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

The Guild Club - Cake - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The Guild Club is a speakeasy located inside of Arc Restaurant Food & Libations on the northeast side 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. read more

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This is a quiet, intimate, casual restaurant perfect for a date night, or cozy conversation with a small group of 2-4 persons. They have a wide variety of cocktails, beers, and wines, and they have appetizers, and classy entree options. I tried the Brussels sprouts and they were delicious. The grilled calamari and fried olives were great as well. read more

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We had so much fun. We were the first to enter on Saturday night. Ordered up some delicious cocktails. Had the most attentive server. Enjoyed a beet salad, some brussel sprouts, fried chicken, pork roast and carrot cake. Everything was delicious and incredibly hot. The ambience is cozy and fantastic. There are two tables for two and a bar that could seat 5-6. Loved our entire time there and would definitely return. read more

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In my continued search for speakeasy bars, this has long been on my list. Great atmosphere indoors: inconspicuous, dimly-lit entrance; intimate bar (9 stools at the bar top and two 2-person tables; attractive decor and deep wood with intricate carvings). Additional seating is also available outdoors but it wouldn't feel like a speakeasy bar to me, with the sun still out and especially with people passing by. We kept losing that "speakeasy vibe" each time the door was opened (and left open). What I don't understand is if they don't take reservations (according to their website), how was it that both of the comfortable 2-person tables had been reserved? Nonetheless, we had a great time -- thanks to JT, who made our experience a very enjoyable one! He was knowledgeable, friendly (those at the host desk can certainly learn from him!), professional, attentive, and creative. Looking forward to returning; next time, we'll order food. Great find! read more

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Super unique ambiance for a speakeasy. Love having a drink here in the back room and they are strong! Very well-made, informative server who knew each ingredient and effect the drinks had. Will return. read more

Speakeasy that's located inside of Arc. You can order same food menu in here as well. I tried 3 drinks: -Three company similar to old fashion but a thinner taste. This was my favorite. -Sazarac- it has a licorish flavor to it. If you like that you will like this drink -Paper plane- was a good drink I think all the drinks were descent but was it a speakeasy level not really. The staff seemed so busy they didn't have time to talk to customers which I think gives a speakeasy the little extra touch. Also it's not that private- there's a patio that you can sit outside and it's open. The entrance is neat. read more

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This place adds an automatic gratuity for a party of 2 people that ordered both food and drinks. I do not recommend if they do this to small parties. Please verbalize this on your bar menu or tell your customers that you add an automatic gratuity charge. read more

Stumbled into the speakeasy and it was such a cool experience. Food and drinks are the same as arc. But the vibes are completely different

It's easy to speak highly of this speakeasy. The decor was spot on and took me back to the days of swilling a bit of illegal hooch with a killer flapper dress. It's actually part of ARC, whose motto is "dirty sexy fun", which could probably be arranged after a few libations here. I came on a Thursday night and the crowd was pleasantly light. I had the cigarettes and coffee, which was a nice twist on a Manhattan and very well made. I'm interested to try a few others another time when I'm not driving. You can order the full menu at the bar, and there is plenty of parking. They have music on weekend nights. I was highly pleased with my visit here. read more

The Guild Club - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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It was ok . The decor was cute , but nothing unique about it . The drinks were mediocre and the food was expensive for the quality. We ordered a chop Salad and a 8oz steak and 4 drinks ($217, before tip) However the staff was nice and attentive . I will not be going back read more

This place gets me every time. Best vibes, fantastic service, and crazy delicious food. The charred brussels sprouts, chopped salad and cheese pizza are our go to's (kind of religiously) and they never disappoint. read more

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Beautiful bar that's tucked behind ARC though truthfully not very hidden if you're entering from the center of the plaza/next to Pueblo. No signage outside but there is an entrance with velvet ropes that indicate a queue. Very simple and straightforward drink menu that does lean on the pricey end, but all drinks were solid and tasted to our personal preferences. Your Call is something they come up with on the spot based on your choice of liquor, flavoring, and style. My gin drink was solid, and so was "Your Girlfriend" which changes daily. Tonight's was a Sazerac that was super smooth and just right. This spot makes for a perfect date night when you want to have some intimacy in your conversations along with a good drink and not worry about crowds... for now. read more

The Guild Club - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

A hidden extension of the actual Arc restaurant located in Costa Mesa with a speakeasy vibe. Food was nicely plated to please the eyes but, also delivered the punch with flavor. This hidden gem is easily accessible with decent parking. What takes this review from a 4 star rating to a HIGH 5 was our bartender/waiter Scottie! He was absolutely awesome with service from beginning to end. He assisted with food recommendation which made the night that much easier and more enjoyable when it comes to 5 women trying to agree on shareable plates. Thank you Captain Scotch...kidding. Thank you much Scottie for making our first time experience at The Guild Club a memorable night filled with laughter, great conversation, and a full belly! read more

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Great atmosphere, excellent drinks and cocktail selection. Had the strip steak...it's enough for two and was delicious.

Great drinks! Awesome band. Bartender had great drink recommendations. We came with a party of 4. The only downside was, they didn't have an indoor table big enough to fit all 4 of us. So we sat outside which was great, but if we stayed inside, we would need to sit at the bar which wasn't ideal. Will definitely come back. All in all it was a great night. read more

Great food, great service. They had live music on Saturday night. The bartenders specifically were great and kept the drinks coming. I will definitely be back. You can make reservations so if you'd like a seat, you need to. We lucked up and a couple left within a 30 or so minutes of being there. read more

Great drinks and the great food - not the name of the actual bar so good luck finding it!

Always want to support small, locally-run, and new businesses like this speakeasy. This is a great addition to the fancy nightlife of OC. It's attentive and talented cocktail specialists like Fernando that keep new places like this running for years to come. Excited to experience all the food items soon. read more

A much needed speakeasy in Orange County that incites feelings of secrecy, intimacy, and mischief. Couple that with heavy handed cocktails and beautiful marbled/wood paneled decor? It's the perfect recipe for a nightcap after a good date. You can find The Guild Club at the posterior end of ARC restaurant, but there is also an entrance that is adjacent to Pueblo. Despite not having a sign, a pair of velvet ropes will lead the way. Inside has stool side seating that can accommodate 6-7 people. There are also 2 tables and 4 leather chairs that is the preferred space for a date--all of which are first come, first serve so you can imagine the exclusivity. The cocktail menu is limited to 7 beverages that are on the steep end ($20), but your bartender will ensure you get the most bang for your buck as these drinks are heavy and bound to buzz. I'm an old fashioned lover so the Twain was exquisite. It consists of Michter's 10 year whiskey, angostura bitters, and the perfect hand cut iced rock. Fries were fried in duck fat and were pleasing to the palate. The watery catsup left a little bit to be desired though. Regardless, I cannot wait to come back to try their other booze and bites ------- Final bite: This tiny speakeasy offering booze and bites will most likely become a local favorite among many. I debated if I should even yelp it to keep this spot for myself, but my altruistic ways took over :). To maximize the speakeasy feel, I urge the owners of the Guild Club to take away the velvet rope entrance, but I imagine it's against city fire codes. Regardless, I will most definitely be a regular at this bar. Extra notes: - Accepts credit card -The Guild Club closes at 11PM! Yelp listing says it closes at 9:00PM. -Associated with the ARC restaurant, but drinks here are 10 times better than what is offered at the ARC. -At the OC Mix -If sitting at the two tables, your bartender will come to you--no need to order at the bar -Love the decor and spiraling staircase! Reminds me of a bar that belongs in New York -Excellent service -Restrooms linked with the ARC--clean read more

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Inside Arc restaurant nice hidden gem to have a drink French wine is delicious and food is yummy! read more

The Guild Club - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I'd love to be able to recommend this place, but both this I went it was closed. Walked in to Arch to ask if they knew what the deal was, turns out they are only open on weekends. ‍ Google doesn't know yet tho. Disappointed read more

What an Orange County gem! It's hidden through a door off of Arc and served the same wood-fired bites and craft cocktails. The interior is cozy and eclectic, almost like a sexy, adult version of Dragon Alley in Harry Potter. And Sebastian at the bar took terrific care of us, making superb cocktails and excellent recommendations. I can't recommend their hoecake cornbread dessert or their French fries with zesty honey mustard enough. And every cocktail we tried was unique and complex. I loved the Twain and the So Fresh and So Clean. This was such a lovely discovery. Highly recommend! read more

4 drinks and 3 appetizers for $180 bucks. It was decent the food was just "ok" but not worth an arm and a leg. Lol... probably wont be back.

I had been trying to visit this a few times but the schedule on yelp was showing closed or closing early at 9pm. However, finally I was able to make it. Goodness! What a gem. Speak Easy type concept. Enter thru a small door inside a restaurant. The bartenders (Jake) were super awesome with smiles. The cocktails were on point. BUUUUT the MUSIC by the DJ was what I was into the most. He was playing old school mixes of 80/90s/early 2000s. I was jamming all night. Must go! read more

Fantastic cocktails and super helpful bartender. The cocktails are spirit forward and creative which is what I'm looking for, ambiance is very nice. Great spot for a date or an intimate drink with a friend read more

Very cool Speakeasy - a bit small - but great cocktails & interior design! Start here for a cocktail before eating at Arc

They need to update their hours. Yelp says open 7 days a week and so does google if you look them up. Drove a half hour to come here tonight, Sunday evening, to find out only open Friday and Saturday evenings. Really disappointed we wanted to try it out. read more

I smelled the aroma of this place from across the shopping center and really was looking forward to trying it. Upon arrival I was disappointed to find none of their staff wearing masks as required by the state. I was hoping to eat here but chose not to because they want to make a statement by requiring their staff to NOT wear a mask against health code. So here I am, I'll make a counter statement and take my business elsewhere. We're only 5 days away from the new rules taking effect so I can only assume they've been doing this for a while. read more

A hidden gem! Went on a Friday night, restaurant was busy so instead we went to the bar. Glad we did since they had a dj playing. Drinks had a nice presentation. read more

Delicious dinner and drinks!!! The tallow candle was delightful and so full of flavors.

The Guild Club is a tiny speakeasy connected to the Arc. The first time going we had Phil as our bartender. Phil really loves his craft and is very knowledgeable about cocktails. He made me an aviation and FDR Martini. It was the first time I had an FDR Martini. Now it's my favorite martini. I definitely recommend this place for anyone that enjoys a well made cocktail. read more

Wonderful speakeasy vibe with fantastic drinks and food to match. A great find for cocktail enthusiasts.

Loved my experience @ the Guild. The decor is beautiful! I enjoyed the food; house pizza & French fries. Their drinks are so yummy and beautiful loved that they had my fav mezcal. Best of all was of course the service! From the hostess to our waitress .... exceptional service! :) read more

The Guild Club - House pizza (sub the sausage did black garlic) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The drinks were great, and the staff were very friendly. The vibe is modern, and chill. Overall great spot to hang, or kill time.