The Anthill Pub on the UC Irvine campus has a great drink selection and an amazing pub food menu. If you're not sure what to order, the buffalo popcorn chicken with Louisiana hot sauce and blue cheese dipping sauce is especially good. The rotating beer menu is carefully curated and has one of the best selections in all of Irvine. The fact that this is on a college campus is a recipe for an interesting atmosphere. Live music and other events are held here often.

The warm ambiance, authentic Irish fare, captivating waterfront location, and lively atmosphere make Muldoon's a beloved destination for all kinds of preferences. Not just that, but it's altogether a great feeling to cheer on your favorite team at the pub's multiple big screens. After your meal, take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque Newport Beach Harbor, enjoy the vibrant waterfront atmosphere, and admire the yachts and sailboats. As far as food is concerned, you must indulge in Muldoon's signature Irish beef stew, a hearty and flavorful dish made with tender chunks of beef, vegetables, and a rich Guinness-infused broth. Quite often, the pub transforms into a lively venue for live music performances and traditional Irish entertainment. Don't forget to tap your foot to the rhythm of Irish tunes, sing along to your favorite songs, and let the music elevate your dining experience.

Side Door is deviously hidden a few steps away from Pacific Coast Highway, a red key above the door the only advertisement for this hidden gem. The official gastropub of fine dining manor house Five Crowns, Side Door boasts an august English pomp while maintaining a convivial atmosphere. Knowledgeable bartenders guide guests through a massive selection of wines and craft beers, both on tap and in the bottle, as well as a number of signature cocktails and classic libations. The menu is significantly different from the aristocratic British offerings served one room over, savory selections of California cuisine adding to the amenity of an on-call charcuterie chef. Plush couches, banquettes and communal tables are tastefully situated around crackling fireplace, creating an unparalleled ambiance for an elegant escape.

Alley Restaurant and Bar is a legendary Newport Beach restaurant that has been reveling locals and visitors with its American pub cuisine of classic burgers, sandwiches, Filet Mignon, lamb shank, chicken piccata, garlic green beans, pound cake, sand dabs, New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Chilean Sea bass and more. The late-night happy hour is one of the highlights here. The vintage look of the main dining area with its stained glass bay windows and dim lighting, invites you for a time of fun and frolic.