This place is a gem! Came before 7 to get a seat at a bar, by the time we left around 8:15 pm there…read morewas a line out and around the corner. I always question places getting popular off social media for the aesthetics. But someone said their drinks are amazing, and I can attest, it is true! The drinks made getting the uber well worth it. We got holiday/seasonal and regular drinks. Oscar was the best, this guy works hard! He was multitasking different sections and made sure every customer was taken care of. He so made sure to check in on everyone too. Bartenders like that are hard to come by nowadays. On top of that, this location is great on a bit of the outskirts of downtown, it's walkable to the main streets. Will definitely come back!

Great vibes, drinks and awesome trivia night!…read more Shout out to the bouncer; one of the nicest and friendliest dudes! Good tacos were out back! Come early if you want to snag a table

Great Place, but the Vibe Has Changed…read more Oh my God, I used to love this place, and honestly, I still feel a connection to it, but it's definitely changed over the years. When I first came here, the vibe was different, and it had this underground Santa Ana subculture that I really enjoyed. The bar, which was run by Vanessa, felt like a underground haven--slightly rundown with the shoddiest restrooms, but it had that authentic, gritty charm. The pool tables were usually in decent shape, and the bar always had cool, unique brews, including microbrews. The place felt cozy despite being so small, and when it got packed, you were basically sardined into the whole space. They had an adjacent outdoor section that was rarely utilized, but you could tell it had potential. I've lived here for a long time, and I've always appreciated the diversity in Santa Ana. But this bar used to be about that punkish unique underground micro brew vibe culture(my opinion)--it was never overly focused on any one particular ethnicity. It felt like the space catered to a mix of people, but recently, I've noticed it's shifted. The atmosphere has leaned more toward a hyper-Mexican, Banda-style vibe. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about that, but it's definitely a change. In talking to locals, there's been a sense that just because you're from a certain country doesn't mean you want everything around you to be about that. As a Hispanic American, I get that--we don't always want the place we hang out to feel like it's only representing our cultural background. I'm not sure when this shift happened, but it's possible the pandemic played a role in it. Before that, the bar had more of a microbrew, underground beer culture, and now it feels like it's become part of the Santa Ana "Banda" norm. Whether it was the owner's vision or just the pressures of what sells, it's hard to say. But the place has definitely moved away from the punkish / alternative Santa Ana night scene and embraced something new. Now, if you're into Banda music, tacos, and a lot of Mexican-American influence, you'll love it. Again, no hate on that--just pointing out that it's not the underground, microbrew culture that originally drew people in. It's now a whole different vibe.

I don't normally like the OC businesses so much, but I LOVE this place! It's very down to earth,…read morethey have the most amazing beer selection, and terrific prices. It's packed and happening, super fun. I'll be back.

It's a very fun tiki bar experience with some great Hawaiian inspired dishes! We celebrated my…read moreson's 40th Birthday in "the cave" really fun!

I had been looking for an excuse to drive an hour to check out Stowaway tiki bar. I got a…read morereservation and came out on a Thursday night. I was welcomed at the door to confirm my reservation, and I chose to sit at the bar. I felt transported into what felt like walking into the Pirates of the Caribbean Disney ride with a Hawaiian Tiki vibe. Every seating area seemed to have its own distinct feel, so you must take a walk around to see the different cute decorations. Ask to look in the Belly of the Beast that's a bar within the bar sporting a unique Pinocchio whale design. All the food I ordered during happy hour was delicious: Loco Moco, Coconut Shrimp, Wings (Salt + Vinegar), Battered Spam Musubi, Dole Whip (virgin) I had such a fun time here and left with a full belly. The bartenders and staff were all very friendly. I would absolutely recommend checking this tiki bar out...I just wish it was closer to me!

Mission Control is a BLAST! It's a not-so-hidden gem on the second floor of a market in DTSA, which…read moreis the perfect way to spend the evening after walking around and eating in the area. There's a variety of pinball machines and classic old school arcade games to choose from (as well as some new machines which were recently added). You can exchange cash for tokens and all the games are reasonably priced, either 2 tokens (50¢) or 4 tokens ($1). They've got a DJ bumping live music to set the mood, a couple bartenders dishing out fun themed drinks, and there's even a dance floor with a disco ball if you feel like getting down. It's got a little something for everybody, even if you're bad at the games you can still have fun with friends, on a date, or even on your own! HIGHLY recommend you check this place out, it's a guaranteed good time that isn't expensive which is rare nowadays!!

I hadn't been to Mission Control in about two years, so I was really looking forward to going back…read more Unfortunately, it just wasn't the same experience I remembered. There used to be an area with around a dozen pinball machines, but that area was completely bare this time. There were still pinball machines along another wall, but I remember them being in both areas, so it felt like there were quite a few fewer machines overall. A few of the other games weren't working either, including the air hockey and basketball games. I also noticed there wasn't a DJ that night. That may have been something that simply wasn't scheduled for that evening, so I'm not going to hold that against the place. I'm just mentioning what I experienced. I did get to play Galaga, which was fun, but I was hoping to play Centipede and it wasn't there that night. I ended up playing only two games before heading downstairs to the tiki bar. Maybe it was just an off night, and I may have caught Mission Control at a bad time. I just remember it being a much more lively and fun arcade the last time I was there. I was disappointed because I had really been looking forward to coming back. I hope it was just an off night, because I'd like to see it get back to the place I remember.

I'll be honest, Copper Door has had a little bit of "bad juju" surrounding it throughout the years,…read moreand I've heard about some pretty gnarly things happening here that actually made me hesitant to come back. But I decided to give it another shot, and I'm glad I did because we had such a good time! There was security there, which definitely made me feel more comfortable. Frank was taking care of the bar that night, the drinks were flowing, the music was good, and we were able to just dance and enjoy a fun Friday night out in Santa Ana. The crowd was definitely a lot younger than I would have preferred , but that didn't stop us from having a great night. At the end of the day, we're just trying to come out, have some drinks, dance, and have a good time! Stay safe out there, people.

BEWARE!! DO NOT COME TO THIS CLUB! My boyfriend and I went last night and his phone was stolen…read morealong with 7-10 OTHER PEOPLE whose phones were also stolen. Disgusting behavior!!! Security guards did the bare minimum to "look" for the perpetrator, but would not review footage right then and there to try to find out who it was, and said that the fog machines made it difficult to see. Why have fog machines if it ruins the point of security cameras???? Suspicious and makes this whole thing seem like an inside job, as if you scroll farther down in reviews MANY people have had their phones stolen!!!

Had a great experience at Twisted Tiki! The bartender was incredibly personable and made us feel…read morewelcome from the moment we sat down. I can't remember his name, but he mentioned he was from Virginia, and his friendly service really stood out. The tiki drinks were delicious and had a beautiful presentation--almost too pretty to drink! Their happy hour is a fantastic value, and we also tried the chicken skewers, which were very tasty. The tiki-themed decor is fun, colorful, and adds to the overall atmosphere. Between the great drinks, good food, and excellent service, we'll definitely be back. Highly recommend checking it out!

4++ Tiki bar located within a building in the downtown Santa Ana area. A couple of friends and I…read morewanted to grab a post dinner drink and found this spot. We were able to get seated at the bar pretty much right away. There's a pretty solid selection of tiki drinks here on the menu and the bartenders were very friendly. When going to tiki bars for the first time, my usual go to is the painkiller. There was something on the menu that looked similar, but it was different so I tried that instead. I ordered the Purple Polynesian Sunset and it was delicious. The only thing was it was very hot that evening, and the air conditioner was busted so it was a little warm, but it wasn't a big deal. Parking was pretty easy to find on the street within a block or two. Downtown Santa Ana can get pretty crazy with parking sometimes so it depends on luck and the time you get there.

Native Son is a solid 4/5 stars…read more Parking is easy to access in the garage behind the building. They don't validate, but the 1st hour is free. To locate the restaurant, go up the stairs on the side. Happy hour is every day, 4-6PM The drinks are good and they have a good selection of beers and cocktails. You order at the bar and the service is quick. The food, however, is underwhelming. Regular fries are not great but the Cajun fries are better. Fries are enough to feed 2-3 people. The chicken tenders on the other hand are very small, and you get more sauce than chicken. The good thing about it is that the food was cheaper during happy hour. Some of the chairs/benches were uncomfortable, but overall, sitting outside is nice.

First time checking out Native Son OC in Santa Ana and honestly, it hit exactly what I needed. I…read morebarely missed happy hour by like 8 minutes (pain ), but it was still worth it. I grabbed a blonde (#3 on tap) and it was smooth, refreshing, and perfect after a long, stressful Friday at work being short-staffed and drowning with patients. Came in just needing to decompress--met up with a friend, grabbed a booth, and just chilled. The whole place has a very laid-back, local vibes, rooftop. Nothing over-the-top, just good energy and a spot where you can actually sit and talk. I didn't try the food this time, but I asked someone at the bar and they said it's really good--so that's definitely next on my list. Parking is right behind the spot in a structure, which was super convenient. First hour is free, then about $1.75 after that, but no validation--so just plan ahead. I kept it quick since I wasn't trying to turn one drink into a $15 parking night for just one beer. Bartenders were friendly and attentive--they checked in, cleared our glasses, and let us do our thing. No pressure, just good service. Overall, it's a chill, local hangout with solid beer and a relaxed atmosphere. I'll definitely be back--next time for the food and a longer stay. Oh btw, One of the bartenders did confirm that they have happy hour all day on Mondays, I'll be back on a Monday.

We finished off the night with our friends grabbing a drink down the way from the restaurant we…read moretried out. They had a good deal on beers so we went to have a pint. Its a decent sized place but not a lot of seating. Im guessing this place gets wild later at night but we still found the seating found to be comfortable. Loved that they had a Street Fight II arcade inside and plenty of TVs to check out games. I will definitely return for more time to drink up

Hosting Comedy Shows Thursdays 8pm, downstairs in the underground room…read more Love the low-key feel, great staff, happy hour 5pm-9pm.

So it was a little underwhelming when we first walked in on a Wednesday afternoon. But the…read morebartender/server was super friendly and made great drinks! We ordered fish tacos and four cocktails. Fish tacos were delicious!!! Salsa matcha! Fish wasn't all batter. Generous amount of shredded cabbage. Hot and fresh! Loved it! Drinks were great. We asked for less sweet and he seemed to honor that as they were close to how we like it (on the tart side). They have a good happy hour and lots of food to choose from outside of that. Ambiance was quiet at this time but I'm sure weekends get packed. Lots of tvs and the music was good, nice jams and not too loud (I'm old lol). We'd definitely drop in again to day drink and try more food.

Service was slow and the drinks were overpriced for the quality. I got the Fresita which was too…read moresweet. When I asked to change a drink, they said they still had to charge me even though I only had a sip. Then, I ordered the Margarita De Amor hoping it would be better, but it tasted like sink water. Worst margarita I've ever had. I also had to ask for the complimentary chips and salsa, but it was also disappointing. The chips were too salty and tasted terrible. There was also no AC on a hot day. I wouldn't return or recommend this place.

Definitely make a reservation here! I believe there are only like 4 booths!…read moreWe were able to secure a booth because someone missed their reservation. You will have to go through the main tikibar (Stowaway) and walk to a side door in the back. The theme is along the lines of Pinocchio. After you enter the side door, you will be transported and see a story book. You will walk through a whale's mouth to get to your booth. There is so much to look at all around so take your time admiring the decor while you drink. The tiki drinks are different from Stowaway and are delicious! It's definitely more intimate so you can talk to the bartenders. Though since it's all booths, you won't really see them make the drinks. Overall, fun spot - intimate if you want the tiki vibes in a quieter location

The Belly of the Beast - Pinocchio Speakeasy at Stowaway Tiki Bar, Tustin…read more The Belly of the Beast is a Pinocchio-themed speakeasy tucked inside Stowaway Tiki Bar in Tustin, and it's definitely a fun experience. You actually enter through the mouth of a whale, which immediately sets the tone. The decor and theming are really well done, with plenty of unique details that make the space feel immersive. The atmosphere is more intimate and private compared to the main tiki bar, which makes it a nice change of pace. The food menu is limited, but what we tried was good. The drinks were definitely the highlight. I had the Farewell Jimmy, Smoke the Monster Out, and Geppetto's Last Words--all three were great. Smooth, tropical, flavorful, and definitely potent. Service was okay, but nothing particularly stood out. Overall, The Belly of the Beast is a cool place to check out if you enjoy themed bars and unique experiences. For me, it's probably more of a one-time experience rather than somewhere I'd regularly return to. Still, the creativity, decor, and cocktails make it worth experiencing at least once.