Mugs Away Saloon

Mugs Away Saloon, in Laguna Niguel, California, should not really exist. The bar is located in an area with some the highest median home prices in the nation, and the perks that come with it. Premier Shopping, World Class Golf Courses, BMWs and Lexus are driven by teenagers, and yes, they were given to them as gifts by their parents. Yet, there is the Mugs Away Saloon. Tucked in a light industrial complex, by the railroad tracks, is a small vale. On top of the vale lie the estates of executives and the who's who, and in the vale, lies a den of trashiness, a place where you WILL get punched in the face, where you will get touched inappropriately, and where NOT owning a gun considers you to be a hemp loving hippie. It doesn't work, but somehow, it does. Southern Californians should not be pointing to "the 909" as the the armpit of SoCal, the den of trashiness. It can be found in "the 949," and it is called Mugs Away Saloon. It all makes sense, in an ironic way.

I like this place.  I've been here before, but I have one memorable experience here.  I came with my good friend, and the bartender was really drunk.  She was so drunk, that she could barely pour alcohol in the glass.  Then someone shouts out...."SHOW US YOUR TITS!"  The Bartender, doesn't chuckle, or turn away. In the most nonchalant way possible, with a look of apathy, just pulls her shirt down.  She did that numerous times.  

As I was drinking, she comes and sits on my lap and slurs "I like the tallllll one."  

Later, Black Sabbath came on the jukebox and we had a few drinks down and we were singing "War Pigs." An older gentleman comes up to us.  
"HOW OLD ARE YOU PEOPLE?"
"umm 27"
"27!? 27?!?! FUCKING PUPPIES. IM 50 AND THIS IS MY FAVORITE JAM."
We then sang along with the dude.  

Reflecting on Mugs Away, and drinking south of Irvine, I will only partake every once in a while.  In my neighborhood in Los Angeles, we have tiki bars, fancy bars, dive bars, show bars, etc.  Its a nice mix.  But in South Orange County, where everyone is isolated, a majority are extremely wealthy, we have bars that, if there was a competition for worlds trashiest bars, would probably take top pick. Is it just everyone getting out their inner trashiness? Maybe its because there is no youth here.  Only fancy wine bars for the ladies who lunch, and the dive bars.

Oh, and they moon amtrak trains here too.

gross dive bar. I mean, if you're into that sort of thing... then go.

WOW, the divey-est place I have been to in South OC!! You are literally transported into dingey red neck America when you enter here. Tits and butt pictures are on the back walls and everyone looks at me funny cuz I'm an Asian! GASP! I was literally the Asian spectacle. Anywho, don't know if I would come again but glad to know that this place exists. Hah.