A martini balanced on a golf glove against the ocean
Huntington Beach · Behind the 18th hole · Opening July 3

TheBACKSWING

A hidden bar opening this summer at the back of Playground. The lights go low, the night gets honest, and the seats are few. The list is the only way in.

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Opening July 3Friday & Saturday nights21 and overBehind the 18th holeReservations open MondaysLook for the brass Opening July 3Friday & Saturday nights21 and overBehind the 18th holeReservations open MondaysLook for the brass
21 + only

The only way through the door this summer.

The Backswing opens July 3 with a handful of seats, Friday and Saturday nights. Reservations open every Monday for that week, and they go fast.

Get on the list and you book first. Members get early access and the entry code before anyone else hears the door is open.

Limited seats. Soft-launch invitations go to the list first. No spam, just the password.

Request access
You're in.

Watch your inbox.

Booking opens to the list first. We'll send the password before the door does.

01The Story
Vintage golf stylingCourse before cocktails

Same family. Different hours.

By day, Playground is loud and bright and full of putters working the windmills. After dark, a door at the back swings open, the room goes quiet, and a different crowd files in.

The name's a triple play — the golf swing, the drink you knock back, and the bar's literal spot at the back of the building. Pick whichever one you like.

Brass, leather, candlelight, and a record older than you are. Twenty-one and over, evenings only.

"Knock back a drink. Or a few."

02The Card · Cocktails

Classics done right, with a few that aren't.

Our opening cocktail card, scored like a round. Full menu also available at the bar.

The Evening Round
$18
Whistle Pig 6, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, orange peel, cherry.
Par 4 · Hcp 7
Golden Tee
$16
Empress gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, Champagne, lemon twist.
Par 3 · Hcp 13
The Chauffeur
$16
Hennessy, lemon juice, Grand Marnier, simple syrup, orange twist, splash of tonic.
Par 4 · Hcp 3
The Dirty Divot
$18
Grey Goose, dry vermouth, olive brine, blue cheese olives.
Par 5 · Hcp 1
Front Nine Fling
$15
Bacardi, pineapple juice, grenadine, maraschino liqueur, cherry, splash of soda.
Par 3 · Hcp 15
The Green Jacket
$18
Basil Hayden, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, cherry or orange twist.
Par 4 · Hcp 5
Fairway Reserve
$16
Grey Goose, lime juice, simple syrup, cucumber, mint.
Par 4 · Hcp 11
The candlelit interior of The Backswing
03The Room

Lower the lights,
raise the glass.

One bar, no television, and a corner for live music on opening night. Green leather, brass worn smooth, candlelight doing most of the work.

It's the kind of room that makes you lean in closer and talk a little quieter. That's the point.

04The Card · Speakeasy Bites

Late-night bites and elevated classics.

Built for sharing across the table, or not sharing at all.

Steak Frites
$28
A classic finish to the round.
Skirt steak, fries, chimichurri sauce.
Par 5 · Hcp 2
On the Green Caprese
$18
Fresh, bright, and club-ready.
Tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella drizzled with a balsamic glaze.
Par 4 · Hcp 8
Skillet Meatballs
$19
Rich, savory, and built for sharing.
House-made meatballs, roasted tomato sauce, whipped ricotta, grilled crostini.
Par 4 · Hcp 4
Truffle Fries
$15
Simple, crisp, and always right.
Truffle fries.
Par 3 · Hcp 16
Margherita Flatbread
$20
A timeless favorite with a speakeasy twist.
Tomato, mozzarella, basil.
Par 4 · Hcp 10

Ask your bartender about tonight's specials.

05The Opening

Summer starts
at the back door.

The list gets first word on every date below.

Late Jun
Friends & Family
Soft launch weekend
Invitation only · a quiet test run before the doors open for real
List first
Jul 3
Thu · Grand Opening
Grand opening, with live music
Doors at 7pm · the first official night
Reserve via list
Jul 4–5
Fri & Sat
Opening weekend continues
7pm to late · the room settles into its rhythm
Reserve via list
06Visit

Hours & nights

Friday & Saturday
7pm to late
Sunday nights may follow

Reservations

Open every Monday for that week. The list books first. Your entry code arrives by email or text the day before.

Good to know

21 + only. Keypad & RFID entry. Cancellations within 24 hours are charged a $25 fee.

Where

Behind the 18th hole at Playground.
300 PCH #112
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Parking

Free 90-minute garage at 320 Walnut Ave, or paid street parking nearby.

The door

Unmarked, just right of the 18th hole. Look for the brass. If you know, you know.

Pre-reserve

Get in line for a night.

Tell us the night you want and we'll reach out the moment reservations open for your week. Pre-reserving holds your place in line — it's not a confirmed booking yet.

You're in line.

We'll be in touch.

When reservations open for your week, you'll be among the first to hear.