Ocean Brewing Company Laguna Beach CA

Food, Wine, Cocktails, Beer and Fun what else is there? That’s how many relate to the Ocean Brewing Company restaurant/pub it is a casual local dining establishment featuring friendly service, attentive and  super knowlege of the menu by our pleasant waiter, Julio. They have high-quality, moderately priced food, and a distinctive selection of micro brewed specialty beer and enhanced by an extensive wine list featuring great imported Italian, California, and other European wines served in a comfortable and entertaining atmosphere.

The Ocean Brewing Company is one of Laguna Beach’s favorite gathering place for fun featuring over 30 hand crafted beers and other beverages in a state-of-the-art micro brewery.

Get there early, before 9:00 pm for the best seats, any day of the week before the entertainment starts and young crowds gather.  Many tourist and locals alike consider the place to be their neighborhood Italian Restaurant pub featuring home baked bread, hand stretched pizzas and traditional Italian food made from scratch.

The Ocean Brewing Company restaurant/pub Serves authentic, Italian cuisine in a non-contemporary setting. The menu features traditional items such as pizza, pasta and a great selection of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and for the more serious connoisseur they have main dinner entrees and specials. People watching, sidewalk patio dining is also available.

After 9:00 PM nightly live entertainment prevails. According to head bartender Giovanni, who loves dazzling the crowd with specialty drinks. Choose from a full array of luscious concoctions, or ask the bar-keep to surprise you with something new. Their soon to be famous, "dirty martini", will wake up your taste buds with a zesty dash of vinegar.

For dinner hours, come discover the premium quality Grilled Flat Iron Steak chief Aurelio creates, which I had and found it very tasty. Or try what Peggy had the Wild Coho Salmon griddle seared and served over a curried risotto. For after hours quick and good food they provide great sandwiches which include choice of soup, house salad or shoestring potatoes. But for their best effort you should try one of their many delightful handmade pizza’s that they are best know for and don’t forget their pasta. Many of their entrees and signature side dishes are enhanced by full flavor rubs and marinades. 

Current owner and operator Robin Chang acquired the establishment just recently from former owner Jonathan Thomas, who had a run in with city hall, who claimed that he was in violation of his city permit and that the loud music being played for the dancing club patrons was disturbing residents. It was pointed out at the hearings to the commissioners that other Laguna Beach clubs made just as much noise and they do have near by residents but the brewery is located in a commercial zone and no residents are close by.

Since the new owner has taken over things seem to be much better and the city planning commission’s 6 month reprieve is nearly up and it looks like the new management is complying and cooler heads are prevailing.

Many locals do patronize the brewery and would hate to see any major changes. Sally Walker a 28 year old Lagunan said,” my friends and I have been coming here and enjoying Ocean Avenue “pub” and we hope it will remain as it is”.  Michael Harvey 33 another local says,” we like things as they are. We think it is better for locals to party here at home in Laguna than risking the dangerous drives by having to travel out of town. Most of my friend feel much safer right here at home.”