California – home of Micky Mouse, Hollyweird, beach babes galore and thousands of shuffleboard tables. We love all of the above, but this particular post is all about where and how to find the later in Orange County…
1. Henry’s & Harry’s Goat Hill Tavern
Address: 1830 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: +1 949 548 8438
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About the place: The Goat Hill Tavern tops our list of 5 x places to play shuffleboard in Orange County for a few reasons…
1. The bar has two shuffleboard tables and they’re always being played.
2. The bar has over 100 beers on tap.
3. We shot our Southern Cross Shuffleboard promo video there last year.
4. The crowd is as mixed and diverse as you’ll get in the OC.
5. You know you’re in for a good time the moment you walk into the GHT and step on peanut shells and slip on sawdust…
On top of this, the bar is simply a rad place to stop for a few beers, catch up with mates and play some shuffleboard. You’ll always have someone ready to play against you! 5 Stars.
Punter reviews:
“This is a great place to drink beer. They have a ton of different beers on tap and they are reasonably priced. The atmosphere is very relaxed and casual and there are a variety games including shuffleboard, pooltables, Golden Tee, and pinball.” - Hampants (beeradvocate.com)
“If you’re looking for a fun place to go filled with people, fun times, and laughter this is the place to go! They have an incredible amount of beers on tap, fooshball table, two pool tables and a shuffleboard!” - Shawn P (yelp.com)
“If it wasn’t for shuffleboard this place would have the charm of a sand paper massage.” – Mike I (yelp)
“This is where you go to watch the big game, have a smoke, bring a pizza, and play shuffleboard. This is one of the best kick-back bars I’ve been to in a while and it has stood the test of time.” - Kelly C (yelp)
“I think I’m giving this place 3 stars mostly for its shuffleboard.” - Angeline D (yelp.com)
“151 beers and a full bar to choose from will bring out the Bluto in pretty much anyone. Mix in a few games of shuffleboard and you are in for one hell of a night.” - Timmy R (yelp.com)
2. Patrick’s Pub
Address: 2645 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: +1 714 966 2721
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About the place: We were introduced to Patrick’s Pub about four years ago by a funky friend of ours who happened to advantageously live a mere stone’s throw away down the street from this low-key Irish bar.
They’ve got one shuffleboard table, which is on your immediate right as you walk into the bar, a foosball table, darts and three pool tables. Perfect for the table game obsessed.
Patrick’s Pub fits the bill as an American dive bar, but do yourself (and us) a favour if you’re in the neighbourhood and stop in for a pint.
Punter reviews:
“They have SHUFFLEBOARD. Enough said. Remember in Happy Gilmore where he imagines his “happy place?” Then there’s the beautiful girl with beer and the midget in chaps riding the tricycle waving? This is that place for me…” - Eric S (yelp.com)
“Nice little chill place. The shuffleboard is fun. Nothing too upscale but good for a relaxed night out with the friends.” - Christina L (yelp.com)
“Almost a full-fledged dive bar, but a half step above. shuffleboard (awesome), darts and a great jukebox. bartenders are very nice people and drinks aren’t too expensive. favorite bar in costa mesa by far, and probably in orange county.” - Sean W (yelp.com)
“Patrick’s is one of my favorite places to hang out when I don’t feel like fighting through a crowd to get a drink. I love to come here with a friend or two so we can talk, play darts or shuffleboard, and just have a good time.” - Ninja Girl E (yelp.com)
3. Danny K’s Billiards and Sports Bar
Address: 1096 N Main St, Orange, CA 92867
Phone: +1 714 771 9706
Website: www.dannyks.com
Where were you and what were you doing when the Australian Socceroos defeated Serbia 2-1 during the 2010 FIFA World Cup? We were having a beer and breakfast at Danny K’s on day 2 of a crazy road trip through California, Las Vegas and Mexico…
Why were we there? Several reasons actually… We wanted a beer with breakfast, we knew they were playing the World Cup games on at least one of their 30-odd TVs, we wanted to check out their shuffleboard table and we had heard the place was arguably Orange County’s ultimate sports bar. Successful on all accounts – the place is pretty epic…
The table at Danny K’s had a crazy lie when we were last there, meaning you had to pretty much slide the puck extreme right for it to land left of middle. Easy to fix, they need to do it.
Top points for this place though – it was the perfect morning to start of a huge day in Cali.
Punter reviews:
“This bar has pretty much everything you’ll ever need at a bar. Beers on tap – check.
Decently priced appetizers – check. Cute waitresses – sometimes check. Huge TVs to watch sporting events – 125 inches of check. Pool tables and shuffleboard for something to do when you’re drinking beer – check times 50!” - Mathew K (yelp.com)
“This is my favorite sports bar. Not really sure what more you could ask for, anyone that been around knows this place is a hidden gem.” – Mike E (yelp.com)
4.Michael’s Sports Pub & Grill – San Diego
Address: 15192 Goldenwest St., Westminster, CA 92683
Phone: +1 714 373 5665
Website: www.michaelssportspubandgrill.com
About the place: It’s tough to visit Southern California and not call past Huntington Beach. Whether you’re surfing the Pier or ready to fire up a night out, HB is f-u-n and a must-stop on the map in our opinion…
Despite many visits to Huntington Beach, we’ve only been to Michael’s Sports Pub & Grill once. It’s a sports bar by definition and it’s a heck of a one at that. From the umpteen pool tables and mini basketball games to the lady staff dressed up as sexy football umpires, Michael’s is a jock wonderland.
They run some cool drink promotions, so check their website to time your visit during happy hour. Heads up for Taco Tuesday too…
Punters reviews:
“Thumbs Up! A brick oven that makes delish calzones. Decent drink and pitcher prices. Free shuffleboard.” - Hazel Q (yelp.com)
“There are plenty of pool tables plus shuffleboard and air hockey to keep you entertained and about 15 different tv’s to gaze upon various sports events.” - Danielle C
5. Dave & Buster’s San Diego
Address: 2931 Camino del Rio North,
San Diego ,CA 92108
Phone: +1 619 280 7115
Website: www.daveandbusters.com
Dave & Buster’s is a franchise restaurant and entertainment centre, serving up everything from beer to BBQ wings to the latest and greatest video games. They love their shuffleboards too and that sits well with us.
The San Diego D&B’s sits their shuffleboard table alongside roughly one million other time wasters, but it is a prestige table so it looks great amongst the Tokyo-like flashing lights of the arcade games…
Whether you’re a big kid, little kid or somewhere in between, D&B’s is worth a visit on a rainy day. Come to think of it, California doesn’t actually many rainy days, but have this on the to do list when it does.
Punter reviews:
“From Arcades, to pool tables and shuffle board, there’s something for everyone.” - Tara Lynn Gansrich (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
“I come here probably once a month or so to watch a game or play shuffleboard.” - Chong K (yelp.com)
“My fav part is actually shuffleboard. It’s about $10 an hour (not bad) and they’ll give you sand to get the puck moving gracefully. It’s a great game for 2-4 players and takes a lot of skill and strategy (and a bit of luck). Don’t think it’s just for old people. It’s really fun! Try it. ” - Chuck N (yelp.com)
