The Wayfarer
The Wayfarer is a small club and gastropub on West 19th Street on Costa Mesa’s Westside. The room has a long music history: it began as a dive called Club Mesa, then ran as Detroit Bar between 2001 and 2014, a concert focused bar with no kitchen. Restaurateur Jeff Chon reopened it as The Wayfarer in 2014 and added food service.
Justin and Courtney Suitor, who met at Detroit Bar in the early 2000s, took over in August 2023. The venue holds about 250 people and has hosted acts such as Stereolab and Alice Bag, with bookings that range across indie, punk, metal and country. Recurring nights have included no cover Monday residencies for local bands and Reggae Tuesdays.
Shows are 21 and over. The kitchen serves tacos, burgers, fried chicken and sandwiches, and the bar runs a cocktail program. Tickets for many shows are sold through Eventbrite.
Know Before You Go
- Venue type: Club
- Opened: 2014
- Operator: Independent (owners Justin and Courtney Suitor)
- Programming: Local and touring indie, rock, punk, metal, country and reggae, plus Monday local band residencies
- Ages: 21+
- Phone: 949-764-0039
This profile is part of The 824 Journal Guide to Live Music Venues in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Official Links
Sources
- Culture OC: Owning The Wayfarer is a homecoming for its new stewards
- Travel Costa Mesa: Live Music Venues in Costa Mesa
- The Wayfarer official site
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Venue Details
- Address
- 843 W. 19th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627 - City, State
- Costa Mesa, CA
- Capacity
- 250
- Indoor / Outdoor
- Indoor
- Standing / Seated
- Varies by Event
- Phone
- 949-764-0039
Amenities
- Food
- Full menu
- Drinks
- Full bar