Costa Mesa · Orange County, CA

Live music in Costa Mesa

Scout analyzed 36 Costa Mesa places and surfaced the ones that actually fit live music.

Places analyzed

36

Matches

24

Typical spend

$45

Typical visit

1.3 hr

Scout-verified spots

Better Buzz Coffee Costa Mesa

Mesa Verde

Better Buzz Coffee Costa Mesa

This is a good spot for a quick coffee run or a relaxed stop for a light breakfast or snack. Expect to spend 30 minutes and around $5-$15 per person.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking
The Capital Grille

South Coast Metro

The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille is suitable for a formal dinner, often paired with a show or event due to its upscale nature and longer visit time. Expect a per-person cost typically over $100.

FoodCocktailsUpscale
$100–$250 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
The Crack Shack

Downtown

The Crack Shack

The Crack Shack is a casual spot for fried chicken and sandwiches, ideal for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $15-30 per person.

FoodRelaxedSocial
$15–$30 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking
Canyon Park

Westside Costa Mesa

Canyon Park

This park is suitable for a quick stop with young children to use the playground or a relaxed outdoor break. It can be paired with a local coffee run or a picnic, and typically requires no cost for a visit.

OutdoorsAnimalsRelaxed
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
SOCIAL Costa Mesa

Downtown

SOCIAL Costa Mesa

SOCIAL Costa Mesa is a good choice for a lively dinner or drinks, possibly followed by late-night bites. Expect to spend $30-75 per person for food and cocktails.

FoodCocktailsLive music
$30–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
Vista Park

Westside Costa Mesa

Vista Park

Vista Park is suitable for a free outdoor family outing or solo walk, lasting about an hour. It can be paired with a local coffee shop or picnic to extend the low-cost experience.

OutdoorsRelaxedPlayful
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Lions Park

Downtown

Lions Park

Lions Park is a good free option for a family outing with young children, featuring a playground and open space. Expect to spend about an hour here, perhaps after a casual lunch nearby.

OutdoorsSportsRelaxed
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Memphis Cafe

Food & Drink

Memphis Cafe

Memphis Cafe is good for a casual meal or drinks, offering comfort food and a hip vibe for approximately 1-2 hours. Expect to spend $20-$45 per person.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$20–$45 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Wakeham Park

South Coast Metro

Wakeham Park

Wakeham Park is a free neighborhood park with a playground and sports courts, suitable for a casual family outing or a quick stop to let kids play. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and pack your own snacks.

OutdoorsSportsRelaxed
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
MoonGoat Coffee

Westside Costa Mesa

MoonGoat Coffee

This coffee shop is suitable for a morning stop or a casual lunch. Expect to spend 45-90 minutes and about $10-$25 per person for coffee and light food.

FoodShoppingCocktails
$10–$25 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Vaca Costa Mesa

South Coast Metro

Vaca Costa Mesa

Vaca is suitable for a dinner outing, offering Spanish tapas and family-style dishes in an upscale setting. Expect to spend $75-$150 per person for food and drinks, with a visit lasting around 1.5 to 2 hours.

FoodWellnessCocktails
$75–$150 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking
Water Grill

South Coast Metro

Water Grill

Water Grill is a good choice for an upscale dinner, particularly for a date night or special occasion. Expect to spend 2 hours and $75-$150 per person for a meal and drinks.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$75–$150 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
TeWinkle Park

Mesa Del Mar

TeWinkle Park

TeWinkle Park is a good spot for a few hours of outdoor recreation like walking, playing sports, or picnicking. It can be paired with a nearby cafe visit and costs nothing to enter.

OutdoorsSportsAnimals
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
MOXI3

Downtown

MOXI3

This gym, sauna, and spa is suitable for a solo wellness visit, likely lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. Expect to spend $30-$80 per person for access to facilities or services.

CocktailsSportsWellness
$30–$80 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
We Play Loud Kids Indoor Playground

Family

We Play Loud Kids Indoor Playground

This is a good spot for a couple of hours of active play with young children, especially when the weather isn't ideal for outdoor activities. Expect to spend around $15-30 per child for entry and perhaps some snacks.

FoodAnimalsPlayful
$15–$30 typical2 hr visiteasy parking
Lion & Lamb Coffee Roasters

Food & Drink

Lion & Lamb Coffee Roasters

This coffee shop is suitable for a quick solo stop or a casual meet-up, lasting about 30 minutes. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for coffee and a light bite.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Tiki Bar

Downtown

Tiki Bar

This bar is suitable for a casual evening out with friends or a date, offering food, drinks, and entertainment. Expect to spend 2-3 hours and $25-$75 per person.

FoodCocktailsLive music
$25–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking
Hola Adios Coffeeshop

East Side Costa Mesa

Hola Adios Coffeeshop

Hola Adios Coffeeshop is a good spot for a relaxed morning or afternoon coffee run, typically lasting under an hour and costing $5-$15 per person. It can be paired with local shopping or a stroll in the neighborhood.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking
Seasons 52

South Coast Metro

Seasons 52

Seasons 52 is suitable for a dinner date or special occasion, offering an upscale American dining experience that typically lasts about 1.5 hours. Expect to spend $50-$100 per person.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Hook & Anchor

Downtown

Hook & Anchor

Hook & Anchor is a casual seafood spot good for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours and around $20-$45 per person on creative seafood dishes.

FoodRelaxedSocial
$20–$45 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking
Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar

South Coast Metro

Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar

This upscale lakeside restaurant with an outdoor patio is suitable for a dinner date or special occasion, typically lasting 1.5 to 2 hours with a per-person cost around $30-$80.

FoodCocktailsViews
$30–$80 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar- Costa Mesa

South Coast Metro

Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar- Costa Mesa

Claim Jumper is suitable for a casual family meal or a comfortable date night focused on American comfort food. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $30-75 per person for an entree and a drink.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$30–$75 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
The LAB Anti-Mall

Shopping

The LAB Anti-Mall

The LAB Anti-Mall is a good spot for a casual afternoon or evening to browse unique shops, grab a meal, or enjoy local art. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and between $15-50 per person, ideal for a relaxed outing or a first date.

FoodArtsShopping
$15–$50 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking
Portola Coffee Roasters

Food & Drink

Portola Coffee Roasters

This coffee shop is ideal for a quick solo coffee stop or a casual meet-up, fitting well before or after shopping. Expect to spend $5-15 per person for a beverage and possibly a pastry, with a visit lasting around 30 minutes.

FoodShoppingViews
$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking

What Scout found

  • 29 of the 36 analyzed Costa Mesa places fit live music.
  • 24% of matches are outdoor or partly outdoor.
  • 62% have easy parking.
  • Dominant moods: Relaxed, Social, Playful, Upscale, Romantic, Quiet.

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