We were a party of 12 at The Drake on a Saturday night for a birthday celebration. WOW. Emily took good care of our group and we never had to wait for food or drink. Support staff was excellent and always at the ready to refill water and meet any request. Our large group was well attended. The food was outstanding. Appetizers including crab guacamole, ahi tuna tartare, and wagyu beef tataki were standouts. All of the entrees were well prepared, beautifully presented and delicious. We were delighted that Chef Paul came to our table to check on us during the meal. The entertainment provided by the Dave Stephens band was the icing on the cake. We loved having live music during our celebration. This is a premier Orange County restaurant. Parking can be tough so plan on using their valet service or Uber. What a great night! We highly recommend The Drake and will definitely be back. PS we were too busy eating to take good pics of the food but you get the idea. read more

The Drake is a pleasant little gem located in Laguna Beach where you can come and have a great meal and enjoy live entertainment. We came on a Sunday to listen to the beautiful music of Rain Bissou Band. Everything was perfect! We received great and efficient service. Our drinks and meal were enjoyed by everyone and the entertainment was the cherry on top. Definitely will be back! read more

Fabulous food. Fun vibe. Live music. Sharp dressed guests. Although not required, people dress up a little more here. I went with 2 friends. We shared all our orders kind of family style. Started with the Summer Buratta salad with grilled peaches. Excellent! We ordered the Halibut, Salmon and Filet Mignon entrees. Each was delicious! Nice selection of cocktails & wine. Pricey but worth it. read more

The Drake - Filet mignon, halibut and salmon entrees - Bars Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

One of the best meals we've had in Laguna. Love the music, service and the food was incredible. My mocktail was perfectly refreshing, we also enjoyed the espresso martini. Started with the crab guacamole, broccolini and lamb lollipops, everything was delicious but the lamb is incredible. For entrees we had halibut and venison. Both were delicious, if you want something light the halibut is perfect, the venison was a fuller meal and was very good too. Finished with the salted Carmel Budino, prefect sweetness and unique dessert. Overall 10/10 meal, will absolutely be returning. read more

See all

Sunday nights are very interesting here at The Drake and it was our first time even though we have been to Laguna so many times. The parking situation is not a positive experience and they charge $11 after stating on the Drake website that it's $7. The restaurant was super crowded tonight and the jazz duet was LOUD. The appetizers were just okay and the food is extremely overpriced for what it is. The guacamole with crab was bland and needed salt and lime. The Brussels sprouts were the highlight of our dinner tonight. I wish I was more impressed. read more

See all

I recently ate at the Drake for my first time. I was on a date night and we went to Las Cruces for cocktails and I chose the drink for dinner because they had live music. The venue was small but very nice. The service was very good we had to eat grab avocado appetizer, which was excellent. The drinks were OK, but not great my day at the salmon and the garlic mashed potatoes, which were delicious. I unfortunately got the Wagyu Tataki for my entrée, and unfortunately, it seemed to be well overcooked the sear on the outside extended almost to the center of each cut, and there was barely any pink Visible. I was disappointed, but I wasn't sure what to expect since I've never eaten there before. Overall the experience was good, but I would stay away from the Wagyu Tataki because I'm not sure they know how to cook it correctly. I did order an Afagato for my date to finish up the meal and I have to say it was excellent the best that she'd ever had The only real disappointment was the Wagy Tataki, which was unfortunate read more

WOWWWWW!!!! Ugh the live music was so good! I got the chicken yucata and the portion size was great for the price!!!! We also got the triple chocolate parfait (i think thats what its called) for dessert and it was absolutely banging. Def the place to go if youre looking for a nice meal in Laguna! The service was also impeccable we had such a wonderful time at the Drake! read more

The Drake - Triple chocolate parfait - Bars Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

See all

This place is awesome! Not too big but a fair amount of seating. It has a stage for live music and you can watch the chef cook your food! SERVICE: Great! We had a private event (Jan 20) and they took great care of us. Kept our drinks flowing, and were very attentive and friendly. FOOD: Steaks were very tender and flavorful. Their potatoes 3-ways were good (the chip could have been crispier). The sauce was Fab!! And if you have not tried their fries?? Get the fries!! That with their dipping aoli - super yummy!! We enjoyed our evening and recommended this place - great job! read more

See all

Food was well presented and delicious no complaints ! Service was great they checked on us frequently ! And vibeswell it's live music so also great ! It's for sure a cute date spot read more

See all

What an experience! 12 months ago Incredible live band, Great service, food, and company? What else could you possibly want!? Beautiful restaurant incredible decor and service. We were seated right next to the band, which was a memorable experience. Tiger prawns 8/10 Filet mignon 10/10 Guacamole and chips 7/10 Fig salad 10/10 Sorbet 10/10 Salted caramel budino. 10/10 read more

See all

I feel like it's rare a restaurant stands out to me, the way The Drake does. The ambiance & food is 10/10. Don't Miss it! read more

The Drake - Unique cocktails, really different - Bars Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

We were celebrating a birthday and our party of four was pleasantly surprised with the food and drinks. The pear martini was delicious, the seafood and steak dishes were very good and cooked perfectly. Our service was attentive without being overbearing. The ambiance was exceptional with the soft sounds of Satin Keys. We will be back. The only problem we had was the lukewarm glasses of red wine that my husband and brother in law ordered. We didn't send the first glass back but we should have (my husband's). My brother in law did after we said it wasn't acceptable for such a nice restaurant and they replaced with a cocktail. read more

I visited the Drake with my girlfriends recently, and I was not happy with our visit. From the time we seated, it took 30 minutes to get to order our drinks. Our waitress said she would give us a few minutes to order, but because of how long it took to even get to order our drinks, we asked that she take our food then as well. It took an additional 45 minutes to get our food and while the pasta was delicious, the steak tasted like something I could get at a Chili's. The ambience was amazing and they did have a live jazz band which was a treat. For the price we paid we could have eaten somewhere where the wait staff was a little more attentive to us and the food tasted a little better. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't the amazing experience we had hoped for. read more

See all

Romantic, intimate and delicious dishes. Great place for a night out with lovely live Jazz music. Portions are large enough to share. Workers are very friendly and pay close attention to details We order 1.Beet Salad 2.Large Shrimp 3.Wagyu beef stroganoff 4.filet 5.big piece of seabass Parking suck, so just valet for $11 read more

The Drake - Tiger shrimp and Waygu beef stroganoff - Bars Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Ok so this place has live music which is the big draw for me. I wanted to give my wife and daughter an experience and they did not disappoint. Taylor is amazing! Trust him order everything at once and let him pace you out. The cocktails are amazing. I recommend a dirty martini and just trust the process. Also great kids options and my daughter loved the live music. Amazing service, food, and drinks. And even though my wife didn't want dessert they still brought something out for her bday. read more

Love love love the Vibe From start to finish we had a Marvelous time As we entered, we were greeted with a warm welcome and smile. The energy of the place hits you immediately -- upbeat but not overwhelming, classy without being pretentious. Everyone here knows how to have a great. From food to entertainment, it was a dining experience I would recommend you experience at least once a year -- if not more often! I loved that it was fancy, yet you can dress casually. The vibe is that perfect sweet spot between special occasion and just-because-you-deserve-it. This event bécame the yearly (never-miss) birthday celebration for my highschool friend and I. Low lighting, tasteful decor, and just the right volume of music provided by Sharon Marie Cline was just perfect to set the mood without drowning out our conversations. You can tell every detail of the space was thought through, from the cozy, intimate seating arrangements to the elegant table settings. Our server Emilio had an alternate ego named George, who never woke up throughout the entire dining experience (inside joke). Emilio was friendly and attentive to our dining needs. Our water glasses were always full. Our meals delivered at the perfect temperature and pace. And can we talk about the powder room please? When there is wainscotting in the bathroom, you know they mean serious business! Even the restroom felt like an extension of the experience: clean, chic, and clearly cared for. We left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. read more

See all

I can't wait to go back!!! Flawless experience, from the food to the service to the atmosphere--it was amazing from start to finish. We eat steak a lot, and this was probably the best filet either of us has ever had. Loaded with flavor and the meat just melted in our mouths. The seabass was incredible, I could eat that every night! We went for our wedding anniversary. My husband is a huge Jazz fan and we both love a good steak house, so The Drake was the perfect choice. The band was playing a mix of cover songs, reimagined in Jazz. It was so cool! They mostly selected Frank Sinatra songs, which we loved. We sat at the chefs table (think at the bar but we're watching them cook) in elevated bar stools, so we not only got to view the chefs hard at work but we had an unobstructed view of the band. The setting was intimate and moody. And if you want an experience without the band front and center, they have patio seating and bar side seating where you can enjoy the music from a slight distance. A five star experience all the way. read more

See all

Rude staff Saturday night (9/5) snobby waitress, bartender looked annoyed, and no one greeted me as I walked thru the door. They did, however, change their tune when my guests joined me a little after. Never judge a book by its cover... read more

While on vacation in Laguna Beach, we were looking for a place with great jazz music and a nice vibe, and we definitely found it at The Drake. When we arrived, it was a full house and we didn't have a reservation, so we sat at the bar. Even though we weren't seated in the main dining area, the experience was still fantastic. There was a projector screen showing the performers, and the music could be heard throughout the entire establishment, which made it easy to enjoy the show from anywhere in the room. When seats became available in the main area, the staff invited us to move so we could enjoy the full effect of the show, which we really appreciated. That gesture alone showed how attentive and exceptional their service is. The music was amazing, the drinks were great, and the food was absolutely delicious. We ordered the stroganoff dish and the portion size was generous enough for us to split. What made it even more special was that it was finished in the back of the house before being served, which was such a unique experience I've never seen before. The pictures truly don't do it justice -- I would honestly go back to Laguna Beach just to have that dish again. The service was exceptional as well. I mentioned to the bartender that it was my partner's birthday, and he kindly offered him a drink on the house. I really wish I remembered his name because he was nothing short of amazing. If you're looking for great jazz music, strong drinks, delicious food, and an overall classy vibe, The Drake is definitely the place to go. It's a beautifully run establishment, very professional, and truly a memorable experience. read more

The Drake - Beef Stroganoff - Bars Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

See all

This is a stylish restaurant located in South Laguna Beach, often featuring great live music. The place is not very large but is exquisitely designed, making last-minute reservations difficult, especially on weekends. The hostess was very attentive and suggested we take seats at the counter table, where we could enjoy the same menu and music as the main dining area. My friend, who loves cooking, was delighted with the opportunity to observe the chefs at work up close. We thoroughly enjoyed all the dishes we ordered, and surprisingly, the hamachi of the day was even fresher and tastier than the highly praised tuna tartare. We've decided to visit once a month to explore more of their menu! read more

See all

Absolutely unacceptable and extremely unprofessional behavior from the manager Matthew. If I can give this place 0 stars I would. We came here to have a good time, enjoy the live music, and support the business. We ordered a significant amount of food and drinks and were simply dancing NEXT TO OUR OWN CHAIRS. We weren't blocking anyone, bothering other guests, or causing any kind of scene. There was also no announcement or signage that dancing wasn't allowed. Other guests were dancing as well A man came over and told us we couldn't dance. He came originally and mumbled something very rudely and walked away, truly it's extremely loud and we did not hear him or understand what he meant. Then he comes back to us and starts yelling at us in front of everyone in the middle of the restaurant thinking we ignored him. The issue wasn't even being asked to stop dancing what so ever, but HOW he spoke to us. His tone was immediately rude, aggressive, and completely unnecessary. I calmly told him that I understood what he was saying but didn't appreciate his approach or the disrespectful way he was speaking to us. Instead of apologizing or simply handling the situation professionally, he became even more disrespectful. He raised his voice at me and repeatedly acted as though I "didn't understand" him, even implying that I didn't speak English. I made it very clear that I understood him perfectly the problem was his attitude and the way he thought it was acceptable to speak to a customer. There is absolutely no excuse for yelling at or talking down to guests, especially guests who had been spending money and were simply trying to enjoy their night. If your establishment has a no-dancing policy, COMMUNICATE IT. We would have respected the rule. What I will not accept is being spoken to in a condescending and disrespectful manner simply for dancing next to my chair while live music was playing. What should have been a fun night was completely ruined by one person's unnecessary attitude and lack of professionalism. Customer service and basic respect go a long way, and unfortunately, that was seriously lacking here. read more

Chefs are accessible via open kitchen, and engage w guests at the counter. Very savvy & professional service staff. Live jazz 7 nights/wk. Consistently excellent! read more

We went to The Drake for my boyfriend's birthday. It is a small footprint bar and restaurant with live jazz music in South Laguna Beach. You may be able to walk into the bar, but the restaurant definitely needs reservations and there are usually two options for reservations during times when they have live music. This was my boyfriend's first formal jazz club style experience, but I have been to quite a few. I wasn't expecting much in terms of quality food and drinks because most jazz clubs are OK with a heavy focus on the music and not much on the cuisine. However, The Drake was excellent. The inside is plush and warm and comfortable. The waitstaff is incredibly attentive and polite. And the food was ample and delicious. Drinks were also excellent. It is definitely more on the pricier side and the crowd is on the older side, but we had an excellent time and will do this again for a special occasion sometime in the future. read more

Nice atmosphere, great service, good food, great entertainment. We ordered the seasonal fish poke and it was pretty good flavor wise, but the fish was a little more firm than I usually like. The sea bass was really good. It had a nice crust and a great sauce to accompany it. My wife got the steak and thought it had a good peppercorn sauce, but it was a little tough. Our friends order the bbq shrimp and were raving about it. The entertainer was really fun. I'm not sure if he's there every night, but it wouldn't have been the same without him. Great songs and he had a few people dancing with him, not sure if they were with him or out of the crowd, but just a really good time. read more

See all

Unique craft cocktails in a mid century modern setting and feels like a vintage super club. Chef Nick comes from a long line of restaurateurs dating back 500 years in Austria. The food is delicious and creative. My Salmon was perfectly cooked. The NYfries with béarnaise were exceptional. The Buddino is a sweet treat easily shared by the table. The Memphis King Quartet played on the night we dined there and they matched the restaurants cool decor perfectly! Like a blast from the past but super current all at once. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

We found the food to be very over priced and very mid. I had the chicken and my husband had the Caesar salad. We got the mushrooms for the side dish. The mushrooms were $22 and were some criminis with butter. They didn't even salt them. The $24 Caesar had stale croutons and no flavor. The $40 chicken got served with one plain scoop of white rice. Really?? You can't even add a vegetable or be bothered to season some rice. Service was incredibly slow and the music was so loud. $160 for one salad, one entree, a side and two drinks. I know it's Laguna but there's a ton of other places to get a better bang for your buck. I really lost it when their menu claims you need to pay $10 a person for the band...what????? read more

Fun local place, lots of personality! Clientel is from all walks of life and life style. Regulars inhabit the Cozy bar area. Welcoming BT and staff. Good Menu options and wine list. VG martinis and pleasant live music every night. Fun spot. Will revisit -again and again read more

Absolutely loved our time at The Drake! The food, service & ambiance is just absolutely perfect. If you're looking to celebrate a birthday/anniversary or even going out with your beau for date night, this is the spot for you! We had a late reservation so I had an espresso martini, which was exactly what i needed. For starters, we ordered the tuna tartare and lamb lollipops - both were delicious! Tuna was super fresh & the lamb was so tender & cooked to perfection. Husband ordered the venison loin for his main & he was so happy with his choice - the poached pear & lindonberry was so good & gave it the perfect amount of sweet that the meal needed. I ordered the filet mignon with potatoes 3 ways. If you know me, I'm a sucker for potatoes thought that it was such a fun take for a side! Flavor was delicious and the filet was cooked a perfect medium rare. The star of the show is definitely their salted caramel budino - I told my husband that I would drive back to Laguna Beach just for that dessert. If you like salty, creamy, custard & caramel, THIS. IS. IT. Can't wait to come back for another meal at the Drake, we will definitely be back soon! read more

See all

Beautiful deco style supper club. Love that they have live music nightly. Jazz & Blues by Nikki Rose & Dean Grech was a delight. Only wish owners would add noise reducers to their ceiling, as conversation is very difficult between the music and the room chatter. Food quality is excellent, as is chef's preparations. Started with Raspberry Baret martini . 2 Lollipop lamb chops and tiger shrimp pasta were both DELICIOUS!! Finished with another one of those martinis. Rating a 4, as service should be more attentive, noise volume needs attention, and prices are on the high end. read more

See all

We decided to have Christmas Eve dinner here with my in-laws. I made the reservations for 7 pm on OpenTable pretty easily. We were excited to have dinner and live music. They have live music most evenings but check the schedule to make sure you catch the act when they are performing. It's hard to get a table in the main room, but we had a table in the bar area which worked out since they projected a view of the stage on the wall near where we were sitting. The outdoor area was enclosed with a direct view of the stage and had heat lamps so it looked fairly warm if you're worried about being outside. For Christmas Eve, we were presented the menu and ordered: lamb chops, chicken, NY fries, salmon, and pork chop. The food was really good and the service was great. My husband really enjoyed the lamb. The fries were perfectly crisp. The salmon was tasty and the pork chop was juicy. The music wasn't as disruptive as the in-laws thought it'd be. The vocalist sang a mixture of jazzy holiday tunes. We had a great time conversing and enjoying the ambiance. The restaurant has a lot of art deco elements which really add to the atmosphere. We also ordered the limoncello tiramisu for dessert. Our server, Taylor, was awesome. Parking on the street can be difficult to find. They offer Valet service for $7 so we took advantage of that. read more

See all

Such a perfect experience at The Drake! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by the kindest (and absolutely gorgeous) hostesses. We were seated at the Chef's Table, and it was such a treat to watch the kitchen in action! Chef Nick was creating the most beautiful dishes -- true masterpieces -- and every plate that went out looked incredible. This restaurant truly deserves Michelin recognition; it's exceptional in every way. Our food and drinks were delicious, and our server was fabulous -- I even snapped her photo, though I can't recall her name! The live music added the perfect touch; the group was smooth and soulful, and the lead singer's voice was just like Sade. It made the whole evening feel magical. I absolutely love The Drake! We'll definitely be regulars -- it's just that good. I can't recommend it highly enough! read more

See all

Damn, I can't believe I have lived in this area for all these years and never been to this place. It is super cool to say the least. There are two sides to it, almost like individual restaurants. Absolutely beautiful inside and the night we went had live jazz. The staff is most professional, well attired and the food is excellent. read more

See all

Food and vibes are always phenomenal at The Drake, and last night was no exception. Nick was our server and was incredibly friendly, attentive, and made us feel genuinely taken care of throughout the evening. Ezikiel, the server assistant, was outstanding as always with his attention to detail and elevated service never go unnoticed. We ended the night at the bar with Janaka, who made some delicious cocktails. read more

See all

Great food, vibes and drinks! The only reason it is not a 5-star is that the waitress took forever to service us. We had already picked everything before she first even introduced herself. We ordered drinks and she didnt take our food or appetizer order until the drinks came out. Otherwise awesome place to be on a weekend night. read more

See all

The food was absolutely wonderful! The pork chop was done to perfection. The lamb lollipops were so good as well. The service was great and our server. Emily was very helpful with a million dollar personality. The music was fun and upbeat/ of course. We will be back read more

This place was amazing so beautiful. I loved the ambiance! And the food was great, service was good too. And the drinks were amazing I would love to come back read more

The Drake - New York Strip with Fries, mashed potatoes, and asparagus - Bars Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

The Perfect Place for a Romantic Dinner for Two! Live music, with top musicians on weekends, and special occasions. Great Steaks and other entrees. Call in for a reservation and ask for Emily. She will make sure that your dining experience is nothing short of perfect! Valet Parking will make life much easier, than trying to find a spot on PCH, or up a hill on a side street. Fortunately, the cost is very reasonable, and you may want to consider a gratuity, for the friendly, hard-working, and trustworthy valets. read more

We chose The Drake for our anniversary dinner after hearing great things about their steak and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The filet mignon was incredible, and the jumbo shrimp appetizer was just as impressive. The live jazz music created a really nice atmosphere, and the servers were all friendly and attentive. That said, I'm not leaving 5 stars because there were a couple of things that caught us off guard. I wasn't aware there would be a $20 music fee, which I'll take responsibility for not noticing ahead of time, but I do wish that had been communicated more clearly. We also had an 8:45 reservation but weren't seated until around 9:25. The delay threw off our plans for after dinner, which was a bit frustrating. Despite that, I want to give credit where it's due, the hostess was great about checking in on us and keeping us updated while we waited, which we appreciated. Overall, even with the hiccups, the food alone makes it worth coming back. That filet mignon really was something special. Thanks again to everyone who took care of us this weekend. read more

Very cool vibe with good food as well. They have live music on the weekend and although the menu is not extensive, all the dishes were either good or very good. One of the few places that actually serves venison -- which they are quite proud of -- and deservedly so. I highly recommend that dish if you like venison or are interested in trying it. Also the shrimp pasta was excellent -- normally that dish isn't particularly at any restaurant but here it stood out here read more

The Drake - Venison - Bars Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

See all

This place has really nice service and the food is excellent. There's not much parking around so it's best to valet for $11. We unfortunately didn't get to see the band, but we could hear them from the other side of the bar. read more

See all