The Top 10 Hotspots for Young Professionals in OC

Thursday, 05 February 2009 08:15

OC has all the makings to be another stylish playground for twenty and thirty somethings but we see you all getting a little lost trying to navigate through all the “real housewives” out there to find your favorite post-up spot. We figured it’s our responsibility to clear the path and bring us all together to make Orange County the proper haven it should be for young professionals. Use this as your guide and you can rest assured there will be limited amounts of Ed Hardy-wearing 60 year olds and cougars on the prowl.

RA at the Tustin Legacy (Happy Hour) www.rasushi.com
2401 Park Ave. Tustin, CA 92782 | T: 714-566-1700
Ahhh…the coveted number one spot. The winner goes to RA at the district for its great drink specials like $5 sake bombs (meaning a 22 oz beer and large sake!) and a good patio and bar area if you’re looking to mingle. There’s always a social crowd and a fun atmosphere packed into a lounge type atmosphere. RA is definitely a popular after work spot, especially Thursdays and Fridays, so find an excuse to leave the office early to catch all 4 hours of happiness (3pm- 7pm Mon – Sat).

Landmark www.landmarknewport.com
3224 E. Coast Highway Corona Del Mar, CA 92625 | T: 949-675-5556
Likely an old favorite for most of you out there. Landmark isn’t just known for being a great steakhouse. Dinner crowd is typical middle-aged Newport but it made the high ranks for the good-looking patrons that crowd in around 10:30. Nice layout where you can mosey from the bar to the large open patio or into the restaurant area which is cleared out for dancing (Top 40’s, oldschool, some hip hop).

The Crow Bar and Kitchen www.crowbarcdm.com
2325 E. Coast Highway Corona Del Mar, CA 92625 | T: 949-675-0070
A good default spot any time where you’re sure to meet new friends while sipping on one of their large selection of brews on tap (including some local surprises) and chilling out at their communal bar tables. We’d skip on the dinner and head straight for the small plates – nobody ever went wrong with sweet potato fries!

The Black Bull Chophouse www.blackbullchophouse.com
300 Pacific Coast Highway #112 Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | T: 714-969-6700
If you’re looking for a non-standard wild bar night then we suggest you head to Main Street. You typically get hit with a $5 cover only because watching drunk girls fly off the mechanical bull qualifies as live entertainment…to us anyways! There’s going to be a line and it’s going to be packed inside so prepare yourself. But through the doors you’ll find nice décor, a casual crowd, and good music… and of course a mechanical bull. Sounds like enough to secure a top 5 spot.

Auld Dubliner www.aulddubliner.com
2497 Park Ave. Tustin, CA 92782 | T: 714-259-1562
We’ve gotta give The District at Tustin Legacy another spot on the list…probably because The Dubliner is the favorite place to stroll over to after you’re done with happy hour at RA. Live music, Guinness on draft, young crowd and, you’re not going to feel like a sardine jammed into another smelly Irish Pub. Nice balance between the college-feeling pubs on the Peninsula and the bit too mellow and early-closing Muldoon’s at Fashion Island.

Rudy’s www.rudyspubandgrill.com
3110 Newport Blvd. Newport Beach, CA 92663 | T: 949-723-0293
Convenient, young crowd, retractable roof for those sunny days at the beach… what more can you ask for? Rudy's is your classic casual sports bar and is always a steady draw for 20 somethings in the area.Great to catch games and even better now that they’ve updated their menu (pulled pork sandwiches and beers- great combo).
301 Beachfront (Happy Hour) www.beachfront301.com
301 Main St., #101 Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | T: 714-374-3399
A main street favorite for its large size, trendy vibe, and cheap specials! All day happy hours on Mondays, 3-2am through Thursday, and 3-7pm on Fridays. You’ll find it to be the local watering hole for anyone who works nearby with $2-$6 small plates and $4 you-call-its. Not too bad after dark either if you looking for the laid back Huntington Beach crowd.

HB Brew Co. www.hbbeerco.com
201 Main St., Suite E Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | T: 714-960-5343‎
Come here for beers with your friends and relax up on the patio – we like it as a daytime weekend spot to take the edge off. With a view that overlooks Main Street Huntington Beach and the Pacific Ocean you definitely can’t go wrong. The beer battered fish and chips are probably the best in the county and the bar isn’t bad to catch the big game either. If you’re a real fan of Brew Co., ask them about their mug club for special rewards.

Gulfstream www.hillstone.com
850 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92660 | T: 949-718-0188
Slightly older crowd but still making the list for having probably the best patio in Orange County. Located with prime real estate on the corner of PCH and MacArthur, you'll find a large patio with bonfire pits and beach chairs so every day feels like Summer. They also have a separate cigar patio for after dinner drinks and convo. This place is good as an after work spot or for a tasty dinner with friends before heading out to CDM.

Woody’s Mimosas on Sundays www.woodyswharf.com
2318 Newport Blvd. Newport Beach, CA 92663 | T: 949-675-0474
Bottomless mimosas, a savory breakfast, and ocean views? Yeah, you’ll find us here too. They open at 10am on Sundays which is just enough time to let the place air out from the rowdy crowd that was packed in there the night before. Probably want to stick with the classic breakfast items and take full advantage of the endless supply of alcohol so you don’t get heated over slow service or iffy seafood dishes.

Honorable mentions: Javier’s (probably would have made it if we weren’t afraid to throw our Pumas into this Cougar’s den), 3-thirty-3 (Sunday Burrito Bar), Kimera