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Maxdons Cocktails
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9:30 am - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Maxdons Cocktails
Review Highlights
26 reviews in English
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Review from Leo M.
Palmdale, CA
Great food! Cheap drinks! Awesome customer service! Bartenders and servers are extremely nice! I give this place an A++
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Review from Stacy S.
Fremont, CA
This is a review for their food.
I must say, I am super impressed!!
I came here with my coworkers, not expecting much for a dive bar. I was super wrong!
The servers are very friendly. We were greeted really quick and bar service is very fast.
The menu is actually quite impressive. Besides steaks, they have other stuff like seared ahi tuna and swordfish.
All of my co-workers got the rib eyes, and I got the swordfish with chipotle sauce. For under $20, it comes with a soup & salad bar, and choice of a side dish, as well as garlic bread!!
The salad bar was stocked, fresh and clean. I would just recommend labels because I wasn't sure what dressing I was putting on my salad, and I wasn't sure what kind of soup the creamy stuff was (although it smelled deelish!)
The most impressive part of this dining experience is that the waitresses COOK the food! No really!! That is awesome. I saw them flipping steaks in between taking beer orders.
I am not much of a steak person, but had a bite of it, and I must say, it was on point. My swordfish was deelish.
Yes, this place is kind of in a time warp, but that's knd of what makes it so cool.
If I am in the area again, I will definitely be back!! -
Review from Jeremiah A.
California City, CA
I go here late at night after work. The staff are nice and they have bar food until late.
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Review from Aaron Z.
Lancaster, CA
This place is a smokers den. I walked in with some friends, the place was packed, standing room only, and we were the only three people that didn't have a lit cigerette in our hands. I'm surprised this place hasn't spontaniously combusted by all the burning embers. Unless you smoke and enjoy smelling like an ashtray. It's all you.
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Review from Kristine O.
Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful bartenders, good afternoon crowd, packed jukebox (but no Tool), live punk and djs on the weekends, real sense of community. No beer on tap, but they have cheap PBR tallboys. I dig they red leather seating and dim lighting. Clean! Inviting smoking patio. If it weren't for this place, I would have lost my mind when I moved into the neighborhood three years ago.
The folks there are friendly--belly up to the bar with a smile and a sense of humor. Be good to your bartenders and cool with the regulars, and you'll find yourself a new living room. -
Review from Brandon T.
Lancaster, CA
This is a really nice place in desperate need of a makeover (unless they got one since the last time I went). You don't have any obligation to dress up, smell nice or take pride in your appearance here...they don't care unless you don't buy drinks (or sneak in Miller High Life!) I have spent many fun nights on the patio smoking two packs in a night and throwing my life savings away on some drinks.
Pros:
Friendly atmosphere, small, not too packed (anymore at least) and "cozy".
Cons:
Too expensive, especially for the well drinks. I don't even think they use Popov in the "well cranberry vodka" cause it was horrendous. If they drop the price a bit I would come back more often. I started going to Bex and feel bad that it is devastating these nice little bars but I do prefer the place (Bex) over Maxdons.
Overall, this is the best little bar I ever went to (it was actually the first one I went to as a 21 year old so it holds a special place in my heart!) -
Review from Kris M.
Vallejo, CA
This bar was pretty cool. We went on a Saturday night so there was a live band. It wasn't very crowded but I'm assuming it was because it happened to be the weekend before thanksgiving. It has a really chill atmosphere, cool people who were nice and easy to talk to, and the drinks were good! I would definitely go back to this place again and bring friends. It's one of the only cool bars in Lancaster I have found!
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Review from Ruth K.
This bar (and restaurant) definitely harks to the 70s, bringing some nostalgia with it. First --- and I hate to be enigmatic but this is important --- when you walk through the door you will immediately know whether this is a good spot for you or not. If not, please quietly turn around, leave, and stay silent on the subject (don't ruin it for the rest of us).
It has that old 70s dive charm. Some of the food is great, some of it is mediocre, and a few items are awful. Lots of "regulars" at the bar and booths/tables. They advertise that they open for happy hour at 10:00 a.m.!!! My first experience with fried pickles. If you're in the mood for a "fried fest" then order their combo appetizer, keeping in mind it's huge and you may not have room for a meal to follow it. We tried the halibut (blah) and the shrimp (fine), but will go back again for what we should have tried in the first place, the rib-eye.
We tipped the waitress 30% just because she was also the bartender ... AND THE COOK !!! Can you imagine doing all that when the house is full ??? Plus she was really nice. Very eclectic, colorful crowd :) But they're very friendly even if you don't sport tattoos. They have about 6 TVs going with various sports events.
It's nice to see a place like Maxdons still sitting on its foundations, because dives such as this are quickly disappearing in America. They deserve patronage just to keep them in existence.
# # #
Few days later ... went back to try the ribeye steak. My spouse who is a picky eater told me he thought his steak was even better than what he gets at Black Angus. Surprised me. So I guess their steak is about as good as you'll get around town. Forget the stuffed potato, but try the shrimp cocktail instead. -
Review from Luis G.
Lancaster, CA
This place is awesome. Total dive bar with decent food, good drinks and hot bartenders. The crowd varies depending on the night you go. They do allow smoking inside so if you don't want to smell like smoke make sure to get there early and leave before 9 pm.
They make good, stiff drinks and they sell tall boys (22 ounce cans) of and PBR. Nothing on tap but good beer selection. Definitely worth checking out if your in the Antelope Valley -
Review from Shelby H.
Rockville, MD
Mellow, baby, mellow. Stopped in after a day full of meetings for a cocktail and some down time. It does feel like you've stepped back in time a bit -- from the red vinyl booths to the prices! I asked for a Manhattan, and a few minutes later the bartendress asked, "You wanted it up, right?" I said I did indeed, and she presented me with a large tumbler at least three fingers full of bourbon. Warm bourbon. I know I didn't ask for it ON the rocks, but I figured rocks might have been part of its making (and shaking). "I lied," I said, "I'll take it on the rocks, it's 103 degrees out." But hey, for a whopping $6.50, I felt fine, baby, just fine.
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Review from Jim W.
Smyrna, GA
I want to say "this place has an eclectic mix of people" but that's probably only true after I walk my straight-laced @$$ thru the door... most of the wait-staff and some of the customers are seriously tatt'ed and pierced... they're a good-looking, friendly crew.
The place is small and reminds me of a 70's lounge being dimly lit with low lounge chairs and tables in the middle of one big room with booths on one side of the room and a bar on the other. There is also a big screen TV tuned to the big game and a patio. Service is always quick and the drinks are poured strong. Although it's been a while since I've been there on a Friday or Saturday, the couple times I was there, the place was packed with a casual crowd.
All in all a good local bar with good service, strong drinks and a friendly crowd. -
Review from Marty M.
Lancaster, CA
After reading the positive reviews, we had to check this place out. This is the kind of place you drive by daily paying no mind to the wonder that lies inside.
We loved our experience and will be returning often. The food is wonderful and make sure to check out the Prime Rib Steak! The drinks were strong and tasty just like we wanted.
I imagine late nights on a weekend this place would be filled with an eclectic crowd of locals, see you then. -
Review from Pierre M.
West Covina, CA
This place is a diamond in the rough. From the outside it didn't look like much, but after stepping inside it was a real treat. My friend and I walked into this dive pretty early on a wednsday nite and thought we had taken a hot tub time machine back to the 70's. Dark hard wood, red leather booths, great music form the jukebox and a super friendly staff make this place great. It was pretty dead when we got there (7:30 ish) but by the time we left it had a decent crowd (10:30).
They have multiple TV's playing the games on one wall and an indoor grill where they grill up a mean old rib eye which would make any meat lover tear. The jukebox was connected to the internet so you could find pretty much any song, and it was constantly playing some great songs.
I ordered the rib eye dinner which came with an all you can eat salad bar, rib eye, couple slices of garlic toast and steamed eggies. Th server threw a huge thick slice of meat on te indoor grill and cooked it perfection, not usually a fan of steamed veggies, the veggies were tasty and not bland nor soggy. Cheese toast was excellent and would go great with some pasta.
My friend ordered their pineapple burger which came with a huge slice of pineapple and lots of fries. For the price, both meals were well worth it and if I am ever in this middle of nowhere town I will definitely be back! -
Review from holly r.
Vista, CA
Okay, so the drinks are waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy over priced. BUT, I love the lighting... kind of dark, with candles on each booth.... mmm... watch out for bums though.. it's on the shitty side of town and there are a bunch of cops patrolling avenue I so seriously watch out!!
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Review from Jeremy H.
Lancaster, CA
By far the best bar in town. The food is always good, the servers always friendly, and they have an endless supply of jello shots for Monday Night Football. My only gripe is that they have no beers on draft, only in bottles.
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Review from David T.
Orange County, CA
Always fun times at Maxdon's! Great seein old faces :)
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Review from Ruby C.
Simi Valley, CA
This is the best bar in town and the servers there are great!!!
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Review from Jared O.
Petaluma, CA
Gotta update! Just stopped by to the ol' drinking hole a few weeks ago and was surprised by a few things... they don't have a minimum for credit card use anymore. Now they charge a small fee per transaction. I was disappointed to learn that they stopped serving grolsch in the awesome tall bottles, but whatcha gonna do? It's a business and if they aint sellin, they aint makin puddin. Still the same ol lovable joint with all the same faces working there.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/24/2010
It's where punk meets swank. This bar accommodates a casual night out with good buds or a lonesome… Read more »
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11/24/2010
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Review from Kerri M.
Lakewood, CA
Drinks = strong! Meat = fantastic! Prices = can't be beat!
As others have said it does remind me of a 70's lounge, which I love, and the staff is absolutely wonderful... tat's, piercing's and all. -
Review from Ben D.
Lancaster, CA
I love this Bar. A step back into 1970. A lounge scene with a bite of punk rock attitude. We keep coming back for strong drinks and atmosphere. This is a great place to hangout withyour friends.
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Review from Jocelyn F.
Lancaster, CA
I have lived in the AV for all of 2 years : ) I moved from LA, so it was a HUGE change. Maxdons is the only bar out here that I LOVE!!! The bartenders are freakin' fabulous! I love the drinks... specially the big sticks the girls make for me... and yes, I guess I've become a regular. I have yet to have a meal there, I usually go just to have a few drinks, but when I try the food, I'll let you know. Great place to hang out... the bartenders are fun and converse with you. Can't tell you how great it is... you gotta go and experience it for yourself.
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Review from David B.
Los Angeles, CA
It has the vibe of a bar you would see in a Paul Thomas Anderson flick, San Fernando valley circa 1979. That's a compliment since this is the 661. You can ask your waitress where she got her tattoos and they even have a punk night. They have live bands occasionally, yet there is no room for a stage. The salmon salad was surprisingly edible. Once you walk outside you will see the Church's Chicken and Goodwill and quickly realize you are still in Lancaster!
Listed in: Best Dives in Lancaster, CA
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Review from Dan H.
Los Angeles, CA
They let you smoke inside so if you don't smoke you'll smell like it, the drinks are stiff, and the patrons are on the lower end of the tax bracket.
Not a bad dive bar. -
Review from jim b.
Lancaster, CA
Cook your prime steak on the indoor bbq. The petit ribeye is the best steak available in the area. It's too bad the place is located in crime alley. The service is very good if you like waitresses who are tattooed from head to foot. The drinks are like you poured them yourself...strong. And they even have Fat Tire. Yum.
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Review from Bill M.
Rancho Mirage, CA
Been back several times. Best Burger in the AV 1/2 Lb of juicy meat w/ all the fix-ens. Choice of salad bar, fries or Mac Salad (skip the Mac.) BTW only $6.95
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/23/2009
Great little bar. Went there for the Steaks. Recommended by my bank manager. Excellent steak… Read more »
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3/23/2009
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Review from lori d.
this is a pretty cool spot to play if you're in a band, they even paid us. i haven't been here otherwise, but id stop in to have a drink sometime. the steaks smelled excellent, i really want to try one soon.

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