I don't know how else to describe this place other than a bar trying to be a club. Pro's: It's always bumping, bartenders are liberal with their pours, food truck are always parked outside, plus a silent movie is always projected on the wall (typically Batman). Con's: They pack people in like sardines, so it's always too damn hot from all the bodies and you literally have to side shuffle your way through in order to get somewhere inside. For me it's a hit or miss. I am not much of a "club -scene" type of guy (too many d-bags). So I prefer to bar hop around the more chiller areas, so I can actually sit back and enjoy my drink, but this will always be my wild card. read more

Ok, so I have a love hate relationship with Proof. My first YOCHH was here, and I've come back for several other YOCHH's. However last night was the first time where Proof, as an institution, let me down. I think it was more of an issue with 2 things going on at once - us Yelpers who usually take over the space, and the club deal that was going down. Suffice to say it didn't mix too well with me towards the later part of the night - music that was starting to drive me insane, packed bar... Proof still has it's main strengths going for it though - Stiff drinks, "Unique" art on the walls and in the bathrooms, and a vibe to it that is fairly decent. It's like alcohol, sexuality, and candy all rolled into one super powered gobstopper when the mood hits just right. It's original draw though - that it had people, but wasn't completely slammed - is kinda being lost because it's getting too popular. What does this mean Rob? are you going to forsake Proof? Nah, I won't. It's still a cool place to go to, but it's just not as cool anymore. Call me Indie Rock Pete, but things aren't the same when they go mainstream, and it feels like Proof is on it's way to becoming THE place. At least it's not Sutra. read more

I love me a Proof Martini. And I typically don't even choke down martinis. But, they have a 3-4 star Mango martini and a 5 star Proof Martini. Seems to have some lemon juice in it that tastes fresh squeezed. I am not a fan of their dirty martini - but I am not a fan of anyone's dirty martini. LOL read more

Luckily had a spot reserved in the corner to linger, otherwise, expect to get packed in like a can of sardines come 11pm. They displayed Batman and Robin old school on these huge screens high above. The DJ stuck to mostly hip hop on a Saturday night, at least I could dance to most of the songs. Drinks were stiff here, and not too pricey at all. The crowd is quite mixd- though some people can do better at minding their own business. Bathrooms are toward the back of the bar... don't know what's in the basement though, probably should have checked that out. Would I come back? I wouldn't be opposed to it--no cover, no strict dress code, so I am a fan of that criteria. I parked in the structure, it was $4. read more

I went to Proof Bar last night and it was awesome. We went to the Yelp event posted by Ryan (? I think). Anyway, we got there around 9 p.m. and it was pretty much dead. So we ordered a couple of drinks and went out back. After we came it, the place started filling up and didn't stop all night. We were very happy that Proof was serving $2 vodka drinks and domestic beers. Nice bartenders that pour strong drinks. By the end of the night, the place was packed, but the bartenders were keeping up and doing a good job. The ambience and lighting in the bar was optimal; everyone looked hot. haha. Plus, I loved the music they were playing. Everyone was really nice there and I made some new Yelp friends, which was the best part of the night. All in all, Santa Ana is a little far from me, but if there are any cool events in the future, I'd def. go back. read more

Talk about a diamond in the rough. I've never partied in downtown Santa Ana, and you know what, they know how to party. I'm kinda getting tired of the club scene: trying to get on the guest list, trying to get my guy friends in (and $20 covers), packed dance floors and long lines at the bar and restrooms. At first I thought it was because I was married and nearing 30. But I still enjoy dancing, good music, good conversation and good drinks - it's just everything else I have to deal with. Well, then here comes along Proof. Reminiscent of bars I have visited in San Francisco, Proof has stood out to be a cool spot to hang out in the ghetto of the OC (sorry Santa Ana, no offense). Our friends and I were thinking of going to Heat Ultra Lounge to celebrate our friend's 30th bday, but because we had a bunch of guys and didn't want to pay for bottle service, we knew we were going to have a tough time getting in. Was is really worth it? So we thought we'd give Proof a try. I had already heard about Proof on Yelp and it received decent ratings. There are a lot of artsy people strolling about the streets at night, but also people looking to party and have a good time. We arrived at about 10:30pm, no line and NO COVER! Yea! The place isn't really too big. There's a long bar to the right of the entrance and a small dance area towards the back. That night they were playing house and trance. I don't paricularly like to dance to this kinda music, but the DJ was really good and the songs flowed so well together that I would catch my hips gyrating every so often. Ah, I am reminded of my raver days...memories... The drinks here are strong! I had 2 drinks and a shot of Patron and I was pretty tipsy. Didn't have to wait too long to order drinks, which was great. Two friends threw up, including the birthday boy, so you know it was a party! I'm not really sure how much the shots were, but the drinks are $6 each. The kind of people here? Well, I would say mostly young, artsy types, but there were also some people dressed like they were going to a club and even some people who came from a wedding in their bridesmaid clothes. A good mix of people, I would say. The atomosphere is very casual. They were playing MC Hammer music video's on the tv's, which was funny, because trance music was playing, but it somehow worked. The best thing about this place is the large outdoor patio in the back - it's almost, if not bigger, than the establishment itself. There was lots of room to hang out and smoke, and there were even some chairs and couches tucked away in a corner for you to chill. Very cool. We left at about 1:00am and the place was packed. I had a really good night and I think my friends did too. I would definitely come back here again. If not for the bar, but for the pictures in the girls bathroom wall :) read more

A bit of a hipster joint. Nothing wrong with hipsters, just a statement to let others know what they are getting into, don't get all crazy on me now. I've been here twice, once for fun and once because my cousin (Wendy City, she's good you should check her out) had a set here. First time is probably more representative of how it generally is. A nice cozy (dare I say quaint) lounge / bar with sofas and neon lights....wait doesn't this sound like every other lounge / bar I have reviewed? The thing that makes it stand out is where it is situated and the crowd the comes out. It's located in the art district of downtown Santa Ana so naturally the artsy fartsy people come out to play here. It creates some good times and a nice vibe. Music Type: House Music (music for those who can't dance, but like to make weird robotic yet oddly organic gestures) read more

Am a newbie to this area as it was my first time in Santa Ana... am guessing this is downtown Santa Ana? Well the streets are decorated in a "small town" sort of atmosphere with twinkle lights, and everything does look a bit charming even at night. I got here a bit early before the rest of my friends were coming in and chatted it up with the bartender Allegra. She was really nice and def knew how to make a great martini w/ Ciroc and then I moved onto my usual Stoli drinks. I like their glasses here... like a martini glass w/ no stem. Makes for less spilling! She knew our Yelp crew was showing up and had a genuine interest in knowing more, which was nice! The Monday Karaoke night was entertaining and even though I swore I wasn't going on the stage, thank goodness for The Judy, Frank K, A Judy K....fun times. Its a good lounge that I wished we had in Belmont Shore, I would def be a regular on those leather couches that are shaped like a bed. Delish! read more

The times I've spent at Proof musta been good.. cause I don't remember much of it. There are bulges in the women's bathroom. The bartenders pour 'em strong. Thanks for giving me my money's worth. They have Chimay for relatively cheap. There's a cute tiny little dance floor and couches (love a place that gives girls in heels a chance to rest) ... as I recall... there was a pole in there somewhere? And... last but not least... all the YOCHH events... thanks for the memories... whatever I can remember. read more

What I love about this place: They really know how to show you a good time and make you feel special. My friends took me here as a large party for my birthday. They went out of their way to make sure it was a happy one. From free birthday shots, shout outs from the DJ, AND the owner giving me a birthday gift!!! How sweet are they! It was organic soap and a candle that smells absolutely divine. More pros: 1. Parking on the street was free! 2. no cover! 3. good DJ 4. reasonably priced drinks 5. friendly crowd Thank you Proof Bar and company... you made my night memorable =) read more

This place is pretty cool. When my friend said that we were going to party in Downtown Santa Ana. I was thinking wtf?! So lets just say that my expectations were super low. Pro's - $2 Parking (You'll never... ever find that in L.A.) - No cover - Super casual dress code... actually I don't think that they have one. - Good amount of seating - Good music - Spacious smoking patio, there was even a guy INSIDE that was selling bacon wrapped hot dogs!!! You don't even have to go outside! Con's - This place effing small. _________ Bottom line, yes, I would go again. read more

I love this place. I've only been here twice but would be a regular if I only lived closer! This place has great music, great bartenders, and great people! None of those weird perverts are here, either! Perverts, if you are reading this, stay away from Proof Bar! They have great specials on drinks and appetizers during Happy Hour! Will definitely return! read more

This place has good vibes, cheap drinks and the wait is rarely long. Gets very crowded since the floor plan is very narrow. Just another bar/lounge with music for people who wanna dance. Went here the other day, a stranger lent me a dollar cause i was short. Bartender refused to take my credit card and accepted the guy's dollar instead. Gentlemen exist, guys. read more

Our trip to Houston was canceled, so that left my Friday night open. I haven't been to many UYE's and I like to think that the ones I do decide to attend are the best ones (by regular UYE attendees' standards). When I first walked in, the place seemed pretty dark and I had my doubts considering the amount of people that were there. I did come pretty early, but I didn't think I was that early. The back was set up nicely by by the Camel promoters. They had a separate DJ, outdoor seating, professional photographer, and a ton of giveaways. I ended up with a couple wigs and 6 packs of Camel's new cigarettes. Now, I don't smoke, but hey, free is free, so I indulged. It's hard to imagine Proof without these promoters (considering it was my first time), but based on that experience, I'd recommend it to anyone in the area. The drinks were stiff and inexpensive, and the bartenders were awesome (standard $20 in the beginning kept the juices flowing). One thing I probably shouldn't have to mention though was the bathroom situation. I was disgusted by that and haven't touched the shoes I wore that night since. All in all, it was a good night. I met a lot of cool Yelpers that evening and I didn't get to meet as many as I thought I would have. There's always next time though, so see you at the next one! As for Proof, I may go back if invited, but I don't think I'd choose to go. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. read more

YOCHH at it's finest. The theme for the night was: MOAR ALCOHOL! read more

I went to this place the other night for Cinco, only stayed for about 45 minutes. My friends and I heard they had a couple great specialty drinks, so when we finally pushed our way through the sweaty crowd of people to the bar and asked, the bartender told us she was out of the ingredients to make the drink we wanted. She offered to make us one she thought we'd like instead. When we got it, it tasted nothing like what she described (it tasted like a watered-down Sex on the Beach). Not only was the drink watered down and bordering non-alcoholic, but it was $8, which could have easily bought us a stronger drink literally ANYWHERE else. The pricing seemed a little off to me. There was barely room to walk around let alone DANCE, and the downstairs lounge area had a really nasty smell to it. Overall, it was a bad experience. Definitely not my cup of tea, but hey, it works for some people. Maybe if the drinks had a little bit more alcohol in them, I could tolerate the crowded smelliness of the place... read more

I did not like this bar at all maybe because it was being a poser and trying to act like a club?! I'm serious I went casual only to find out that a lot of girls were dressed all skanky. Talk about feeling under dressed. The bathrooms were really small. The small square used to dance was crowded so me and my friend were kinda standing toward the edge getting in the way of the people going to the restroom. It's not like it mattered because I really wasn't digging the music they were playing, it was house or electro, no clue. Plus, there weren't any attractive people whatsoever. Bummer. The best part was that parking was free right next to the place. Giant structure, you can't miss it. I will probably go again, but only if I'm really lazy and refuse to drive to L.A. read more

Popped into Proof Bar after having dinner at The Crosby. Good music, very very very young crowd, the wait outside was LONG, can't understand why?!?! Don't think I would come back to be honest. read more

The one thing I strongly dislike about going out to the Southern California nightlife is the pain of parking. Proof is still located in a trendy outdoor area with an extremely convenient parking structure within the next block. The last thing any designated driver wants to worry about when driving to and from the bars is to squirm around in your car to dodge drunk people/drivers. A+ on the nearby parking structure. Easy on the ladies who are trampling over with their heels too. I went to Proof on a Friday night, and I'm not sure whether it was the special event that was going on that day which helped the crowd population but this bar is packed and poppin'. The size of the bar itself is not too large but it's nothing claustrophobic-like. There is a basement with special events/displays--depending on the day you go. The dance floor never seemed to be too empty unless you strolled past it around 9-10 pm...by the time it was 11, you had to fight your way through. Unless you are a really picky bar hopper, Proof should do you pretty well for a party night. read more

I'm going to have to start this review with a disclaimer that there were $10 champagne bottles that night and I had 2 by myself. There are a lot of things that can get 5 star ratings here after 2 bottles of champagne but I'm a club kid. I think I have the experience to be subjective in my Yelp review despite the drunkeness. First of all, there's street parking! There was a blocked off section of Santa Ana's art district for some sort of festival but I still got parking around the corner from Proof at 10:45. Unfucking believable. While it's true the place starts to pop off after 11pm it wasn't like the place was empty when we got there. After a waiting in a 5 person line (bouncer was saying hi to a regular) I was greeted by a nicely done up bar. Lighting ambiance was well balanced and people got to dancing despite lack of Dj type lighting on the dance floor. Pros: Stiff drinks Great drink specials No cover Awesome music (Saw Abomb and Designer Drugs that would be $20 easy in San Diego!) No Line TJ Hotdogs on the back patio Cons: none?!?!?!?!!!!111??!! (Well you can't dance on the beds/couches but I realize that's kinda asking for a lot. Usually attempting to dance on club beds involves paying 100s on a bottle not 10 bucks LOL) Priceless: Taking care of the drunk bday girl sitting on the street corner and none of the 4 cop cars across the street came over to bother us. lol read more

Since I got called out by a fellow YELPER who shall remain nameless (BONG E.) and informed me that I still have yet to review a place, I figured that the first review should go to my first UYE at Proof. I have mixed feelings about this place: i like the patio, the STIFF drinks, and the cool music. We came on some event night promoted by Camel (free cigarettes and 70's giveaways!) and I think the highlight of my night was the free professional picture taking. The crowd was eclectic, first time I've been to a place with so many different groups of people. As side from that, I didnt like the cramped main bar and their ladies restroom was N-A-S-T-Y! sorry don't really like walking through toliet water with long jeans! Would I return??? probably not. read more

Every time I've come here, the employees here seem more interested in socializing than in actually doing their jobs. The ID checker is always minimum 10 feet away from the door, in street clothes, and in a group of people. More than once, I've assumed the ID check was inside and started to enter only to be rudely called back by the door check walking over toward the door. Tonight I just stood by the door until the door check made himself obvious. Then I go inside and try to order a beer. I leaned on the counter, arm extended with cash, for a solid minute and a half while the bartender, who made eye contact with me as soon as I approached the well, wrapped up her conversation at the end of the bar. This place is kinda cool for supporting local businesses, like Santa Ana Spin, a record store around the corner that hosts vinyl swaps here occasionally. And the vibe here is way less douchey and clubby-feeling than I remember it being a year ago. But their staff still keeps the douche bar up in spite of the cooler ambience. read more

While I started my Yelp Drinks night out at Memphis, my friends got their party started at Proof Bar. I joined them just as the Free DJ classes were on their musical *wicka wicka* end. We grabbed seats at the bar. Since it was 8:30 p.m. on a Thursday - it wasn't very crowded yet. Perfect - the bartender paid full attention to us. For 50% off, they had 3 drinks: Yelp Punch, a Lemon cocktail, and a beer (London Ale.). The bf went with the London Ale, my friend MD went with the lemon (we were also celebrating his birthday!) and I had the Yelp Punch (gratis, because he had been mixing drinks in advance!) The Yelp punch was aight - not my steeze so I went with the Lemon for the second go-round.. for $4, I wasn't going to complain. We got into a few more drinks while we were there - I think shots of SoCo and maybe a Washington apple for the birthday boy. I love Proof because it always gives me the opportunity to get some drink on and it has its very own chill vibe. Hooray for Yelp Drinks! read more

Norma (aka dj skeptix) and Brian present the most glorious experience in the downstairs area at proof bar. Go down the stairs on the left if you want a fucking adventure read more

Came here on a Thursday night. This bar was jammin' after 10ish. Good crowd going on too. They played house/techno inside and hip-hop outside. The bar is pretty small. Probably have three wells altogether, but they do have like 6 bartenders and 2 barbacks manhandling it so getting drinks is no problem. They even pour heavy, no jigger in sight! :D Outside, they had a taco stand set up for fatties like me, but i didn't want to embarrass my friends by busting out a Kobayashi. For how small this venue was, I think they could have spare a little more room in the bathroom.. Just a thought. Would definitely come here again.. and again.. until all the cool kids goes somewhere else ;P read more

I've never hung out in Santa Ana before. I hear it's ghetto but I guess we were in the nicer area. This bar isn't too bad. Mixed crowd. No cover. Decent music, didn't have to wait long for drinks. It does get crazy hot in here though. Everyone was sweatin' up a storm all huddled together trying to get under the AC unit attached to the wall. Every Friday night, they have $10 bottles of champagne. Nothing says classy like 12 doods chugging champagne straight from the bottle. Only sissys use a glass. Note to self. Champagne hangovers are the absolute worst. read more

I go here on Thursaday nights...mostly to support my friends that just got resident dj here (mikey and alex). They spin house, electro, breakbeats, stuff thats fun to dance to. Compared to other nites, expect a circle to break out on the dance floor. Besides coming to support my friends, this is a great place because.. 1) No cover! 2) Free and easy parking at the structure nearby. 3) If you get in before 11pm, ladies get FREE CHAMPAGNE! It's not advertised or anything, just go to a bartender and ask them for the free champagne. 4) The drinks are realllllyyyy strong and cheap. I ordered a long island one time ...and it was good enough for the whole nite. 5) And best of all....BACON WRAPPED HOTDOGS on the patio!!!! The only thing is to remember to close out your tabs! I left my card here one thursday and it was impossible to get a hold of them because they rarely answer the phones. And there was only one person that had access to a safe. But other than this....great chill place to hang out. read more

Pretty cool spot. It's big enough to dance and theres enough room at the bar that you dont feel crowded. Theres also a second smaller bar downstairs which mainly serves liquor, but it's a nice escape if things get too crowded back upstairs. read more

Located in Santa Ana's Downtown "Art District," Proof is a pretty fun place to spend a night of dancing and drinking. First off, there is a free public parking complex about 2 minutes away from the bar so you dont have to worry about finding a place to park. Secondly, its free to get in and it wasnt overly packed for a Saturday night. Lastly the drinks were pretty inexpensive and were well-made. I did have a few complaints about the place....the most annoying thing about Proof is the music. The tyrannical DJ (who shunned every request to play better or more diverse music) only played generic industrial dance music nonstop for 3 hours. Remember the beginning of "Blade," when Wesley Snipes walks into that club and all the Vampire party-goers are dancing to some weak drum n bass music....it was like that; except for the fact that no one got their heads chopped off when the music ended. Secondly, the restrooms are located in a hallway behind the dancefloor and nothing is more annoying than having to maneuver between gyrating 20-somethings to use the restroom. Overall, it was a fun experience. Cheap drinks. Crappy Music. Would I return there again? Well, they did make a couple "Blade" sequels, so I guess I would. read more

Poor service. Nasty bartender. Went there early (8:00) on friday night. Only two other people in the entire bar, but the bartender acted like she was overwhelmed and had a really bad attitude. Will not go back. read more

I like a good bar or club I can walk to and stagger home from - and while I've walked to this one and staggered home on a number of occasions, I can hardly call this place "good"; interesting, yes - good, no. The Bar: One big room, with strategically placed cubes for seating and tall barstools with matching tables for posing near the bar which connects with a looming hallway leading to both the bathrooms and a backdoor leading to a parking lot - which patrons aren't supposed to be using. On any of the nights I've been there's only ever been a single bartender and a single bar-back - it's a wonder they stay sane and polite - however, I've never had a sour bartender moment here. No smoking patio, so best if you don't smoke, don't want to smoke, don't like smoke and/or don't need to step outside - they may not let you back in, if it's packed! The Peddlers: I've been alternately nagged to sign on for free cigarettes and cruises; had Polaroid photos of myself and friends taken, only to be bullied to buy them; and haggled by flower bouquet ladies - wait? Did I magically teleport to Revolucion circa 1986? The Crowd: Mostly and mainly youngish - the "just turned 21 crowd", mostly college, mostly Asian. On one occasion, during the Mexican Independence Day festival, my gay gal pal and I pounded multiple beers at another venue, then staggered here - attempting to lose five very drunk, very out of place white boys - who caught up to us at Proof. I ended up asking them if they were going to try to talk us into going to church - that's just how out of place they looked - not that my pal and I fit any better... I've never paid a cover charge to get in, although I've seen the bouncer turn around and charge a cover to the folks right behind me in line - perhaps breast size knocks the entry down? In any case, good spot for a large group of friends; better still if you are 20-ish, college-ish and can take being packed like a sardine in a hot sweaty box! read more

I'm a bit disappointed with Proof Bar. It's a bit of a small bar, the crowd was mostly latino with a baker's dozen worth of Asians, the DJ mixed Top 40s, & the drinks were made poorly. I'm pretty sure I went on a night when a new bartender was working or....a bartender who fails at her job was working. I asked for one of their specials & she literally turned the menu around to see what was in the drink. I was shocked, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt until I actually tasted it & was sorely disappointed. It was horrible & I asked her to remake it for me because all I could taste was pure alcohol when the drink sounded like one of those umbrella drinks. She gave me attitude when I told her it was a bit too strong for my liking claiming that that was the way it should taste. Not sure about that since she checked the ingredients that were listed on the menu, so I'm going to go ahead & assume that she also just made up the amount of each ingredient as well. My other friends also had issues with her drink making too, but again, this is one bump in the night. I'm sure the regular bartenders do a way better job than this woman. Biggest perk? No cover! I'll adventure down there again one of these days; hopefully the bartender that's working will actually know what they're doing. read more

My first YOCHH.... I must say, I had some random fun. For those who didn't know why some people had wigs/ peace signs / huge sunglasses on, it wasn't to get ready for Halloween. The event outside was a 70's themed party that was promoted by Camel and a bunch of accesorries were being given away. As for this venue, it was nice and clean with great decor. Although it was a little small and I didn't like having to squeeze my way through a ton of people every time I needed to get a drink at the bar or go outside to the patio. But overall, I had fun. The place was nice, drinks were stiff and weren't too pricey. I would come back to this place, maybe on a less crowded night. read more

This place has a pretty sweet vibe going on. It's fairly small but feels a lot larger cause they have mirrors on the far wall, and you really can't tell they're mirrors until you walk up to them. It's split up really cool, using beads hanging from the high ceilings to visually separate the bar area with tall bar tables, from the lounge area with low-to-the-ground seating. In the back they have a DJ booth, and they had some awesome music playing the night I was there. Through a door in the very back past the bathrooms is a fenced-off area in the alley behind the building where people can go and smoke. Although I'm not a smoker, it looked pretty inviting, with some ivy or other kind of greenery out there for decoration. I'm sure it's a plus for those who don't want to have to continually leave the bar for their drunken smoke. The patrons seemed like a good, mixed crowd, but definitely younger... I don't think anyone looked over 30. They have so much going on all over this place, with movies being projected on the wall, and colorful light machines. When I was there the video they were showing was "The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat". Bizarre choice, and to be honest, the drugged-out and sexified cartoon characters had me mesmerized... like it seemed appropriate. Then since it's in the art district there's tons of really kick-ass photos and paintings covering all the walls. Long story short: Me, impressed. Bar, recommended. read more

Must have been Azn night when we came here 'cause you seriously cannot move without bumping into an Asian lol Pretty laid back bar with a dance floor and good music. Or at least the DJ wasn't spinning Top40, not that there's anything wrong with that but it's pretty awesome that he had some nice songs in his playlist. No cover! Park in the structure for free if you leave late enough! read more

If you make more than minimum wage don't come to this establishment. The owner Justin is a fucking prick! I ran to the restroom at 150am and by the time I got back they had cleared the place. I had a few sips left in my glass when the bouncer approached me and told me I had 2 seconds to finish my drink. As I tried to finish my drink Justin ran across the room and aggressively pulled the drink from my mouth. I wasn't being combative so I don't understand why I was shoved out like an animal. If you feel like being treated badly this is your place. This is why I stay away from Santa Ana but more specifically Proof, disgusting! read more

Proof Bar - Thanks proof. Nothing like gum on the bottom of my Gucci drivers. Peasantry. - Dance Clubs Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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I went on a Friday night and it was awesome! Dope crowd, dope drinks and dope music! Music = Hip-Hop (from old school to new school) and Top 40 radio. People = Mix crowd...mid 20s to 30s...all races, and walks of life. Drinks = kinda pricey...but well worth it. The bartenders kept them strong and the wait wasn't to bad. They also do a great job of keeping up with customers and their tabs. read more

What is there to say about Santa Ana. Not my favorite of spots to go in search of a bar but I was proved wrong. Parking wasn't terrible. There's a parking structure close by but I suggest if you're a petite little asian girl such as myself, don't go wandering too much alone in Santa Ana late at night. The bar was a bit smaller than I expected and also pretty slow at first (I got there around 10:30 or so) but it picked up a few hours later.I had fun. The interior was nicely decorated, dimly lit with blue and purple hues, cute! The music was enjoyable and, oddly enough, so are the people. I know how Orange County is. I've lived here for a while and usually the only "overly friendly" people are people trying to get into your pants (or sometimes vice versa am I right? Ahaha). But the people here were genuinely nice. A lot of regulars that go there I'm assuming because it looked like everyone knew each other. I wouldn't suggest this if you're looking for a crazy, night of debauchery, but if you're looking for a chill lounge atmosphere with good music, well then here you go. read more

So I stumbled upon Proof Bar on a whim... I went on a Thursday night after leaving The Crosby, which was too crowded for any real fun to happen. Next time I know not to bother even stopping in - the real deal is just down the street at Proof. Apparently Asians have a thing for getting drunk on Thursday nights here.. so if you're an Asian guy, this bar will have mercy on you - also, since there aren't too many tall white dudes stealing bases, you'll be batting at a much better percentage. Asian girls are plenty. but most of them are not "cruisy" so you still gotta pull off some decent game. The situation will call for some liquid courage - Jack and Coke (yeah, man up). Asian felines love to group up so it's best to bring a wing-man or five Also, don't be that guy sipping on one Bud Light the whole night. Not chic. Drinks are a little expensive - but it could just be that I wasn't aware of the specials going on. But no biggie. It's a lounge bar so you gotta expect the worse in terms of pricing. However, the service was pretty damn good. Since it wasn't crowded, the bartender took good care of me and my buddy to make sure that we had a good buzz walking out. There's a cool dance floor but a couple minutes in and it turns into a cesspool of UCI kids that think they can breakdance. It's entertaining to say the least. Overall, this place is pretty neat. I'll definitely hit it up again in the near future. read more

Heard about this place from some friends and been going here since March 2010. The place is pretty chill with a small dance floor next to the bar. And they've got projectors that show really weird movie clips. I like this place because it's local, the music is good, and the bartenders are awesome. They make their drinks pretty strong and drinks are decently priced at around $7 or $8 (that's what Jameson & Coke costs, from what i remember). Order your drinks from Allegra. She's my favorite bartender and I only order drinks from her. She's so chill and really nice. Something to keep in mind... they have different music on different nights. I believe Thursday is hip hop/top 40 stuff and Friday is house music. I think on Saturdays its a mix, but i'm not too sure. I've only been once on a Saturday. read more