BEST BREWING COMPANY GOLDEN OLE
Lost Winds Brewing Company 924 Calle Negocio, Suite C, 949.361.5922, lostwindsbrewing.com
Lost Winds Brewing Company owes its success and the favor it has gained with locals for, first, its excellent and varied roster of beers and, second, its commitment to the spirit of San Clemente. The name itself comes from a local surf break, and the brewery has stuck with that surf-town spirit in its beers. Among the handful of locally inspired beers, there are the St. Lasuen Belgian golden strong and the Tropiclemente IPA. SILVER OLE
Artifex Brewing Company 919 Calle Amanecer, Suite A, 949.429.7805; 98 Avenida Del Mar, 949.218.1452, artifex.beer
The wide range of Artifex beers can be sampled and savored at the brewery location on Calle Amanecer or the cozy tap room down on Del Mar. 2020 Winners: Gold: Lost Winds Brewing Company; Silver: Artifex Brewing Company
BEST SPORTS BAR
JUNE RICE
GOLDEN OLE
OC Tavern 2369 S. El Camino Real, 949.542.8877, octavern.com
Once you walk into OC Tavern, you’ll know it’s a place for sports fans— whether your attention goes to the numerous team flags hung up, or the games playing on the background screens. Locals love to grab a seat at the bar and chat over beers, and there are always burgers and other eats on the menu if you’re hungry. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual lunch or drinks after work, OC Tavern is the place.
SILVER OLE
Daily’s Sports Grill 204 S. El Camino Real, 949.522.9010, dailyssportsgrill.org
The fun atmosphere and open space at Daily’s are part of what draws customers in—as does the chance to catch all the games and chow down on pizza. 2020 Winners: Gold: OC Tavern; Silver: Daily’s Sports Grill
BEST BARTENDER GOLDEN OLE
Lost Winds Brewing Company
1401 Calle Valle, San Clemente, 949.492.4400, mulligansbarsanclemente.com
924 Calle Negocio, Suite C, 949.361.5922, lostwindsbrewing.com
“I think customer service just kind of reflects my character in general. I like to treat a lot of our customers as friends, and they do become friends; a lot of them we consider (as) family. I think putting that type of energy towards your work, regardless of what it is, is beneficial,” says Rice, who has been a bartender for 11 years. Her photographic memory helps to serve guests before they even order.
Tucked into a business park off Avenida Pico and just steps from City Hall is the gem that is the tap room at Lost Winds Brewing Company. In addition to offering the newly crowned best beer selection in San Clemente, Lost Winds has a beach-club-inspired tap room with plenty of games to play, including corn hole, shuffleboard and board games. Lost Winds also hosts near-daily food trucks and is dog- and kid-friendly.
Tanner Hopkins, Jane 158 Avenida Del Mar, bar-jane.com
Presented by San Clemente Times
GOLDEN OLE
June Rice, Mulligans Sports Bar
SILVER OLE
OC TAVERN
BEST BAR
SILVER OLE
Red Fox Lounge
A consummate professional invested in the creative process, Hopkins always makes guests feel welcome with his enthusiasm and fair, polite demeanor, says manager Dylan Churchill.
220 S. El Camino Real, 949.492.3403, facebook.com/therfl
2020 Winners: Gold: Jaylene Weaver, The Cellar; Silver: June Rice, Mulligans Sports Bar
2020 Winners: Gold: Red Fox Lounge; Silver: Ole’s Tavern
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Red Fox Lounge is a classic of Downtown San Clemente, and after its many years, still provides a classy and cozy atmosphere for an evening out.
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