Orange County’s newest cocktail lounge, Holiday, is nestled in a sparsely populated shopping center in Costa Mesa. But don’t let it’s unassuming exterior detract from what awaits guests behind closed doors. This past Friday, Gatsby-esque business partners Rob Arellano, Gene Brezeale, David Doyle, and Mike Kinsella invited guests for a sneak peak to enjoy an evening of sultry cocktails, music, and comfort.
“It’s about sticking to your trends,” says Arellano (no relation to our Mexican-in-Chief). “We wanted to bring forth a space for nightlife enthusiasts, inviting all guests to stay and be social.” The dimly lit lounge offered live entertainment, playing music people could move to, with in-house DJ’s spinning everything from Amy Winehouse to Bell Biv DeVoe.
Complementary offerings of fresh popcorn seasoned in sugar and cinnamon provided guests with a fun, sweet-n-salty snack; Holiday’s PR people told me that customers can look forward to a rotating assortment of seasonings like sour cream & onion and spicy cheddar.
The hosts also showcased their main course offerings, with nibbles of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches being handed out for guests between dancing, chatting and sipping. The cheddar, pulled pork, and mac ‘n’ cheese snack was served on pressed buttermilk bread, and gobbled quickly by everyone.
The strong cocktails spanned the liquor galaxy and were mostly innovative, most most notably The Julep Rose, a riff off the traditional mint julep. The refreshing blend of champagne, Combier rose liqueur, bitters and mint was an ideal foil to fight the blazing heat outside.
This luxe lounge will officially open later in August, and Arellano says that on any given night, socialites can look forward to various activities and entertainment. “Please dress in your finest attire,” as F. Scott once wrote. “The decor will be mesmerizing and the music will never stop.” Holiday in Costa Mesa invites you for a night of fun, where every night is a HOLIDAY!
Holiday, 721 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, (949) 278-8728; www.holidaycm.com
Cynthia Rebolledo covers anything and everything food, culture and spirits.