Billy's at the Beach

Billy’s at the Beach is a beachfront bar, lounge, and restaurant with Hawaiian, tropical, and tiki elements. They are most famous for relentlessly promoting their “world famous” Mai Tai and using one of Edgar Leeteg’s black velvet paintings as their company logo. (Supposedly it’s an original painting in the restaurant).


I had a great time at brunch on a Saturday. There’s a nice brunch menu as well as a regular lunch menu. I ordered the tuna sandwich on King’s Hawaiian bread with salad. They also provided some warm banana bread with my meal and this was all delicious. The salad even had Hawaiian Bread croutons! Service is very friendly with an all-Wahine wait staff (it’s kind of the thing at Billy’s...) Music was a mix of Hawaiian and Island/Reggae. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, which is expected on any Saturday in Newport Beach, CA.


How was the “World Famous” Mai Tai? Well, let’s start by saying that no Mai Tai is “World Famous” except for Trader Vic’s and they don’t even use that term. But, the island style Mai Tai at Billy’s is actually pretty good (way, way better than the abomination known as the Mai Tai from Bali Hai in SD). I’m not a fan of the use of Bacardi in most Mai Tais, but the Bol’s Orange Curacao and Diamond Head Dark Rum float weren’t too shabby.

Decided to move to the bar at Billy’s for my second drink. I checked out the (limited) selection of top shelf rums and asked for a Mai Tai made just with Pyrat rum (rather than Bacardi white and Diamond Head float as per normal). This was a good and tasty cocktail, perfect for the relaxed Saturday beachfront / marina vibe in Newport Beach. These aren’t craft cocktails; free pour of rum and then Billy’s Mai Tai Mix, slightly stirred.

I then moved over to the bar. Was as a lively time at Billy’s bar. Lots of guys having guy time with their buddies and watching the NBA playoffs. The comely bartender was efficient and friendly while flirting with the guys who initiated. Seems like there were some regular here.

Billy’s isn’t pure tiki but definitely leaning more in that direction than places like Duke’s. So, not for purists but for sure a lot more fun than places like Joe’s Crab Shack next door.

We love this restaurant. Not strictly tiki, but tiki centric. Food is amazing, and the Navy Grog is my favorite. Beautiful, albeit pricey location.

Billy's has a prime location with great views both indoors and out. The decor is a modern take on the tiki image. BUT, the drinks, especially the Billy Mai Tai were ugh. The Mai Tai was so sweet and fruity we all stopped after a few sips and switched to another fair mix and then gave up and went to beer. The food was good especially the Pu Pu Platter but the waitress could not keep track of who ordered what at what table. Worst of all was the noise. The sound meter averaged 86 decibels and hit 89 as a high. This is roaring trucks on a busy street loud and you had to shout to be heard. It was painful to sit inside. Parking is a pain so this is a place to see and be seen but not to stop and enjoy.