Balboa Saloon is already a great spot, but Lauren behind the bar takes it to another level. She's friendly, attentive, and somehow always remembers exactly what you like without being overbearing. Drinks are consistently on point, service is fast, and she creates the kind of welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay for "just one more." Bonus points if you're a fan of Taylor Swift or the Los Angeles Dodgers -- Lauren's energy and personality make the experience even better. You can tell she genuinely enjoys what she does, and it shows in how she treats everyone at the bar. Don't mention "Drake Maye" or the Patriots until at least next season though. If you're stopping by Balboa Saloon, do yourself a favor and grab a seat with Lauren. She's a big reason this place keeps me coming back. read more

We're visiting balboa for the first time and we stopped by here for a quick Shirley temple and a non-alcoholic corona! Great little spot and I love that they have NA options. Great music too and very friendly bartenders! Thank you! read more

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Been coming here for 40 years or more. Love Darla. She's not working the bar as much as she used to or at least when I come buy She's great!

This is our go to spot! Darla is so great and we come here Saturday's just to see her! read more

Balboa Saloon - Tito's H2O & Vodka Press - delish - Sports Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Love the staff here,Darla , Lauren and Jeff are always welcoming and know my drink. Getting to know the rest of tbe staff as they are newer. It can get a bit loud for my taste af night,, but usually there daytime. Drinks are strong,reasonably prced,liots of drink specials as well. read more

I love the Balboa Saloon. This is a great local dive bar. Lauren might possibly be the best bartender on the planet!

For a good time, see Jeff at The Balboa Saloon. Buyer beware, you won't not be able to not go back. read more

Balboa Saloon - Sports Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

This place holds a special place in my drinking history as one of the first places I frequented as a novice drinker. It was part of the infamous Balboa Triangle (The Saloon, Class of 47 and Studio Cafe).I even remember when INXS filmed their "Devil Inside" video there. A celebration of life brought me back after many years and it was great to feel that same Saloon vibe again. I've been coming back since. Lauren is a wonderful bartender and a wonderful host. Thank you still being around all these years! read more

5 star dive bar. Great location and friendly patrons. Nothing fancy as any good Dive bar should be Jeff, the Bartender is really nice and serves a cold beer!! Cheers read more

I stopped by with some friends to watch football and get some food and ended up staying longer than I expected playing pool I had a great time The staff was friendly and the vibes were great Definitely recommend this dive bar The food is also really good read more

Food and service was AMAZING! Love the vibe there! Everyone was very welcoming! What I like is the history behind the place lots of cool historic facts. read more

After all these years The Saloon still has a great seaside dive bar vibe. The prices are reasonable and the service is wonderful. Bartender Lauren is a real gem that can read minds when it's time for a refill or telling you it's time to order that shot you have been secretly thinking you need. read more

The cooliest neighborhood bar in Newport! I go every Tuesday and hangout with Jasmine. She's so friendly and kind, girl can handle when the night gets busy!! She's a magician behind the bar read more

Jeff is the best bartender! Personal, courteous, engaging. Great atmosphere. Home away from home. read more

Lauren is the #1 bartender here, so warm and friendly, and of course always knows the tea when it comes to Taylor Swift (for all my swifties out there). She makes the tastiest shots and is always so fun to see. Definitely check it out on Mondays when she's working -- you won't regret it! read more

One star is for bad service in general including some of the customers being rude and employees being rude

Great spot on the peninsula for drinks, pool and darts! Lauren was our bartender and she is super nice and had some great recommendations of things to do in the area! Thanks for a great time Lauren! read more

At the saloon this Saturday afternoon. The bartender is Darla. She is attentive, and alert to our needs. Darla is extremely friendly and comfortable to be around. I will definitely recommend this place to my numerous friends as we are looking for a place to frequent on Balboa Peninsula. read more

Had the best time with Jeff at the Saloon! Great atmosphere! The best bartender in town!! Makes us keep coming back!

Love this bar!! Always come to see Darla when she's here! She's the best! When we are here, she makes it feel like home!

I love the Balboa Saloon but most of all I love the Bartender Sara that's Sarah with an H that is. She is great and she makes the best Jack Daniel honey with two ice cubes I've ever had in my life. I mean come on give this girl a raise. read more

1st time here, and I must say, bartender Jeff is a straight stud!!!! Came in for 1, left with more & will come back because of him! Dude is great! Keep him around because lots of bars dont have bar staff with great energy, & he is that!!! Thanks for the great service!!!! read more

We've been coming here for 30+ years but will NEVER EVER set foot in here again. New owner took over today & fired everyone. Such a sad day for the community read more

Long time divey bar in Balboa. I've been getting beers here for over 30 years now. Cold beer on tap with wine and full bar stock available. Years ago they served food but those days are long gone. Bring food in and eat it there with a drink from the bartender. If you want suggestions on what food is good and close by ask the bartender or one of the locals hanging out having a drink. Pizza Pete is literally next door for pizza by the slice or whole pie. Great Mex is about a block away for tacos. The Balboa market makes sandwiches to order that are solid as well. Darts, pool tables, and games. This is a bar, so no one under 21 is admitted. I saw one review that thought you could bring a baby in. Not sure why the reviewer would believe that was okay but it is clearly against the law. Enjoy the local ambiance, lots of long time Newport characters hang out here. If you're interested in fishing you should have no problem finding someone to talk fishing with. read more

We love the Balboa Saloon!! My boyfriend and I visit here about every other month from Las Vegas so I can absolutely destroy him at darts, pool, golden tee (he tries his best). Bartender (Jeff) is always great to talk to and pours great drinks. Headed back there in a week and a half. read more

Balboa Saloon - Jeff! - Sports Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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New owners made a major mistake, fired all the people brought some people back, but in general, they still do NOT know how to manage Business for the locals. My major local still stay away from the business because of the way they handle everything in general. read more

My wife, her grandmother, her uncle and I went to this Saloon to celebrate her 25th birthday. It's my first time in the area as I'm not from so cal. Beautiful area and came across quite a lot of nice people. Unfortunately, our celebratory outing was completely ruined by the rude and aggressive way we were treated by the bartender. When we entered, the bartender (older lady) loudly demanded IDs from across the room. We were just walking in and as we were pulling out our id's my wife realized she left hers in the car, so her uncle immediately said he would go grab it for her. As he said this, my wife's grandmother tried to make friendly conversation, mentioning we were there for her 25th birthday. We all had our I.D's. Before she could finish her sentence, the bartender abruptly cut her off, stating the I.D policy in a way that was disrespectful. We were all surprised by the bartender's aggressive tone, as we clearly understood and agreed with the ID policy. My wife's grandmother politely raised her hand to calm her down since the bartender lady was coming off aggressive, she told the lady my wife would step outside, my Wife was already doing it. Shockingly, this hand gesture sent the bartender into a rage, and she started angrily speaking my grandmother-in-law (a 72 year old woman) saying "Don't raise your hand at me lady." I tried to defuse the situation, telling the bartender "You're taking it the wrong way, relax - we understand she's going to leave." Rather than calming down, this reasonable statement seemed to enrage the bartender further. Especially after I said "you need to relax". She then says "you know what!" slammed all our IDs down on the bar and had us get out. I was stunned and appalled at the bartender's unhinged aggression towards my family, despite our initial friendly demeanor and clear communication of our intent to comply with the bar's rules. Her hostile behavior cast a pall over what should have been a joyful occasion. It was strange for me to see as an outsider to this area, I have never experienced anything like that. We were there to celebrate and we're always sure to respect the rules of any establishment we go into as we know them to be reasonable. The bartender's conduct was egregious, inexcusable and in no way acceptable for any customer-facing employee, regardless of the circumstances. Lashing out at patrons with such unwarranted animosity when they are being fully cooperative and respectful is beyond the pale. This Saloon needs to take a long, hard look at the professionalism and decency of the staff they employ. If you're someone visiting the area, or wanting to have a local experience, I would strongly caution any potential customers against patronizing this establishment, as I wouldn't want anyone else to be subjected to the disrespect. read more

Balboa Saloon - Sports Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

My coworkers and I went down there on Labor Day. We had great time. We experienced great service from the bartender Jacqueline and the bar manager Jake. I would definitely come back again. read more

Bartender's Darla & Jeff are one of a kind! We are treated so well & they always deliver exceptional service!!!

Dope bar. Good service & drinks. Bartenders friendly. Definitely recommend going if your in the area

Cool spot, they have a good choice of liquor and beer. The drinks are well poured, and the jukebox works! The staff also had a great attitude. Definitely coming back! read more

Great dive bar!!! Always a good time with Darla on the weekends. She always makes us feel like it's our home away from home that's why we keep coming back. read more

Place is empty, which is great! HOWEVER, bartender/owner is an asshole, there was no one in the bar except our ten friends for a birthday and as we ordered a pitcher he said "think about how long you will be here", odd statement. We said "what?" And he said "you are all shitty at pool, but you are all chill so I'll let it slide." But what does that even mean? No additional context, all we thought was we are the only people giving you business, why are you being an asshole? read more

HORRIBLE!! 25th birthday. I left my wallet in the car, my uncle went to go get it for me... the parking lot is right across the street‍ the bartender( a woman) literally YELLED at my nana ...at 72 year old woman. About me being outside because she can get a fine...okay I was walking outside no problem I understand. But as I was walking the lady still decided to yell and disrespect my Nana saying I have to stand outside. My nana raised her hand up in defense like i'm sorry we were doing what you asked, the woman bartender said " lady don't raise your hand at me" are you dang kidding?? I was walking outside within the 2 seconds you think an officer is going to stop by(like I said i was walking outside still...I FOLLOW rules) needless to say we went to the bar across the street read more

For those who know. The best of the best. Been coming here for 15 years and the people here are family. read more

Balboa Saloon - Rad bar tenders and the best darts. - Sports Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

fun bar with pool and beer pong. jacqueline and jake were super friendly and made good drinks. definitely recommend going here if you want to have a good time. read more

Not much to this dive except the decor. There are pool tables and the beer is fine. It feels like a million other bars that haven't been updated in a while. But not a ton of charm. read more

Balboa Saloon - It's a bar. But it's a bar with a shark dangling from the roof. - Sports Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Walked in to this bar wanting to kill some time while waiting for my friends to arrive. As soon as walking in I was asked for my ID which is understanding but was asked with a rude attitude. I went ahead and asked if they offered any food/ appetizers but they do not. I decided to not stay and went to get something to eat. Once I was done with my food I went back to try to have a drink and the rude/disrespectful bartender lady asked for the ID once again with an awful tone and told her she did not have to be rude. She immediately walked away and said she would not deal with me. I felt so disgusted with her rude attitude for no reason. Would not recommend this place to anyone but rather recommend for this place to hire a new manager/bartender!!! read more

Everyone (staff and customers) is so nice. It's like a neighborhood bar/tavern. So much to see inside too! Jeff, thanks for the hospitality and laughs!! Parking is close by, bathrooms are very clean, and reasonably priced beverages. read more

Balboa Saloon - Historic sign - Sports Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Not that it matters, since this business is unclaimed, but here's my nickel's worth. Jeff welcomed us immediately and even though this is DEFINITELY a local spot, you feel like you're one of them. The drinks are poured VERY generously and even the locals include you. These precious reviews make me scratch my head. IT'S A BAR!! Rain or not, don't bring a baby in!! And they DON'T Serve food, so kids aren't allowed anyway! I'm so tired of people badmouthing a business that don't have all the facts. This bar has been here for over 100 years and part of the charm is not being updated. Go to a chain restaurant if you want new chairs and come here if you want a great local spot! read more