Ruin Bar

146

194

4 years ago

excellent service. excellent drinks. nestled near a restaurant this place has a very comforting feel to it. they were playing sailor moon while we were in line. ordered the "not yo mamas spritzer" and it tasted great. read more

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Gloria C.

264

1691

5 years ago

This is in the Lab, and it's a really small bar that is hidden next to Habana, but it is a really cute and eclectic bar, with a menu that is as eclectic as its decorations. They have some really interesting cocktails that I haven't had before - some with oat milk that are very interesting and surprisingly good. There is very limited seating and very intimate as well so it's perfect for a cute date night! read more

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Samantha I.

132

289

304

4 years ago

The Mexican Mule is one of the best drinks I've ever had. So good and the bartender gave me extra watermelon gummies. Love! Super cute vibe and interesting seating options. Very small, but fun. There was a DJ (Friday night) and the music was poppin'! Would definitely come again. read more

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Benny E.

3 years ago

Can we fix the music please. I'm no NPR DJ, but why am I hearing lollipop by Lil Wayne while drinking a nice cocktail and some obscure 80's film is playing on the TV above the bar. Like it's every time, and it's not like people are there to dance. Great whiskey sours and great bartenders. But the music is horrible. ): I'd even settle for The Smiths or Depeche Mode, just not this pop junk read more

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Angela C.

123

2501

4293

4 years ago

Really small bar right located behind Habana in The Lab. It's an okay bar. Seating is very limited and there's just a lot of stuff going on in there, which might be the vibe they're going for... but not really my thing. Drinks were good but kinda pricey. read more

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Dan L.

Elite 26 All-Star

1219

701

2948

7 years ago

So I had seen Ruin Bar many, many times when I was looking at the Anti-Mall. It's one of those places I always wanted to go to, but just never decided to step foot across the threshold and check out. Well let me tell you this, I am so glad I finally did. This is a kind of place you've always wanted to hang out in but didn't know existed. A core is sort of a cross between a creepy thrift store and the coolest room in your house that you always want to hang out in. honestly, you could sit there and look around the walls MC so many different things. In fact there is so much stuff to look at, you would almost forget that you had a drink in front of you. That would be, almost. They have a great selection of alcohol, and possibly the crowning glory is that they actually have Absinthe. Now I may be a bit of a slob here, but they're not too clear on how to actually serve it. It would be nice if they had a small Absinthe fountain, but you can't fault them for that. They have a great selection of mules, and other cocktails. The place is small, so on a Friday or Saturday night it may seem cramped, but there is plenty of room to sit outside. The bottom line? It's hard to find words that adequately describe how cool this place is, it's one of those places you just have to go see for yourself. I am 100% certain that you will agree that is a very cool bar to hang out in. read more

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Carlos A.

4 years ago

Came to Costs Mesa for a BDay celebration and had Jennifer and Jacob make me the two most fantastic drinks with a bottle of Pastis that was gifted to me for my Bday. Service was amazing, friendly, and thoughtful. I recommend this place for anyone, tourists or locals, for a great time and amazing drinks! read more

Ruin Bar - Pastis drink with cherry syrup and coconut crème with couple other liquors - Wine Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ruin Bar - Amazing Pastis mixed drink - Wine Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Caila H.

3 years ago

Super cute but super small! Don't recommend coming with more than 2 people... we had 4 and there's not much of an option for seating at all. Love the decor and the vibe but it was so busy when we went that it almost made it unenjoyable and only stayed for 1 drink. read more

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Gina S.

3 years ago

Ambience is wonderful but be careful what you order. We ordered the spicy mezcal and it was nasty. It had a weird taste to it. We took one sip and took it back to the bar who refused to change the drink. We've had spicy mezcal in plenty of bars but this was nasty Yhey should've just replaced the drink with something else. We had previously ordered the Turn and Burn which was good read more

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McKayla M.

2 years ago

Super fun bar with a cool interior! Went here a while back with my friend to celebrate our 21st birthdays and got a drink and hung out for a bit. It was a great lil place to order my first ever drink! Only thing is it was a bit busy and it's pretty small so we couldn't hang for too long but overall a great place to grab a quick drink! Def will be back. read more

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Jennifer M.

111

5 years ago

Fun place. Very small but quaint. Different. I'd definitely come back. My cocktail was delicious. Loved how they had old ski lifts as seats. read more

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Peter J.

2 years ago

Nicole and Dakota are by far the best! Personality cannot be matched! The ambience is 10/10!

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Mel D.

1124

1284

1217

9 years ago

Maybe they are still waiting on their liquor license?!? But they only serve beer/wine and cocktails made with soju type alcohol. It's a cute place and the ambiance is nice with their unique decor, but a trendy bar should have vodka and other types of hard liquor for me to go out of my way to head over to the anti-mall (The Lab). But nonetheless, if you want wine/beer. A cute spot to check out. read more

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Jessica J.

496

210

3 years ago

They have a good happy hour with a strong pour on the wine. The ambiance is cute, kitschy, and intimate, I would recommend this place as a place to catch up with someone but probably not great for large groups. read more

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Melissa B.

3 years ago

Ambiance was adorable; drinks were intriguing, but I found the mocktails very overpriced. Because it's so small, once a large group arrived (an office for happy hour), our evening was done: we couldn't hear each other, we're bumped into, and there wasn't open seating outside. So consider that when you come here. You're a bit at the mercy of who else decides to visit. Service was excellent! read more

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Nolan T.

2 years ago

The best bar and chill spot in OC! Hands down the best vibe and ambience I have been to. The drinks are amazing! Shout out to Dan and Titos for our mixed drinks. Will come back. Highly recommended to anyone near and far! read more

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Monga M.

2 years ago

Jessica & Daniel were awesome ! Had a great experience to be honest. My friends and I pulled up on a Friday, it was pretty lit, music was good, and drinks were a decent price. Could definitely see myself coming here again. read more

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Steph H.

Elite 26 All-Star

245

2562

4413

8 years ago

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Adorable little bar with all kinds of funky (mostly cat) decorations that somehow all work. When I first heard of this place and its plethora of cat art/decorations I had to visit! I headed over for some cocktails one weeknight with fellow cat lovers Sandya N and Joe L and we had an amazing time. Yes, the place is charmingly small, with all kinds of funky/kooky vintage items everywhere, including an old ski gondola in which you can enjoy your drinks. The first time we went it wasn't too long after they'd opened so it wasn't crowded at all. We could check out all the items at our leisure and chat with the bartender. We went again just a few months ago it was much busier. It was a Saturday night, granted, but I think more people know about it now also. They even took out this giant statue thingy that had been in the middle of the place but it's still pretty tight. I ended up getting a cocktail served in a lucky cat glass because I saw it being served to someone else and I had to try it! It was delish, and I believe everyone in our group enjoyed their drinks. I love this place and will definitely be back, just not on a weekend night, probably. read more

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Taiyee V.

151

107

5 years ago

Loved the drinks and the interior designs. It's very unique and such a great place to get a drink and chill with friends. The bartender was super sweet, she was very friendly and totally down to have a conversation with you there's plenty of parking when I went, but it was a Wednesday night LOL. Totally recommend ! read more

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KC O.

128

324

1271

7 years ago

I absolutely dig the bohemian vibe of the bar, with high walls covered in decorative chotkies, animal heads, retro videos of the Jackson 5 and 80s Jazz exercise, and a full-size ski lift. The ambiance is fantastic and deceptively comfortable. My friends and I ordered three cocktails all with fantastic designs and flavors. The mezcal and rum were on point. I got that "pretty puss" cocktail in a porcelain cat glass with mauve flower garnish. Drink was 10/10 and nailed its goal of tasting amazing! read more

Ruin Bar - Cocktail menu - Wine Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ruin Bar - Bar Area - Wine Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ruin Bar - Bitter Bitch, Estoy Enamorado, and Pretty Puss from left to right. - Wine Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Hank P.

370

4 years ago

Atmosphere unmatched. This place has cocktails made to be savored. Live music or dj every Friday and Saturday. Awesome decor and tenders that are straight shooters. Don't play yourself, check ruin out. read more

Ruin Bar - Front right corner of Ruin Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Julie H.

2 years ago

Took my daughter here for her 21st - it was so fun and the drinks were delicious. Love the decor and vibe of this bar.

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Nina S.

2 years ago

What a joke. Super slow, tight space and completely disorganized ordering. Unpleasant bar tending.

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Kim P.

239

392

779

7 years ago

It's super fun here! I love the eclectic decor and furniture. My favorites were the pianos used as the tables for the bartops and the random ski lift as a place for you to sit in. There were retro videos and also old anime videos playing on the screens. And let's not forget the random cat themed decor! If it's a little too crowded for comfort inside the bar, there is a cozy outdoor area right in front. The tree cozies are impressive and cute. Our drinks were delicious and our bartender gave great suggestions. I had the OrinGinal Gangster which was very refreshing as promised. A real fun place to hang out with a tasty adult beverage! read more

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Jasmine J.

3 years ago

Drinks are good. Wednesday night bar tenders seemed overwhelmed even though there was less than a dozen people in the bar. We ordered 2 of the same drinks as the people before us, got confused and reached for the drinks at the bar.. got YELLED at by the bar tender.. mind you it wasn't busy or appropriate to be yelled at.. some of our group wasn't even intoxicated or drinking and agreed that the bar tenders were impolite.. will probably be back, but only because it's open later than the other bars at the lab/camp. Oh and we had to remind them to pour one of our drinks, which they didn't even apologize or acknowledge that they forgot it. The bartender also scrutinized our non-drinkers. read more

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Six C.

4 years ago

Great ambience, plush velvet and 70's zen vibes down to the therapeutic aromas. Ruin have successfully encapsulated cool! Great place to grab creative cocktails amongst creatives in a well thought out ultra cool creative space!!! read more

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Rane S.

262

516

5 years ago

Great speakeasy bar. It's quite small and intimate. The drinks taste good and they were able to make drinks that were not on the menu. Cost was average, between 12-15 a drink. Plenty of free parking. read more

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Joshua R.

4 years ago

One of my favorite hidden gems at the LAB Anti-Mall. The interior is eclectic and unique, service has never been bad, and the cocktails are delicious. I've tried most of them but really enjoyed the Oaxaca Mule and The Bees Knees! read more

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Chloe C.

259

631

152

8 years ago

This bar is cute, and definitely made for the grammers, but I think the buck just stops there. It's really not that easy to find a place within the bar to enjoy your drink. The seating is honestly so strange, uncomfortable and cramped.. So the decor is nice, and cool to look at, but I wouldn't suggest that you come here on a weekend evening. Their drink selection is pretty standard for beer and wine. They're big on mix drinks, so I'd recommend that you give that a go if you decide to try this bar out. It's nestled in the Lab, next to Habana. read more

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Sai Avinash E.

3 years ago

Ambiance was really good. I ordered a Penicilin cocktail and it was great so I ordered a 2nd one and it was bad because they missed a key component the Islay Scotch. I couldn't taste the smokiness. The other cocktails were good. read more

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maddox n.

2 years ago

Kim, Daniel, and Jess were the BEST. Kim is such an amazing bar tender and really knows how to cater to us. Didn't think I would love this place as much as i did. I'll definitely be coming back and suggesting this place. read more

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Melissa M.

4 years ago

last call Is 1am yet it takes 10 minutes to wait in line for a drink with 99% ice jeez save your time call it a night at midnight, their bartenders are slowwww read more

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Janet B.

452

489

629

10 years ago

Cat themed? Check. Small and swanky? Check. Cutest little bar we came across accidentally upon walking out of lunch nearby. They have velvet curtains as their door so don't be shy and head on it. I peeked my head in thinking I was interrupting a private party only to find it exclusive and an awesome bar that sells strictly only German liquor and so forth. Equipped with the most eclectic decor inside, from an old school us to a piano bar and music themed menu- this place is cooler than cool. You even walk out and find random knick knacks for photo ops like an old carriage walking out and bed. Just don't be creeped out by all the cats inside. Literally, from the pillows to the bookends. Meow. read more

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Xiaolin G.

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

148

1263

5 years ago

4.5 Stars! Well, have been walking by the Ruin Bar so so many times before but no knowing that's a speakeasy bar! We finally got a chance to pay a visit, first impression of Ruin Bar is feeling like walking into a wizard school (yeah. I'm a big fan of Harry Potter), then southern america's sculpture, 70s tv, european gondola, and many "cats!". We basically went-off the menu whole night cause we feel like bartender Jacob knows exactly what we want with a couple simple key words and theme of the night. - 1st Round - refresh 2nd round - fancy & colorful with fuller bodied base 3rd round - warm & creamy, and the last round - fluffy semi-sweet. Love it so much! read more

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Page 5 of 13

2930 Bristol St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Directions
(714) 884-3189
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.theruinbar.com

Hours

What time does Ruin Bar open?

Ruin Bar opens at 6:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.Ruin Bar opens at 3:00 PM on Thursday.Ruin Bar opens at 2:00 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Ruin Bar close?

Ruin Bar closes at 12:00 AM (Next day) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Ruin Bar closes at 2:00 AM (Next day) on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Wed 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Next day)Thu 3:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Next day)Fri-Sat 2:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)Sun 2:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does Ruin Bar take credit cards?

Yes, Ruin Bar takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Ruin Bar have a happy hour?

Yes, Ruin Bar has a happy hour.

Does Ruin Bar serve alcohol?

Yes, Ruin Bar serves alcohol. Full Bar

Services

Is Ruin Bar by appointment only?

No, Ruin Bar is not by appointment only.

Indoor Amenities

Does Ruin Bar allow dogs?

No, Ruin Bar does not allow dogs.

Does Ruin Bar have TVs?

No, Ruin Bar does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Ruin Bar have bike parking?

Yes, Ruin Bar has bike parking.

Does Ruin Bar have outdoor seating?

Yes, Ruin Bar has outdoor seating options.

Does Ruin Bar have parking?

Yes, Ruin Bar has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Ruin Bar allow outdoor smoking?

No, Ruin Bar does not allow outdoor smoking.

Does Ruin Bar have free WiFi?

No, Ruin Bar does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Nestled in the heart of Costa Mesa's iconic LAB Anti-Mall, Ruin Bar is an eclectic cocktail sanctuary inspired by the legendary ruin bars of Budapest. Hidden behind a pair of weathered shutter doors, the whimsical hideaway is filled with vintage curiosities, collected treasures, and a lush garden patio that invites guests to slow down and explore. A place where curiosity meets craft cocktails.

History

Established in 2016.

Ruin Bar originally opened in 2016 as a small craft beer and wine bar. Two years and a liquor license later it began to develop into one of the most consistent craft cocktail programs in the Orange County area.

More Info

Health Score

Ruin Bar Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Ruin Bar

Can food be brought into the bar?

Does Ruin Bar have an pick up or delivery options?

No we do not.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes and cats 🐱

Is there an age limit?

21 and over

Is this bar family friendly?

It's a bar so if your family is 21 and over then the answer is yes. 😬

Does this place have a full bar? Or all soju based?

Evening we are a full bar!

Are reservations needed?

No this just a normal bar with no food so come and leave as you wish

View 1 more answer

What are their weekly specials?

Hi Pilar, We have have happy hour on our soju based cocktails for $6 Tuesday and Wednesday from…

Is it a good place to meet single girls?

depends on what night.

View 2 more answers

View All 19 Questions

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1.0 mi

We made a reservation at Pioneer and really enjoyed this little spot! It's tucked inside a diner,…read moreso it can be a little hard to find at first, but it's just inside the back patio area with a cute wooden saloon-door entrance. The space is small, cozy, and intimate with just a few tables. Our waitress was super friendly and took the time to explain the menu and different options to us. - Guava Y Queso (4.5/5): I loved this! It was really unique with the cream cheese topping, but the combination worked so well. Definitely a fun spot for cocktails and something a little different!

Lets try this again since my original review was removed…read more The night was going great. We just had dinner near by and decided get drinks here. We've been here a few times before and always thought it was decent. So, we made the last minute reservation online and got here 15 minutes early. When we arrived, there was a short line, but per the reservation instructions, one of my friends went in to check in while we waited outside. Friend: Hi, I'm checking in for a reservation. Bartender: What time is your reservation. Friend: 10 Bartender: What time is it now? Friend: 9:45 Bartender: Then I'll see you at 10pm. Friend came back annoyed and explained what happened. The bartender didn't say it in a joking way, but with attitude and annoyance. Most staff would respond "Thank you for checking in, we will let you know when your table is available." We weren't going to let this ruin our night, so we waited and were seated by the hostess. The bar itself is dimly lit and very tight. The music was loud enough that we had to almost yell to hear each other. The waiter came by soon after and was extremely friendly. We said we'd been here a few times before, but it's been a while. He refreshes our memory by saying they specialize making variations of classics. They want customers to focus on the flavors and that's why the menu doesn't list the spirit in their drinks. Also, they only make drinks on the menu because their drinks are prebatched/premade. We ask for recommendations which he was happy to give. We each order a drink and a snack for the table. As we're talking (very loudly so we can hear each other), we lose track of time before we realize that it's been 20 minutes and we haven't gotten our drinks yet. For something that's prebatched, it shouldn't take long. Before we can flag down the waiter, he comes by and apologizes that they lost our order and had to put it back in. We appreciate the honesty and say it's no problem. 5 minutes later, our drinks and food arrives. He again apologizes for the wait and has a second order of our food that he's including for free. Honestly we were ok with just the apology, but extra food too? Hell yea. Sounds like it was turning around. The drinks were okay. Not amazing, but definitely above average 3.8 / 5. The snack, bread and butter, were surprisingly good. 4.5 / 5 When we asked for the check, the waiter brought the credit card reader and told us we can swipe our card any time and left it on our table. We look at the bill and realize the waiter not only gave us the 2nd snack for free, but comp'd 2 of the drinks also. We all agree this waiter is GREAT. So why the 2 stars? Well first let me say, I would leave it at 1 star, but the waiter definitely earned them another. We wanted to pay cash, so we waited for him to come back. Instead, the original rude bartender comes by and realizes we haven't paid yet. We ask if we can pay with cash. He explains that they don't accept cash. Friend: Are you sure? *Proceeds to try to insert cash into the chip reader slot* Bartender: You're pretty stupid, aren't you? Friend: Maybe if I swipe it instead *Doubles down and proceeds to swipe the cash through the magnetic strip reader* Bartender: Wow, you really are stupid. My friend is a 100% a goofball and having fun with the bartender. It was OBVIOUS that he was joking. Was it funny? A little. Was it stupid? 100%. But for the bartender or ANY customer service staff to call a paying customer "stupid", that's simply unacceptable. We're all pretty pissed at this point and simply swipe the card and the bartender leaves. As I said earlier, we've come here a few times. We don't live especially close, but when we're in the area, we would always consider coming here. Now, there's no chance. For any business, even if your drinks and food are great, customer service can easily DESTROY your experience and that's exactly what the bartender did. Note to the male bartender with no hair: You really shouldn't be interacting with customers. You were rude from the start and have no sense of humor. Could you be having a bad day? Sure, but that's not an excuse to be rude to customers. I know management saw my original post because it was removed, probably because I referred to the bartender by his hairstyle (or lack thereof) multiple times. If they rather remove my post than deal with their bartender, that's another sign to avoid this place.

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Cowboys and Poodles

3.9(289 reviews)

0.1 mi

cute little speakeasy! my friend and i stopped by to start our night, and we loved the vibe and…read moreatmosphere inside. we ended up sitting in the carriage after another couple left, and the seats were a little wet/sweaty lol, which was definitely interesting but other than that, everything was cute and cozy. our drinks were good, although they weren't as sweet as we expected. definitely more of a personal preference, so i can see others loving them! overall, it's a cute spot to grab a drink, enjoy the atmosphere, and then move along to your next stop for the night!

We wanted to stop at a random bar in the area since we were out here for our friends birthday (you…read morecan take a look at the previous review). I searched Yelp and this came up a couple miles away and we liked the name of it. Haha! Cute little place. And I mean, LITTLE. Not big at all and hard to maneuver once inside. Pretty cramped. Hard to get a drink. Had a group of 4 people totally cut in front of me and my husband. We went to the other side of the small bar and waited several minutes.... Fortunately, the girl in front of me was sweet to offer to order our drinks for us. The decor was fun and festive but we won't go back. Not our style, not our type of bar to hangout in. Plus we pretty much surpassed the general age of the crowd. Like probably by at least 15 years. HA!

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26 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Katie J.

11 months ago

Ruin Bar is one of those hidden gems that you walk into once and immediately know you'll be coming back. The atmosphere is incredible -- moody lighting, stylish décor, and just the right mix of energy and comfort. Whether you're hanging out with friends, on a date, or just unwinding after work, this place sets the perfect tone. The drinks are top-notch -- creative cocktails with balanced flavors and high-quality ingredients. You can tell the bartenders really know their craft. The presentation is on point too -- every drink looks as good as it tastes. The music selection is always on fire, and the crowd is friendly without being overwhelming. You can actually have a conversation and still enjoy the upbeat vibe. The staff deserve major credit -- attentive, fast, and genuinely welcoming. If you're looking for a spot with great ambiance, exceptional drinks, and chill but lively energy, Ruin Bar nails it every single time. This place just gets it right. Highly recommend for anyone who loves good times and good taste! read more

Ruben M.

2 years ago

Ruin Bar is a vibe! This spot nails the perfect balance of laid-back atmosphere and elevated cocktails. The industrial-chic decor and moody lighting make it an ideal place to unwind or kick off a fun night out. The drink menu is creative and impressive. I tried their signature cocktails, and they were all fantastic. The bartenders clearly know their craft and put a lot of care into every pour. Service was stellar. The staff was attentive and friendly, making sure we had everything we needed without feeling rushed. Whether you're a cocktail aficionado or just looking for a cool spot to hang out, Ruin Bar won't disappoint. Highly recommend checking it out! read more

Agnes M.

22 days ago

WORST BAR EXPERIENCE OMG!! A man tried to save a seat at bar, mind you he didn't even put no jacket or bag to attempt to save the seat properly even though it's usually known that you can't save spots at bars like that. My girlfriend goes to take a seat and he SHOVES HER at full force. Management proceeds to take his side for whatever reason despite seeing him assault a woman, so in defense of ourselves we threw our drinks on him to protect ourselves. Management then kicks out the WOMEN who were assaulted and protecting/speaking up for themselves. DO NOT COME HERE AS A WOMEN THEY PROTECT MEN WHO ASSAULT WOMEN. IT IS A TINY BAR THEY SAW EVERYTHING!!! read more

Dianne H.

127

2 years ago

This place is definitely one-of-a-kind! The art is so interesting, and the seating is anything but typical--you're either in a ride car or something that looks like a train cart, which really adds to the fun vibe. It's a small spot, so it gets packed pretty quickly. The music is good, and the atmosphere is great, but just a heads-up: the drinks are super pricey. If you want to save some money, I'd suggest grabbing a drink or two at the brewery nearby, then coming here just to enjoy the unique setting. Or, just go for one drink here to experience the place without breaking the bank. Worth checking out for the vibe alone! read more

Regina D.

7 years ago

Second visit not nearly as good as the first. The decor is adorable and our group felt welcome here on our first visit. But tonight was a different story. Bartender was extremely rude to several in our party: bitched about making a mock-tail for someone who was driving, bitched about making a Long Island Iced Tea (ultimately refusing to make it), just... kind of a bitch generally. We paid too much for those drinks to tolerate shitty service. No wonder the place was empty when we left. Take a few pics in the converted carnival rides, then go elsewhere. read more

Crystal D.

22 days ago

DONT COME HERE. The staff and security defend men who ASSAULT WOMEN!! This disgusting man lost his temper and put his hands on my girlfriend TWICE!! Over a seat. THE SECURITY AND BARTENDERS TOOK HIS SIDE AND DEFENDED HIM AFTER HE ASSAULTED MY GIRLFRIEND!! Honestly if you are a women don't come here you aren't safe. This guy in the photo is Jason - the women beater and the girl is his girlfriend who defends is violent actions towards girls. read more

Malachi A.

2 years ago

This place is absolutely fantastic! The atmosphere is electric, with unique decor and a buzzing crowd. Their cocktails are creative and delicious, making it a great spot to unwind with friends. Plus, the staff is super friendly and attentive. Don't miss the live music nights--they really bring the vibe to life! Highly recommend visiting! read more

Carl W.

6 years ago

Ruin bar is racist!!! We had a party of 3 and they would not let us in because they thought we "knew another party" and said that it was against COVID policy to mingle. I think it was because we showed up at a hipster costa mesa bar with a mexican, black, and asian woman. DISGUSTING!!!!! read more

Jay S.

9 years ago

Back home to happy haunts, love this place. Never started writing reviews but I'm inspired recently, when I see some of my favorite spots welcoming me back from vaca. If you want a local joint that makes you feel at home, this is the spot. Good cocktails and beer! read more

Bianca V.

22 days ago

Terrible experience Beware women, man named JASON was shoving women here security did nothing bartenders did nothing whole place saw what happened TWICE !! and decided to remove the women based on reaction ??? no support or consideration do not come here 8/23/26 . read more

Peter Z.

203

3 years ago

This place is a dumpster fire Nothing but young people coming here with bad attitudes, the bouncer is a complete jerk unless you like harassment, for no reason this is a good place to go. I don't recommend this place for anybody just like most of the local bars. read more

Jenna S.

2 years ago

Although the cocktails were good, the male bartender we had was quite rude and had a poor attitude. The ambiance is unique and reminiscent of San Diego's bar scene, but it's important to note that the space is very small. read more

Andrew L.

4 years ago

Delicious crafty cocktails! Sometimes it's pretty busy which makes the ordering at the counter long but it's always worth the wait for the drinks! Shoutout to the girls working tonight they killed it! read more

Simon C.

170

2 years ago

This place is very unique and would recommend it for a night out with the lady. Keep in mind it's an intimate bar with limited space. Wouldn't take any of your guy friends here. read more

Sy C.

119

7 years ago

I have been calling this establishment for several days now without an answer or return call- I've called before mostly during and after it closes... is anyone there?? read more

Elaine H.

5 years ago

So happy I stumbled upon this little gem! So unique and fun. The cocktails are delicious and so well thought out. The place is such a vibe cant wait to go back. read more

Lindsey P.

6 years ago

Too a long time to get drinks, was only one person working during the entire time we were here. Took 30 mins to get one drink

Ferid C.

2 years ago

Amazing decoration. Amazing drinks . Me and my wife really like there. If you want different location you should go there

Nikki B.

9 years ago

I love this little hidden gem... tucked away but worth finding! Please check it out! The cocktails are amazing!

Maria G.

10 years ago

this place is like a fairytale! its amazing ! my girls and I loved it! soooooo going back this weekend!

Ruin Bar - wine_bars - Updated September 2026

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4.3

(35 reviews)

Excellent bartender, great food, perfect speakeasy vibes. New fave spot in this area! Def will be…read moreback to try more drinks. I had the Twain and it was fantastic!

The Guild Club is a speakeasy located inside of Arc Restaurant Food & Libations on the northeast…read moreside of the OC Mix in Costa Mesa. The space is small, so I definitely recommend using Resy to make a reservation. After checking in with the host at Arc, you will be guided to the rear of the restaurant to small round room with a mirrored door and a beautiful chandelier overhead. Upon entering, you will walk through another small hallway with green light and wood framed mirrors on the wall. At this point, you have now entered the Guild Club. The centerpiece is an attractive granite topped bar that seats nine people. The back of the bar features a beautiful wood cabinet with intricate carvings. There is a small area across from the bar with two round tables, each with two high back cushy chairs. This area is more intimate, but the tables are small if you plan to eat and drink a lot. The walls, floor, and ceilings are dark with lots of woodwork, giving a warm cozy feel. There are a nice assortment of interesting lighting fixtures, and paintings on the walls. A few small ceiling areas are painted dark green and display gold astrological signs. At the end of the bar, there is a spiral staircase leading to an upstairs space that I believe is for display only, but it adds a touch of mystique. The Guild has its own small menu of exclusive cocktails and bites, but you can also order anything from the Arc menu. We started off with an order of shishito peppers which were probably some of the best we have ever had. The portion size is very generous, and they have some herbs, almond crumble, and squeezed lemon on top. Be warned that the cast iron skillets that a lot of their food is served in are extremely hot. For cocktails, I started with the Number One. It was a good balanced cocktail with noticeable cucumber flavor and some bitterness on the finish from the Pimms. She started with Einhorn Is Finkle. It had a great light sweetness with some grapefruit flavor and light bubbles. For my entrée, I had the crispy duck. This is actually a big ball of duck meat with a fried coating on the outside. The duck was very flavorful and nothing about the duck or fried shell was greasy or oily. The grated cheese paired well and the arugula added a nice freshness. This was a great dish that I would definitely order again. She ordered the chile relleno. Obviously, Arc is not a Mexican restaurant but this was surprisingly probably the best chile relleno we have ever had. It had a great pumpkin seed crust with a very flavorful succotash inside. The chili itself was huge and filled up the whole skillet. We would absolutely order this again. I was talking with our bartender JT about my recent new appreciation for mezcal if it's toned down and that none of the mezcal drinks on either cocktail menu really caught my eye. He suggested a Last Word with mezcal replacing the gin. I enjoyed it, but the mezcal was a little too prominent for my taste. For her second cocktail, she ordered The Girlfriend which has a humorous description of "changes daily". The current girlfriend when we were there was a twist on a blackberry margarita. This was surprisingly the best drink of the night, and was definitely the most complex margarita we have ever had. It had a light blackberry flavor, and I believe some of the other ingredients that JT mentioned were grapefruit, lime, cocoa, and cinnamon bitters. For dessert, we ordered the German chocolate cake. It was a huge slice of moist cake and was served with a large dollop of fresh cream. The cake wasn't overly sweet which was nice. We shared one last drink, the Liquid Courage as it sounded like a nice dessert cocktail. On my first sip, I tasted coffee which was unexpected. I asked about it, and apparently the drink menu does not list the Nola coffee liqueur that is in this drink. I'm not a fan of coffee, but at least this cocktail had more of a mocha flavor than a strong coffee flavor. I probably wouldn't have ordered it if the ingredient list was accurate, but I think coffee or mocha lovers would enjoy it more. Our bartender JT was pretty much running everything by himself with only a little outside help, and he was doing a great job. He was also very friendly and we enjoyed our conversations with him. The prices are a little on the high side, but the drinks were good, and the food was excellent with generous portion sizes. Our reservation was for 6:00pm and I would recommend visiting a little closer to sunset. There are some outside windows on the far wall and even though there are drapes, a little light still comes through. And if the door to the outside patio is opened, a lot of light comes in if the sun is up. The Guild Club is a great little speakeasy that I only recently discovered, and I would definitely recommend checking it out.

Mesa

3.7

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Recently came here for dinner with the boys and all the food was great. Never had deep fried olives…read morethought they were great served with the whipped creme sauce they came with. Calamari is always a hit here and a must order. This dinner turned into a night out we ordered a bottle and were met with cheerful bottle service ladies bubble gun included. Our waiter Sam was very attentive and made sure all of our mixers were adequately filled and made sure we made no drinks ourselves. Spot is a vibe with an open ceiling and intimate floor concept perfect for a date night or night out with the boys.

I would love to give this place a 5-star, but if you've ever trying parking in their parking lot,…read moreyou understand. Parking is insane. It would be out of the ordinary if you get yell out, cursed out, or have an accident because you are trying to park your car. It's Costco style. They do have valet, and it's kind of pricey. Also, I hope this place has taken care of their bug issue on the outdoor patio. Gross! Outside of that, the place is pretty cool inside. It's an open roof which looks pretty nice. There is a happy hour during the week. The birthday celebrations are something to watch.

Stowaway

4.5

(823 reviews)

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 -

Speakeasy Sunday Bristol

5.0

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4.9

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SOOOO cute!!! We totally found our new weekend spot…read more First of all, I absolutely loved the vibe. The space itself is adorable, and I love that they have so many games you can play while you're there. It makes the whole experience feel really fun, relaxed, and different from your typical wine bar. The wine is amazing. The flavors are so unique, and honestly I loved it so much more than the typical wine you'd find at the grocery store. Every wine we tried was insanely delicious--we kept raving about each one. Trust me, the wine makes this place really stand out, you won't be disappointed! This is such a great spot for a chill night out where you can just have a glass of wine, hang out, and chat with friends. We definitely found our new girls' night spot, and I can't wait to bring my husband next time. 1000% recommend--can't wait to come back and will absolutely be spreading the word!

Friendly staff Simple menu and drinks, both alcoholic and…read morenon-alcoholic Vibes on point, indoor and outdoor seating Small parking lot in front Great date night, girls' night, or any night

Semi Tropic Wines

4.0

(111 reviews)

This wine bar is cute, hip, and chic! I'm so happy we discovered what a neat place this is to hang…read moreout and grab a drink. The parking lot situation can be confusing but thankfully there is ample parking right across the street. Semi Tropic wines is located on an unassuming street but is very beautiful and cool inside. They also have a spacious patio for outdoor seating. I had a sparking wine that was juicy, slightly sweet, and refreshing. There were limited wines options this night but I think that's partly because the menu was "curated." Lots of non-alcoholic options which was a pleasant surprise. Menu is on the pricier side. This night we came because they were hosting the food pop up "Three Pigs" which offered a variety of yakitori skewers. We ordered one of everything and my favorites were the beef, chicken thigh, and cucumber salad. I'd love to come back and try Semi Tropic's house menu, but if they keep up a steady rotation of cool pop ups like this I think that would be an amazing idea too! I'm looking forward to their future events. We arrived early in the night (about 5:30pm) so there weren't many people. By the time we left closer to 7pm. the line to order at the bar was considerably longer and the place was packed. They host live jazz Thursdays and Fridays which I would definitely come back to enjoy for longer! Semi Tropic Wines is a neat place that would be fun for a first date, or a great place to begin your night out (if you're not worried about price). Cheers!

I went on a Thursday night around 615 for jazz. We got there and had to wait in a line to order…read morewine and food. They don't serve you here and you just order and then sit down. We waited about 10 minutes and there's no menu circulating so you are just standing there not knowing what they have. When we got to the counter to order, there were only five wines to choose from. I was a bit surprised since this is a wine bar. There's also only five food options and nothing really sounded great to me. On their website, they listed charcuterie and a lot more wines, but that was not what was offered. The inside is really cute. But the outside is rundown. The patio looks pretty shabby and that's where the jazz musicians play. There's no heat lamps or really a vibe out there. But the music was fantastic!

DRINK BAR

4.3

(52 reviews)

Received service right away from the bartender and ordered the 38 North Amber beer ($10) and was…read moreserved in a large pint glass filled with low beer suds. There is plenty of seating available and even some board games for groups. Great place to grab food, drinks, and hang out with co workers.

Great service and fabulous drinks and cocktails. Gabby is very kind and a great bartender. A quiet…read moreplace to get drinks; the outdoor seating is great.

The Blind Rabbit

4.5

(3.5k reviews)

•$$$

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.

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