8$ Guinness. Cash only. Vibe was dingy and divey. Patrons were eclectic and grimey. Two motorcycles parked outside. Bartender ran my card twice and asked for my sign. This is a hole in the wall! There is nothing more I could ask for. read more

Place was stinky, dirty and looked almost abandoned. The bartender was rude and only had polite conversation with the old white people, I didn't get a second drink. read more

Awesome bar, $5 light beers, attentive bar tender, friendly but local environment. Super fun dive bar for a Friday night

This place used to be a dirty biker bar, once in a while someone would get stabbed or get in a fight. Now it's full of hipster liberals with colored hair, they like to blast that EDM shit. It's a dive bar, I wanna rip beers and listen to country music n start my 5 day bender. Not hear bunch confused children talk about who's f*ckin who. Penny and Shonda are still the best bartenders. Bring back the free pool! Be sure to try the penny shot read more

Y'all still suck . Just came here to remind ya in case it was forgotten ..................................................................................... read more

Tony's Place - a triangle of billiard balls - Dive Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place is actually pretty cool. It's a total dive bar. But it's just easy and fun. The bartenders have all been nice and kind. Drinks are good and such a good price. read more

Alan H. writes one star reviews with false accusations. Needles? Where? Service here is amazing because some of us act like humans. You get what you give. Penny is the reason some of us come here. You don't get kicked out of Tony's unless you earned it. Alan...stay home. read more

This place is exactly what you need it to be when you're looking for exactly what it is. Dingey dive bar. Cheap drinks. Older patrons. Basic and mediocre service. It's a dive, a real dive. And we love it! read more

Penny is your girl! She only take cash tho! This is down the street from one of (friend) my roadie dogs home so it is a no brainer. Parking in the back and many 90+ senior citizens roll in on uber or lyft to have their cocktails. This place cracks me up! Some interesting characters roll in and it's usually really chill. I would not drive in this zone. Please take a lyft because CHP is alive and real. Otherwise it is a great little water hole. It is extremely crusty. Nothing fancy but drinks are dirt cheap. For restrooms, Penny keeps the key behind the counter! read more

If you like a good dive bar with a good vibe, This is the spot to go to! I had a very sweet bar tender named shanda who was on it and everyone in there was super sweet and welcoming. read more

I love this place! I'm so impressed with Penny and the way she handles the crowd! If Penny wasn't here, I would never come here! Great bar, great service, great drinks! read more

The bartender lady was extremely rude when I asked to use the restroom, and humiliated me in front of the bar. I was a "customer" of the nail salon next door waiting for my three ladies to finish getting their nails done, and I had been to Tony's place previously as a "customer" several times, and so has my wife. I don't appreciate the know it all attitude and as a result your watering hole gets no upvotes from me. I'm a regular at several other local dives and I'm a great tipper. Your loss. Keep treating locals like crap, best of luck! Enjoy the untouched bud light I ordered and didn't drink and left on your bar so I could relieve myself in your pisser, and realize why you get a NEGATIVE tip, oh wait I couldn't leave a negative tip... oh well theirs always google and Yelp. You won't even remember me if I ever come back in, which I won't, so I ask you: was the rudeness worth it? I'll just go spend the 4 racks I had in my pocket at Dior and Givenchy and Anqi and you can think about your life without me. Haha. L. Cheers! read more

Tony's Place - Tony's place ‍ - Dive Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

It's 8:45am, just tried the espresso martini in a bucket, whoa! So good! Taste like ice cold chocolate milk. So good. read more

Tony's Place - Dive Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The bartender on Thursday evening 2/2/23 recused to serve me a drink based on the fact that I was accompanied by Scooch, who is a very well trained service dog that provides me with vital medical service as per ADA requirements and guidelines. I'm extremely disappointed that the bartender actually called the Costa Mesa PD and refused me service in violation of ADA; as such, I cannot recommend this bar at all. read more

An oasis in the middle of a strip mall. Tony's is an authentic dive bar. So if you are easily offended and need lots of hugs and reassurance, this is not the place for you. Filled with locals, the bartenders do a fine job at pouring stiff drinks. No frills here, just real down-to-earth people with great stories to share. read more

LOVE this bar! Penny, Chanda, & Vicky are all amazing! Always a fun bar to come to. If you're a stuck up who can't handle some real people and strong drinks then this ain't the bar for you!!! read more

Second time here. First time was super busy but they kept up with service. This time: Thursday, it's fed. However, it is very homey and welcoming. I'm becoming a regular and I ain't hating the idea. read more

It is what it is. It's a staple! It's my neighborhood bar and it gives neighborhood bar vibes. Everyone complaining about how it's a "dive bar" - those are the best bars. Did you want to stand next to some douchebag who's breathing on you for an overpriced craft beer? There are plenty of places for that. Go there. Penny is awesome and I appreciate this place - 10/10 read more

Very rude bartender....we will never go back there again....bad experience for us...her name was Michelle....older white lady...just a very unpleasant time read more

"If you're losing your soul and you know it, then you've still got a soul left to lose." I am convinced that Charles Bukowski lives amongst the incarnations that keep the barstools warm at Tony's Place. I disappear into the shadows...amongst the other barflys looking for the Great Escape at the bottom of a hi-ball glass... Bars like this are far and few... and admittedly, it is with a tinge of reluctance (all the way to the fingertips) as I type out this review... I love my dives and well...I prefer them sans hipsters or douche bags... the last thing I want is an overcrowded dive bar full of the aforementioned which seem to run rampant (like cock'a'roaches) these days. Maybe it's because I'm getting older... I don't mix my Irish whiskeys with different flavored carbonations... I prefer them neat or on the rocks... gone or the days of sugary shots and wicked hangovers... I pop a B12 before I'm out the door and one as soon as I get home so I rest well and enjoy the time off between work weeks... Yet sadly, there is many a bar in my hood suffering from the annoyance of über hipster/d-bag infestation... which is why, more often than not... I'm drinking at home or in another zip code altogether. Tony's is unpretentious... not hipster cool. Nope, it's where people drink with conviction. Unimpressive décor consisting of wood paneling and vinyl advertisements strung up to remind us of past seasons Super bowl winners and to drink Bud Light... And lighting that only a blind man would find appealing... this is not a bar to hook up in... and you probably shouldn't hang out here if your recollection of childhood includes Ninja Turtles or boy bands... because trust me, it's not for you... there are other places for you... down the way... somewhere else. Tony's is truly the place where 'drinking is the way of ending the day" and my soul calls for another round... read more

How I can tell this place is a legit dive: -Boxed wine in the fridge. -A VCR connected to the TV. -The VCR has a 'Blockbuster' tape hanging out of it. -Grizzled bartenders. -Did I mention boxed wine? -In a strip mall. -Car in the parking lot, owned by someone who is day-drinking, has a bible on the dashboard. -Gross carpet. -Yea you heard me, a fucking BLOCKBUSTER tape. I like it. Why? I have no idea.. My homie and I rolled through here to get a bit faded before a big tattoo convention slash punk show we were going to, and Tony's suited the need. Tequila, whiskey, beer, DONE. Would I roll out here on the regular? No, it's far as fuck from where I dwell. If I lived nearby though... hmmmm... maybe. Just to catch some real bar flies in their natural element. Like watching Animal Planet, but instead of lions on the plains of Africa I'd be watching alcoholics get sloppy all over themselves and the questionable carpet. Tony's is alright in my book. Next time, if there is a next time, I'm going to rock that box of wine just because it's hilarious. Franzia! read more

Rolled in here last night.......after driving by a hundred times I figured it was time to check it out. I'd been hoping to find a small, dark, close to my house dive bar, and boy...I wasn't let down. It's dark inside.......6:00 on a Thursday. Not crowded but only a few seats left at the bar. We made our way over to the end and sat down. Ordered a vodka tonic and a jack and coke. $3.50 for a vodka tonic and $5.50 for a J&C? Wow, doesn't get any cheaper than that. The bartender, Penny, was helpful and enthusiastic. Drinks were strong and it wasn't more than a minute or two till the patron next to us struck up some conversation. You know what? I've never been to a friendlier bar. Hell, by the time we left about 2 hours later.....we were laughing and chatting with the regulars like we were all old friends. Great jukebox, pool tables, friendly staff and patrons and divey as they come. I'll be back. But if you go......make sure you bring cash cause they don't take credit cards. read more

Tony's Place - Dive Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

Veteran Orange County Social Drinkers such as myself sometimes wonder: where'd all the real Old School Imbibers stumble off to when Bar Culture became hip again and the young and spunky crowded Ol' Rusty off his favorite stool down there at the end? A good number of them made it to Tony's Place. This bar has most definitely NOT been discovered nor given any sort of transfusion of New Blood into its existing alcohol stream. To experience vicariously, watch the greatest drinking film ever made, BARFLY. Tony's Place is that kind of Place. To feel the real thing, go for it! The cliquish gang that hangs out there won't bite...well, maybe each other. You'll see many scrapes, contusions and splints I'm guessing didn't come from reckless snowboarding. Conversation ranges from giddy incoherence to whispered threat. The design is cool, Cool, COOL. Actually, the L-shaped strip mall Tony's Place calls home en toto is one of those you know looked great several decades ago before some beige-obsessed morons grabbed hold and "updated." If somebody did a serious renovation, the bar could be a real in-spot for the angel-headed hipsters...but then all those uncool old drinkers would be forced to creep again into the fresh air, searching out yet another undiscovered spot. Cheers. read more

Tony's Place - a car parked in front of the restaurant - Dive Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This review is in response to Clone Q. I happened to be in the bar when you requested to use the bathroom. The bartender was not rude to you and simply stated "sorry it's for customers only". You proceeded to get annoyed with someone just following the rules set down by the bar...if you had 3 ladies at the nail salon, you should have asked the salon to use there facility since you were obviously doing business there. There are clear signs "restrooms for customers only"! If you've been a customer occasionally, not all the bartenders know everyone that walks through the door. Even though it's a dive bar you should at least respect the rules set down...they have them for a reason. read more

best bar in Costa Mesa thanks to penny and Shanda l. amazing drinks and a great ambiance. no weirdo or homeless

Pretty cool dive bar Cash only, 1 pool table, a couple of bar video games and a dart board. Friendly atmosphere and Vicky the bartender is a very nice. You could tell all of the customers were regulars everyone was very polite. read more

At one time I had to give it to these people usually it's a solid yes but I must say after years of comin here tonight was a true tellin of where this dive is headed. Hard bummer. Chansy gotta go y'all. Them drinks tho they pour shots and serve beer, meetin standards per usual, usually that's cool but when your tenders on meth it ain't. Change that shit and we'll all be back xo read more

This bar, this drink, and the one who makes it happen: Marsha! Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. Very intricate drinks. I asked for a little pick my up after the 4 hour beer here and beer there. Walla! Presented was a this delicious drink. The espresso martini? Another? Yes please! read more

Tony's Place - Dive Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Worst customer experience I've ever had. Today is Thanksgiving Day & I went there for a post Turkey bowl drink with my friends there. We got a round of beers & after hanging out for 30 min or so I went up to their "free Thanksgiving spread" of deli Turkey. I started to make a sandwich & the owner came up to me & said I couldn't have my dog in the bar. I very politely explained he was a service dog. She demanded to see my paperwork & took my card in the back to look at it. She came back & started questioning me as to what my disability was. After I told her, instead of saying Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy yourself, she began to argue with me & said I still had to leave because they only allow blind people to bring their service dogs. I told her she wasn't even supposed to ask a disabled person what their disability is & she kicked me out using foul language in front of my friends & other patrons. So if your reading this you know it is illegal to discriminate against a disabled person specific to their disability. read more

Pretty straight forward, true "dive bar"! I was a bit weary upon walking in but I actually had a good time at Tonys. Drinks were good and inexpensive. You should know ahead of time this place is cash only. read more

I looove me a good dive, and leave it to Augusta S to show me one of the best in Costa Mesa... hell... one of the best in OC. Dirty floors, grumpy old lady bartender, super cheap super strong drinks, erotic photo hunt... and did I mention dirty floors? Man, this place would be one glaring exception to the 10 second rule, I'd be afraid to even go one millisecond. But, hey - it's a dive. Dirty floors are part and parcel. The bar is pretty tiny, but they've got a good-sized parking lot. Annnd - they've got pinball! Sopranos pinball, one of my faves. They've got pool! They've got some other weird beanbag toss arcade game. They've got erotic photohunt - let's just say there's no shortage of entertainment at Tony's Place. Look, I'm an old married fogey, so I thoroughly enjoy a good dive like this. If you're lookin' to catch some action, it's probably not the best spot in town... unless grumpy old dudes who spend seven hours a day drinking Budweiser is your cup o' tea. But, a cheap drink in a good ol' fashioned dive? Yep! It'll do the trick. read more

C'mon, a dive bar with an overall 4 1/2 star rating? I have read and heard about this place for years, even back when it was Hazel's, but had never been. Upon entering our party of 5 were greeted by one of the regs seated at the bar with a shout out: "Hey we were expecting more of a rough looking crowd than you people." That brought much laughter from his fellow bar stool jockeys. Guess they don't get too many hot mamas and as nicely coiffed as Mary R and Laura S. And yes Nino, Robert, and me were showered AND shaved, so I guess we did kinda stand out. Def a friendly bunch here. The bartenders were very cool to us as well, and boy do they pour a stiff shot of Jaegger. Yikes! Especially when Laura ordered, hmmm. They have a great juke box to better appreciate the heavy pours, and once the Alan Jackson and other country faves expired we put on more danceable (which we did) and sing-alongable (which we did) tunes. In contrast to other dive bars with a loyal following, these ppl loved us upsetting the normal semi-quiet ambiance. Some even joined us from time to time, and Laura spent a lot of time hangin at the bar with some of her new friends, quite the party. Yep, Tony's def deserves those 4 1/2 stars. read more

It's a dive bar in Costa Mesa. If there weren't such a thing, this place would blow your socks off with the cheap drinks, questionable patronage, and bartenders. Check it out since they usually just get regulars in their doors. The dirty floors, the pool table, the weird neon lights, just scream dive. Awesome people watching. read more

Lookit, I'm a simple man. But even a simple man has got needs. Sometimes I need to drive to Costa Mesa and hang out at a dive bar. Don't question why, it just happens. And for a dive bar, I need: cheap booze, a lack of pretense, and good company. (Some places confuse the formula and have good booze but cheap company. There a lot of those places near business hotels. Not that I know from any sort of first-hand experience.) While Tony's Place can't supply the company, it does boast plenty of cheap drinks. In case you didn't bring any company of your own, they've also thoughtfully supplied many a bar distraction to help you forget that you're a lonely loser dangerously careening toward becoming a cliche. Again, not that I have any first-hand experience in this, because I famously roll in an entourage 20-people deep. But even if I did come here with a group, I wouldn't mind shunning them for a bit to play the Sopranos pinball machine. Or maybe shoot some pool. Or try out that weird new lawn-darts & beanbags arcade machine. Or play 4-person Mega Erotic Photo Hunt. See, I told you, simple man, simple needs. And Tony's Place delivers the goods. read more

As a PROFESSIONAL Boozer & Cruiser, I should have LOVED this funky little dive, but it was boring, boring & boring. I tried top chat with a few of the "regulars", but they weren't very friendly. There was that crappy, brokeback mountain, "hairspray country" music on the jukebox the whole time. Never any classic rock. What ???? NO DRAUGHT BEERS !! ?? OK..... The nice bartendress (Penny), brings the only redeeming quality to this dark pit. She's very nice. Seriously, I'd rather buy a sixer & go home & watch a movie than blow my money here & be bored to tears. If you need a fun dive bar in this area to drink away the worries, check out Madeline's bar about a half mile up Newport Bl. Drink On, My Drunken Drinkin' Buds !! KROTCH HAMILTON (Professional Boozer) read more

It's my favorite bar, hands down. Penny is awesome, and the atmosphere is like visiting a friends house. I prefer the weekdays, since the local hipsters are taking over the weekends. (It's good for Penny's tips, and good for the business, so I can't complain too much. :) ) As far as dive bars go, this is it! read more

This is how you know a dive bar is a dive bar: When a toothless old man in a trucker hat hits on you. If ever I am feeling low and need a pick me up -- I am coming here because at Tony's Place, everyone is beautiful... The drinks are strong. I had two rum and cokes. Felt like I had 10 rum and cokes. You will definitely be drinking heavy handed cocktails, compliments of the very mature maiden behind the bar. i don't remember her name...but she was awesome. Me: Excuse me, I asked for Diet coke with my rum. This doesnt taste like diet coke. Bartender: Hunny, diet or not, it's coke. Just drink it. Me: Yes Maaa'm! Seriously, you don't come here for atmosphere or vibe. You come here to get away from bullshit, sit in the corner and drink a stiff one. That's it. i don't even remember my night. i just know I am feeling Tony's Place right now...my head, my body and my liver. it's small, rough looking and nothing special. Drinks are cheap and so are the thrills. read more

Tony's is truly a dive bar. The kind of place that opens at 6am and grizzly old men take up a barstool with the morning paper and their morning cocktail. My first Tony's experience was a couple of years ago when some co-workers thought it would be a good idea to stay up all night on New Year's Eve and hit Tony's at 6am for Bloody Marys. I was down for the cause. My plan was to work until 1 or 2am, run home for a couple hours of sleep, then meet the group for cocktails. My plan got derailed by Johnny who kept feeding me cocktails. We took our time closing the bar and cleaning up and walked out at 4:30--just a little later than my 2am plan. We headed to AM/PM for some dried out hot dogs and chips and crashed Christopher H.'s place since he was out of town to sober up a bit. At 6am I ventured back to my apartment with plans of my head hitting the pillow and getting a couple hours of sleep. Just as my head hits the pillow my phone rings. It's Vanessa and she's in a taxi full of drunks heading to Tony's. "But I'm already in my PJs" I protests. "So are we so get your ass down here". I throw on a sweatshirt and shoes and head to Tony's. I walk in to a group of sleep deprived, drunk, PJ clad youngsters (in Tony's terms anyone under the age of 40 is a youngster) with Bloody Marys in hand. The regulars on the other side of the bar just wanted to have a nice quiet cocktail with their morning paper and here we were disturbing their peace and quiet. We played pool. We cranked the juke box. We drank bloody marys that were expertly made. We rang in the new year. We had fun. I've been back a few times since. Usually as a meeting place for a drink or two before heading out somewhere else or as a final destination for that final cocktail of the night. The service has always been friendly and prompt and the cocktails stiff and cheap. read more

I came here once with my rowdy yelp buddies a few weeks ago. Things were reaxing from the start. Within minutes of arriving a male patron greeted me and told me his name. It was a cool place to have a few drinks with friends. For a bar they had no draft beer. I understand not having somewhat of a selection but at least have a domestic run of the mill beer on tap. C'mon I recently went into a converted restaurant that was once a taco bell and they had two beer selections on tap. The tunes or lack there of sucked ass, your at the mercy of whatever is chosen on the jukebox from the seasoned patron cowboy. From 8:00 p.m. one of costa mesa's finest sets up shop in the car park and pretty much kills whatever buzz you may have had. read more

I love this place! The bartender is nicest person I've ever met and everybody is friendly here. Cheap delicious drinks, pool, relaxed atmosphere. Definitely recommend this place! I love Penny!! read more

Tony's Place - Dive Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California