My brother took me here for my 60th birthday, thinking I'd like the vintage old wood vibe of the place. He chose wisely. Enjoying a cocktail on an old tufted leather couch with a fire just a few feet away made the experience very relaxing and enjoyable. It helped that we were the only people in the bar. We ordered the oysters, which were okay, but the accompaniments were lacking. We also had a charcuterie board that was pretty good. The best part of this place is just being there, enjoying the room. If I were to complain, it would center on the pours. As a former bartender, I know what a six count looks like, and how much whiskey should be in a manhattan. They were a bit short here. I'd still go back, and just order another drink. read more

I've been to pacific edge hotel many times. I've eaten at the deck and driftwood kitchen. I wasn't aware of the stateroom which is the bar area of driftwood kitchen. We arrived on the busy holiday weekend excited to fine bar top dining which my husband and I enjoy. The area is cozy, calm vibe and a couple TVs. Will definitely go again. read more

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The best bar in Laguna Beach. Small, cozy, off of PCH and tucked away. Truly a gem. You can enjoy delicious drinks and see the ocean from the bar. They have great tribute drinks to classic Laguna Beach establishments. Our favorites: the Passionate One and High Tide. Bonus: in the winter, you can drink snuggled up by the fire. read more

Stateroom Bar - The Passionate One and High Tide. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

My husband Matt B. and I had a 7:45 reservation at Driftwood Kitchen, and since the sun set before then and we had a good hour and a half to kill, we decided to get a couple drinks at The Deck, the open air bar attached to the restaurant, overlooking the water. We walked in and swiftly turned around--it was loud and crowded with beach party music, not worth even a gorgeous view. When we asked the hostess if there was somewhere else we could drink, she directed us to the Stateroom Bar, the quieter Driftwood Kitchen bar, where we were able to sit inside with a slightly obstructed but still quite lovely ocean view. The Stateroom Bar is technically part of Driftwood Kitchen--same menu and everything--but since it occupies a discrete space you can visit without committing to a sit-down dinner, I'm giving it its own review (also it has its own Yelp page, and I have crippling Yelp OCD). It's a nice space, with dark leather furniture and wood paneling on pretty much every surface except for the ceiling. You can't sit right at the windows--that area belongs to Driftwood's dining area--but you get the ocean view from the bar stools. We took two of these bar stools and hunkered down for a couple of rounds. The bartenders were friendly and attentive. They even charged my phone for me. There was a broad selection of beer, wine, and liquor, but we went straight for the cocktails. These were good, if not especially memorable. I get the sense that Laguna Beach has a less developed cocktail scene than say, oh, central/eastside Los Angeles, which is where we spend most of our time. There was a whole menu page offering variations on an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan, and there was an illustrated diagram explaining what goes into these classic drinks. When I asked about the Mexico version of an Old Fashioned, I got a whole spiel about the definition of an Old Fashioned--I chalked it up to the expected base knowledge of Stateroom's clientele, rather than to mansplaining. We started with drinks from the Liquid Homage section, which was a list of cocktails borrowed from famous bars around the country. The High Tide, from The Royal Hawaiian, was made with Dikel 8 rye, fresh pineapple, ginger, lemon sour, and mint; the Knob Cobbler, from the Boom Boom Room, with Knob Creek smoked maple bourbon, Luxardo float, lemon sour, and coconut water. Both were solid. I got that Mexico Old Fashioned for my second round, and this was good, with some nice heat to it, made with Larceny bourbon and ancho chile liqueur. Matt got the America Manhattan, made with a bourbon called "The Duke." We were feeling peckish, so we ordered the cured meat and artisanal cheese plates to tide us over until we got our table. These weren't very good. The cheeses were standard, and the meats were oddly dried out and stale. They came with an attractive spread of accompaniments, but there wasn't anything in particular I wanted to eat on either platter. As it turned out, we were more impressed with Stateroom than Driftwood Kitchen, so it makes sense that the weak point of our visit here was the food. This was our first trip to Laguna Beach, and next time, I'd come back to Stateroom for sunset drinks without the sit-down meal attached. read more

Great bar. It's not really a completely stand alone bar as it's attached to Driftwood Kitchen. Great place, I'm kind of giving g away a locals secret, so I will say no more. read more

I love the atmosphere here. It is very small but the wood paneling and fireplace makes for a relaxing and quaint watering hole. Try the Charlie's Mexican Mai Tai, it has a a Mezcal tequila float and it's out of this world. read more

I've been going here for years when I travel to Laguna. It shares the kitchen with the Driftwood and the Deck so you know the food has to be great, which it is. The bar is classic and reminds me of a speakeasy. The bartenders always provide amazing service and classic cocktails. I highly recommend visiting if you're in the area. read more

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This place felt like a frat house late on a Friday night. Even though the inside of the bar was empty (just us and another couple) you could feel a sense of chaos. A staff member was openly ridiculing the bartender about something, which that convo should have been done in private. Service was slow and it seemed like everyone wanted to close up shop. There was a group outside that had obviously been there for a while. They were loud and drunk. I give the bartender credit because he told one of these women he would not serve her...even though she argued with him for a solid 5 minutes. The drinks were meh. Hubby ordered a Manhattan and it didn't even have a luxardo cherry. With the prices they charge, I expect proper garnish. These are the small details I look for when I go to a craft bar, otherwise I would just head over to a dive bar. Maybe this was just an "off" night for them, but I don't think I will be returning to give them a second chance. read more

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We came here around 5 pm before our dinner reservation to have a drink or two for my husband's birthday. It was very calm. Dinner service had barely begun in the restaurant and there were only 2 or 3 other couples already nursing on their drinks. We sat alone at the bar for about 10 minutes without being acknowledged even though the bartenders passed by on multiple occasions but spent most of their time on the other side of the bar chatting amongst themselves, with the servers, and texting. When someone finally acknowledged us, I asked about a scotch that I saw on the wall that wasn't on the menu and the bartender said they had just "found it" and he didn't know anything about it. When he asked the other bartender about it, he said that it was "spicy." Um. . . okay. I guess to be a bartender nowadays you just have to look dapper and have a cool haircut. read more

Kevin, Kyle....I hate you! Two of the most pathetically great bartenders in the StateRoom. If you are feeling like s*#t and even the dog urinates on you...you know that you can go to this bar and be treated like you truly matter. They actually smile and enjoy what they do... You can even smell the joy, it's like beer cologne mixed with the stench of pride that the manager definitely has in his staff, even with Brittney. Hey, can I get an Irish Coffee? But, I digest...digress. If you want to feel like Cliff and Norm and you want a place that will welcome you with open arms and empty liver...then this my friends is where you want to go. May you both be covered in the warm embrace of whiskey and may your tips grow as big as Donald Trump's Ego. read more

I highly recommend Stateroom. The handcrafted cocktails were original and delicious. The service from the bartender Joey was amazing. He went above and beyond to not only customize my cocktail order but he delivered an entire experience! Great location! Great drinks! Great food! Great service! I can't wait to come back! read more

Stateroom Bar - The LJ speciality cocktail handcrafted by Joey - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

old school library that's been converted into a cool and cozy bar with a hipster vibe. Located next to pacific edge hotel. Check it out. Definitely has a local feel and very cool happy hour. Perfect for cold winter night with the fireplace going. I highly recommend read more

Fantastic little spot with a sunset view - can't promise a sunset like we had tonight, but my guess is consistently solid food and beverage. Delicious happy hour craft beer with some small plates. Octopus tasty and a superb beer salad - just no describing these delicious items. Super friendly bar staff - put up with all my questions and chatter. The place just oozes nostalgia in its furnishing and decor- thx gen manager for the friendly libation as well. What a hit! I'll be back next time in town!!!! read more

Great place to grab a drink or tapas before Driftwood Kitchen. Love the Spanish octopus.

Joe is the cutest bartender I've ever met and he makes the absolute best drinks in the entire world. I can't even describe the ambiance in this restaurant because he literally makes it the lightest, funnest restaurants in Laguna. I ONLY come here for him. Thank you joe! read more

I love this place. When I am in Laguna I like to come here with friends. The sunsets are so beautiful. Happy hour is my favorite time although when I am here I seldom have to pay for drinks. There are so many generous men here. read more

I love this place. Me and my friends come here and will stay until they kick us out. Joe and Jd have great suggestions and both are very cute. Every time I come here it's always a good time :) read more

Wow....I am speechless at the ambiance and presentation of everything here! The drinks are second to none and the food- so delicious it's unreal! JD's amazing customer service really sealed the deal- along w Joey's top notch attention to detail and customization of our drinks. I can't wait wait come back!!!!!! read more

Best bar in Orange County. Katie is a cocktail genius. The vibes are perfect and the drinks are even better.

5 stars. Adrian was a great host. Great food. Blazers won. It was a night. The atmosphere was welcoming. We started with the octopus steak. Drinks were all professionally made and the staff was funny and fast. Thank you read more

A little slow for service and the hosts are not very friendly. The facilities could truly use some cleaning... great views and atmosphere but if it continues on the current pace of not being cleaned well and not having a good welcome from the beginning I would imagine it would die... read more

They have the best bartenders making the best drinks! Joey and JD are awesome and even remember my order. The food is also on point. Such a beautiful view....would recommend to anyone! read more

I had a great experience here with a friend, started with the flight of sparkling wines and moved on to a very well done negroni. Service was awesome and the atmosphere is cozy. It is a bit difficult to find, but I went next door to the Deck and they happily showed me where to enter. I would go again! read more

Cool little room inside th Driftwood Kitchen. Vibe is nice. Decent cocktail menu for a reasonable price. Perfect for drinks before dinner. Will be coming back! read more

Happy with atmosphere. Great staff. Excellent drinks. Very happy with this establishment. Will recommend to friends and family.

This bar is awesome. Great decor, view of the ocean. Not to mention both the bartenders are super sexy. If you don't know what to get joe will make you something better then you could've decided on your own. This place is rad and I definitely will be back again. read more

Great bar, great food, Kevin and Dylan provided excellent food and drink recommendations. If you visit Laguna Beach check out this restaurant and the awesome sunsets. read more