From Unmarked Doors to Disco-glam Lounges, These Secret Bars in Orange County are Too Good to Keep to Ourselves
The secretās out! Stumble upon buried treasure at fully immersive hideawaysāor as we like to call them, drinkeasies. Eclectic atmospheres lure you in from the moment you walk through the doorāor pull aside the bookcase. From sleek, sexy bars to moody themed taverns, you never know where you might be able to raise a glass. Ditch mainstream spots and opt for hidden gems like these Orange County speakeasies. Weāre sharing everything we know about these 14 elusive drinkeasies, including where you can find them. Cheers!
reveal at VEA Newport Beach
Nestled on the ground floor of the stunning VEA Newport Beach, one of the cityās newest luxury hotels, lies the latest buzz in food and beverage experiences. reveal is a vibrant new evening and late-night destinationāa social hub serving up expertly crafted cocktails and classic bar bites with a VEA twist. As you push past the entranceās brushed brass door, youāll find an intimate, indoor-outdoor lounge space featuring groovy tunes from the 90s and early 2000sāthink artists like New Edition, Mariah Carey, Salt-n-Pepa, Aaliyah and Usher. The space itself features sleek decor and a curated collection of cherished relics from around the globe. The ambiance embraces VEAās contemporary, cosmopolitan vibe while also tipping its hat to some of the most extraordinary waterfront destinations worldwide.
Open Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight, reveal is the place to see and be seen. Gather with friends for an elevated night out, and sip on classic cocktails like a Sidecar, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Vesper, Negroni or Manhattan. Pair your sip with a selection of tasty snacks like American caviar, chicken tenders, grilled cheese and fries.
Local Insight: Looking for a place to host your next event? reveal is available for buyouts from Sunday to Wednesday and can accommodate up to 50 guests!
Location: Newport Beach
Speakeasy YNK
You never know what youāll find on the menu, but at least youāll now know where to find Speakeasy YNK. This āMad Menā-inspired bar is tucked inside the Irvine Marriott, through sheer sliding doors behind the lobby bar. An envelope is handed to guests upon entry, revealing drinks which constantly change, a nod to their āyou never knowā motto. Smoked rosemary libations were previously featured cocktails, alongside Instagrammable vapor elixirs. Roll the camera, pop the suspended bubble, and take a sip! YNK is a romantic spot for a cozy evening. Finished with upholstered black leather sofas and bookshelves brimming with global reads, the hidden bar resembles an old in-house English library. If you’re seeking an intimate spot with top-notch mixology, add YNK to the list!
Location: Irvine
Lost Inferno
Set in the charming seaside town of San Clemente, Lost Inferno, a āGooniesā-inspired speakeasy, encapsulates the coastal grunge of this enclave. To find this buried treasure, look for the sushi restaurant with the red door off the I-5 and PCH. The sunken shipwreck is in the back! Fully decked out with candle-lit chandeliers, vintage maps and skeletons hanging overhead, grabbing a drink at Lost Inferno feels like an adventure through Mama Fratelli’s underground cavern. Drink like a pirate and order the Blue Astoria with Wray and Nephew Rum, or for a drink that is literally fire, opt for the Chester Copperpot! Lost Inferno is argh-uably San Clementeās best cocktail barāthe only rule is to never say die.
Local Insight: Book a table on the first Sunday of each month for cocktails and cosmic magic at Lost Infernoās enchanted magic show.
Location: San Clemente
Momoku No Usagi
Following your journey to the Goon Docks, grab a second drink upstairs at Lost Infernoās sibling drinkeasy, Momoku No Usagi. This watering hole may be unassuming from the exterior, but pull aside the bookshelf and find yourself on the streets of Tokyo. Iconic colored umbrellas hang overhead and vintage Japanese posters coat the walls. The most eye-catching part is the lantern-lined bar that hosts a collection of global whiskys. All four of Momokuās Old Fashioned variations are fan-favorites, but for something light and refreshing, order the rotating highball made with Japanese whisky, champagne and housemade matcha cordial. Hand rolls are crafted just as precisely as the cocktails themselves, making this Japanese hideaway a perfect and impressive dinner date. Momoku is open Wednesday through Sunday with happy hour starting at 5 p.m.
Location: San Clemente
Graceland
No photos or videos are allowed at Graceland, so weāll paint the picture for you. Your phone will be locked in a box upon entry, but after a cocktail or two, you wonāt even care. This eclectic urban hideaway can be found inside HQ Gastropub, across from the Huntington Beach Pier. Follow the sounds of Elvis Presley and ā70s tunes to the neon keg-lined entry. Inside, brick walls are painted with vibrant street art which contrasts luxe velvet lounges, making Graceland look more like it belongs in New York City than Huntington Beach (with the exception of the ocean views, of course). Both booze and bites are available, and we recommend you order the Tea Party, a life-changing combo of gin, Earl Grey tea, creamy coconut and sweet matcha. Pinkies up!
Location: Huntington Beach
The Guild Club
Welcome to the club! Dimly lit, sleek and sexy, The Guild Club in Costa Mesa perfectly matches the sophisticated feel of South Coast Plaza, where the bar is located. Known for elevated enhancements to Americaās favorite bites and cocktails, The Guildās most popular menu items include the totally tempting duck fat fries and cheese-stuffed fried olives. The beverage menu boasts premium liquors and a 21-year-old rum, but the most notable cocktail is The Girlfriend, a cheeky nod to the fact that āthe girlfriendā changes each day. Sip underneath the stars of the hand-painted celestial ceiling and feel the beat of the DJās tracks! The Guild Club is best fit for date-night drinks, followed by reservations at their sister restaurant, Arc.
Location: Costa Mesa
1814Ā
Credit: HenrySurf culture meets the desert-dweller lifestyle at Landers North Beach. Named after their address on El Camino, 1814 is Landers Liquor Barās exclusive underground bar that opened this past January. The sophisticated lounge is hidden behind black curtains and centered around a semi-circle bar with classic books lining the front. Taste premium liquors at 1814 events with monthly memberships starting at $100. Memberships include two drinks per month and allow members to bring three guests to raise a glass with. Single-entrance passes are based on availability. This is a drinkeasy you need to know about.Ā
Location: San Clemente
LSXO
Head upstairs at Huntington Beachās Pacific City, and between Bluegoldās kitchen and wine room you’ll find an intimate lounge reflective of Chef Tin Vuongās back house where his father played cards late into the night. On one side of the Vietnamese parlor are palms and PCH; on the other is a stencil graffiti cocktail bar with plaster walls. The Michelin menu features elevated cuisine with a homestyle feelājust like what Vuongās grandparents would whip up. Make a reservation for one of LXSOās six tables and order the Shaky Shaky Beef and Butterfly Effect cocktail to sip in style.
Local Insight: To find the hidden entrance to the LSXO speakeasy, look up and follow the butterflies.Ā
Location: Huntington Beach
Strong Water
Hop aboard sunken wreckage at Strong Water to find an undiscovered tropical treasure. Wood-paneled walls are brimming with vintage artifacts, and lush greenery grows through the ceiling of the shipwreck, which is designed by owners Ying Chang and Robert Adamsonāthe founders of Strong Waterās sister speakeasy, the Blind Rabbit. Sip on rum-based cocktails under dimmed lights and sway away to the tropical tunes. Order the long and strong Beware the Tradewinds cocktail, but beware of Lady Clementineās ghost that haunts the ship. You may want to keep this drinkeasy a secret after all!
Location: Anaheim
The Oak Room Behind Oak and Coal
Oak and Coal is a Costa Mesa 17th St-favorite known for traditional yakitori meat skewers. What is lesser known about the Costa Mesa hotspot is its backside bar. Unveiled in 2022, The Oak Room is a sleek and sultry bar with a lively, upbeat atmosphere. Japanese cuisine and specialty cocktails are available to order at the bar, which is dedicated to one of Oak and Coalās loyal patrons, John Morris, who passed away before the addition opened. Order an old fashioned in his honor.Ā
Location: Costa Mesa
Vacation Bar in Santa Ana
Location: Santa Ana
Cowboys and Poodles
Cowboys and Poodles puts the giddy in giddy-up with playful Western charm and a hint of disco. A glittering ball lights up the speakeasy-style bar located near The Camp in Costa Mesa. Pull aside the bookcase and walk under the cowboy-hat hallway to saddle up at the bar on horsetail barstools. Order the Whole Mood Cocktail garnished with smoking sage and spill all your secrets in the classic confessional booth. Follow along on social media for new weekly cocktails and the live entertainment schedule.Ā
Location: Costa Mesa
The Blind Rabbit
Down the rabbit hole at Anaheim Packing District is a 1920s speakeasy lounge. Pull on one of the sake barrels against the back wall to find it. Every nook and cranny of the low-light bar dates back to the Prohibition Era in a basement-style setting with brick walls, vintage bookcases and fringed lamp shades. The atmosphere warps back in time, but the cocktails themselves are much more modern. For something sweet and fruity, order I Can Buy Myself Flowers from their newly released spring menu.Ā
Location: Anaheim
Cozy Pine Speakeasy
Minimal signage, zero gimmicks, and a soft jazz playlist lead the way at one of Irvineās best-kept secrets. Cozy Pine Speakeasy makes its mark with dark wood interiors and its outdoor themed cocktails like the dirty girl scout and devilās postpile. This low-key lounge, tucked inside a quiet retail center, embraces simplicity with spirit-forward drinks and a casually refined vibe. For those seeking a no-frills speakeasy bar in Orange County, this one checks every box. Itās cozy, clever and refreshingly off-radar.
Location: Irvine
Whiskey Room at Kai Lounge
The flavors of Tokyo hit Huntington Beach at Kai Lounge. Just steps off the sand, Tokyoās electric energy is evident in the lively bustle of this Pacific City restaurant. The upscale modern bistro specializes in fire-lit stir fry, but its spirit-forward cocktails deserve just as much attention. Concealed inside the restaurant is a private room showcasing Kaiās prized collection of whiskeys. This secluded space doubles as a speakeasy, where Executive Chef Tim Ngyuyen serves multi-sensory 18-course Omakase meals for parties up to 10.Ā
Location: Huntington Beach
Pie Society Bar
If your dream date night includes cocktails and Detroit-style pizza behind a bookshelf, Pie Society Bar has your number. One of the best Orange County speakeasies, itās hidden behind Pitfire Pizza and channels secret society vibes without the stuffiness. This hidden bar in Orange County features magnetic ambiance: green velvet, dim lighting and cheeky Illuminati references. The cocktail list surprises with the martini con horchata and tropical depression. Guests stay for the vibe, but rave about the dough.
Location: Costa Mesa
CIR Lounge
Behind a velvet curtain in Brussels Bistro, CIR Lounge serves as one of the sleekest speakeasy cocktail bars in OC. Itās easy to miss but impossible to forget. This secret bar in Orange County pairs brushed gold details, disco lighting and DJ sets. Their cocktail menu specializes in Japanese spirits paired with fun fruit combinations, like the cherry-forward saigon sling. Whether youāre celebrating an anniversary or a post-work hang, the drinks and deep house playlist set the tone.
Location: Fountain Valley
Ruin Bar
Ruin Bar doesnāt try to win you over because it already has. Hidden inside The LAB Anti-Mall, this is one of those underground bars Orange County is quietly obsessed with. With its moody concrete interior and smoky drinks, Ruin Bar feels like a David Lynch dreamscape. No logos, no labelsājust killer cocktails and a whoās-who crowd that gets it. Itās a speakeasy that rewards repeat visits and gives you the chance to taste all seven drinks on the mules menu.
Local insight: Night owls will love the late happy hours on Thursdays and Sundays from 11 pm to 1 am.
Location: Costa Mesa
Roost 374
Thereās something about a reclaimed bungalow, jazz on vinyl, and a mezcal old fashioned that just hits different. Roost 374 brings all that and more to the OC speakeasy scene. Tucked behind an unassuming facade, this soulful cocktail bar delivers smoked cherries, house party energy, and a staff that feels like family. Expect thoughtful drinks with rock-and-roll grit and maybe a surprise jazz set on the weekend. Among hidden bars in Orange County, this one speaks to those who like bold spirits and unexpected nights.
Location: San Clemente
Belly of the Beast
Located beneath Stowaway Tiki, Belly of the Beast might be the wildest of all Orange County speakeasies. It’s theatrical, yesābut in the best way. You enter through an open sharkās mouth and the heat only turns up from there with flame-lit cocktails and inferno-inspired interiors. It’s tiki meets surf noir with a splash of 1970s horror. Think fake blood, skulls, and strong pours. If you’re chasing unique speakeasy cocktail bars in OC, this oneās unforgettable.
Location: Tustin
The Cellar
Designed by a Disney Imagineer, The Cellar is pure vintage glam and one of the best romantic bars in Orange County. With low ceilings, glowing chandeliers and timeless martinis, itās a masterclass in ambiance. This speakeasy bar in Orange County doesnāt shout; it seduces with a seasonal drink menu. Whether itās a Sazerac or a celebratory flute of bubbles, everything feels intentional here. Itās not just a cocktail and wine barāitās a full experience.
Location: Fullerton
Bxcr Underground
Behind the bustle of Anaheim Packing House lies a portal to vintage cool and soccer matches. Bxcr Underground delivers a speakeasy charm with train-car interiors and a killer cocktail list. Their drinks are even named after iconic pop culture references: think sex and the city and platform 9 Ā¾. This intimate hideout ranks high among hidden bars in Orange County, especially for soccer lovers who appreciate a side of ambiance with their pour. Come for the aesthetic, stay for the surprise.
Location: Anaheim
La Cave Restaurant
La Cave isnāt just one of the oldest speakeasy vibe restaurants in Orange County, itās also one of the sexiest. Located beneath the Costa Mesa streets since 1962, this underground bar and steakhouse serves Rat Pack energy on the rocks. Expect red booths, old fashions and candlelight that flatters everyone. For those craving authenticity, La Cave is the real deal. Itās where locals go to drink, dine and disappear for hours.
Location: Costa Mesa
OpSek Post 354
Not all secret bars involve espionage, but this one makes a strong case. OpSek Post 354 channels Cold War intrigue with a modern twist. Here, youāll find military motifs and stiff drinks (whiskey sour, anyone?) served in a dimly lit lair. Every detail feels like it belongs in a spy filmāfrom the map room aesthetic to bartenders who double as historians. Itās one of the most distinctive speakeasy cocktail bars in OC, offering mystery, mixology and enough drama to keep you guessing.
Location: Buena Park
The Cauldron
Drink the potion at The Cauldron in Buena Park. As ominous as a witchās lair, The Cauldron Spirits and Brews exudes an enchantingly dark atmosphere with eclectic antiques. A single green eye above the mantle is always watching as you sip on elixirs near the bubbling cauldron. As spooky as this hideaway may seem, its French menu is nothing to be afraid of. Try the prosciutto-wrapped shrimp and pair it with the bartenderās secret concoction. Join Yelpās waitlist for a table!Ā
Local Insight: A witchās favorite drink is wine! Come on Wine Sundays for half-off bottles.
Location: Buena Park
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
