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La Santa

3.3 (82 reviews)
Open • 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 1 week ago

La Santa Photos

LA SANTA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Live music
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - La Santa

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Reviews With Photos

Worth every penny! Jonathan Bree 2023.10.16
Tamara T.

La Santa is in a basement of a bar and I'm a fan of small clubs/venues as I think the vibe is way better, but this one gives me a little anxiety because there's only two ways out and that's up the stairs. There's no windows and no doors down there, but once you start drinking and focusing on the stage the anxiety tapers off after a while. It's in the heart of downtown so there's literally tons of bars and restaurants surrounding this venue. I've seen rapper Sugar Free perform here, reggae legend Keith of Keith & Tex (Tex got stuck at immigration in Canada) and recently saw New Zealand's very own Jonathan Bree perform here. Jonathan Bree's performance here was definitely in my top 5 concerts I've been to in my life and this venue had a lot to do with it. Parking is all 'effed up right now in Downtown, but look for a meter along French St. and walk literally across the street to the front door. There's also parking structures on 3rd and 5th st which are a short walk. DO NOT PARK IN THE SHOPPING CENTER! YOU WILL GET TOWED. I'm a local and for 5 minutes I thought, "I could totally park at McDonalds or in front of Smart & Final," but the lady that was handing out wristbands specifically said if you're parked there you will get towed, people are watching. This town makes its money off of parking tickets so I believe her. Also, if you're ever in Downtown Santa Ana for an event, make sure your meter is paid up and you're in a legal parking spot because I see it every time, cops/city parking patrol is OUT at all hours of the night writing tickets. La Santa isn't crazy fancy but it is historic and the basement venue is a vibe. If you see an artist is playing here or a club is happening here, definitely go.

Happy Saturday!
Dan J.

I drunkenly left a review for the wrong "La Santa" last time. They have both a restaurant and club, and my dumb ass left one for the club when it should've been for this place. I only gave a 4 out of 5 last time, but after eating here again, I'm moving it up to where it properly belongs. And, no, I am not drunk this time. Although I had already eaten prior to coming I today, I did order some chips and guacamole. As you can see in the picture, the guacamole was amazing. It was so quickly devoured that I forgot to take a picture until after the fact. Fresh avocados with some tomatoes, sliced tortilla chips and some sprinkled cheese, it was overly delicious! My Cadillac, as poured by bartender Juan, was simply amazing. This place would be overcrowded if it were on 4th street. But it being one block over, on 3rd, I consider this a hidden gem!

Ralfy theplug
Tony J.

Yesterday my daughters wanted to see Ralfy the plug, at La Santa. Last time we're in Santa Anna, we saw Drakeo theRuler, that was in 2021. So we were not going to miss the opportunity to see Ralfie. Thank you La Santa for making this such a memorable positive experience. Back in my day I remember seeing concerts at locations like this before The musicians and artists hit big time. This brought back a lot of memories. I love the bar, the lights, the stage, the ambience, perfectly done. Thank you again.

Steph M.

This was my first time coming here & I had a good time. However, a few hours later.. I got a notification from my bank that the bar tried charging me AGAIN but for THOUSANDS of dollars... I took a screenshot for the exact amount. I'm completely appalled and hope nobody else had this happen to them, especially because it was SA Pride today. Not cool at all.. I'm never coming back to this bar ever again.. completely disappointed. Update: Yes, I called my bank & they are sending in a new debit card in the mail. I also noticed I was charged twice for my original amount.... additional Screenshot uploaded.

Kennyon Brown
Isa F.

(Review is on the basement venue) Went to a concert there last night. Overall concert was amazing, but the venue itself had NO VENTILATION or AC. The room was not packed, but the temperature in the room was well over 100 degrees so you could imagine how HOT it was in there. The worse part was that we were not allowed to go outside unless we paid a re-entry fee. It wasn't until people were complaining about the lack of air circulation that the manager allowed us to go outside. If you plan on attending a concert at this venue bring a handheld fan.

Torta Sliders and Paraíso cocktail
Ortencia A.

Come for the food and stay for the drinks!! It was nice coming back to DTSA after quite awhile. I have my downtown go to's but wanted to try something new. The place was desolate but so was everything else on this Wednesday evening. I received a friendly welcome from the bar tender as well as from the patrons that were seated at the bar. I didn't even look at a menu, I asked the regulars to guide me between friendly conversation (my favorite kind of experiences). We started with a cocktail called Paraíso. The rum and pineapple/tropical flavors with a frothy finish make a refreshing drink lives up to its name. The cochinita pibil sliders are a MUST have. The chef is from Yucatán and this recipe is spot on! Tender, flavorful meat with a cebollas curtidas finish! Yum! The tacos, I don't have much to say about the tacos but they didn't shake me. I like food to wow me, make me close my eyes and melt or make me fall out of my seat. Didn't happen with the tacos. My review breakdown goes as follows: Ambiance 4 stars Service 4 stars Drinks 5 stars Torta sliders 4 stars Tacos 3 stars

Mural Inside

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3 years ago

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6 months ago

Matt is the best of the best. The mix drinks were absolutely amazing. The walk in to sitting down eating is he made it the best experience

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Business owner information

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Saul G.

Well that does it. Losing your business will have us close our doors.

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3 years ago

This place SUCKS!!!! Do not waste your time or money. Crowded, no sitting area, over priced, rude, etc! I will NEVER come back. It's a joke

Business owner information

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Saul G.

Good riddance

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If you're going to a show definitely bring ear plugs. Pretty cool venue though! Very small and intimate

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Ask the Community - La Santa

Is it 21+ for shows? If im taking someone who isn't 21+ and of course they won't be purchasing alcohol, can they still be let in just for the show? Please

Is there a full bar? How much is it for mixed drinks and beer?

Yes, it’s a full bar with a wide range of drink selections.

Im 16 and would like to see an artist perform here, am I allowed in, with an adult accompanying me?…

Depends on the show. Need to call for specific show

Can you smoke inside?

No, outdoors only.

Is there a guy dress code? Can guys wear plain tees?

Appropriate attire for a concert is always permitted

Is this the same place as Marty's on Newport?

Not sure how their connected but a show i bought tickets to was moved from martys to here

Is the place 21+?

The night i was there it was but im not sure if every night is

Hi where do I get info regarding hosting my bday party at ur bar?

Calk them direct. Thats how i did it

View All 11 Questions

Review Highlights - La Santa

“La Santa is conveniently located in the heart of DTSA's East Village.”

Mentioned in 5 reviews

Read more highlights

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4.5(830 reviews)
2.4 mi
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This is our favorite bar to frequent! My wife and I have been to a few different tiki bars around…read moreOrange County, and Stowaway is easily our favorite. Let me break it down: Drinks: They have one of the best tiki menus around, with really cool tiki mugs and some of the most well-balanced cocktails I've had. What I really appreciate is the consistency, every time we come in, our drinks taste just as good as the last time. Our favorites are the Zombie and the Singapore Sling. Food: I absolutely love the Spam Musubi and their fries. They're great bar bites whether you're actually hungry and need something substantial or just want a little snack to go with your drinks. The vibe: The bartenders are always super friendly, attentive, and genuinely seem like they're having a good time doing what they do. That makes a huge difference and really adds to the experience. The only knock I can think of is that I wish the music was a little louder and more upbeat. I know tiki bars are designed for conversation, and I appreciate that, but sometimes the quieter atmosphere can make you a little sleepy. Overall, Stowaway is our go-to tiki bar in OC. Great drinks, good food, awesome bartenders, and a fun atmosphere. We'll definitely keep coming back.

First time at Stowaway last night, loved the tropical tiki vibe! Place was packed when we got there…read morearound 6 pm. FREE parking available right in front. The shareable small bites were incredible--the Poke Bombs were indeed da bomb (pun intended), and the Tempura-battered Spam Musubi served with a sweet teriyaki-esque glaze and sriracha-mayo is an absolute must-order. Both items were so good that we ended up ordering them again. The drinks were great -- Three Dots and a Dash, Smoking Rita and the Lava Flow instantly transported me right back to Hawaii. Huge shoutout to Michelle and David for providing such warm, friendly, and attentive service. We will definitely be back!

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Stowaway - Dining room

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Stowaway - Pokebombs

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Sonder - Little Gem Salad: black vinegar caesar * preserved lemon * shallot confit * cured fresh peppercorns * bread crumb * smoked pecorino | $15

Sonder

4.3(242 reviews)
0.0 mi
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10/10: The food was AMAZING! Everything we ordered was way better than expected. Service was great!…read moreIt was quick and personal. Our server helped us take a bunch of cute photos. The ambience was so romantic and the dim lighting along with live vinyl really added to the experience!! Mando stop if you're in Santa Ana.

Four of us ate at Sonder last Tuesday for my birthday. We walked in and they didn't even ask my…read morename; they knew which party we were and took us immediately to our table. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable and gave great advice about which dishes to order and whether each would be enough for four. Everything was excellent. In particular we enjoyed the pork belly, the seafood cocktail, and the chicken skewers. We also had the Little Gem salad, the sourdough, and the bone marrow onigiri. We all agreed: "Not a bad bite in the bunch." The cocktails were creative and the wine selection was good, too. Music was good. It wasn't so loud that we couldn't talk. After dinner, they brought a scoop of matcha ice cream with a candle in it for me and there was enough for all of us to have a bite or two. The only drawback was that from my seat, I could see into the kitchen hallway, which wasn't very attractive. They need a noren to block the view. Minor detail, though, and I suppose that would probably make it more difficult to bring food through. Highly recommend.

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Sonder - Sophisticated bar and classy chandeliers

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Sonder - Pork Belly: mustard * black vinegar * thai basil * chives * side of rice | $8

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Sonder - Pork belly skewer

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Twisted Tiki

Twisted Tiki

4.4(370 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$
Private events
Happy hour specials

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!

This was my first time at Twisted Tiki, and I really wanted to like it because I love tiki bars…read more It's a fun little place, and we enjoyed the two drinks we ordered. They were both tasty. I ordered the Zombie, which was really good and came with a cool zombie hand. We also had a nice time talking with the bartenders. Unfortunately, the air conditioning wasn't working that night, and it was really hot inside. We sat in the corner at the bar, and one of the bartenders was nice enough to turn the fan on the bar toward us. I appreciated the effort, but at that point it was basically just moving warm air around. We also ordered French fries, but they never came. We asked about them and were told the kitchen might be backed up. After we finished our drinks, we were ready to leave because of the heat, so we asked about the fries again. They went to check, but there still wasn't an answer as to when they'd arrive, so we canceled the order. I don't want to be too hard on the place because the drinks were good, the bartenders were friendly, and the broken AC may have just been an unfortunate situation that night. We actually went to Twisted Tiki because Mission Control wasn't quite what we remembered, so I'm not sure I would make a special trip just for Twisted Tiki based on this visit. That said, we're fans of tiki bars, so if we're in the area again, we'll definitely give it another try. Hopefully the AC is working and the French fries make it to the table next time!

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Twisted Tiki
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Belly of the Beast - The whole bar

Belly of the Beast

4.3(167 reviews)
2.4 mi

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.

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Belly of the Beast - A shot of the entire speakeasy.

A shot of the entire speakeasy.

Belly of the Beast - Coconut shrimp

Coconut shrimp

Belly of the Beast - Small place inside Stowaway.. floor can get wet when it's raining

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Mission Control - Food and coffee was amazing!

Mission Control

4.1(371 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

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.

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Mission Control
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Mission Control - Clean space, super chill vibe. Bartenders are great.

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The Blind Rabbit

The Blind Rabbit

4.5(3.5k reviews)
6.4 mi
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I finally got to visit this cozy, dimly lit speakeasy at the Packing District that I'd had…read morebookmarked for the longest time! Reservations are required since it's a small, hidden bar. The space has a Harry Potter theme with spooky decorations, creating a unique and intimate atmosphere. They offer a mix of classic tiki drinks and specialty cocktails. My favorites were the Philosopher's Stone Fruit and Eater of Death #2. Both drinks were creative, unique, and fun to try! We loved the cocktails and would recommend checking this place out!

The Blind Rabbit is no doubt a very neat place and definitely an experience, but the reason for my…read moreone star is because my friend and I were treated absolutely terribly by one of the bartenders. We were there on Sunday, October 3rd around 3pm. We asked who the owners were because we were really impressed with the place and thought they might be the same owners as another location we had visited. There was absolutely no bad intention behind the question. The male bartender told us that no one name drops anymore. I understood what he was saying and was more than willing to move on. But then I asked him if the bar offered whiskey sours and he responded, "You really don't know what you're doing here and what you want." I was honestly so taken back by that comment. I don't normally stay quiet when someone speaks to me disrespectfully, but I was so caught off guard that I didn't even know what to say. Before that, he had also yelled out to the host that she didn't need to worry because we didn't know the owners and that she could relax. The whole interaction was completely unnecessary and made us feel very uncomfortable. We came in wanting to enjoy the atmosphere and have a good time. Instead, we left feeling disrespected and uncomfortable. There is a way to speak to customers, even if you feel they are asking questions you don't like. We did nothing to deserve that kind of attitude. The Blind Rabbit may be a great place, but unfortunately, the way we were treated by this bartender completely ruined the experience for us. Customer service matters, and unfortunately, ours was extremely disappointing.

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The Blind Rabbit - Make My Millennium: Berry, Anise, Bold

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Dead Man's Party: Tropical, Funky, Spiced

La Santa - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026

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