Marine Room Tavern

I came here for the first time last week, and actually enjoyed it! We came on a Friday night, so it was a bit crowded. I did enjoy the live band, the drinks and the atmosphere overall. There is a $ 5 cover charge to get in, so just keep that in mind. They have a few beers on tap, a decent bar, a few pool tables and plenty of spots to sit down. It was super packed, so there wasn’t really any place to even walk, but that’s what I would expect on a Friday night! The bartenders were quick, attentive and helpful with filling drink orders. I didn’t have a chance to see what type of food they had, but I would love to come back and try it again

We’ve waited outside 5 minutes (not bad) to get in, excited for the live band SLINGSHOT playing there… what a terrible disappointment. SLINGSHOT originally formed in 1977, then separated in 1985 they have just regrouped now. The question is «why did you do that?». Seriously, an huge mistake, sorry. Pathetic voice, horrible sound, and strident no-​stop cacophony.
Considering:
a) the choice of the band (it was Saturday night and you, manager, charge me $ 5 to get in and listen this crap?), and
b) the flashy people there,
if I could, I’d give minus 5 stars to Marine Room Tavern…

ALWAYS a exciting night at the Marine room.
Say hello to Juan at the door he’s the bee’sknees. Knowledgeable of his establishment and very nurturing to his patrons. Mad respect for the brotha.
The GM is super pretty and the bar tenders know how to hook it up.
Don’t think I’ll ever leave :)

Great place, great music until they try to tell you they need to collect your bar stool because of the traffic flow. I would have no problem moving if there was actually an egress problem, however there was not… And I was taking up no more room on the bar stool than I would have standing up… AND I was with my awesome in-​laws who are locals and have been going to this bar for 20 years and will not be going back due to the fact that we felt age discrimination.

We arrived early so that we could get a seat at the bar. Around 10:15, a manager named Juan came by and told us that we needed to give up our seats at the bar because the Marine Room needs to fool the city into thinking that there is enough room for everyone in the room to be there. We told him we’re locals and we had come in early to get good seats but he didn’t seem to care so we left. We have been coming to this bar for a couple of decades but will not come again. I guess it’s their loss but Juan didn’t seem to give a shit.

Nice Atmosphere, and they carried Unicum Plum, which was a first in the area. *Nice*

Want a great Tavern without the «Laguna pretentiousness» come to this place! Such a cool vibe, great location and awesome drinks and music.
Nestled in the walking shopping district, this place offers such a cool scene on the inside. My husband and I found this gem by walking around window shopping. The interior is so neat, you can spend hours just hanging out in a corner.
Show sopping fireplace and cool retro seating allows for you to find your spot.
I suggest this place for sinking and hanging out. They also have live music and allow dogs.
Must see! Our favorite Tavern in Laguna

Cool back room. $ 5 Whisky Wednesdays. Pool Table. Awesome fire place. great décor. Friendly service. This is a fantastic bar and I can’t believe it’s not packed with a line out the door. I’d definitely be back!

Here I sit at the bar,
I came from not that far.
It seemed a Lil LAME-​y,
Until we met Amy.
I was in desperate need of a drink.
Micah helped me with that, I think.
Bourbon flights, how did he know?
A miraculous Stanahans from Colorado!
Micah and Amy, what a pair!
Upholding a true bartenders lair!!!

Good bar, friendly staff and they have a great live music most nights too. nice fireplace with a table and 4 chairs.
They have an amazing whiskey/​bourbon menu here and they having JD Single barrel nothing like sitting by the fire and sippin good olé Jack.
it was early so it wasn’t crowded yet we had a few drinks and headed out for dinner. i will return to this unique place next time i am in town. hoping they get the JD Sinatra Select in. that would be great tot try out!

Bad bartender will never come back. Ignored us when we walked in completely with an empty bar. Then tries to give the wrong change to keep more of our change then says we didn’t pay for our drinks ??! Never … He was trying to scam because walked away instead of explaining our unpayed bill. … Called management and waiting to hear back

Seems like a good spot, nothing special really. Just your normal bar that plays music and serves booze. Expect to pay a $ 5 cover and ONLY cash is accepted. Hello, it’s 2016, ever heard of the square? Anyhow, decent place but nothing to rave about.

Best bar we visited in our recent wknd trip to Laguna. Good bar, friendly staff and had a great live act that night with J Liberio. My group danced and sang, and just had an all around good time. Too bad a few of my group got tired early because apparently Justin friggin Bieber came in and did a three song set… Wahhh
I will be back, and I will not be leaving early next time!

I wasn’t going to write a review but after last night’s experience i definitely must.
So last night my friends and I attended the themed ugly sweater party at marine room. The night was going ok until the prince of pop aka JUSTIN BEIBER was on the stage singing!!! I always knew Marine Room boasts musical acts but to actually bring in an A-​list celebrity to perform!!! Bravo Marine Room bravo. He did about 3 songs and was super friendly.
Thank you thank you thank you for the memories! I definitely will be back!!!

Best Bar in Laguna Beach!!! Only Pool Table in Laguna Beach also can’t beat that! Plus the locals are very cool people! Staff is way chill love this place!

Follow up. Again… meh:
So after reading my previous review (see below), Marine Room GM Brittany contacted me here on Unilocal,apologized for my recent bad experience, and invited me to come back so she could show me how things usually work there.
Since I believe it’s admirable for a leader to right wrongs, take feedback, and make adjustments to improve a business for which they are responsible, I agreed to give her an opportunity to change my mind. I was eager to meet her and experience her vision of Marine Room.
I told her that my wife and I had a rare kids-​free night this weekend, so I would take her up on her offer. I even let HER suggest the best time to meet, and we settled on 9:30 PM.
She talked a big game about reserving a table for us, refunding me for the excessively priced Lagavulin 12, and even offering a free pour of whatever I fancied. «Just ask for me by name at the door when you arrive, and we’ll take good care of you», she writes.
Of course it was clear to me that there was an expectation of me removing my previous review in exchange for white glove service, which is agreeable as long as she clearly demonstrates that her customers are important.
So my wife and I drove out of our way to Marine Room tonight on our date night that we’d really prefer to have spent elsewhere. We arrived «fashionably late»… 5 minutes after the agreed upon time (suggested by Brittany), and Brittany is nowhere to be found.
The door guy has no idea why I’m asking for her. He’s even looking at me sideways and telling me that some people just drop her name at the door hoping to beat the cover charge. That makes me feel real special :-)
Juan (the door guy) was nice though. He ultimately just let us into the club after we stood around making small talk for 5 minutes.
Once inside, I ask an employee whether Brittany is in the club. He says no, and doesn’t know whether she’s planning to return tonight.
All the tables in the club were taken. Uninteresting band was playing, so my wife and I left after about 15 minutes waiting for Brittany.
Brittany sends me a message (after we left) telling me she arrived at 10:15.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about that ;-)

Bouncer was a jerk. Need to get someone with better people skills.

This place has significant potential but needs to re-​work their entry process. Being appreciative of the city regulations regarding occupancy, there’s no excuse for the most recent encounter.
At 10:30 pm on a Friday, which is safe to assume is prime time for this business, we were told multiple times that there was capacity but we couldn’t enter because the gal who takes the five dollar cover was on break. What a curious time for your front door cover employee to disappear.
You guys need to try harder or just be honest that having a line and a rope in front of the bar is a hipster attraction strategy.

A mostly locals bar that has been here forever. Not really divey per some other reviews, as It is well kempt and has seen a fairly recent remodel. Drinks are cheap, great wine pours, and service is with a smile. What else does one need?
Well some good live music would be nice. Got that too. One of my favorite local bands The Missiles of October play most Sundays at 4:00.
They have been jamming in OC for years, and just keep getting better. Also the crowd is friendly with some real characters, and dancing is even permitted, a rarity in OC. The dancers can be a real hoot as well. No shame whatsoever. Can’t dance? No one is judging you here. The crowd skews toward the older set, 30’s to 60’s, but all would be welcomed.
A real gem, check it out if you dare. Danimal approved!

A local hot spot, Marine Room is brimming with bar hoppers age 21 – 40 most nights of the week (especially wed-​sun). It can be difficult to get a drink on friday/​saturday nights, but they are well made when you do! I recommend the whisky.
There’s live music every night, and a pool table for all to enjoy. A great place to meet up with friends!