. Because for people who are on time and want to get to places, it is such an absolute waste of time to loiter in the lot waiting. The menu is long and diverse. I recommend almost all of their specialty drinks we tried, esp the clarified yogurt one. Like the name suggests, they have a dedicated highball section, which is a great opening if you're here for the long game. I'm hoping they refresh their menu seasonally because I'd like to visit often and it'll keep things interesting read more

I had a 6pm dinner reservation so got here on a Sunday at 5:30pm and there were already people waiting outside. Upon entering it's dark inside but by the time you adjust it's a small and quaint setting. Being solo I was seated at the bar where the fun stuff happened as I watched the different drinks made. I was served a variety of rice crackers before my whiskey highball drink came. It was smooth and a nice palate cleanser to prep me for my omakase meal. They do accept walk ins but depending on group size and how busy they are be prepared to wait read more

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A very intimate bar with a speakeasy. Most of the tables are filled with diners for the speakeasy, so there will be a wait for the bar. We arrived ten minutes after opening and there was a wait. We waited about 20-25 minutes. The bar is small with 4-6 high top bar seating, two regular height bar seats, and about 2-4 tables. We walked into a pitch black bar with contrast from the bright sunlight at 5:30pm. I do appreciate the mixology approach to this bar. Every drink is curated and the menu is divided into categories to find the right one for you. The service was very attentive and interactive. Our server took the time to introduce each cocktail section. I had the clover club, which was well balanced with fruity and tart flavors. My boyfriend had a highball which was standard to us. But then tried the mint chocolate chip cocktail. If this is your favorite ice cream flavor, then it tastes exactly like it. They also garnished with mint, so it enhances the mint chocolate chip flavor and aroma. Also, their bar snacks are Japanese rice crackers which I love!! I would definitely come back to try more cocktails and hopefully their speakeasy too! read more

Highball - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Amazingly delicious dishes with extensive cocktail menu. There are 2 omakase options and we choose the $100 and all the optional selections including uni toast, uni noodles and tin fish. They start the evening offering you a sake box to select a cup. They provide you a sake shot with essence of stone fruits. It was very aromatic and the perfect start to the meal. All dishes were unique and exceptional in quality. We have been of the chefs since he was in dtla and happy to make the drive to Costa Mesa. This is a must try location. The front bar area bartenders all greeted us and said goodbye. Exceptional service read more

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Highball is a new bar and dining concept located in a small plaza in Costa Mesa. The front is Highball, a Japanese-style cocktail bar, and the back is Naisho, a omakase restaurant behind a door. They do not allow reservations at Highball and have a max party size of four people. It's not a big bar but we were able to get one of the tables. We got some Japanese bar snacks to start; note that the first is complimentary and you have to pay if you want refills. BUTTER MILK ($17) - this milk punch was sweet and downable. I liked the brown butter and the strong chocolate notes from the white cacao. This was my favorite. 5/5 DAIFUKU ($17) - this was tart and sweet with a foam that's thicker than a typical egg white foam. 4.5/5 SHIO UISUKI ($18) - this has a similar style of an old fashioned. They give you the glass with the drink on the side so you can choose your preferred level of dilution. 4/5 CLOVER CLUB ($16) - this is a classic drink and while I know it doesn't have any shiso, for some reason my taste buds had that note. 4/5 We saw a lot of people grabbing a drink and asking if there were any seats available in the omakase before heading in. There were a lot of people coming in and out for the omakase experience. The door kept opening which reminded us of the brightness from the outside, ruining the vibe a little bit. I understand the space is small but it still ruined the feel knowing there was light outside. This was a cool vibe other than the light issue. If you go later in the night then you won't have that problem. It'd be cool to check out Naisho when the hype dies down so reservations are easier but this is a cool new bar addition to the area. read more

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Get here early, line is long, drinks are good. Ask for Justin, he's your guy. Why do you ask for extra characters when there's nothing more to say? read more

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Service was not good here. The drinks were amazing, but we waited so long for someone to take our order and for our drinks to come out. The inside is super cute and really reminds me of Japan. read more

Came to The Highball before omakase and loved the hidden speakeasy vibe. The space is dark, intimate, and perfect for date night or drinks with friends. Cocktails were creative and well balanced, and the bartenders were friendly and attentive. I liked that they explained the menu and the story behind each drink, which made the experience more interactive and interesting. One of the coolest parts is the hidden omakase experience tucked inside, which makes the whole concept feel unique. Overall, a fun spot in Costa Mesa with great ambiance and service. read more

Highball - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Good cocktail bar with good ingredients and preparation that justifies the prices they charge. Ambiance is modern and chic. Drinks can take awhile since they are servicing a restaurant in the back in addition to the bar. Music is too loud here and should be dialed down. read more

Highball - Negroni - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've had quite a lot of cocktails through my life and been to many bars all across the world - from NYC, London, Paris, Japan, Barcelona, etc. I'm not sure how many people travel specifically for bars and restaurants, but I'm certainly one of them. The TL;DR is the OC area is lucky to have an establishment like Highball, and if you love curated cocktails you are missing out if you don't come here. Its been quite a wait for Highball to open following DTTN 2.0s closure. The lead bartenders from DTTN 2.0 spearheaded the menu and curation at Highball, and they did an exceptional job. The bar is well stacked, the alcohol selection is top notch, and there is no lack of talent coming from both Justin and Tony. Justin is serving as the main bartender, and he's exceptional. From the OC area he's one of only 3 bartenders I've been impressed by. As of writing, advanced reservations are required and the entire concept mirrors the recently opened Bar 109 / Corridor 109 in LA. The bar serves as the front of the space, and there is a speakeasy restaurant specifically focused on a sushi omakase experience. The front bar area is very cozy and modern, my only real concern is it may not be big enough should traffic ever increase but with the reservation system hopefully they can keep it steamlined. Overall, the opening of this bar makes it one of the best in the area alongside Stone Groove Stillhouse. Couldn't recommend it more, so happy that it's finally open! read more

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I am amazed with my entire experience here. While the reservations might be tricky to get, it is absolutely worth the wait. My boyfriend and I started in the bar where the lovely Tony catered to all our needs. He was incredibly elaborate in explaining all drink components and made sure we were getting exactly what we were looking for. We continued into the immersive omakase experience. All staff was so catering to us, whether it was the chefs or the servers, making sure our ginger was full or our napkins were folded while we went to the bathroom. Overall Highball is somewhere I would recommend to anyone I care about. The hospitality, experience and vibe is everything I am looking for. The pricing is also incredibly reasonable for the amount of catering the guests receive. Thank you Highball for the amazing experience, I cannot want to come back. read more

The cocktails are made to perfection and the vibe is cozy and intimate. It is a small space with limited seating which honestly makes it feel even more coveted. We started with the Whisky Highball and Clover Club, both drinks super clean and balanced. We loved watching the bartenders craft each drink. They even cut their own ice which made every step feel intentional. For our second round we tried the Shio Uisuki and a Negroni. The Shio Uisuki quickly became our favorite! Thomas was incredibly welcoming & friendly, and we really appreciated that he took the time to chat with us. The service was wonderful. Hope to be back soon! read more

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We came here on a whim but ended up staying for 2 hours. What a wonderful experience this place is. With pages of cocktail options in their menu, there's so much to try and experience. We sat at the bar and our bartender was attentive and patient with us. The inside is curated to perfection. I honestly came here because I thought the glassware was perfection and come to find out, the drinks were made great too. They were on top of service and the music, the lighting, and vibes overall were wonderful. We are already planning on coming back here with friends. read more

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Wow!! I rarely love bars on first impression but my first time at Highball was an experience to remember. Justin was a great bartender who was very knowledgeable and attentive to get our perfect drink for us. I will be back! read more

Highball - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Service was so good and personable, wait for one person on a Saturday was about 45 mins but worth the wait all of the drinks were thoughtfully crafted and the bartenders had great knowledge and were friendly! Great attention to the craft I believe his name was Justin but he was great ! read more

Highball - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Highball reached out about my last review hoping to make good but my friends and I chose to pay our own way for a completely authentic second look and the service was significantly better. We were warmly greeted, given snacks, and offered a welcome drink because the bar was running a bit slow. The moody atmosphere is great, making for a much-improved experience for our group of three. We each had two drinks, along 2 of us opting to try their tea options, but the cocktail menu still feels like a collection of good attempts that miss the mark: * **Sweet Potato:** Very dense and heavy; it leaned much more into intense sesame than sweet potato, making even half a drink tough to finish. * **The Daifuku:** An interesting concept, but the foam needs work to either lighten the texture or make the flavor more pronounced. * **The Melon Bar:** Tasted good, but the prosciutto garnish needs to be reimagined as it isn't very attractive. read more

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Having dined at Naisho Omakase twice and tried several cocktails from Highball during my meals, I feel it's appropriate to review Highball separately now from my sushi experience. You will pass the bar as you head to the dinner. The space is quite small and there are no reservations but it has a nice vibe. I know the bar doesn't take reservations so not quite sure what the process is like to get a seat or how difficult it is. As for the cocktails, they are fantastic. I cannot do whiskey and lean towards sake, shochu, vodka or gin. I have tried and enjoyed Chu-hi Yumi, Canteloupe Island, Melon Bar and Daifuku. As a lover of hojicha, I also really liked Dumpling Factory, one of their free spirited drinks. All of their cocktails are very well balanced and none of them are overly sweet (thank goodness). When the bar and the Naisho are busy, they can get backed up and it takes some time to get your drinks. read more

This place was amazing; it might be a new favorite for us. We walked in 2 hours before closing without a reservation, and we got seated in about 30 min. It's a small little bar with a wonderful menu. We tried 4 different cocktails, and they're all unique and refreshing. Our two favorites are the buttermilk and the Jack Rose. The staff here are also on top of it. We had a few people help us; Thomas was very attentive, and his recommendations made our experience even better. We can't wait to try the omakase; it just seems to be fully booked out, unfortunately. read more

Highball - Junichi - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Had the pleasure of getting in Highball on a Friday night. The hostess greets you are the door as you ring a door bell. The ambiance is beautiful and intimate. The main bartender Justin is an absolute gem and EXTREMELY passionate about his creative cocktails, the origin, and every cocktail made, it seems, is like watching an artist put on a show. I highly recommend sitting at the bar although not many seats there but it's truly spectacular to watch the master at work. Tony does an incredible job as well making sure the guests are taken care of and happy. This is a magical spot and I would bet if 50 BEST BARS took notice they would be on the list. I've been to numerous speakeasy's and bars on that list and this spot is right there with them all. read more

Loved their daifuku cocktail and ms Wednesday drinks at this spot. The vibes were immaculate and the bartenders were so attentive in explaining every drink and the story behind them. read more

Highball - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Highball was a nice experience. If you get the chance sit at the bar (only 6 seats there) and have Justin. He was knowledgeable , personable , and made the overall experience a great time. We had called in the night before to confirm they were taking walk ins, as we weren't able to get reservations for dinner, as we walked up there was a sign that they weren't taking walkins this weekend which was a big let down for us . Granted they are new but would've changed our whole itinerary for a Friday night. Justin did make up for it as he took us on a cocktail journey being considerate of which drinks to serve us. Hopefully we can update this review in the near future. read more

Highball - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The meticulous attention to detail can be felt - watching them make the cocktails is as fun as drinking them. We enjoyed the cozy intimate atmosphere and familiar yet creative menu. We started with high balls (pine & apple, chu-hi yumi), then enjoyed a Bobby Burns and accidentally shio uisiki, followed by a night cap of junichi. Bobby burns stole the show. Incredibly balanced! We'll be back. Come early or late, or expect a hour plus wait. Next time, we'll combine with omakase (if I can ever get a reservation!!) Ps It was a sad day when DTTN closed so we were thrilled when browsing the website and saw Tony. The cocktails here are some of his best. DTTN reunion! read more

Highball - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Had a wonderful experience. I love sweet and fruity cocktails and the cantaloupe island definitely delivered! Tastes like juice but the buzz hits strong! They have a variety of drinks, with the melon bar being more alcohol forward. Great vibes, attentive service and awesome cocktails. We'll be back for more read more

Delicious unique sushi experience. I did the 16 course journey and loved the flavors of the different fish. It is only sushi and a hand roll to finish not an omakase read more

What an experience!!! This place... you would never expect it from the outside - an unassuming plaza with your typical stores. But Highball... let me just say that I will be going back AGAIN! There's no food at Highball but you can eat next door if you feel like some omakase. Our bartender was the incredibly detailed and talented JUSTIN! Sitting at the bar is a must. You get to see the magic happening and hear about the vision behind the drinks. The drinks aren't super strong - and it doesn't need to be. You're looking for quality here. The freshest and best of ingredients blended together to make the tastiest and most satisfying of drinks. It's a really classy place for a great night out for some drinks. We will be back again! read more

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Found another hidden gem in the OC...and this time its a cocktail bar! HIGHBALL IS FINALLY OPEN! And honestly... Orange County has been needing a spot like this for a long time. I love that OC now finally has a Japanese/Asian-inspired cocktail bar! The concept is super clean and intentional, and the layout of the space is awesome. It feels stylish but still relaxed, and you can tell a lot of thought went into the design. The cocktails were insanely delicious! Like the kind where you take a sip, dab your tongue, your eyes blow up, and then sit back in your chair, wondering what just happened moments. I also loved watching them shake the cocktails, especially since they use the Japanese Hard Shake. Something about that three-point shake is oddly mesmerizing to watch. I'm not sure why, but it's super satisfying and almost part of the show in a way. If you're the type of person who enjoys sitting at the bar and watching the craft behind the drinks, this place definitely delivers! I also have to shout out their ice cube game, because these babies are JACKED here. Those big crystal-clear cubes just hit different and make the drinks feel even more dialed in. I also really liked the weight and feel of the rocks glass with the cube. Something about lighter glassware with a big clear rock always vibes with me. Simple detail, but it adds to the whole experience. Vibes/feels here? The vibe here reminded me a lot of the downstairs bar room of Martiny's in NYC. More craft cocktail-focused, intimate, and not trying to be some loud party bar. Just really great cocktails with a great craftsmanship done right. Here were some of my favorites from the night: -CANTALOUPE ISLAND - Had no idea cantaloupe and banana worked so well together, but wow. Perfectly balanced and dangerously easy to drink. I could honestly drink a gallon of this stuff. -PINE & APPLE - I never really drank highballs before, but this one definitely opened the door for me. Super refreshing and crisp. Honestly felt like the perfect palate cleanser between drinks. -OLD FASHIONED and PENICILLIN - Amazing classic cocktails done proper. Nothing flashy, just executed exactly the way they should be. BRAVO! On top of that, the customer service was great. The staff was welcoming, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they're doing. Sitting there, drinking, and hanging out honestly felt like home and being with family. Maybe this wil become my 3rd home away from home, and I'll probably be one of those customers whose Uber history will be 90% to/from this bar. Thank you HIGHBALL for the fun night (and the most insane hangover this morning lol)! I can't wait to return to try out the rest of the menu. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! UNTIL THEN!! ^-^ read more

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i usually dont write reviews but this was the best experience of my life. this bar has such a beautiful ambiance and amazing chill music. great friendly knowledgeable nice awesome staff and amazing cocktails everything was my fav. even the spirit free drinks were smooth and delicious!! i will be back!!! read more

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The service and drink quality at Highball is top-notch. Justin and Tony put together an amazing program, and it's a delight every time we come in. Every cocktail I've had here, from thoughtful and interesting on-menu creations to meticulously made classics, are all genuinely world class. I'm not a particularly religious man, but Justin's Penicillin is the closest I've come to believing in a higher power. The vibe inside is classy and refined. The bar is a small space with no reservations, so getting here early is ideal. I'm confident Highball is only going to get busier and busier as more people find out about it--completely well-deserved. 10 / 5 stars, will keep coming back and ordering the Penicillin--it's as good as it gets. Amen. read more

Highball - Amen - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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THE DRINKS ARE EXTRAORDINARY, even the mocktails. Every drink tells a story, and the bartenders go over the menu with you. The service is topnotch and the ambiance is cozy, dark, and sexy. It's a great beginning to an incredible night (if you manage to get in, of course!) The hype is reallllll. read more

I had such an amazing experience at Highball! From the moment we walked in, the energy was vibrant and welcoming. The food was absolutely incredible and full of flavor and beautifully prepared. Huge shoutout to the chefs, they really outdid themselves! The service was just as impressive very attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even better. And the drinks? Sooo good!! Everything came together perfectly. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to again and again. Highly recommend! read more

Highball - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Really solid spot! Cocktail menu was innovative and extensive, and Justin (our bartender) was very kind in going over the menu, recs, etc. Only feedback I have is that I wished opening hours went longer! Especially Thurs - Sat read more

New amazing bar in Costa Mesa OC! Came here for date night and it did not disappoint. We ordered the Melon Bar, Junichi, Penicillin, and Shio Usisuki--each cocktail was unique, well-balanced, and honestly they were very solid for the price. The vibe is perfect for a date night, intimate, stylish, and not too loud. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and the ambiance really ties the whole experience together. If you're looking for amazing cocktails with a great atmosphere, this spot is definitely worth it. We'll be back! read more

Highball - Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Had an amazing dinner. Best Sushi I have ever had. The drink Menu and drinks are The Best as well... With an amazing Asian twist. If you are up for an incredible meal with lots big Sushi with not a lot of rice (Lots of Protein) ALL made with Perfection. All was absolutely Amazing! When you want the ultimate Best, check out this intimate place with perfect service... read more

Very intimate bar. Wife and I arrived here at 5:30 on Saturday to get seats. They stagger guests to introduce the bar and its story which is great. Drinks were fantastic and not over priced which is amazing. Loved the vibes and team working. Definitely have to make our way back to try more drinks!! We had highball and cocktail each. read more

Walking into Highball felt like being transported into a classy Tokyo cocktail bar. The decor and ambiance was well thought out and they executed the concept perfectly. We were greeted by Justin and his team. They made us feel very welcomed and the service was top notch. We had the cantaloupe island, melon bar, and Junichi. All were very creative, expertly crafted and tasty. I highly recommend stopping in for a drink, especially if you plan to dine at Naisho. read more

This speakeasy has achieved par excellence in creating an immersive mixology experience. Angelica and myself have been to almost if not all speakeasy's around but Highball does not take short cuts to provide an exemplary and unforgettable encounter. The theatrics do justice to the history and relevance of every cocktail that they feature. Will definitely try again and again. Cheers to the innovators and the brainchildren of this endeavor! read more

Fantastic bar. Staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The vibe is immaculate and the drinks were out of this world.

Owners, Thomas and Sean made the experience lovely. Fun atmosphere and cocktail menu. Small, but cozy. read more

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