The bartender was nice but it seemed like I was getting dirty looks for not being a regular and showing up in my suit and tie from work. Rating was based on the atmosphere bartender (cute blonde with tattoos) 3/5 stars for her service and okay poured cocktails. Ordered a jack and coke but got a coke with a splash of jack.
Review Source:OC Dive Bar. Â Pool Tables. Â Open late. Â Arcade games, pinball machines, darts, jukebox and even a photo hunt game that distracts you with pictures of naked women. Â Inside is decorated with beer branded surf boards, lamps, and car hoods. Â Heavy metal pumps from the speakers. Â World's Wildest Police Chases and UFC fights play on alternate TVs. Â Seems like a great place to grab a beer after work. Â Crowd is casual except for our well-dressed nightclubbers who showed up at 1am. Â Parking is decent but it is next door to MESA.
Review Source:I like to come here w/ my friends from Mesa after they get off work. Â We can basically walk outside Mesa, hang a left, then hang another left and you are at The Huddle. Â Parking sucks in the small lot that is also shared by Ikko, a Japanese ramen restaurant and Lotions and Lace (not that I have ever been to the latter - ahem, ahem - LOL!).
The Huddle is a dive bar w/ pool tables and a punching machine. Â We usually get pitchers of beer and socialize w/ all the other patrons. Â The drinks are cheap here. Â In addition, the bartenders are cool, the clientele is friendly and the ladies are nice.
I would have no problem meeting a friend here as a starter, or as an in between place.
This place is dive bar with disrespectful patrons and dishonest, unfriendly bartenders. The drinks are generous because the glasses are huge; only reason I gave them the 1 star.
They over charged my credit card. When I talked to the owner on the phone, he was kind enough to apologize and offer the difference when I came in. The owner handed me the money and try to persuade me to check out his office because he noticed that my credit card was also used a few years earlier, which I was not. Creepy guy!
Tips:
1. If you want to actually go to this dive, bring cash.
2. Quarters are required for the pool tables but expect to be bullied by the locals for the tables and cues.
3. Don't use their restrooms.
Reading through other people's review makes me sad. Did we all go to the same bar? RECENTLY? I've been here a few times now, and I have held off writing my review due to the fact that I've been trying to give this place a chance. This bar reminds me of a joint I use to go to in West Covina. This is not meant as a compliment.
I found the bartenders to be snobby. And before you dismiss me as a "jealous hater" I sincerely am not. I could care less what gender the bartenders are, or what they look like. But the fact is I never get served even though I waited politely and didn't make a fuss. They totally avoided my stare, and last time they straight up attended someone right next to me who was waiting there for a few minutes versus me who was waiting for about 10 minutes. It got to the point where I was like, "FUCK IT, I AM GETTING A DAMN DRINK". But I lost the battle when I was snubbed by the bartender.
All in all I am totally turned off by this place. It's a total shame because the people who go to this bar seem cool enough. But, is it just me or does this bar think it's in Downtown LA? Wait, correction. Not even in Downtown LA are you subjected to that kind of service.
The huddle is my kind of bar. Humble, unpretentious, no-frills... and filled with a wacky cast of strange characters which could be only found all together at one time in a bar such as this.
When Brittany P. and I wandered in in the middle of the weekday afternoon we were first struck by the fact that people were smoking the living shit outta some smoking (inside the bar.) Neither Brittany or I smoke and she WAS NOT A FAN. Â I however like living in America where a business owner has the freedom to operate as they wish. Â In turn, I really like having the freedom to not go in there if I so choose! Listen people. Â It's a goddamn bar... Not a church. I think there is a reasonable expectation for adult activities to take place within the four walls of an adult only establishment.
But I digress... Let me get off my soap box and back to the bar.
The drinks were cheap and the bartender was attentive and friendly. Â There began an impromptu debate about something college football related and some of the regulars included me (which I felt added to the allure of the "neighborhood watering hole")
All in all... I would love to come back for more. But alas, the love of my life, Brittany P. (again) WAS NOT A FAN, so we will probably not be returning.
Sorry Huddle. I lost ye before I really ever got to know ye!
For pictures visit <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdivebarculture.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F05%2Fhuddle-costa-mesa-ca-may-4-2012-with.html&s=1603cc08b95f2bc4a74609abc7a3151c7b8a0499b2ae1c1e8464de8a208e0b0d" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://divebarculture.bl…</a>
The bartenders were awesome, the place was as divey as we all want it to be, and the people there were super friendly. There were a bajillion pool tables, a couple dart boards, a smoking patio that you can drink on, and PBR on tap at $10 per domestic, not a great price, but fair.
This place is awesome!
When I first walked in I got the pool hall type of vibe. There are a good number of pool tables and they have darts!
I gave in with a group of people we sat down at the bar and a bartender came to us very quickly. we ordered our drinks and got them very fast.
When I went in there was no smoking but there was a small patio out in the back or side whatever you'd like to call it for smoking. the patio is small not a place to hang out with people but just a place to smoke.
Over all I really Like this place it is hidden a bit it is in the same shopping center as lotions and lace.
The huddle is my regular hangout on the weekends and sometimes during the week. I come here for the atmosphere, the patrons, and of course the bartenders. The crowd is very diverse and everyone seems to get along pretty well. Stop in for a couple of beers and play some rock and roll on the juke box. It's a great place to enjoy your afternoon social.
Review Source:This place is a prime exsample of dont judge a book by its cover. I was a little unsure the first time i went to this place. The sign is not lit outside, located in a small shopping center and the door isn't very welcoming. But once inside i was pleasently surprised. There is 8+ pool tables, a awesome jukebox and darts. The bar tenders are fun and the drinks don't break the bank! Great place to mingle with the locals and have fun.
Review Source:Oh momma! I think I just found my local dive bar. The Huddle is one of those Costa Mesa classics that welcomes all. Come one, come all, but The Huddle is sure to be a good time. Now this is your ultimate day/night out with the boys. Pool tables galore, dart boards, a juke box, cheap beers, oh how can you not be pleased? I guess if you didn't like any of the things I just stated.
$10-$12 pitchers that pour out  4 beers! What a steal! If you're a pool hall junkie, you'll love The Huddle. They're well equipped with about 10 pool tables. And girls I know what you're thinking-- dive bar, disgusting old men and dirty bathrooms, but this isn't the case here. Well, maybe there are a few of the former but the restrooms are clean! Come with the boys, play some pool and have a beer. The Huddle is definitely a cheap fun way to spend your day or night. They even have a taco guy that comes at night and pulls up right in front of the bar to serve you some yummy tacos. What's better than beer and greasy tacos? The answer is nothing!
Their sign is never lit and the door is a little intimidating looking, but no worries, make your way in and enjoy a piece of Costa Mesa.
I'm very surprised to read all these positive reviews considering the horrible experience I had at this establisment last night on New Year's Eve.
I was going to stay home for New Year's Eve this year, but my friend recommended that we go to The Huddle and have a few drinks and shoot some pool. Â I had never heard of this place but my friend described it as a "chill dive bar." Â Sounded good to me.
As we entered the establihment, I immediately noticed that this place indeed was a dive bar. Â There's nothing wrong with that. Â I ordered two drinks and opened a tab with my credit card. Â The bartender was a big tall guy who was very nice. Â The drinks were cheap and stiff. Â Good so far.
Time for round numer two. Â This time, there was a girl with tattoos who was serving the bar. Â I ordered an Absolut tonic and after she prepared the drink, I gave her my name and told her that I had a tab open. Â Her response was "what is your point. Â This is not your drink." Â I was very confused and said, "sorry, I didn't get this joke." Â She walked away and I was like WTF.
A few minutes later, a number of other friends joined us and they ordered drinks from the same lady bartender. Â This lady went completely crazy on them and started spraying alcohol on them. Â By this time, it was apparent that this bartender was on some serious drugs. Â
We decided to leave and as we were walking out, one of my friends made the fatal mistake of complaining about the bartender's behavior to the bouncer (an old bald white dude). Â Apparently, whatever drug the bartender was on, this bouncer was on that same drug. Â He went completely nuts at my friend and started yelling profanities. Â I pushed my friends out of there as I was in no mood of getting my ass kicked by this dude who had nothing to lose and was crazy. Â He kept yelling at us as we were walking to our vehicles. Â In fact, he even called one of the females in our group a "whore." Â
In sum, I don't know how this place usually conducts its business, but on the evening of December 31, 2011, this bar was clearly being run by crazy people who were drugged out of their heads.
You know how when you go to the zoo there's signs all over: "Please do not feed the animals"? Â Well, they should think about employing such signs in dive bars: Â "Engage slobbering regulars at own risk"
Within minutes of arriving here there was a ZZ Top look-a-like offering free "beard strokes", a guy calling himself Jesus who didn't like it when I said it "Hey-Zeus", a man from South Dakota who kept telling me "I'm from South Dakota" and a chatty high-fiver who could barely stand. Â
Other perks of this place is that it's spacious and surprisingly neither sticky nor dirty. Â Restroom was decently clean for this kind of place. Â Drinks strong and cheap. Â And for those of you so inclined, you can smoke indoors.
Great hang out place.
My 400th review, wooo hooo!!!
Decided to have a post-Pop Physique workout drink here (don't judge me) with Lauren B. Walked into a cloud of cigarette smoke and was instantly transported to the Midwest. It was like walking into a bar in Valparaiso, Indiana. All white people...
NOT that I minded... I just didn't appreciate the "Oh great, now the Asian chicks are coming here?!" comment that I picked up from some intelligent white boy. Hey, at least it's comforting to know not every white male suffers from yellow fever.
But what did tickle my fancy was that the bartenders were nice and 2Pac was blaring from the speakers. Got a pitcher of Hefeweizen for $14 which eased our sweaty, aching joints nicely.
I'll definitely be back. With all the Asian girls I can round up. Bet that.
I love this place.
You may not love this place.
You may not like it because you can smoke inside. (note that this is only during certain hours).
You may not like it because the (bizarre) regulars are quick to approach and have a lot to say.
You may not like it because it's really dark inside.
But those are all reasons that I do like The Huddle. Pair all that with a cool bartender, pool tables and darts ... and we've got ourselves a winner.
So It's Laura's Bday Eve. (Happy Birthday LS!) Â Not just any Bday mind you, but a special milestone kinda Bday. Somehow the crew decides on this old dive that has been here forever, and that I have involuntarily visited maybe 2 or 3 times over many years. But hey, its an afternoon party so I figure we will have the place to ourselves, so how bad can it be eh?
Ya know what? Not bad at all actually. Clean and tidy joint, including the mens room. Very friendly cheery btender lady that even happily put the Kings/Wings game on. She even tolerated (enjoyed?) an impromptu table dance by one of Laura's friends. That's what dive bars are all about, allowing the patrons lots of leeway. Right? Right! And for you tabackie smokers, yep, also tolerated as well.
And what self disrespecting dive bar would be complete without an overly friendly incoherent regular? Â Got that here too.
So if in need of any or all of the above in this corner of OC you could do worse. OK maybe not, as The Helm is now closed.
Sometimes you just want to kick back, play some pool, squander some $$ in the jukebox and just drink a beer or 3 in a good little dive bar.
Well, this just isn't really that place.
I wandered in here with friend of mine not long after I moved to the area. Â I read that it's a dive bar and figured it was worth a visit since it's always good to have a local one when you want it.
The drink prices are good (2 vodka/tonics = $12) but the place itself just feels dirty - even for a dive bar. Â The girl behind the bar had little-to-no personality but what bothered me the most was that she stood behind the bar and smoked. Â Hey, to each her/his own, but go smoke on your own time especially when you're serving drinks to people - that's just a little too nasty for me.
The atmosphere was decent while the jukebox seemed to be stuck on "Hits of the '90s" but here was definitely an air of sweat, and perhaps shame at the same time.
Smokers, rejoice! The state of California may not care about your rights, but The Huddle does. I've only been here twice, and both times people were smoking. I think "last call" for the smoke is 6:30 pm.
You should quit, by the way.
Pints of PBR are $2.50. Pints of Pyramid Hefe are $3.50. That's all I know.
Neither time did I feel the hostility that one often experiences in dive bars. Most of the patrons seemed cool. The bartender was especially cool, and refilled my friend's pint after he spilled it on the bar!
He did get a "oh, hell, no!" from one of the customers, but I felt that he deserved it.
I once saw the Kogi BBQ truck in the parking lot. The line was ridiculous.
"Oh, hell, no!"
Note: The Huddle is a DUI bust!!!!!
Otherwise: Go and enjoy! Its a dive bar. If you don't know what a dive bar is......your to young. Stay away fresh meat, or buy a pitcher of Blue Ribbon.
And act cool. That is in the customer description. We are here for a reason, they are here for a reason, you are reading this for a reason.
Cheers,
The Sleezstak
The Huddle, with its worn interior, haphazardly placed bar furniture and equally worn pool tables evokes a time where more places like this existed. I'm not really a drinker, but I always have this fantasy of going into a straight up dive bar and getting shitfaced with other people who are only there to get shitfaced. The Huddle is more than adequate in fulfilling that fantasy.
Okay, so I didn't get totally drunk off my ass, but if I were to, I'd want to do it here. Cheap beers, cheap pool, cheap fun. I came here with a couple friends on a Friday night, and we spent a good four hours here. I bought nearly all the beer that night and half the pool games we played, and I spent about $30. One "Can I buy you a drink?" at any club will cost you that much alone.
The crowd here is pretty chill and the jukebox has an infinite playlist (they actually had Blood Red Shoes??). Best of all, it's within walking distance of my place. Guilt-free drunkenness!
Chillest Local Bar Ever!
The Huddle is literally right next to my house and I go about 2 times a week, because unlike most bars, it is super chill, cheap, and a guaranteed good time. Every night they have pitchers of beer on sale starting at $10, and plenty of pool tables to hang out by and watch local hustlers take peoples money. If you are looking to relax or take a friend to a local bar, this is the place to go.
Recommendation for The Huddle:
- More Girls
- Less Guys
The Huddle always treated me right for a quick refuel and cocktail session, while waiting for my girl to get her hair did... back before I shaved her head in her sleep, that is...
Saturday mornings there attract your basic older divebar clientele; one word of advice - do not play a James Brown (or Too $hort) marathon on the jukebox; I found that this was not the way to make the regular old fogies welcome you with open arms or buy you drinks.
Luckily I had a thousand dollars in my pocket in cash and could pay for my own inebriation. Just kidding, it was more like $29 bucks, but it was more than enough, the way they price drinks and beers at this strange little gem.
Note: I myself did not encounter any "bros" (as mentioned in other reviews) or anyone under age 50 as a matter of fact, during my tenure at this great Costa Mesa dive.
Grab your smokes and amble on in to the last true dive bar in the Central OC.
How about a stiff $4 drink and some attitude? Done!
Feel like hearing some Bad Company and shooting a game of pool or darts? Done and Done.
The perfect antidote to the OC - a little piece of real in an ocean of yuck.
I'm not a "dive bar" kind of gal.
It could be because I don't really drink (I'm allergic) but I do like to ocassionally sip on some bubbly or enjoy a kir royale ... in more of a lounge atmosphere. Â Please give me something with a smidge of chicness to it, and I am a happy Designated Driver. lol
But as a dive bar goes, this one is good. Â So if I was a dive bar kind of gal, this is the kind I would like to hang out in. Â It's clean, spacious. Â Lots of pool tables and darts. Â Neatly hung beer-logo neons throughout, as well as several flat screen TVs. Â The bartenders are attentive and sweet, and the drinks are cheap!
My friends have been inviting me to this place for the past few years and I've declined every time with the same response: "I don't play pool." Well tonight I finally I obliged and man, have I been missing out! It was pretty full tonight (Saturday), but my friends say to go during the week where it's relatively empty and you have full control of the juke box.
This place isn't fancy by any means. It's a local joint jam packed with regulars of all sorts: old drunks, bros, rockers, and weirdos all together, minding their own business, having a good time... It's not really my scene (as in, not "cool enough") but I'm learning to get over that. I can see why people come here.
TRANSLATION: The perfect place to come hangout when you want to go out, but not "go out." As in, no need to dress up. No need to impress. And most importantly, no need to deplete your wallet.
Cover: free
Pitcher of PBR: $7.50!
Round of pool: 75 cents!
People watching: excellent.
Awesomeness: 4 out of 5 given said review above
So I've read all of the reviews and all I see are complaints. The Huddle having too many drunks, drugs in the bathroom, smelling like sweat, rude people, blah blah blah, blah, blah.
Really people? How picky can you get about a dive bar?
Let's stay focused:
Bartender with a heavy hand . .. check
Pool Tables. . . check
Clean Bathrooms. . .check
Smoking patio. .. Â check
music. . check
Regulars. . .check
This is my favorite dive bar in Orange County. It satisfies all of the above necessary criteria for a 5 star dive bar. There's no question that it's kinda dirty and dark and may stink, either from the smoke, regulars, or spilled drinks, BUT it's a dive bar people! The fn matchboxes bear the truth, Where the sewer meets the sea. How can you hate a place that's unbearably honest???
So if you ever go and expect something better, don't. It's an honest place with honest people, and if the regulars are rude to you. . .buy them a shot. . .they'll be your best friend. And definitely tip Nicole well, she'll help you forget about the reasons you came in there in the first place.
Ahh the huddle.
If you are TOO scared to venture in here, you've been living behind the Orange curtain for too long. Venture out into the world a bit... these crazies wont bite.
The huddle is what it is - a dive bar. Dont go here expecting to rent a table, or shake your ass to a d.j. Its not the type of bar young twenty somethings should go if they are looking to dress up cute and do the whole hip bar or club thing
No, the huddle is where you go when you just want a drink... and maybe play a few games of pool.
Its not hip, its not trendy, but you will find a broad mix of people. On the weekend you can find young and old, hipsters and bros, normies and crazies.. its not a racist  scene like the other  reviewer suggested ... they always have a mix of peeps. Ive always had a good time, and chatted with friendly people. The bartenders are even nice!
good for a drink and a laugh, bad place to be scene or seen.
Perhaps it was the good company or the fact that they had Donovan and The Velvet Underground and T.Rex on the juke box and served an alright Vodka Collins. However, I thought that this place was OK. True, there was a handful of tools and then there was some decent people here and some hipsters. Very random......
Tonight was my very first time here. I see this place all the time and I have avoided it like the bloody plague. . However I was invited for a game of pool. Note: I suck at pool. But, I wanted to.
The patrons where a little different. I was fairly observant. But, I had a good time. The boy was teaching me how to shoot pool. I think that he enjoyed the teaching me part. In all I was in a sort of a world of my own. I noticed the music and the random douches here and there but I was not judging. I was here for a chill night in which I accomplished. I love being single! Just saying.....
I first heard about this place when two drunk girls at a liquor store about a block away from it (Sir Charles, holla!) squeezed my ass while they were waiting in line behind me.
I'm always up for sexual harassment (give and ye shall receive) so I decided to see if this veritable oreo cookie of female seductiveness was down to "hang out".
I'm guessing these boppers weren't too far removed from the nest because they were waaayy too impressed with the whip+rims combo I had parked outside the liquor store (esp. for OC girls) and giddily asked me if I would give them a ride back to the bar they just came from: The Huddle.
What a shit-hole. Between the poor location, dilapidated pool/darts equipment, and faint smell of sweat, you'd think they'd have drink specials but even those were nowhere to be found.
The highlight was their 4x4 "smoking area" outside that had some interesting graffiti. And, frankly, I can get drunk and scribble on furniture at home so this wasn't much of a value proposition.
I've somehow been dragged back to this place twice since then and can definitely confirm that it's well within the borders of 2 star space, with no plans for relocation anytime soon.
At one point this place had that sort of Swingers Movie dive bar vibe to it. Â Then the original owner retired, sold to a new guy and it has been downhill ever since. Â The few times I've walked into this place to shoot some pool, the customers all look like they escaped from Folsom or something. Â
Don't bother...
I thought that this would be a great place to while around the remaining daylight hours within the company of an older clientele and Fleetwood Mac tunes.
Then I heard it. Could it be? No, I should really get closer to the doorway before I judge a place. But then the music grew louder and more brain-numbing. Why, yes, it was Creed. CREED! At a ridiculous amount of decibels. Then I glimpsed some white, denim cut-offs paired with white high-tops and it was over before it even began.
I've been here once and I really hope I never have to endure the pain again.
Leave your liver, lungs and credit card at the door.
This place takes dive bar to a whole new level in a part of California known for majestic ocean views, beachfront property and lots of fake titties. And as for your credit card, you won't really need it since the place is a dive and drinks are cheap and super stiff. Oh, and if you care anything about your lungs, this place is a smokers' haven since they really don't abide by any laws. Eurotrash in the crowd? Raise your hands, this place will make you feel like you are back in dirty Paris!
As for drinks, the beer selection sucks but if you want to get hammered, this would be the spot since the Huddle is built for alcoholics. My friends went in at 7AM one morning to watch a World Cup game and the bar was packed with people getting a gin and tonic before they headed off to work. Total sleeze and an incubator for AA members. Where my alcy's at? A gin and tonic is more like gin, gin, gin, gin and a drop of tonic.
And this might have topped the cake. You know a bar is a total dive when patrons bring their five year old son to the bar while they get their drink on. Don't worry though, mom and dad were totally responsible and took turns holding the kid outside while their respective other got their drink on.
Some dives are cool and others are like you are diving into a cesspool of crap. As for the Huddle, it is the latter.
BATHROOM REVIEW
-------------------------------
Still not the worst bar bathroom I have been in but really, are you going to make the effort to come here?
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