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Enjoy locally distilled craft cocktails and bbq - Drift Distillery and Smokehouse, San Clemente, CA

Drift Distillery and Smokehouse

4.9 (98)
$30 and under
Barbecue
115 S El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672

Make a reservation

A photo of Drift Distillery and Smokehouse restaurant

Drift Distillery and Smokehouse

4.9
$30 and under
Barbecue
San Clemente

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Good for groups
We are an award winning craft distillery and bbq smokehouse located in the heart of San Clemente.
All of our spirits are handcrafted here in San Clemente with grain from our parents' farm in Kansas, making us a true grain to bottle distillery. We are also proud to serve KC style inspired bbq with a SoCal twist.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Barbecue
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 98 people are saying

Drift Distillery and Smokehouse reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Orange County

    Best Value

  • South Orange County

    Best Overall

  • South Orange County

    Best Value

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Drift Distillery and Smokehouse in San Clemente is a "hidden gem" known for its "exceptional food" and "amazing BBQ." The vibrant atmosphere is complemented by "fantastic service" and a great selection of in-house spirits. Guests rave about the pork belly lollipops and cornbread, promising "we will be back."
98 Reviews
  1. Shayna

    Orange County1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We took my mother in law out for an early Mother's Day dinner and it was delightful! Our server Luke was wonderful and his suggestions were great, we all shared the family plate and it was the perfect amount of food with a little left over. 10/10 we'll come back often!

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  2. Steve

    Orange County3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 5, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of the hidden Gems of down town San Clemente.Food was exceptional as well as the service from Julie. We will be back to try more of the menu next week.

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  3. Jennifer Gold

    Los Angeles4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 29, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was our first time at this restaurant and everything was great. We got the tomahawk fingers and I'll be dreaming of them for weeks to come. Everything on the menu sounded delicious, so we'll have to keep coming back to try more things!

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  4. Mike

    Orange County1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 23, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were there on a Wednesday night, and it was only slightly busy, which was great for my group. Service and food were both excellent! I've been there on other nights, Th - Sat, when they have music, and it's more of a loud party if that's what you want. The BBQ here is the best in San Clemente! The in-house spirits and draft beer list are excellent.

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  5. jeff

    Salt Lake City9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 18, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Surprisingly good BBQ. Some of the best I’ve had. Excellent and engaging service. Really liked the lollipops appetizer. Cocktails were great. Overall very good food for good value and fun atmosphere. We had to leave before the music, looked like it was going to be good. Will definitely go back.

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  6. helena Gold

    San Diego25 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 18, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything our server Joey recommended was superb!!! Food was spectacular drinks were fantastic! Ambiance is great.

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  7. Rob Gold

    Los Angeles18 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 10, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great first-time dining experience. Food was really good, decent portions, excellent drink and fantastic service. With Lots of great food options, we will certainly come back again to try more items on the menu.

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  8. shannon

    Orange County1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 5, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service, excellent barbecue, fun vibe! Cornbread was amazing!!

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  9. donna Gold

    Sacramento9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 4, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Good food. Casual local hangout. Spirits are awesome. Server was friendly and knowledgeable, but a bit overloaded with tables.

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  10. Amy

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 27, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always delicious and you feel like a local just hanging out in your home town. Fantastic service, ambiance, and the food is amazing.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Barbecue
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress

FAQs

Yes, Drift is a great choice for date night. Guests frequently mention a fun, lively vibe with great cocktails, attentive servers, and live music on weekends, making it feel special without being overly formal. The distillery cocktails and whiskey flights add a unique twist, and the menu of shareable appetizers and smoked mains makes it easy to craft a memorable meal. For a quieter date, request an earlier seating or a booth.

Portions at Drift are generally generous and very shareable. Guests repeatedly note hearty entrees and large appetizers, the Family Platter is explicitly sized to feed 4–6, and several guests said single entrees and sides were filling enough to share. Expect substantial sandwiches, big platters, and sides that pair well family-style.

Yes, families and groups dine here frequently and guests report roomy booths and comfortable seating for parties. Several guests mentioned bringing kids and celebrating birthdays. If you need specific accessibility accommodations, call ahead so staff can confirm options and best seating for your party.

For a lively night with music and a buzz, go on Friday or Saturday evenings when bands and later hours draw crowds. For a quieter visit with quicker service, try weekday evenings or Sunday afternoons, guests noted Sundays and midweek visits were less crowded. Early dinner times also help if you prefer a calmer atmosphere.

Drift has a lively, welcoming vibe, part craft distillery, part BBQ smokehouse. Guests praise the fun, hometown feel, upbeat energy, and occasional live music; some describe it as a bit noisy at peak times. The decor is modern and open, making it a great spot for casual date nights, group outings, or a relaxed dinner with cocktails.

Casual dress is appropriate. Guests typically dine in relaxed, comfortable attire, the restaurant’s own listing specifies a casual dress code, matching the laid-back BBQ and distillery atmosphere.

Yes, families and kids dine here comfortably. Guests of all ages have enjoyed the menu, especially shareable plates and big portions; one guest specifically noted children enjoying tater tots. There’s not a dedicated kids’ menu listed, so families often share sides and sandwiches.

Busiest: Friday and Saturday evenings (live music and late hours) and popular weekend nights. Quietest: Sunday afternoons and weekday visits tend to be calmer, with some guests noting midweek dinners were less crowded. Early dinner times on any day usually feel quieter than peak evening service.

It depends on your goal: go Friday or Saturday for live music, a lively crowd, and late-night drinks; choose Sunday or a weekday evening if you prefer a quieter meal and quicker service. Guests consistently praise weekend energy and weekend music, while also noting Sunday and midweek are calmer.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Orange County
  4. South Orange County
  5. San Clemente

Make a reservation

A photo of Drift Distillery and Smokehouse restaurant

Drift Distillery and Smokehouse

4.9
$30 and under
Barbecue
San Clemente

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
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