By Ashley Ryan
To celebrate nearly a century of serving cocktails, the historic Stag Bar recently underwent a restoration and expansion, reopening as STAG BAR & KITCHEN in January. Since first opening in 1908, the Stag Bar has seen its share of gambling and martinis, and even outlasted the days of Prohibition, but the new establishment has expanded to include a full kitchen and banquette seating overlooking the boardwalk and neighboring Newport Pier. The second level was also renovated, resulting in luxury suites that offer weekly or seasonal stays. With a kitchen now in play, Stag Bar + Kitchen cooks up specialty pizzas, meatballs, sliders and wings for guests to savor alongside their selection of locally brewed craft beer, specialty wine, handcrafted cocktails and premium whiskey. Choose your visit wisely—different specials are available nightly, including Meatball Monday, Tiki Tuesday and Whiskey Wednesday. Meanwhile, Thursday nights are dedicated to locals who have enjoyed the popular McFadden Place watering hole on the Balboa peninsula for years. (949-673-4470)
