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    Highball

    4.8 (33 reviews)
    Closed 5:30 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Highball Photos

    HIGHBALL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

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    Menu (April 2026)
    Brian F.

    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.

    Jasmin P.

    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!

    Nicole C.

    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!

    Junichi
    Mohammad H.

    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.

    Bri T.

    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.

    Kassi S.

    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!

    Hai D.

    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.

    Negroni
    Andrew L.

    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.

    Stephan Y.

    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!! ^-^

    Amen
    Kevin G.

    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.

    Melissa B.

    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!

    Edward K.

    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!

    Lisa S.

    Costa Mesa's latest and greatest! You want good and cool bar vibes? This is definitely the place for you. Drinks were so good, and if it's not good, it's not on the menu. Service and conversation were immaculate! It was like watching a magic show right in front of you. Can't wait to return. :)

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    1 month ago

    We slipped in to meet up with a friend and we loved the place! A great find! They can make whatever combination cocktail you'd like.

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    2 months ago

    Shio Uisuki, Junichi, Negroni, and Gin & Tonic were all exceptional. Atmosphere was solid. Stoked to have a spot with good cocktails in CM.

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    Ask the Community - Highball

    Review Highlights - Highball

    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.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

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