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    Ruin Bar

    4.1 (477 reviews)
    Closed 2:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

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    RUIN BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Ruin Bar

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    Valerie G.

    Super duper cute place to have a drink. Drinks were tasty and strong. Fast and friendly service. Would love it even more, if it was roomier. It's so small, you can easily bump into people. But it's a place that I'd definitely like to go back

    Yesterday's Feelings cocktail
    Doug B.

    We are always looking for new speakeasies, Tiki, bars, and other interesting bars to explore. I always search on Yelp and Google for new places, and somehow Ruin Bar has eluded us for years until now. Ruin Bar is located in The Lab which is a small outdoor mall area in Costa Mesa which has a variety of small shops and places to get food and drink. The parking lot is actually pretty big, but has a reputation for always being full. We arrived at 5:30pm on a Thursday evening and got one of the last few available spaces, so I can only imagine what it is like later in the evening and on weekends. I wouldn't quite say it is a speakeasy, but it has many speakeasy vibes. The location is not 100% plainly identified and we had to ask the host at an adjacent restaurant where it was. When I try to think of how to describe it, I think this is the kind of place you would find in a postapocalyptic world. A small abandoned looking space obscured by overgrown vegetation and filled with a random collection of knick-knacks inside and out. It has the greatest vibe and totally works. There is a small outdoor patio that makes you feel like you're deep in the woods. The seating and tables are an interesting collection of totally different things. When you walk inside, it is almost like entering a museum. There is so much to see, so many things on the walls, things above, and different small seating areas. We had an early dinner at one of the restaurants here at The Lab and arrived at Ruin Bar around 6pm so it wasn't very busy yet. This worked much to our advantage, as I think we got the best seats in the house inside the ski tram. It is definitely the most intimate place to sit with four small seats inside, a very small wood table on the side which can hold a few drinks, stringy curtains, and lights above which rotate colors when it starts to get dark outside. There was some great music from the 70's and 80's being played. To get drinks, go to the bar at the back and place your order. The bartender(s) will make them right next to where you order, and call out your drink when it is ready. I started out with the Halo Halo which is a play on a popular Filipino cold desert. It comes in a large schooner glass and has a great purple color. You can taste the macadamia, coconut, and ube flavors with the rum there nicely in the background. It also has some creaminess from the oat milk. It comes with a spoon and is topped with has a variety of sweet items including fruity pebbles, two cherries, two sour watermelon slices, a papaya slice, coconut flakes, and I think the other topping was a date paste of some sort. This adult milkshake-like cocktail is definitely unique! My girlfriend started with An Incan Ruin, which had a nice red color and was garnished with a lit piece of Palo Santo wood of that had a nice aroma. It was well balanced and had some complexity. To start the second round, I ordered the Yesterday's Feelings drink which is served in a blood bag with a straw. It was a nice light lemony vodka drink, and there was a slice of kiwi fruit in the bag. Her second drink was the Love In Drunk which was a nice pink drink with a cucumber garnish. It was also a nice light vodka drink, and the grapefruit and guava flavors were there nicely in the background. It also had a little fizz. We decided to share one last drink and ordered the Estoy Enamorado. I usually don't like the strong smokiness of Mezcal, but some places are doing a great job of toning that down and this one is an amazing cocktail. The mint leaf garnish starts you off with a great aroma. The orange sherbert does an excellent job of adding a nice light orange flavor and some creaminess. Combine that with the coconut cream and the smokiness of the Mezcal is toned down to the absolute perfect level. There's also a little spiciness from the Ancho Reyes Chile liqueur. This cocktail is one of the best I've had in a while, and I can't wait to have another one soon. Kim and Jess were excellent bartenders and so friendly. They were totally up for chit-chat since we got there early and it wasn't super busy yet. If you have never been here, definitely add Ruin Bar to the top of your list of places to visit.

    Criss N.

    I love Ruin Bar! The decor and seating options are what make this bar really special. Many seats are couches, discarded carnival ride pieces, and comfy stools. There is always a fun piece of art to look at and drinks are delicious.

    Bar area
    Sydney F.

    Ruin was a cool vibe, very limited seating and a small space but fun decor and drinks. Average price wasn't too far off a normal bar and I especially liked the various types of moscow mules. Both the Angeleno and the Italian were a fun twist on the classic drink. Would come back but be prepared to stand and probably not great with a huge group.

    Crystal Z.

    What can I say...? This place was evaaahhhh--reee--thing we wanted and more. Visiting from AZ and we try to make it a point to try new speakeasy bars and this bar was everything. We came on a Friday when they opened at 2 and had the bar to ourselves for awhile. Highly recommend that if you have never been here. It's smaller than I thought it would be based on reviews and photos but it's such a vibe in here. My fiancée is a photographer and we had a field day shooting in here. The bartender was amazing. Amazing with recommendations and even suggestions for other locations in different cities. Every cocktail we had was delicious and very balanced. It was a hot day out and this hit the spot!

    Stella L.

    Stopped by while waiting for a dinner reservation nearby and was happy to come across this cute, quirky spot. The ambiance is playful and unique with a cozy and intimate feel despite the small space. Ordered the Baby One More Thyme and Estoy Enamorado which were both delicious and well-balanced. Worth a visit if you're in the area.

    Inside
    Sepideh S.

    've been to Rune Bar countless times, and it never disappoints. I absolutely love their cocktails and the beautiful design -- it's truly one of the most unique bars in Costa Mesa and all of Orange County. Whether you're sitting inside or out, the vibe is always amazing. The bartenders are fantastic, and it's the perfect spot to enjoy great drinks and even better company. Such a gem!

    Ivonne K.

    Fun little spot! Would definitely swing by again. You just go in and order your drinks and find your own seat. They whip up the drinks super fast! Came on a Saturday afternoon and was such a cozy area to sit outdoors and enjoy drinks with friends :) Tucked in the corner with a vintage, maximalist, whimsical vibe. I got the bees knees and the estoy enamorado and both were a tiny bit sweet for me but still really good!

    Entrance!
    Marjan N.

    A unique and vibrant spot offering a diverse selection of drinks, from creative new mixes to timeless classics, plus both wine and beer list. We were warmly welcomed and the fun began the moment we placed our order and watched our drinks being beautifully crafted with care and flair. Both the indoor and outdoor seating areas are enchanting, creating the perfect setting for creativity, connection, and good vibes all around. I was having such a wonderful time, I forgot I was in the middle of OC on a Sunday night. I'll be back to be be transported!

    Prom Date
    Sharona M.

    Ruin Bar is a small, hipster-y, speakeasy bar located beside Habana. Seating is cute limited and it's got some funky seating outside. The drinks are tasty and strong. We liked the cocktail Prom Date. Workers are super hipster. Inside they are playing Shrek on the television. I think I've said everything that needs to be said here.

    Belle L.

    Popular bar with speakeasy vibes. Got the massive ube drink that I didn't realize would be so large. There was a lot going on with the drink and it honestly tasted like a dessert in a drink. Love the cocktails and vibes. Fun place for a date or small group gathering.

    Left: espresso martini ($19). Right: paloma ($17)
    Brian F.

    Ruin Bar is located at The Lab in Costa Mesa next to Habana. The entrance is directly to the left of the main entrance at Habana but because it all kind of looks the same, you might miss it like we did. They have indoor and outdoor seating, but there isn't much throughout and might be standing room only if it gets really busy. We ordered the espresso martini ($19) and the paloma ($17). The espresso martini was very cold (a positive) and was really good! The paloma was also refreshing and the sparking grapefruit soda really accentuated the grapefruit flavors in the drink. We ordered at the counter and they made our drinks while we waited. When we went there was only one person making all the cocktails which was very impressive given there was a long line and we didn't wait too long for ours.

    Nicole W.

    omg what a FUN and vibe speakeasy/bar (sorry don't know the difference lol) my friends came here on a friday night and it was busy!!!! it's part of the anti-lab mall so parking may be difficult depending on the time you go. the space is pretty small so finding a table may be difficult and it gets crowded when trying to order drinks. other than that, LOVED the decor of the place its such a cozy and cool vibe with a dj playing music on the side. they had cool projections of different music videos or movies and had some anime shows playing. the bartenders were super friendly and pretty quick in making the drinks! if you order any of their canned drinks, they do pour it out into a glass which was nice! price of drinks were average/what you kinda expect with a range ~$18-25 (very rough estimate btw) overall, would come again with friends and would recommend to go after dinner if you're in the area!

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    9 months ago

    Super cozy spot, drinks are really good, lots of interesting flavors. Tiny spot with not a lot of seating but definitely a good drink spot

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    3 months ago

    yelp and google say open til 2am but they marked closed and acted like we were insane when we asked for a drink at 12:30

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    1 year ago

    This is a nice little quirky bar, funky decor. Drinks were a bit strong but still delicious. Service was really fast. Highly recommend.

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    Page 2 of 12

    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?

    Full bar! Strong drinks.

    Are reservations needed?

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

    What are their weekly specials?

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

    Is it a good place to meet single girls?

    depends on what night.

    View All 18 Questions

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    Salty Bear Brewing

    Salty Bear Brewing

    4.1
    (256 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Stopped into Salty Bear Brewing Co. while I was in Orange County on a business trip, and it turned…read moreout to be a fantastic find. The IPAs were excellent -- fresh, flavorful, and well-crafted. Great variety, too. Whether you like something hazy and juicy or a more classic, hop-forward profile, they've got you covered. Everything I tried was balanced and easy to drink. The bartender was fantastic -- knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely engaging without being over the top. You can tell they care about what they're pouring and about the people sitting at the bar. The overall vibe is just right -- a chill environment where you can relax, have a real conversation, and enjoy quality beer without any pretense. I ended up having some great conversations with good people, which made the stop even better. If you're in Orange County and appreciate solid IPAs and a laid-back atmosphere, this place is absolutely worth a visit. I'll be back next time I'm in town.

    Great atmosphere and outdoor area. Unfortunately, they were out of their "only hazy IPA" today…read more I've been going to craft breweries in CA for over 30 years now, and this is the first time I've ever been to one that did not have an IPA on tap. "Busy weekend" said the bar keep. "No excuse for this. Total fail," thinks I. The guava beer was ok. Just ok. Apparently that's their best. Would be totally happy if a decent sports bar moved in here.

    Photos
    Salty Bear Brewing
    Teddy
    Teddy
    Salty Bear Brewing in Costa Mesa, CA.

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    Salty Bear Brewing in Costa Mesa, CA.
    Green Cheek Beer Co.

    Green Cheek Beer Co.

    4.2
    (475 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Vegan friendly
    Free WiFi

    I had the chance to meet up with some friends here after work, and it turned out to be a great spot…read moreto unwind. Parking was easy with both a dedicated lot and street parking available. Most of the seating is outdoors with picnic style tables covered by canopies, making it a comfortable place to hang out, especially when the weather is nice. Ordering is simple, you go inside to place your order, and when your food is ready, they give you a buzzer so you can come back in to pick it up. They also have self-serve water dispensers, which is a nice touch if you need a refill. The food menu offers a good variety. I ordered the turkey and avocado sandwich with fries, and it was a satisfying meal. I'm not much of a beer drinker myself, but my friends really enjoyed the selection of ales and hard seltzers. One thing I appreciated was the atmosphere. Even with a good crowd, the noise level was low enough that everyone could comfortably carry on a conversation without shouting. If you're a beer lover looking for a laid-back place to relax after work with friends, Green Cheek Beer Co. is definitely worth checking out. Even if beer isn't your thing, the food and welcoming outdoor atmosphere make it an enjoyable place to spend an evening.

    Parking is pretty nightmarish because it's right by the Camp and the Anti-Mall so be prepared to…read morestalk someone walking to their car; they have their own lot, but she fills up quick (it cleared up around 9pm on a Wednesday, but also... it's a Wednesday night so liiike). The outdoor patio area comes in clutch for get-togethers with larger groups. We were able to reserve 2 tables for after work and I love that music isn't blasting at max volume so you can actually talk to each other without having to yell. There were also babies and doggos, so it's a spot for anyone and everyone. I had the Lavy Lemonade seltzer and I would rec (comes in 10 oz or 16oz, with the latter only being $7.50). Also sneaked some of my coworker's pretzel that came with cheese and mustard to dip - that was yumm and definitely a shareable size. Everyone else loved their smash burgers and choice of fries or tots - so come through!

    Photos
    One of our Hazy IPAs
    One of our Hazy IPAs
    Tons of seating outside
    Tons of seating outside
    Another view of the indoor private event area

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    Another view of the indoor private event area
    Knife Pleat

    Knife Pleat

    4.0
    (430 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$$

    Favorite fine dining / Michelin-star restaurant in OC! Can't say enough great things about it!…read more A super intimate, upscale-casual (smart casual vibes with no enforced dress code) restaurant located in the third-floor penthouse of SCP. The space feels intimate because it's on the smaller side, and they thoughtfully stagger reservations so the dining room never feels overcrowded. You can be seated in the main dining room, on the outdoor patio, or on the indoor patio next to the penthouse shops. I come here at least once a year for my birthday because the staff are genuinely warm and make every guest feel special. They clearly care deeply about hospitality and creating a true culinary experience. Honestly, the entire team is top-notch, but on our most recent visit, Kara took especially great care of us. She remembered our preferences, made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed without needing to ask, and made my birthday feel special while also giving my husband and me space (I dislike when wait staff at smaller restaurants hover - they don't do that at all). The way the staff serves, takes orders, clears, etc. is like a really well-rehearsed dance - they want everything to be paced, smooth, and efficient (without feeling forced or robotic) and it really makes a difference. The food is delicious and beautifully presented, with thoughtful attention put into every detail of the flavor profile and color palette. They NEVER miss. I love how they refresh the menu a few times during the year to showcase seasonal ingredients while still staying true to the restaurant's overall identity. They also have a selection of dining experiences - I always go for the 3 course prefix during lunch and the portion sizes and timing of each course is perfect. Also highly recommend their afternoon tea on Saturdays. Couldn't find a more luxurious afternoon tea experience in OC! I genuinely hope they continue to do well! It's a pleasure to be a guest and feel pampered for a special day or an elevated casual meal with friends/family. Will be back many times in the future!

    Came here 11/5/2020 Pricey for small servings but it's an…read moreupscale restaurant so I guess it should be expected. Definitely will be back for the dessert at least... and maybe the tasting menu. Apple (vanilla panna cotta, tatin, earl grey crumble, granny smith: compressed & gelee, green apple sorbet): You gotta come here for dessert. This was phenomenal. The earl grey crumble was delicious and plays well with the sweet tartness of the granny smiths. I'd say the component that felt out of place was the compressed pieces; they tasted like an fresh apple version of tandra which was too sweet and the layers meshed together. Main diver scallops (cauliflower, romanesco, capers, lemon confit, crostini): The scallops were so juicy and perfectly seared on the top. The cauliflowers were good but lackluster. The server told me there's cauliflower puree on the bottom which was yummy. Lemon confit who? There was an essence of lemon but nothing very present. Crostini was essentially like mini plain croutons. Wild Alaskan halibut (braised & fermented fennel, castelvetrano olives, preserved lemon): Only tried a bite of the fish and fennel. The fish was very nicely cooked and the crust on top was delightful. The fennel was sour due to fermentation but I didn't particularly enjoy it.

    Photos
    An elegant restaurant!
    An elegant restaurant!
    Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!
    Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!
    My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!

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    My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!

    Ruin Bar - wine_bars - Updated June 2026

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