The Pubs to Visit on Balboa Peninsula

We get it. Sometimes, you just want a cold beer, a hot plate of comfort food and a TV with your favorite sports team victoriously hurtling across the screen. Enter: the pub scene of Newport Beach. These gems of the culinary casual are ideal places for arm, friendly vibes. So, pop a squat, play a few rounds of pool and enjoy the real local scene of our coastal town. 

Cruisers Pizza Bar and Grill

Bud Wierenga, left, co-owner, chats with Casey Lucas in the Sports Bar at Cruisers Pizza Bar & Grill in Newport Beach.
// via Cruisers Pizza Bar & Grill

801 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92661 // (949) 220-9414

A warm bar with Midwest-friendly vibes, Cruisers’ menu features build-your-own Chicago-style pizza, sliders, loaded nachos, wings, poke, hummus and an outdoor patio for playing ‘pong.

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Malarky’s Irish Pub

3011 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663 // (949) 675-2340

A local favorite for brunch, affordable dinners and of course, a weekend night out on the town. If you haven’t spent a Friday or Saturday night at Malarky’s, you haven’t truly experienced Balboa Peninsula nightlife. Known for their steak specials and Taco Thursdays.

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Newport Beach Brewing Company

2920 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663 // (949) 675-8449

Newport Beach Brewing Co. (“Brew Co.” to locals) features all your standard bar fare—sandwiches, burgers, onion rings, quesadillas and the “Brewco Pretzel” as well as home-brewed beer made with only three ingredients: barley, hops and water.

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Stag Bar + Kitchen

121 Mc Fadden Pl, Newport Beach, CA 92663 // (949) 673-4470

Stag features a menu of elevated bar food, including made-to-order pizzas and gourmet meatball platters. The boozy brunch and custom omelettes are also a good, late-morning go-to on weekends. Play pool, shoot darts, watch football and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at this spot just about a block from Newport Pier.

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