Where to Grab a Drink With the Girls and Escape the Super Bowl Madness
While restaurants and bars prep for this upcoming Super Bowl Sunday, those of us who don’t necessarily keep up with the NFL are making our own plans: how to escape the bustling crowds of football fans. So whether you think it’s weird that there’s going to be football during the Rihanna concert or you’re just simply not a fan of the sport, here are seven adorable spots to grab coffee or a cocktail in Orange County while evading the Super Bowl crowds.
Cowboys and Poodles
Bartender Recommendation: Wink and a Smile
We heard some folks might be sad that the Cowboys didn’t make it to this year’s Super Bowl, so what better way to forget your woes than by saddling up at Costa Mesa’s cutest, campiest speakeasy? At Cowboys and Poodles, you can take in the fun, Western-themed decor and order some seriously delicious cocktails. The space is cozy and intimate with plenty of cute places to sit, such as a confessional, a stagecoach and even some horse-shaped bar stools. Lasso up a drinking buddy—it’s going to be an amazing time!
Location: Costa Mesa
Succulent Coffee Roasters
Barista Recommendation: Succulent Latte
With its bright pops of color, close proximity to the beach and menu of handcrafted coffee, tea and food, Succulent Coffee Roasters is the perfect place to spend your Sunday morning. Founded in Orange County, this trendy spot is known for its dedication to its coffee craft and currently has three coastal locations. Each of the shops offers free Wi-Fi, plenty of seating and some seriously tasty dishes from the kitchen—in other words, it has everything you could ever want, and then some.
Locations: Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach
Semi Tropic Wines
Bartender Recommendation: Ask about their newest arrivals!
Breezy, beautiful and boozy—what more could you want? Trade in the typical Super Bowl settings of a living room littered with beer cans or a packed bar full of jerseys for Semi Tropic Wines: a bright, minimalistic wine bar that serves up seasonal snacks, sharable bites and a rotating selection of wines (sometimes on a day-to-day basis). And in case you want to keep the party going from your own home, Semi Tropic also has a bottle shop as well as a monthly wine club.
Location: Costa Mesa
Milligram Coffee and Kitchen
Barista Recommendation: Long Black
Want to escape anything American football related? Head over to Costa Mesa and experience this Euro-inspired cafe. Milligram Coffee and Kitchen offers a tasty selection of drinks along with an all-day menu. Both the drink and food menus are simplistic and clean (much like the shop’s decor), allowing for the flavors and ingredients to really shine. Why not make it an all-day thing? Stick around ‘til the evening to check out Milligram’s selection of beer and wine, and order some light bites for good measure.
Location: Costa Mesa
AhbA
Barista Recommendation: Mi Novia
This local hot spot may be a bit of a rookie, but it’s certainly proven itself to be an MVP! Huddle up for the perfect brunch at AhbA, a cozy beachside cottage that’s been treating the Laguna Beach community to delicious food and drinks since the summer of 2019. While we adore all of their menus (especially Helen’s Cocktails), the weekend brunch and weekend afternoon bites are what really make AhbA the perfect place for a Sunday sabbatical.
Location: Laguna Beach
Palenque Kitchen
Bartender Recommendation: Palenque 75
Never fumble your brunch plans again! For a truly unforgettable (or maybe a bit forgettable if you’re really having a good time) brunch experience, head over to Palenque, where you can indulge in mouthwatering Mexican fare and all the mezcal and tequila you could hope for. Palenque Kitchen prides itself on its collection of mezcal and tequila, making it the perfect place to expand your palate or seek out a faithful favorite. And don’t forget to toast a tequila shot to RiRi before her halftime performance—you know she’d want you to!
Location: Costa Mesa
Crocker’s The Well Dressed Frank
Barista Recommendation: Jane’s Libation
Just because you’re not participating in one of America’s favorite pastimes doesn’t mean you have to miss out on some classic Americana! At Crocker’s The Well Dressed Frank, you can stroll in, find a comfy seat and order some true American classics like one of the eatery’s famous hot dogs, a slice of fresh apple pie or an espresso…with a few shots of booze in it. Don’t worry though—Crocker’s has plenty of other coffee drinks to choose from as well!
Locations: Balboa Island, Costa Mesa
Born and raised near the Pacific Coast, Jordan Nishkian is a California girl through and through. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Creative Writing and a BA in Anthropology, and her favorite place to be is curled up in a comfy chair with a book in her hand and a pen in her hair.
