When I said "Bar" and "Santa Ana" in the Yelp search - of course it said "Club 616" in the first…read morespot - OF COURSE IT SAID 616!!! I was lucky enough to stumble across this gem of the center of OC when they first opened - and I am proud to be a regular here. I don't know how to go somewhere else - because I feel like the staff are giant gems in this jewel of a spot. Winters is a curator of boozy information that has helped me learn about "gin" and "root beer whiskey" so I can sound like an adult-ish purveyor, when really I know close to nothing except being a willing student to his creations. Dan the Man and Jacob always see me raise my hand in the corner of the bar, like the student I am, and have been willing to fill in the blanks for me when I know I am of thirst, but do not have the words for what to order. Every person working in the well has treated me with kindness - they have taken the time to get to know me, and I will be forever appreciative of how they have taken care of me over the years. But the real joy has been the transformation that this spot has for building a community of people in Santa Ana for real recognizing real. I have been bringing my Dad with me to play pool for the past few years. Sometimes people ask me if he plays professionally, I am terrible, and my skill incline is slow, he is patient and plays with the same level craftiness that the staff offer the cocktails. My Dad is always stoked when we have time to go have a few hours of games at 616 - especially now that there are regulars on 4th street that are excited to see that he is there playing - and they rush to write their names on the chalkboard to challenge him - or beat him in a game they really earned the W. On lazy Sundays, I watch couples sit with their drink, listening to Jazz, and watching my Dad whoop my ass while making amazing shots. I am forever grateful to Memo who sometimes takes a break from his shift behind the bar to give my dad an actual challenge - which allows me the chance to watch my Dad enjoy fellowship around the table. Knowing the table was a relic of the bars former self, and knowing the history that this spot has in Santa Ana is a reminder that so much around us can change - but it is those moments of the crack of the rack, the cheer of getting the combo shot, and the shake of hands when it's over that shows that it's not just about the pool table - but about the energy of a place that is welcoming and curated by people who care about what they do - and care about who comes through their doors. Thank you Jason and Mike B to bringing this to 4th St and supporting the community that was already here - and for building a community for the future. Thank you to Christina and Brandon for always having amazing pictures, decor, and fun events at 616 that help introduce new folks into this great spot. Time is short. Learn about Root Beer Whiskey. Write your name on the Chalk Board. No one lives forever.

I love the vibe here. It's about the energy and atmosphere for sure. Reminiscent of the bars /…read moreclubs in Baja California or Mexico in general, it's lively with a back patio area and even like a taquero there, at least on weekends. The drat beer selection is solid and the cocktails are well crafted. Highly recommend this spot. One of my favorite it's Downtown Stabba Ana

Fun ambiance. Great cocktails! Service was also great too. It feels like the Tiki room. Very…read morenostalgic.

Came here today for lunch and had a great experience! We loved the decor and theme. Had a 2:30pm…read morereservation in the cabana. Our waiter was so nice too. We sat in the cabana near the cave, but the whole place is so cute. The food was good we got the edamame, spam musubi, coconut crusted tofu, poki bomb, loco moco, chicken tenders and fries and macaroni salad. The drinks were pina colada and the flamingo. Everything was good and fresh. I will definitely be back. It's such a cute place it felt like we were in Hawaii or on an island. **only thing my husband complained about was the floors were super sticky -

Sonder was amazing. We really enjoyed their creative menu and everything we ate was delicious. My…read morefavorite would be the pork belly skewer. It was fatty, juicy, and had a slight charred taste. All dishes ordered were done really well. The vibes were fun and upbeat. I really appreciated the design and interior decor of the dining room. Deeper in you will find more seating, the bar, and a live DJ! Service was good. it was a little slow at times but I understand it was a busy night. Staff were friendly and helpful. Great spot for a night out with friends or date night :-)

From the moment I walked in, I knew, this was going to be good. The server I think his name was…read moreBilly, really did a good job. He recommended some amazing cocktails and really good pre dinner apps. And he delivered. Our favourites were the pork skewers and the smooth operator cocktail. excited to come back here!!!

Had a great experience at Twisted Tiki! The bartender was incredibly personable and made us feel…read morewelcome from the moment we sat down. I can't remember his name, but he mentioned he was from Virginia, and his friendly service really stood out. The tiki drinks were delicious and had a beautiful presentation--almost too pretty to drink! Their happy hour is a fantastic value, and we also tried the chicken skewers, which were very tasty. The tiki-themed decor is fun, colorful, and adds to the overall atmosphere. Between the great drinks, good food, and excellent service, we'll definitely be back. Highly recommend checking it out!

This was my first time at Twisted Tiki, and I really wanted to like it because I love tiki bars…read more It's a fun little place, and we enjoyed the two drinks we ordered. They were both tasty. I ordered the Zombie, which was really good and came with a cool zombie hand. We also had a nice time talking with the bartenders. Unfortunately, the air conditioning wasn't working that night, and it was really hot inside. We sat in the corner at the bar, and one of the bartenders was nice enough to turn the fan on the bar toward us. I appreciated the effort, but at that point it was basically just moving warm air around. We also ordered French fries, but they never came. We asked about them and were told the kitchen might be backed up. After we finished our drinks, we were ready to leave because of the heat, so we asked about the fries again. They went to check, but there still wasn't an answer as to when they'd arrive, so we canceled the order. I don't want to be too hard on the place because the drinks were good, the bartenders were friendly, and the broken AC may have just been an unfortunate situation that night. We actually went to Twisted Tiki because Mission Control wasn't quite what we remembered, so I'm not sure I would make a special trip just for Twisted Tiki based on this visit. That said, we're fans of tiki bars, so if we're in the area again, we'll definitely give it another try. Hopefully the AC is working and the French fries make it to the table next time!

The absolute best speakeasies are transportive, sending the guest into an immersive state of…read moresuspended reality for a while. From the sign as you enter, through the teeth, to the throaty-red textured walls, The Belly of the Beast encases guests in the whimsical journey down the whale's gullet. Who knew getting "swallowed" would be such fun? Keeping with the throaty theme, the space inside holds a few tables. It's an intimate space with ambient lighting and cheery Hawaiian/beach music. Puppets hang here and there, as well as other thematic, decorative details. My friend and I shared a few mouthwatering apps and imbibed a few delicious concoctions. Our wonderful bartender frim "outside" even came in with us, which made our experience even more personalized. We especially appreciated the complimentary shots! Our food was delicious and plentiful for apps: spam musubi, edamame, sliders, and shishito peppers. Now this is a big deal: my friend has celiac disease. She needs to be very cautious when ordering food. She self-advocates but much relies on the knowledge of servers. Our wonderful bartender, now our server, was very diligent and knowledgeable, and double checked ingredients with the chefs. Accommodations were made. Good times rolled on! Extra heaps of thanks on that! We fully enjoyed every minute of our (generous+) 90 minute time slot here. The service was amazing, the food delicious, and the cocktails made with magic. It was worth the drive, and one I'll gladly make again at next opportunity.

The decor and theme are amazing. I love the immersion and attention to detail. The service was…read moreoutstanding. Brodie was on his game all night with drink recommendations, food suggestions and just being a great host for our table. This was our first time to TBotB, so we're went sure what to expect, but we've been to Stowaway many times. The only knock I had with it was the selection of cocktails is limited. While I understand TBotB is it's own thing separate from Stowaway, I wish you could get some of the drinks from there. Most of the cocktails we had were good (but I'm not sure I'd order them again), but the menu had a number of drinks I won't order, they're just not my style. We missed being able to get some of our favorites from Stowaway. We ended up getting a table at Stowaway after our time was up in TBotB anyway because we were having a good time so that was fun. All in all, I think next time we'll stick with Stowaway and sitting at the bar. At least we can check TBotB off our list. It's worth checking out for sure, but for me I enjoy the more classic tiki cocktails. It's fun to venture off the beaten path once in a while.

First time visiting this cocktail lounge, and it was a truly unique experience. The space is…read moreintimate with limited seating, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The service was outstanding--attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. What makes this place special is that there's no traditional cocktail menu. The bartenders craft drinks throughout the day, and guests are invited to sample them before deciding what to order. It feels personal, interactive, and completely different from the typical bar experience.

Excited to have a speakeasy in Orange, but would rather drive to anaheim for theirs. The ambiance…read morewas cute to look at but impractical to dine in...and the pressure is on. We went to celebrate a birthday for one of our friends. We were sat at a long table facing a wall and weren't able to hear or speak with one another. They were 15 minutes late calling us up to our adventure and hasty to get us out!! While the bar experience sounded like it would be fun, the "tasting" was run as a dictatorship - one of our group wanted a quick photo of the laid out drinks and was scorned to put it away until the detailed instructions of taking a clean straw and using it to take a sample of each drink then discard it was ridiculous on every level. If you are going to sample, pour everyone a small taste! How wasteful in every way - the straws, the remains of the drink, etc. (a new straw was used for each "sampling"). Once e we finished this process, they wanted everyone's drink order before you could go back to the table. Not everyone knew what they wanted - but that wasn't allowed. You were to order before sitting back down! Then comes the food. Meh at best. Nobody was impressed by the food, there were limited choices, and our poor guest with food allergies was not well accommodated. The service was rushed and demanding. Oh. All of this on top of a $25 per person fee for reservation that goes back toward the bill. Also watch out! Gratuity was already included but not mentioned. There are better options for an experience of this sort.

I don't normally like the OC businesses so much, but I LOVE this place! It's very down to earth,…read morethey have the most amazing beer selection, and terrific prices. It's packed and happening, super fun. I'll be back.

One of Orange County's best five bars. This spot is my friends favorite spot. I've been coming here…read more over the years and I'm glad it's still here. Great selection of beer and staff are friendly and helpful. Clean interior and decent restrooms. Unique counter bar seating available. It's a small spot but worth a visit. Free parking is hard to get but there is a structure parking available nearby

I tried Qua for the very first time to celebrate the anniversary of two very dear friends ~ and for…read morea date night with the hubby. Qua is one of Kei Concepts' latest innovations, serving contemporary Chinese cuisine, and I was so excited to finally experience it! The spacious interior is modern and chic while still paying homage to its traditional roots. The service was on-point from start to finish. And our private dining room? Intimate, elegant, and absolutely gorgeous. I was obsessed with the theme and aesthetics! But what I was really excited about was the food--and boy, did it NOT disappoint! My friend hand-picked the menu so every guest could get a taste of everything Qua had to offer..and trust me, no one was leaving hungry! We started with General Tso's chicken wings, salt and pepper calamari, and crispy fried tofu. Then came the crispy shrimp red rice roll, which was unlike anything I'd had before--so unique and packed with flavor. Next up: XO fried rice with char siu, dan dan noodles, and steamed cod with black bean sauce. Every dish just kept getting better! And just when we thought we couldn't eat another bite, dessert arrived. Egg tarts, strawberry shaved snow, and mango sago pudding brought the night to the sweetest ending. Good food, beautiful ambiance, and celebrating people I love--what an unforgettable night! A total RxFoodie recommend!!!

I came to QUA for the second time specifically because I wanted to try their afternoon tea…read more Unfortunately, when we arrived, we were informed that the reservation I made was for the restaurant and not the afternoon tea itself. I was pretty disappointed because I had used the reservation link they posted on their Instagram Story and planned my schedule around coming here specifically for the afternoon tea experience. As for the restaurant itself, the food is decent, but in my opinion, it doesn't stand out as much compared to some of the other Kei Concepts restaurants. As someone who is Chinese and grew up eating both Chinese and Vietnamese food, I personally think Kei Concepts really excels when it comes to Vietnamese flavors. Their Chinese dishes aren't bad by any means, but considering the prices, I would probably go elsewhere if I were specifically craving fried rice, noodles, or dim sum. Customer service can vary, but I did appreciate that the manager came over personally to apologize and explain that they unfortunately didn't have any availability for afternoon tea. The reservation mix-up wasn't necessarily their fault, but I appreciated that he took the time to speak with us. The space itself is absolutely beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. I especially love the layout with the bar right in the heart of the restaurant--it really makes the space stand out. I'd still love to come back and actually experience their afternoon tea! Just make sure you're booking through the correct afternoon tea reservation link so you don't make the same mistake I did. Parking: Free and plentiful.

Mission Control is a BLAST! It's a not-so-hidden gem on the second floor of a market in DTSA, which…read moreis the perfect way to spend the evening after walking around and eating in the area. There's a variety of pinball machines and classic old school arcade games to choose from (as well as some new machines which were recently added). You can exchange cash for tokens and all the games are reasonably priced, either 2 tokens (50¢) or 4 tokens ($1). They've got a DJ bumping live music to set the mood, a couple bartenders dishing out fun themed drinks, and there's even a dance floor with a disco ball if you feel like getting down. It's got a little something for everybody, even if you're bad at the games you can still have fun with friends, on a date, or even on your own! HIGHLY recommend you check this place out, it's a guaranteed good time that isn't expensive which is rare nowadays!!

I hadn't been to Mission Control in about two years, so I was really looking forward to going back…read more Unfortunately, it just wasn't the same experience I remembered. There used to be an area with around a dozen pinball machines, but that area was completely bare this time. There were still pinball machines along another wall, but I remember them being in both areas, so it felt like there were quite a few fewer machines overall. A few of the other games weren't working either, including the air hockey and basketball games. I also noticed there wasn't a DJ that night. That may have been something that simply wasn't scheduled for that evening, so I'm not going to hold that against the place. I'm just mentioning what I experienced. I did get to play Galaga, which was fun, but I was hoping to play Centipede and it wasn't there that night. I ended up playing only two games before heading downstairs to the tiki bar. Maybe it was just an off night, and I may have caught Mission Control at a bad time. I just remember it being a much more lively and fun arcade the last time I was there. I was disappointed because I had really been looking forward to coming back. I hope it was just an off night, because I'd like to see it get back to the place I remember.

I think this is on everyone's speakeasy list!…read more Make sure you make a reservation It is very packed. They offer bar seating and booth / table Follow the wall from Randy's donuts and Look for a wall of Japanese sake/beer barrels and head towards the restaurant - the rolling boil. There will be a check in host and stand there and wait (it will be located up against the wall with a big secret door right next to the hostess station) It's very New York inside. When I first came in Spring with the amazing, Karen, the menu and everything was great Now, I took my friend who was in town from Nashville and it was a brand new theme. It's the great Gatsby. Even our waitress, Jasmine was dressed for the occasion. I would say this place is known for Absinthe. They have cocktails featuring it or you can get one of the huge apparatus (huge and glowing green) which, if you are into it? I highly recommend. Just one of the huge apparatus makes one regular drink. Or, what Karen and I did, was split it and make it into a shot for the both of us. The waitress comes out and shows you how it works and goes over everything. Karen, who I came with, was a pro and knew her way around it. She showed me the ropes lol. Honestly, if you are here? When in Rome. Go all out and try it, since it's where they shine here. They took off a few menu items and added some themed drinks. ( a couple new champagne themed drinks) They have big entree items but I suggest small bites and sharing and mostly coming for the drinks. There's no bathroom inside, so you do have to leave the bar and go to the closest one (over behind Randy's donuts) and then enter the speakeasy again Both times coming here I've never had an issue. It's a small, packed place. And yet they still have the cocktails flowing and the food coming out in a good time. So the food and drinks are good Atmosphere is lovely. Service is good. Especially for it usually being very busy in here This place is located inside the Anaheim packing district. So I suggest hitting up a couple other spots before or afterwards for some more food or drinks P.S. it is very dark In here. They never cared if we used our light to look at the menu. However, they do not want flash photography They also do not strictly enforce a dress code (my friend from Nashville asked) however, they suggest dressing business casual and not too underdressed

Date night for mom and dad away from the kids type of night. Very mellow and chill. Small but cozy…read more I loved the Gatsby decor. We chose to be seated at the bar. Service was decent. I really liked the clarified strawberry drink, similar to strawberry and cream. I ordered a drink after that unfortunately forgot the name (photo attached with a tall glass) but there was no special cocktail craft taste to it. Just hard liquor taste and undrinkable :( the bartender kindly offered another drink. Unfortunately none of the food was the least bit good. Steak and fries was ordered medium rare and cooked to medium well with what seemed like no seasoning was on there at all. Crab cake was just ok and the slaw beneath it was drenched in a vinaigrette that was just sour and unpleasant. And the Mac and cheese, as we were very hopeful and looking forward to, was probably the blandest Mac and cheese we ever had. We asked the lady bartender for salt and she handed us, no exaggeration (and you guys will probably think I am) a salt shaker with 10 grains of salt in it and said "looks like there's a lil something you could still get out of there" My jaw dropped. But yeah. The shredded meat on top of the Mac and cheese was cooked beyond the point of edible. That one was unfortunately sent back bc we just couldn't eat it. We were bummed over all mostly about the food.