Great service, awesome drinks. We will have to come back to try the food but we were told it's even better! The ambiance was superb

A true hidden gem in the business park area of San Clemente. Family owned business that distills their own rum, gin, vodka and whiskey. We keep at least 2 bottles of the rum in hand at home at all times. Alongside their delicious craft cocktails made with their alcohol, they serve BBQ that is to die for! The pulled pork is some of the best I've ever had. (They offer takeout by the pound too, which we love to get and take home during football season!) The ambiance here is kind of trendy yet relaxed. You can usually always find a place to sit and hang out. Love the country music and picnic benches. Unfortunately because it is a distillery, no kids allowed. Since having my daughter we haven't been able to go quite as much...but the takeout is great and it's a fun casual date spot for my husband and I when we are able to get a sitter. Absolutely recommend checking it out if you haven't already! read more

Finally tried Drift and had a great experience! We ordered a few different good lunch options to try and appetizers. The bbq was all super good and the apps were a nice touch. The drinks speak for themselves and are amazing. Really cool spot with indoor and outdoor seating. Plenty of parking too. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back! read more

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you need to tell everyone that when they get the street corn it is not a dip also if its corn on a cob then you should give at least 3 cobs not just one split into 3 !!!! but other than that service was great and everyone was so nice!! the vibes were great the atmosphere was on point. i just think better descriptions of the food would be amazing. love this place tho!! xoxo -tom read more

Excellent food, service and a very cool vibe. We started with the Brussels sprouts appetizer ( a must !) and one of the best we've ever had. There were 3 of us and we shared the pulled pork and brisket, side of beans and vinegar coleslaw. We indulged and shared the decadent and incredibly delicious corn bread. The meat was tender,perfectly seasoned and sooooo good. Our server Joey was attentive, friendly and checked frequently ( water, drinks). The manager on site was cordial and friendly. We will be back and highly recommend it! read more

I recently discovered San Clemente's newest gem when making an unplanned stop at Drift Distillery & Smokehouse. Featuring their own line of top shelf liquor and a truly amazing selection of beers that rival any brewery...Drift compliments these unique libations with outstanding food that will satisfy any fussy eater, and especially us carnivores. But perhaps Drift's greatest appeal is the friendly, inviting atmosphere that you rarely see anymore. And I'm not just talking about the staff either (who are very engaging and gregarious) but the customers you meet here as well. I have stopped in for a much-needed beer to relax my brain for a spell during my usual 100+hr work weeks. A red ale and smoked brisket can be just the thing to de-stress my head, recharge my enthusiasm and always find myself talking to complete strangers at the bar like it's normal. At Drift it is normal...not so much elsewhere. It is this combination of booze, food and mood that makes this an exceptional watering hole you'll return to again and again. While I struggle to remember the names of all those who work here (big staff) who have entertained me when I stop in, Grace is the exception to the rule. Daughter of owners Ryan & Leslie, she serves up her contagious, bubbly personality to all at the bar and is a genuinely impressive young lady. I can't really describe it...you just have to drift in and meet her and the others for yourself. A block south of El Camino Real and Del Mar, Drift should be a stop on the list of anyone who appreciates a relaxed, social tavern with one-of-a-kind dinning and drinks. You can thank me later. read more

Great hidden place with yummy BBQ! Had our small dog so the patio area was perfect! The pulled pork tacos and Mac n cheese were wonderful! Brisket and ribs just as yummy! Glad we trusted all the 5 star reviews! read more

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Went in around 6 pm, hostess did asked if we had a reservation there was two of us with plenty of empty seats. Told we needed a reservation unless sitting at the bar then the host told us he forgot about the other tables when we looked at him confused. Our waitress came to the table twice the entire dinner. Once to ask for our drinks and once to take our order. It took forever to get both. The cornbread never came out. Food tasted more like a test kitchen of a failing restaurant. Drinks were horrible not a good ratio of mixer to alcohol. If you are anything but white do not except service here. If I could give zero stars I would. read more

My new favorite place. Incredible food. Real country music, delicious drinks & friendly people. I'm going out of my way to visit again. The only way to improve this place would be to add a couple desserts to the menu. read more

Drift Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Grace is the absolute best go on the weekends when she is there she recommends the best drinks and her customer service is excellent!

supposed to be a smoke house! No smoke or flavor in the meat! No seasoning! Very disappointing! I won't be back!!! Service from Amanda was excellent! read more

Fun tasting flight - chose your favorite spirits. But more importantly, the Kansas City BBQ was absolutely delicious!

Drift has delicious BBQ and drinks!! Their staff is amazing, the owners are super nice and the arugula salad is perfect!!

Enjoyed their full offerings of food, spirits and great service from all of their staff. Renovated space with nice booths, bar and parking lot which is exclusively for their patrons. We came on a quieter Sunday night. Curious to see what a Saturday with live music will be like. You can tell this business is run by a family that truly cares. read more

We absolutely love Drift and their new location is done really nicely. Love their food, beverages and ambiance.

The ambiance, outdoor seating, good libations, and no kids permitted all were big plus points for me. However, we went there because we were hungry. Now this was late Sunday afternoon so I will give a little leeway to service and quality, but the food fell way below my expectations. Tried the various meats offered from their menu, and unfortunately all were dry and chewy. The brisket especially was way past its serving life expectancy. Mac and cheese also did not taste fresh, we compared it to left overs you would find in your fridge. We are going to try again though, and I'm hoping for the food quality to match the rest of place and staff service, I would like to hangout there because the vibe is good. read more

If you're a fan of great hospitality, great bbq & cocktails, stop by this place. Their Bourbon and Brisket sandwiches are phenomenal. Close Yelp, and head on in - this is where you want to be. read more

Known about this place for a while, this is the 1st time here. The food is delicious and the old fashion two thumbs up. Plus for those not in to sprits, there is beer. I also like that kids are not allowed, nothing against children but there is a time and place. Highly recommend. read more

Drift Distillery - Entry - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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The food was amazing. The Tomahawk Finger appetizer and Cornbread skillet were fantastic. My husband had the Cubano and I had the fried Chicken sandwich. Looking forward to going back again and continue a journey through the menu. read more

My friends and I were looking for something to do last Sunday. We weren't sure if it was going to be raining, and when we discovered the weather was going to be nice, we decided to get together for the afternoon. We weren't sure if it's going to start storming again, so we didn't want to venture out too far. So we started googling places around San Clemente. We intended to go to a brewery, but my friend discovered Drift on yelp. I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the afternoon at a distillery, but it was her turn to pick something for the the 4 of us to do. We put Drift in our GPS and as soon as we got close, I thought we might be in the wrong area. It's kind of tucked away,, which is one of the first things I liked about it. The moment we walked in the door, I was pleased with overall cozy vibe of the place. We were immediately greeted by their super friendly bartender, Harrison. My friend Stephanie asked him a question about the decor. And Harrison began to give us a very detailed history about the how the establishment got started, and the owners' bison behind their brand. He went on to enthusiastically go over the drink menu with us and made several enticing suggestions. I was determined to spend my day drinking beer, but after the way Harrison exuberantly described some of his favorite cocktails, I thought I'd try one and then switch over to beer. I wish I could remember the name of the first cocktail I had.... did you catch that I said first cocktail??? Every time I went to switch to beer, Harrison would tell me about the ingredients in another cocktail, and there I was going through the whole menu lol. My husband opted for one of their Bloody Mary's, and he normally always has it with vodka, Harrison was so generous with his knowledge About the way they process their gin, that we thought we'd give it a try. So glad we did!!!!! My husband and I had a very hearty breakfast before we headed out, and I had no intention of eating. We were just looking for something like chips, when good ole Harrison went into great detail about how they cook their meat, so I ordered a couple of their tacos. Oh my goodness..... So freaking good!!!! The other couple we were with are lifelong vegetarians, and much to their surprise the menu offered a few great vegetarian options. I had a bite of their arugula and goat cheese salad, and it was so good. I ended up ordering one even though I just finished my meal lol. I finished my day off with one of their nice hoppy IPA's We all had such a wonderful time. We sat outside, and even though the patio was friendly, I was surprised that a good group of people, and there was also plenty of room in the bar. Harrison was the only bartender working that day, but you would've thought there were four bartenders behind that bar. She was extremely efficient while still making every guest feel that they were receiving individualized service. Let me preferences by saying, I've worked in the industry for almost 10 years for a very established winery. It's hard to find bartenders/wine tenders that takes such pride in their job as Harrison does. You can tell he truly enjoys his job, and wants every guest to get the full experience and have a great time. To sum it all up, the cocktails, beer, and the food was incredible, but the best part of our afternoon at Drift was very knowledgeable and genuinely friendly service we received from Harrison. We will definitely be back, and this time will bring more friends! Harrison, if you're reading this, I would like to personally thank you for making our afternoon at Drift such a wonderful, relaxing experience. I work as a corporate recruiter during the week, and I really needed a nice day out, and you made that happen!! P.S. It's very late right now, and I'm using voice to text. I hope there's no weird typos. read more

This place is great. They serve really good cocktails and really good bbq sandwiches and sides. The Cuban sandwich is really tasty. They distilled their own spirits. Dog friendly patio. Nice experience. read more

Phenomenal Kansas City BBQ. Ribs are amazing. Tender. Cannot recommend high enough. If you are looking for BBQ in San Clemente this is the spot read more

My wife and I and a group of friends have been going to drift for years when it was at their old location. We loved the location , food and drink. We were a bit sad hearing it moved downtown. We decided to try the new location. My first impression was they did a good job on the new place, after that it started going downhill. 1. The menu is much larger but most of my favorites aren't on the menu . 2. Everything is more expensive. 3. We all wanted pulled pork but they were out, and that was on a Thursday. 3. My wife and I ordered the same beer. A pilsner. But when we got surved the beer was dark. I asked them waitress why a pilsner was so dark, she said other people had asked that and it's just how it's brewed. Upon asking another waitress for the beer I originally wanted she said they ran out of it. So instead of the telling me they were out of the pilsner, I was given some random beer. I think when you're paying $9 for a 16oz beer you should have your choice and not given just any beer. I really don't think I'll be back. read more

Oh my lord. This was the worst drink I've ever, EVER had. Who has had an Old Fashioned without the sugar being muddled?! Who pays $12 when the sweetness is simple syrup?! No. This was grossly underwhelming. I shouldn't have even had to pay for this. My friend ordered a margarita and it was so sour (I tasted it) I thought i was trying a warhead. We should have sent the drinks back, requested a refund, but we just left our glasses at the table and walked out. I am forced to give one star but at least the guy behind the counter was deserving of a star for being so welcoming and enthused about the drinks he offered.... -*-*- After my review, the owner proceeded to send a public message, not to apologize for my bad experience, but to shame me for my review. I am not a bartender and I don't know how to make old fashioned's. I do know that there was something distinctly different about my drink. It was too sweet. What made it that way was a guess. And I drank it because I paid for it. My friend drank hers because she paid for it. But they weren't enjoyable. One too sour, one too sweet. And then suggesting I do the world a favor when I have an issue at a restaurant was rude. I felt the entire response was rude. Yelp! is designed for us to share our experiences, positive or negative. read more

Drift Distillery - Margarita - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Brisket was good thé first couple times, but fatty the last few. But, nice atmosphere.

My son and I went on a distillery and microbrewery tour in the San Clemente area. Drift Distillery was a pleasant surprise during our journey. Our hostess/bartender Eva was very engaging and excited while speaking about Drift's philosophy and products. This only added to the pleasure of both tasting their whiskey and bourbon, but also enjoying the top-notch barbeque offered on the menu. Even though I'm not a big whiskey drinker, I purchased a bottle on the way out. I will definitely return to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and partake in their offerings. read more

The Bbq Brisket sandwich was to die for. Great smoke and tenderness. BBQ sauce was great too. Definitely a place to eat, drink and hang out! read more

Stopped by on a Tuesday evening for a cocktail and bite to eat. Great hidden location with very helpful staff. The cocktails are made with care and are tasty as well as priced right. The BBQ was amazing and I was told Kansas BBQ. The Mac n cheese with Brisket was excellent. Food and Service great- Thank you Staff. read more

Definitely try the "pain killer" or the "where's my two year old". Obsessed with the drink names! Love the interior and definitely want to come back for a tour! They distill their own! Definitely coming back! Thanks #yelp! read more

Great little place off the beaten path. Nice ambiance. Food is great and so are the drinks. Definitely a place to come back to regularly

So happy to have stumbled upon this gem and wondering why it took us so long to get here?! VERY good BBQ and sides are good as well. Delicious cocktail menu with reasonably priced drinks which can be hard to come across around here! Staff was super friendly and efficient. Also following all covid guidelines too with seating outside. Can't wait to return...will definitely be sooner rather than later! read more

Drift Distillery - Brisket with sides of Mac and cheese and slaw. Yum! - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

The drinks were a small pour. I had to order two drinks to create I full drink. I got mine food and then it took a my friends food a long to come out. I finished my chili before there food came to the table. The ladies were touching base with open tabs at 720pm walking to table asking if we had any open tab and my friends were still waiting for their food yet. . They have been waiting for chili and salad for 45 mins This has always been a great place for my husband and I but it seems things have changed read more

Turn on the AC ! Wanted to stay for lunch but it was wayyyyy toooo hot inside! Asked to turn on air but said they have the windows open... everyone was sweating even employees. Best food and drinks in all of OC! But make it comfortable for your guests! read more

This is the second time coming here and it was just as delicious as the first time. Both times got the flight of spirits. The gin is hands down the best I've tasted; so much flavor and extremely smooth. The food is also very tasty and well crafted. We love supporting this small business. read more

Drift Distillery - Flight of spirits and the pork outlaw sandwich. Delicious - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

This place is a hidden gem and I highly recommend dropping in. Drinks and food are absolutely fantastic. The old fashion and "where's my two year old" were so delicious- we'll be back again. Come hungry and enjoy the food. read more

Drift Distillery - San Clemente - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

Good food and service. Good beer. Nice atmosphere . Looking forward to the new location

Wonderful service from Annie. Old fashioned was delicious and my friends had gin, margarita and a mule! Order the loaded tater tots! Yumm! read more

We ordered take out for 10 people and everything was delicious ! All our guests enjoyed the pulled pork, ribs and brisket . Thank you so much guys ! Oh and the cheesy potatoes were amazing and yummy . read more

my husband and I love everything about Drift. love the brisket on the not just a house salad or maybe pulled pork on the arugula salad. BBQ quesadilla is also yummy. my go to drink is their vodka my husband's is the old fashioned. read more

Stopped by because the weather wasn't beach worthy. Their gin and bourbon are amazing. We will come back for more KC bbq! read more

Drift Distillery - Loaded tots w brisket omg sooooo good - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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