Orange County After Dark
Brick-alley speakeasies, beach-town dives, and the patios where OC actually loosens its tie.
- Districts
- 3 (SA · CM · NB)
- Time
- 5–6 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy · 21+
- Best at
- After 8 pm
- Stops
- 12
- Walk total
- 27 mi · ~569 min
Tip: open this page once with data, then it stays cached on your device. Use the printed copy if your signal drops on the route.
- 01
4th Street Market
"Start in Downtown Santa Ana. A brick food hall with a long bar in the middle. Order something to soak up the night."
33.74660, -117.86760Pin on map - 20 m · ~1 min · head E from stop 102
Chapter One: the modern local
"Around the corner. A long marble bar, brass fixtures, and a cocktail list that takes itself seriously."
33.74660, -117.86740Pin on map - 100 m · ~1 min · head SW from stop 203
The Copper Door
"Look for an unmarked copper door on a side street. If the password board is up, that's your hint."
33.74590, -117.86810Pin on map - 170 m · ~2 min · head NE from stop 304
Native Son Alehouse
"Back to 4th. A long tap list, exposed brick, and a patio that runs deep."
33.74700, -117.86690Pin on map - 120 m · ~2 min · head NE from stop 405
The Crosby
"A few blocks north. A red velvet curtain by the door. Live jazz some nights, DJ most nights."
33.74790, -117.86610Pin on map - 7.9 mi · ~170 min · head SSW from stop 506
The Wayfarer
"Costa Mesa, on Newport Boulevard. A live-music venue inside an old industrial bay. Check the marquee for tonight's bill."
33.63980, -117.91310Pin on map - 1.9 mi · ~41 min · head N from stop 607
The LAB Anti-Mall
"Off Bristol. An open-air courtyard built from old factory bones. Find the patio with the fire pits."
33.66710, -117.90840Pin on map - 6.1 mi · ~130 min · head NNE from stop 708
Memphis at the Santora
"Wait — back in Santa Ana for a detour. (Or skip if you've crossed off DTSA.) A Southern kitchen with a bar that runs late."
33.74790, -117.86780Pin on map - 6.3 mi · ~136 min · head SSW from stop 809
Pierce Street Annex
"Costa Mesa stalwart on Newport Boulevard. A pool table, a juke, and a crowd that's been coming since college."
33.66370, -117.91100Pin on map - 3.8 mi · ~82 min · head SSW from stop 910
Nellie Gail's at Cassidy's
"Onto the Newport Peninsula. A hidden Irish pub on Balboa Boulevard with a back room most people never see."
33.60980, -117.92680Pin on map - 80 m · ~1 min · head SW from stop 1011
Stag Bar
"Newport Peninsula. The oldest bar in the city. Look for the antlers above the door."
33.60940, -117.92750Pin on map - 280 m · ~4 min · head SW from stop 1112
Malarky's Irish Pub
"End the night where the kids end up. A two-story pub on the Peninsula with the longest line at 1:45 am."
33.60800, -117.93000Pin on map