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    Ruin Bar

    4.1 (488 reviews)
    Open • 2:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

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    RUIN BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Ruin Bar

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    The Emotional Support cocktail -- kitsch presentation. Like an IV bag!
    Benjamin P.

    Best bar in Costa Mesa! Intimate setting with well-priced, well crafted cocktails. Heavy-handed pours, so get ready to be indulged! The decor, furniture, fixtures, and piano were a sight to behold. Definitely coming back!

    Halo Halo
    Harvey C.

    Fun little quirky bar with a lot of eclectic decor where you can enjoy some really novel drinks. Went here on a Saturday night and although there is a long line to get drinkservice was still very good despite the amount of people that were there. I ordered the halo halo and was not disappointed by the garnishes and was impressed by the amount of work involved in making that one drink.

    Charleston cherry
    Daniel B.

    Been a here a few times and it's a vibe. Went here after a brewery run with some friends to end the night and tried the Charleston cherry for the first time. Excellent drink and very smooth. The place overall is very small but there's so much to see. Seating can be tricky, especially for a group, but once you're situated it's a great place to just hangout and enjoy the company of whoever you're with while enjoying some good drinks. You order at the front and the drinks are quickly made and the bartenders are very friendly and happy to answer any questions you have about the menu. This place is part of the Anti-lab mall with excellent dessert places nearby as well.

    Nicole E.

    The ruin bar is a speakeasy in the lab at Costa Mesa. It has a really cute patio feel with twinkle lights. Otherwise, the inside is dark and intimate which holds to the speakeasy vibe. The bartenders here are phenomenal especially Jess she makes great conversation and makes some great cocktails. Big fan of the cocktail list here! I really enjoy the halo halo and love in drunk. My hubby loves the espresso martini here. This is a great spot for drinks especially for a late night cap on the weekends.

    Yesterday's Feelings cocktail
    Doug B.

    We are always looking for new speakeasies, Tiki, bars, and other interesting bars to explore. I always search on Yelp and Google for new places, and somehow Ruin Bar has eluded us for years until now. Ruin Bar is located in The Lab which is a small outdoor mall area in Costa Mesa which has a variety of small shops and places to get food and drink. The parking lot is actually pretty big, but has a reputation for always being full. We arrived at 5:30pm on a Thursday evening and got one of the last few available spaces, so I can only imagine what it is like later in the evening and on weekends. I wouldn't quite say it is a speakeasy, but it has many speakeasy vibes. The location is not 100% plainly identified and we had to ask the host at an adjacent restaurant where it was. When I try to think of how to describe it, I think this is the kind of place you would find in a postapocalyptic world. A small abandoned looking space obscured by overgrown vegetation and filled with a random collection of knick-knacks inside and out. It has the greatest vibe and totally works. There is a small outdoor patio that makes you feel like you're deep in the woods. The seating and tables are an interesting collection of totally different things. When you walk inside, it is almost like entering a museum. There is so much to see, so many things on the walls, things above, and different small seating areas. We had an early dinner at one of the restaurants here at The Lab and arrived at Ruin Bar around 6pm so it wasn't very busy yet. This worked much to our advantage, as I think we got the best seats in the house inside the ski tram. It is definitely the most intimate place to sit with four small seats inside, a very small wood table on the side which can hold a few drinks, stringy curtains, and lights above which rotate colors when it starts to get dark outside. There was some great music from the 70's and 80's being played. To get drinks, go to the bar at the back and place your order. The bartender(s) will make them right next to where you order, and call out your drink when it is ready. I started out with the Halo Halo which is a play on a popular Filipino cold desert. It comes in a large schooner glass and has a great purple color. You can taste the macadamia, coconut, and ube flavors with the rum there nicely in the background. It also has some creaminess from the oat milk. It comes with a spoon and is topped with has a variety of sweet items including fruity pebbles, two cherries, two sour watermelon slices, a papaya slice, coconut flakes, and I think the other topping was a date paste of some sort. This adult milkshake-like cocktail is definitely unique! My girlfriend started with An Incan Ruin, which had a nice red color and was garnished with a lit piece of Palo Santo wood of that had a nice aroma. It was well balanced and had some complexity. To start the second round, I ordered the Yesterday's Feelings drink which is served in a blood bag with a straw. It was a nice light lemony vodka drink, and there was a slice of kiwi fruit in the bag. Her second drink was the Love In Drunk which was a nice pink drink with a cucumber garnish. It was also a nice light vodka drink, and the grapefruit and guava flavors were there nicely in the background. It also had a little fizz. We decided to share one last drink and ordered the Estoy Enamorado. I usually don't like the strong smokiness of Mezcal, but some places are doing a great job of toning that down and this one is an amazing cocktail. The mint leaf garnish starts you off with a great aroma. The orange sherbert does an excellent job of adding a nice light orange flavor and some creaminess. Combine that with the coconut cream and the smokiness of the Mezcal is toned down to the absolute perfect level. There's also a little spiciness from the Ancho Reyes Chile liqueur. This cocktail is one of the best I've had in a while, and I can't wait to have another one soon. Kim and Jess were excellent bartenders and so friendly. They were totally up for chit-chat since we got there early and it wasn't super busy yet. If you have never been here, definitely add Ruin Bar to the top of your list of places to visit.

    Valerie G.

    Super duper cute place to have a drink. Drinks were tasty and strong. Fast and friendly service. Would love it even more, if it was roomier. It's so small, you can easily bump into people. But it's a place that I'd definitely like to go back

    Criss N.

    I love Ruin Bar! The decor and seating options are what make this bar really special. Many seats are couches, discarded carnival ride pieces, and comfy stools. There is always a fun piece of art to look at and drinks are delicious.

    Bar area
    Sydney F.

    Ruin was a cool vibe, very limited seating and a small space but fun decor and drinks. Average price wasn't too far off a normal bar and I especially liked the various types of moscow mules. Both the Angeleno and the Italian were a fun twist on the classic drink. Would come back but be prepared to stand and probably not great with a huge group.

    Crystal Z.

    What can I say...? This place was evaaahhhh--reee--thing we wanted and more. Visiting from AZ and we try to make it a point to try new speakeasy bars and this bar was everything. We came on a Friday when they opened at 2 and had the bar to ourselves for awhile. Highly recommend that if you have never been here. It's smaller than I thought it would be based on reviews and photos but it's such a vibe in here. My fiancée is a photographer and we had a field day shooting in here. The bartender was amazing. Amazing with recommendations and even suggestions for other locations in different cities. Every cocktail we had was delicious and very balanced. It was a hot day out and this hit the spot!

    Stella L.

    Stopped by while waiting for a dinner reservation nearby and was happy to come across this cute, quirky spot. The ambiance is playful and unique with a cozy and intimate feel despite the small space. Ordered the Baby One More Thyme and Estoy Enamorado which were both delicious and well-balanced. Worth a visit if you're in the area.

    Inside
    Sepideh S.

    've been to Rune Bar countless times, and it never disappoints. I absolutely love their cocktails and the beautiful design -- it's truly one of the most unique bars in Costa Mesa and all of Orange County. Whether you're sitting inside or out, the vibe is always amazing. The bartenders are fantastic, and it's the perfect spot to enjoy great drinks and even better company. Such a gem!

    Ivonne K.

    Fun little spot! Would definitely swing by again. You just go in and order your drinks and find your own seat. They whip up the drinks super fast! Came on a Saturday afternoon and was such a cozy area to sit outdoors and enjoy drinks with friends :) Tucked in the corner with a vintage, maximalist, whimsical vibe. I got the bees knees and the estoy enamorado and both were a tiny bit sweet for me but still really good!

    Entrance!
    Marjan N.

    A unique and vibrant spot offering a diverse selection of drinks, from creative new mixes to timeless classics, plus both wine and beer list. We were warmly welcomed and the fun began the moment we placed our order and watched our drinks being beautifully crafted with care and flair. Both the indoor and outdoor seating areas are enchanting, creating the perfect setting for creativity, connection, and good vibes all around. I was having such a wonderful time, I forgot I was in the middle of OC on a Sunday night. I'll be back to be be transported!

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    Ask the Community - Ruin Bar

    Can food be brought into the bar?

    Does Ruin Bar have an pick up or delivery options?

    No we do not.

    Are dogs allowed?

    Yes and cats 🐱

    Is there an age limit?

    21 and over

    Is this bar family friendly?

    It's a bar so if your family is 21 and over then the answer is yes. 😬

    Does this place have a full bar? Or all soju based?

    Evening we are a full bar!

    Are reservations needed?

    No this just a normal bar with no food so come and leave as you wish

    What are their weekly specials?

    Hi Pilar, We have have happy hour on our soju based cocktails for $6 Tuesday and Wednesday from… 

    Is it a good place to meet single girls?

    depends on what night.

    View All 19 Questions

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    Knife Pleat

    4.0(436 reviews)
    1.0 mi
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    I accidentally posted on my wrong account!…read more This place is amazing and BEYOND 5 stars. Knife Pleat at South Coast Plaza is one of the three closest I've found to a proper afternoon tea here in Orange County, and as someone born and raised in Britain for 20 years, I hope that's high praise! Haha! I've been at least five or six times now, and every single visit has been wonderful! The afternoon tea is beautifully done. The tiered stands are a feast: delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, exquisite little pastries and macarons, all elegantly presented and genuinely delicious. The tea selection is excellent, and everything tastes as refined as it looks. What keeps me coming back, beyond the quality, is the service. They've consistently and graciously accommodated my allergies every time, which makes such a difference and lets me relax and enjoy the experience fully. The staff are attentive and lovely. If you're looking for an authentic, elegant afternoon tea in Orange County, Knife Pleat is the place. I can't recommend it enough, I'll keep coming back!

    I was excited to try the Michelin-starred afternoon tea set at Knife Pleat, and it came to about…read more$150 per person after tax and tip. The presentation was pretty, and the staff here provided attentive service. Unfortunately, there were several fruit flies around our table, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. I ended up leaving some of the food unfinished because of it, which was disappointing at this price point. I understand it's summer and these things can happen, but I expected a more polished environment from a Michelin-starred restaurant. Overall, the tea service was enjoyable, but the fruit flies took away from what could have been a memorable experience.

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    Knife Pleat - An elegant restaurant!

    An elegant restaurant!

    Knife Pleat - Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!

    Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!

    Knife Pleat - My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!

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    My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!

    Antonello Ristorante - Roasted Double Cut Pork Chop, in crusted with mix peppercorns.

    Antonello Ristorante

    4.3(1k reviews)
    1.3 mi
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    We were in a group of 7. We made reservations a few hours prior and were ecstatic they were able to…read moreaccommodate our large group. Restaurant was very cozy and romantic. Entrance/host lobby area is a little snug. We were sat at a large round table. They had kids menus for my girls. We ordered Pellegrino and a bottle of wine. Table bread and a delicious pesto butter was given to the table. I'm not a pesto gal, but boy, I'll tell ya. That butter was delectable. We ordered a caprese salad and a beef carpaccio to start. The caprese was really nice and refreshing. Served with arugula on top. They also added I think fried crispy capers on top omg. So good. The carpaccio was. DELICIOUS! Thinly sliced beef, fresh parmigiana, topped with arugula and capers. Probably one of the best I've had. For entrees, my girls both ordered the hello kitty pasta with bolognese sauce, husband ordered fettuccini bolognese, brothers ordered porcini risotto, linguini vongole, and mamas lasagna. I ordered rigatoni with vodka sauce. Everyone enjoyed their dinners. They brought out the giant cheese block for my brother's risotto!! My pasta with vodka sauce was very good. I could've sworn on the description that it was served table side, but it wasn't =0(. Dessert was something else. We shared the cheesecake and tiramisu. Top notch. Service was immaculate. Our server was present without being too overbearing. Our waters were filled and wine glasses stayed full. Very accommodating to our children. Definitely recommend for any occasion.

    This is a great place for large parties or banquets Private…read morerooms available and there is plenty of free parking Upscale Italian food Plates well with good sized portions Service is attentive

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    Antonello Ristorante - Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce

    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce

    Antonello Ristorante - Antonello Salad

    Antonello Salad

    Antonello Ristorante - Antonello Salad

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    Seasons 52 - Wood-Grilled Filet Mignon served with broccolini, Yukon mash, red wine and mushroom sauce.

    Seasons 52

    4.1(3.6k reviews)
    0.9 mi
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    The best TEXT of the week. A concierge meetup with our dear Betty Galzen who left us to work in…read moreArizona. Where to go! Back to Seasons 52. Centrally located, lots of parking, good happy hour menu. A Plus, Plus, Plus for all of us who were coming from both North County and South County. We had 5pm reservations. No problem getting a good table in the bar area big enough for the 7 of us. We arrived at different times , but the handsome Cooper made sure we were always on his radar. He was fun, congenial and never made us feel as if we were an inconvenience, despite the fact our Happy Hour lasted till after 8pm. Susan and I ordered Pesto, chicken and mozzarella and lobster and avocado flatbreads, wood-grilled steak lettuce wraps, cup of butternut squash soup, wine and a flavored margarita. Our friends ordered lump crab cakes, plus wine and cokes. No one left hungry!!! Think we will probably meet here again in five months when our sweet Betty comes back and we celebrate FRIENDSHIP. Thank you to our Heather Dahl Ellis who gets us all together. We love you

    Love this place. We had reservations at 6 PM on Sat. night…read more It was super busy but we were seated on time. The hostess outside, the waitress, and wait staff were very friendly and attentive. We had a wonderful bottle of Cambria Chardonnay with our Lump Crab and Shrimp-Stuffed Mushrooms. As an entree we both had the Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops. Melt in your mouth. We sat outside which we like because it's a little quieter. Love this place!!

    Photos
    Seasons 52 - Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops served with broccolini and mascarpone risotto.

    Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops served with broccolini and mascarpone risotto.

    Seasons 52 - Cedar Plank-roasted Salmon with seasonal vegetables, marble potatoes and dill-mustard sauce

    Cedar Plank-roasted Salmon with seasonal vegetables, marble potatoes and dill-mustard sauce

    Seasons 52 - Seasons 52 has a wide selection of varietals on our wine menu

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    Seasons 52 has a wide selection of varietals on our wine menu

    Work in Progress - Blueberry cobbler - excellent

    Work in Progress

    4.2(541 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$

    Cute!!!!!! & amazing drinks!!! The inside is nice and airy. Lots of seating options, but be mindful…read moresometimes there's big groups. The drinks are SOOOOO GOOD OMG. The best lattes I've ever had. Service was quick, and I enjoy watching them make the drinks. Everything they use is very clean, and the baristas look happy to be there. I love the wine vibe the place has. Kinda reminds me of an island in Greece! I totally recommend! Only downside is there's only one bathroom.. luckily there's some public ones close by!

    Ordered an iced flat white with oat milk and blueberry syrup, as well as the summer sando…read more I have been here in the past and ordered a cortado that was served piping hot which is a big no in my book when checking out a new spot. Thought I would give em another chance. When i grabbed my drink i honestly thought maybe i ordered it wrong or grabbed someone elses drink. But confirmed that it was mine and the ticket sajd my exact order. It looked exactly like an iced americano, with blueberry syrup and maybe one ounce of oat milk. When i asked the barista if this was a flat white he said that the oat milk was at the bottom with the blueberry syrup, which wouldnt make sense because milk should make up 80% of the drink if we are considering standard iced flat white builds of 4oz of milk, and a double shot of espresso. Gave it another try and wont be back. 2 stars because the sandwich looks promising and the barista at the register was kind and attentive.

    Photos
    Work in Progress - Twist. As is, cold. A little dry, but good flavor.

    Twist. As is, cold. A little dry, but good flavor.

    Work in Progress - Breakfast Sando

    Breakfast Sando

    Work in Progress - Vanilla Latte w/seasonal cinnamon cream top

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    Bar Tinto - Pork Belly Taco

    Bar Tinto

    4.6(24 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Bar Tinto is more than a hidden gem. It is a rare find in Orange County. It offers some of the best…read moreMexico City style food items I've had anywhere other than CDMX itself. The chef uses his free range of creativity and offers such unique and amazing ingredients in all of his dishes. He truly cares and has a passion for beautiful food. My wife and I know alot of chefs and restaurants in SoCal and this is some of the best food we can find. Chef Jonathan and his kitchen staff are all one of a kind. They shop for only the freshest ingredients and offer a variety of seasonal dishes throughout the year. The Pork Belly Taco has been a long standing menu item that literally NEVER disappoints. It is incredible. Every tostada the chef creates is amazing. And the Green Goddess dressing on their salad is worthy of bottling and drinking straight. The wine program is also incredible. The range of wine is amazing and everyone on staff is SO knowledgeable about every wine they offer. If you aren't sure about wine or how to pick out you can give them the simplest explanation of what wine you want and they will bring over several bottles to chose from and will give you an in depth and beautiful description of all of them before you decide what you want. Amazing food, wine, music and vibes are all huge perks but what really sets Bar Tinto over the edge is the hospitality and kindness of all the staff. Great for date night, for a night out with friends, a spot to bring the parents too, literally any occasion. We look forward to sitting in tinto and enjoying the food and wine at least twice a week!! Gracias, Bar Tinto! 10/10

    Went to check out the Jazz nights at Bar Tinto and had a nice night out with a girlfriend. Seating…read morewas limited so make sure to come early, managed to grab one in the corner. Staff was really friendly and accommodating. They recommended an orange wine that we liked. The oysters were fresh too and the bread had a nice crunch. Make sure to purchase tickets for the Jazz night in advanced they do sell out!

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    Bar Tinto
    Bar Tinto - Oysters

    Oysters

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    Darkroom - Smoked tuna, beemster, trout roe, broccoli stem, lemon zest

    Darkroom

    4.6(331 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    •$$$$

    We stopped by Dark Room, a new neighborhood spot, just to check it out and have a quick drink and…read moreapp, and we were so impressed! We had the peppers along with some wine and beer, and everything was great. What really made the experience exceptional was Scotty, our bartender/waiter. He was absolutely amazing, warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the restaurant, the food, and what he does. You can tell he truly cares about the experience he creates. Honestly, some of the best service I've had in a very long time. We only planned to stop in briefly, but Scotty made such a great impression that we're already looking forward to coming back for a full dinner and trying more of the menu. Highly recommend checking out Dark Room and if you get Scotty, you're in very good hands!

    (TLDR: Came here around the beginning of the month; it's the perfect spot for a date night. Great…read moreservice and very unique dishes through which you can tell the chef-owners love their craft. Even for the dishes that weren't a perfect hit, we appreciated their artistry and saw the vision they were trying to implement. Darkroom's concept as a restaurant is hard to find in Orange County: not only does this establishment gather inspiration from various influences, but also has fun with it by producing distinct, original plates.) Located in an unassuming strip mall, Darkroom is a chef-driven restaurant with a dimly lit, moody atmosphere. Reminiscent of its photographic namesake, the restaurant is literally a dark room lit with soft red lights. The bar area looked especially cool and edgy with its unique lighting and design. Another nice touch was the menus, which appeared to be printed daily to reflect the revolving offerings. The vinyls were also changed by hand after each song. Seating was prompt with a reservation on a Saturday night. Service was A+. The staff here are so on top of things that, when I twisted myself to observe the bar behind me, some staff rushed over thinking I was looking for my server (oops). Waters were constantly refilled. I also saw one of the chefs checking in on tables; he told us he was one of the two chef-owners. Now, onto the food. I averaged our ratings and included our separate ratings when we didn't agree: little gem caesar salad // 7 // Pretty tasty. Some pieces were a bit bitter, which brought down the overall taste. The bitterness was masked with enough dressing and parm (would've been nicer w/ more dressing). We did finish the dish and appreciate its unique handheld plating though. wagyu tartare // 2 // 0, 4 // The herbs and shiso leaf concept was unique, but it was a bit plain and dry as a whole. We mixed thoroughly as instructed yet still couldn't detect the sauce at the bottom. Maybe they forgot it or didn't add enough? They kindly took it off the tab without us asking. potatoes // 8.75 // 8.5, 9 // Very good: the potatoes had crispy skin and a fluffy interior while the tobiko added "crunchy" pops. The dish was finished w/ a creamy sauce, and had umami and smoky notes. Pro tip: there is extra sauce at the bottom. My bf didn't like the roe, hence his lower rating. Delicious overall. lasagna // 9 // I'm usually not drawn to pasta, so this was my bf's pick. The pasta was both soft and crispy, paired with a creamy orange Calabrian chili sauce and a heap of parmesan. the wanderer steak // 8 // Sesame chili crisp added crunch, while the sauce complemented shishito peppers and tender steak. We enjoyed it; our server said it's a menu mainstay. pork tomahawk // 9.4 // 9.25, 9.5 // Five words: crispy, fatty, tender, tangy, juicy. Thai-inspired and apparently a recent addition. Perfect ratio of fat to lean meat. Tangy sauce with papaya salad balanced the pork. Personally, I prefer unripened mango over papaya for more tartness/depth; something in the papaya salad felt slightly missing for me. Still our favorite dish of the night. ricotta donuts // 8 // Creamy ricotta balls reminiscent of donut holes. If I were a Food Network contestant, I'd call it a deconstructed jelly donut with ricotta balls, cream, and fig jam. Not mind-blowing but good, and we finished them. drink 108 frosé // 7.5 // A strong, bright, citrusy slushy cocktail. I liked it more when melted, probably because I don't like alcohol. My bf said he "see[s] the vision." We got two free drinks for our anniversary, one non-alcoholic and one wine. Surprisingly, the non-alcoholic drink (a sharp, refreshing herbal tea from China) tasted better to us than the wines. Take that with a grain of salt since we don't like alcohol. Now that I've experienced Darkroom, I plan on booking Chrysalis sometime. Even for anything we didn't find perfectly to our liking, we appreciated the artistic vision and understood what the components were trying to accomplish. I would definitely recommend Darkroom to others -- especially if you want fun, highly creative dishes.

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    Darkroom - Inside ambiance

    Inside ambiance

    Darkroom - Black truffle risotto

    Black truffle risotto

    Darkroom - Tuna crudo

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    Ruin Bar - wine_bars - Updated September 2026

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