Hubby and I were greeted by the bartender as soon as we walked in. We saw this bar near our apartment and wanted to check it out. Unfortunately, they had no beers or seltzers on tap - so we ordered a Modelo and 805. The bartender was funny though - and had a great personality; turned our night right back around. I was feeling for a Tokyo Tea so we ordered just that, and might I say - even though they have nothing on tap, they pour HEAVY. After we closed out, he even went as far as asking if we were there before dinner or just chillin and we said before dinner. The bartender went on to recommend all kinds of different restaurants around the area. He made us feel welcomed and it was definitely a good time. Thanks for the hospitality! read more

The Fling - Modelo and 805 - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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As an owner Instead of let me looking to it and get a solution, you're asking me why did I have a drink? I had noticed while I was waiting for my drink. Trust me didn't finish my drink and got out of there quick. Will that make sense Mr. Owner? You keep attacking me when I shared how your place is. No worries there is no next time. I'm warning everyone else not to visit this place unless you get your act together and clean it up. When was the last time you had the carpet cleaned? Let me guess never since it was installed. I rest my case. read more

Great place that has been there forever. Always busy but you never have to wait for a drink. However, they don't open at 6:00AM like the sign says!! read more

This is hands down my favorite dive bar and has been for many years. Came across this place because a couple of my close friends love this spot. The regulars are always a good time. And the crowd is very pleasantly a mix of everything! Brandon is a great bartender! Good drinks always! I LOVE the vintage art. And the live music after 9pm is a great time! During the week, seating is available. But weekends and when live music is playing it can get harder to find seats at the bar. Must check this place out! There is a del taco walking distance in the same shopping center, in case you need to sober up lol. read more

The Fling - View from the bar seating - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Went into the Fling for the first time and had a great time. Everyone there was fun to be around. The band Ragdoll was great. Hey even steve miller showed up and did a few songs. The inside is small be fun to be there. Great drinks and good staff. read more

The Fling - Great show last night with Ragdoll and steve miller - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Quaint little dive bar/speakeasy type place in orange. Next to a little restaurant that actually will bring your food over to you if you order from them. At least that's how it was last time I went. You'd order from "Minis Cafe" next door. They used to have live music sometimes too, cool little spot read more

I mean what's not to like? This is a dive bar and it's fantastic. People from all walks of life. Bartender Carrie is a straight up Gem!! Loved her. Bar has music and heavy pours. If you order Mexican food from next door they will deliver it to you at the bar. Red booths, and clean bathrooms. It's the best dive bar in OC as far as I am concerned. read more

Went last year there, in May was a band small place but everyone was great including staff. Coming at end of My and definitely want to go again. read more

Great classic rock bands every night from 9pm to 1am. They have a large bar selection and the drinks are priced right. This is my "Go To" bar as there is always live music after 9pm . Friendly bar tenders who get to know your name and what you drink if you keep coming back. A great place for groups and parties too. But get there early on Fridays and Saturdays as the place fills up. Weekdays there is almost always plenty of seating. Easy plenty of off street parking too. No food, but you can bring in your own food. Sometimes food trucks show up. read more

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Great place to go and listen to live music. Great service. The drinks are good too. Had a great time and felt comfortable going on my own.

So this place just started popping up on all my socials. I'm no stranger to dive bars, but I kind of forgot about this one. Place hasn't changed in forever, and that's a good thing. Stiff drinks, naked lady oil paintings on the wall, the faint smell of cigarettes from 30 years ago. They also have Hot Spot and live music 7 days a week. This place ticks every box for me. read more

Hands down the worst live musician I've ever heard ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! It's easily understandable why the bar was empty at 10 pm . read more

This is such a great dive bar. The ambiance is awesome! The people are fun to watch. always a great band playing. the service is AWESOME read more

A fun place to hang out with friends for a good time and live music. The cocktails are good and prices are reasonable, very important these days. Got there with some friends Friday night and had a really terrific time for sure will be back! read more

I love this place. Every time I go I have a fun time. I especially love the live music and the bartenders. They have been good to me (Brandon and Carrie are who I'm most familiar with.) I feel safe and they Have my back and their customer service is excellent. They really hustle. read more

Great live music Cheap drinks, and the bands are always great . Especially Stanley. You could never go wrong having a night out at the Fling. read more

It's ok. Small very dark. The band was good. But be careful because they take your beer half full when you're not looking or not at your seat. At the bar and tables. So you could buy more quicker. That's BS!! Scamish to me!! I got after the bar tender he immediately gave me a new beer cuz he knew I caught that. But they were doing that to my friend's beers when they were dancing. They were like where's my beer?! SALES SCAM BIG TIME!! read more

I just attended a wedding, came to The Fling afterwards, where I bought two modelo drinks, After leaving to the back to buy food , the bartender followed me and said I wasn't allowed to take my drinks outside, even though others were drinking outside When I approached him to ask about it, he said it was because of my "attitude." I'm Mexican, and this felt like blatant discrimination. It's disheartening to see such unfair treatment. I wouldn't recommend this place.I should've just sent my white boyfriend to order the drinks to avoid all of this. read more

Vibe was good and I liked the people. But it's a bit frustrating when bartenders take advantage of you when you've had a few. I remember everything and we questioned our bill and he claimed we ordered doubles. He had a horrible attitude and was tough on fellow female patrons. But at that point you'd feel helpless. read more

Stumbled upon this hidden lil gem dive bar. Service was great and the people friendly. Restroom was clean. Good vibe bar. Will surely return. Oh and had a cool band on a Tuesday night. read more

If you like cool dive bars and live music, I'd wager you will love The Fling. The Fling has a a loyal following of regulars for good reason in no particular order as The Fling is greater than the sum of its parts: It has great old school atmosphere. The decor reminds me of a Quentin Tarantino movie . It easily could have been a location in a scene or two in Pulp Fiction. The bartenders on duty when I go, Ace and/or Carrie, just plain rock. They are absolute pros who are very good at their craft. Tip them accordingly. Great service deserves a great tip. It's a bar for grown ups with a great crowd of regulars from all walks of life. I'd say the crowd typically tilts middle age and up, which is perfectly fine by me, me tilting toward middle age myself. Younger folk are welcome and have fun here, too. It's a generally welcoming and friendly crowd. Just know that it's not really a pick up place, and it's not a place to act the fool. It hosts really, really good local bands that play there regularly. Before the COVIDs, bands played seven nights a week, but right now the bands play Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. I'm sure it won't be long until it's seven nights a week again. The bands start at 9:00 p.m., and they typically play until about 1:00 a.m. or so. Tip the bands well, too. They are pros who aren't phoning it in. There is ample parking; the cool kids park in the back. All in all, The Fling is one of the best bars in Orange County hands down. Cheers! read more

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Love coming here late at night! Great music and drinks! Karrie is great! Well priced drinks! read more

Don't know what to expect when I pulled up but once I walked in and the band was playing, I was in my happy place. People from 21 to 80 were there, dancing and just enjoying themselves. So much fun! read more

I love to come here to people watch and enjoy free drinks from the viejitos;-). Just wish the place wasn't so tiny! There's no room to shake ya bootay read more

This might be my favorite bar ever. Seriously, it's between this bar and Little Red Door in Paris (look it up - it's a pretty cool place.) You've seen the pics and heard the descriptions. It's hard to call this place a dive bar, because it's pretty nice. No sticky floors or peeling pleather here. Just a dim little hideaway in the corner of a strip mall. Bartenders are awesome here. Especially love Carrie and Lizzie, the day bartenders. They know how to pour a drink, know how to handle all kinds of people and are super friendly and great conversationalists. I had to live nearby here temporarily while our home was having some repairs done and I miss popping in here several times a week. Oh and the ladies bathroom is nice. Not only does it not smell bad it ACTIVELY SMELLS GOOD. They keep it very clean and tidy. Also, I don't know what that lady is talking about a few reviews down. I've been here a few dozen times, some of those times were even at night, and I've never had any encounters that I'd classify as racist. It can get very packed in there at night due to the bands, so people can be a little territorial about their seats and personal space, but that's about it. read more

Wow, just wow! Literally, I could write a short novel as a review about this place. It is everything that you hope for in a bar, for the well seasoned imbiber, plus more! Dark and low-key, bartenders direct and to the point, yet friendly and conversational. Plush carpet, red velvet, red leather, dimly lit, TV on mute, strangers becoming friends almost immediately, heavy-handed bartenders, And the best part, nobody is on their cell phones. There's an ample outdoor area in the back. Such a great vibe in this place I can't wait to come back. All you need to know is on the sign in front . read more

If your looking for the ultimate Dive Bar, you've entered it here! Tucked into a Stater Bros shopping center you may get scared ... but once you walk in you are completely sent back to the 60s and emerge into old world drinking! Ambiance is on point, bartender is excellent and the experience is classic! We will def be back, thanks for the old Dive bar experience!!! read more

The Fling - Before Super Bowl but look at that wall! - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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The best bar in town open all legal hours. 6am to 2am the Fling serves em up!! On the weekends, the best bands play and you can sit real close to the stage, front row! Ragdoll is a neighborhood favorite known for their shows around Orange County, and the eclectic crowd here makes me smile every time I think about it. The bartenders are friendly and the drinks are cold, one of the best bars in town for good reason. read more

The Fling - Band crushin it - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Went to the Fling, the bartender made a great old fashioned. What a fun atmosphere! Phil Shane performed a bunch of great songs and I was dancing with a lot of lovely ladies ladies as the evening went on.. I went two nights in a row, seeing they I'm on vacation. Great blues band the next night.. Ray Wolf and his Sonoramics played some great blues and even took a request from me. Turns out this place is a fun little treasure, great place to go unwind! I'll definitely be back! read more

Love "The Fling" as soon as you walk in people right away greet you with a welcome hello even though it's a bit pitch dark walking in from the outside . Been coming here for few years now and I have to say the evening staff Karrie and Lynn are such sweethearts and the night staff are simply the best ! Heavy drinks you don't need double here ! Live bands everyday except Monday .... You truly feel the love here ! read more

Really cool place to go n listen to live music. Went on a Sunday night, bartender Ryan is very nice n friendly. Drinks were really strong, n it wasn't too busy. The band playing was really good. Will def be back. read more

This is definitely a place I would come back to. It's tucked away in a shopping center with it's own parking lot with plenty of parking. The atmosphere is nice. I came on a Friday night, it was full and had live music, but it wasn't too loud. It seemed like most everyone there was a regular which is a huge plus because no creepy men. The drinks were good and pretty cheap. read more

The Fling - Whiskey sour - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Decided to stop by after a year or so and it was a mistake. Their drinks are watered down & it's obvious. Asked for a casamigos reposado tequila on the rocks. Which has a specific flavor! Explain why it tasted like cheap rubbing alcohol? Complete waste of money. Asked the bartender and he shrugged. My advice - only get canned or bottled drinks they open in front of you. Otherwise don't bother & go somewhere else. read more

Awesome hidden Jem Live music. Classic cocktails. Soon to be the victim of over development. Um, I mean redevelopment. Go now!!! NOTE: as of May 5 The Fling says they are not closing soon. But you should still go soon and go often to support live music! read more

Great friendly locals at 6PM. Bartender, Ryan, was funny and friendly. If you are looking for a good range of options in drink this is a great local place to pull up to the bar. read more

Not much to offer in the way of fine dining but the best local "dive bar" in town! Brandon, San Ber and Ryan have all overcome the challenges of long hours, low pay and toxic patrons to rise to the pinnacle of their profession! Not only are they fluent in Gibberish but can spot a bunk 20 in almost total darkness. Live music almost every night be it Stan-Solo, Rag Doll or Chronichitis or the Rock Legend Phil Shane the rock and roll flows almost as freely as the libations. Never a cover charge or two drink minimum but remember to overtip the servers and musicians cause lord knows they earn it! read more

This dive bar has a vintage decor that is actually pretty cool. Then for some reason my experiences have been wonky. During the day it is either or; 1) men breathing down my throat. 2) creepy men that are ultra drunk The nights that I've gone in with live music that by the way my sister loves. The folks were so polluted from all range of ages. That I had ppl falling on me or we could not move because people were dancing. Keep in mind the venue is super small. I love the live music! Break a leg maestro! But seriously you can not walk. Nothing made sense. It was like half of the town decided to celebrate their birthday at the same location. Listen I love to celebrate life or death for that matter. But Really! You could not move or have the bartenders attention. So my night again visiting the fling was a not fun. In my humble opinion my last experience was creepy. I wish my experiences were as fun as all the drunk lush ppl. and other yelpers that have experienced a fun visit. I hate leaving a poor review but this is not my style. I might return I'm not sure. I wonder if I had to be really waisted to enjoy myself? I do not know but then again I could only see one bartender but that makes no sense. If it was just Saturday night and maybe we arrived right before midnight? I really wish to have fun at the Fling. Or perhaps I need to arrive earlier in the night? ...sigh However my sister loves the Fling so it is a matter of time before I give it another go and who knows I might have some fun. To be continued read more

The dude with the terrible toupe who thinks he is Elvis/Jim Morroson needs to go. Shameful. Other than that, The Fling is tits!

Went in on a Friday bought a beer, they gave me a parking pass that was supposed to keep my car from getting towed. The pass got wet from beer on the bar and ripped so I could no display it. On the rear view mirror. I placed it visible on the rear view window because my front windshield was too foggy. My car was still towed with the parking pass which was inside highly visible unless you're blind. The security company they use even admitted to not checking for passes, they just tow you without even looking for the pass. I asked if I could be reembursed for any portion of the $375 and they were very rude saying they don't look for a passes and could not even reemburse me for the $60 parking fee. read more

The Fling - "No Permit" to "No - Visible Permit." The towing company admitted that it was highly visible. - Dive Bars Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Big fan of dive bars. This place is my jam. Best find for me in Santa Ana. Love the customers the most, the bartenders are good