In sunny Southern California, summer evenings offer an especially delightful time for outdoor cocktails and appetizers. In Irvine, many of the best open-air bars are at Latin destinations – notably Mexico City-inspired Puesto Los Olivos, Cuban-themed Habana at Irvine Spectrum Center and Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen at The Market Place.
The patio at Puesto features a gorgeous tile-and-black quartzite bar, a fire pit with steel agave-plant sculpture, grand columns on the perimeter and a contemporary trellis overhead. Clarified margaritas such as the Peach & Habanero pair ideally with the Guacamole Nogada with candied walnuts and pomegranate seeds.
Tucked away near the entrance to Habana is an intimate outdoor tiled bar beneath hanging plants and twinkle lights, a transporting slice of tropical Cuba open 4:45-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Agua de Coco cocktail, served in a coconut, and signature Mojito 1995 both complement the shareable Taste of Habana croquetas and empanadas.
Half of the bar at Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen is inside; the other half is on the covered patio. The Cha Cha’s margarita, with elderflower liqueur and ruby-red grapefruit juice, and ahi aguachile match beautifully. A happy hour menu, offered only at the bar and high-top tables, is served all day Sunday through Thursday and until 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
