Stag Bar - A Century of Serving Generations of Regulars & Return Vacationers

The Stag Bar and Hotel first opened its doors in 1908 following the completion of the two story building it has called home for over a century. A storied past with a deep-rooted history adds to the charm and unique character of the oldest operating bars in Southern California. Located on the Balboa peninsula just steps from the Newport Beach pier, The Stag quickly became a favorite watering hole among locals and visiting tourists alike. Check Stag Bar out for yourself & come stay in one of our spectacular Newport Beach Vacation Rentals.  

Typical for bars of the era, The Stag was also known for card games and gambling. In addition to providing seasonal boarding to trade workers and fishermen of the nearby Dory Fleet Fish Market, legend has it the hotel rooms above the bar, at one point or another, also served as a brothel. During prohibition, at which time the name changed to the Stag Cafe, it is rumored beer was brewed and offered upstairs, while sarsaparilla and billiards kept the doors open at the bar downstairs. Following the end of prohibition in the early 1930s, The Stag was completely remodeled as a modern-day martini bar. The dark mahogany bar was also extended to nearly 100 feet in length.

Marking its centennial, the bar underwent a complete restoration and expansion becoming The Stag Bar + Kitchen in late 2015. The restoration returned the bar to its former grandeur, and expanded into the adjacent Liquor store provided installation of a full kitchen, and additional comfy banquette seating with patio-like ambiance overlooking the boardwalk. Guests continue to enjoy their favorite beer and cocktails while socializing and shooting pool, just as they have for over a century. Only now The Stag is also filled with the infectious aroma of freshly baked pizza. 

Choose from our menu of specialty scratch pizza, including our signature Meat Coma Pizza, piled high with four meats and two cheeses. Other menu choices include our popular meatball skillets, wings, and seasonal salads. The Stag is also home to the longest Happy Hour on the peninsula with the 11-hour Happy Hour from 8am-7pm Monday through Friday!  

Come by Saturday and Sunday 9 AM - 1 PM for a delicious Boozy Brunch complete with homestyle omelettes and signature brunch cocktails. Weekly specials include Meatball Monday with featured $2 meatball sliders, Tiki Tuesday with $6 craft tiki-inspired cocktails and $6 Hawaiian pizza. Whiskey Wednesday offers $6 featured whiskey and discounted select whiskey flights. And finally Farm Fresh Thursday with a specialty cocktail with fresh farmers market ingredient and $5 pizza extended ‘til midnight.

Cocktails are made the old fashioned way with premium spirits and seasonal, house-made fusions. Leading domestic and locally brewed craft beer, seasonal handcrafted cocktails, signature mules, craft wine, and over 75 premium and small-batch whiskey, scotch, bourbon, rye, and moonshine.  

Each area provides an intimate setting with the type of authentic historic ambiance that simply cannot be replicated. Grab a beer and a pizza and catch your favorite sports on our numerous large screens throughout the bar and dining area. Or enjoy a game of pool or darts, just as regulars have done for over a hundred years. Nothing really compares to the warmth of an historic establishment. If walls could speak, ours would tell an old familiar story from generations past. Stay in a beautiful Newport Beach Vacation Rental & walk to Stag Bar! 

For more info please visit us at www.stagbar.com & follow and like us @Stagbar!

Published on Wednesday, August 24, 2016