OT - M Bars in Laguna Beach
So I will be in Laguna for a wedding the weekend that Michigan plays Michigan State. I was hoping for some advice on bars nearby as I do not want to miss a second of this game. I will be with other Michigan fans and am staying at the Pacific Edge hotel.
Advice would be much appreciated. Go Blue!
August 16th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
It is officially "M Bars in (insert city here)" day.
August 16th, 2010 at 12:44 PM ^
I debated posting this a couple of months out. I figured that once the season starts, posts like this will be replaced with actual football content.
The thought of that alone pleases me.
August 16th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
August 16th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
I'm not posting Heidi, sorry.
August 16th, 2010 at 12:38 PM ^
August 16th, 2010 at 1:08 PM ^
Stay close to the Volleyball courts. Across the street are some really cool bars. Very mellow and easy going though.
If you are looking for more sports bar types, go to BJ's Brewhouse. There are a couple more on Forest but I cant remember the names.
But,
If I were you I would head up the coast a little and park my party butt in Huntington. Awesome bars and night life.
Or Newport. South of Laguna is Dana Point also. Couple good spots there as well.
All of these bars are very cool, you wont see the fired up fans like in the midwest.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:15 PM ^
Laguna is kind of small and isolated and doesn't have any place that is Michigan-centric or really even sports oriented. Time may also be an issue (haven't seen whether the MSU game is a noon or 3:30 eastern start) as it is possible the game will start at 9am on the west coast when most places aren't open.
The OC alumni group meets at Tustin Brewing Company in (of all places) Tustin but that is probably a lot farther than you want to drive. Getting in and out of Laguna is a pain in the ass. I would actually probably recommend watching the game at Las Brisas if TV coverage and opening time ends up not being an issue. The place is right off PCH at the north end of main beach. Watching Michigan football with an ocean view is kind of a surreal experience. Also, since I basically lived at their bar for about six months after I quit my law firm job a few years back (I still get invited to their Christmas party), I can tell you who to talk to about getting the game on and let you know which waitresses are the friendliest.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^
I was wondering that about the 9am kickoff and noticed that local establishments didn't seem to be open at that time.
I assume this will be at 12 EST, so that leaves me with little options it sounds.
August 16th, 2010 at 2:33 PM ^
Being a SoCal resident I can tell you that hundreds of bars are open on the weekends by 9AM (at the latest) because of football. Bars can legally open here at 6AM so you'll find some dive bars open even earlier than that. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a bar to watch MSU.
August 16th, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^
From my experience at Tustin Brew Co. during Michigan games, your attendence (and I'm guessing based solely upon the demographic of this board) would likely elevate you to an elite group of 3-4 individuals called "Patrons under 45."
I still went to about half of the games there last year and had a good time; they have a cactus-based BBQ sauce that I would probably lick off the bathroom floor.
August 16th, 2010 at 2:03 PM ^
No matter what happens in the game, you will have an incredible view of the ocean and boardwalk from Las Brisas. Bring your basketball shoes and join a pick up game down there on the beach. They get fairly comepetitive. LOL.
I loves me some Laguna Beach.
August 16th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^
I also echo what PurpleStuff said about Laguna Beach. It is a small art community and while there are many great palces to eat I would go elsewhere to watch a football game. The only Michigan centric bar in the OC area that I know of is the one in Tustin.
You can go up the coast to Fred's in Huntington Beach. I have never been there for college morning games, but I have been there several times for MNF.
Another good place might be El Ranchito. I'm not sure if they will show the game, so you might want to call ahead. Go to the one in Newport, CDM or Laguna and you will see lots of eye candy.
And if you do stay in Laguna Beach you should hit up Taco Loco. Little taco shop with interesting menu, it is good eats.
August 16th, 2010 at 5:17 PM ^
Comments are very accurate so far...Tustin Brew Co will have old people. People in Laguna don't watch games at 9am so odds are you'll be in there by yourself (but if you want to stay in Laguna - go to Hennessey's Tavern).
Your best bet if you are younger is to travel 10 minutes up PCH to Newport Beach and head to Sharkeez. Closest feel to a college sports bar you can get - complete with nice eye candy that will probably filter into the bar as the early game is ending to watch a USC or UCLA game. You will not have a bad time there.
August 16th, 2010 at 7:40 PM ^
I lived in California for awhile, and I was told that Rudy's in Newport Beach was a Big 10 bar. Every time I went there, I ran into a group of people from the state of Michigan, mostly MSU grads and a couple Purdue grads in there. I would check that out. It is about in 5-10 minute drive from Laguna.