American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291

I was a member back when this was a great post. Just like I served in the Marines back when this was a great country. Both have gone to crap.
I took my wife and one of her friends there a few Saturday’s ago. My gate card must have been demagnetized or something because it wouldn’t work at the gate parking lot, but the very polite attendant checked my Legion ID and let me park. Went up to the back gate of the outdoor sitting area, and it didn’t work again. Someone was coming out, so we went in thru the open gate.
I was confronted and stopped by what I assume was a post officer demanding to see my ID and asking why I didn’t have a gate card. I explained to him and he continued to examine my ID card like it was stolen or a counterfeit. Finally satisfied, he gave me his blessing and as we started to look for a table, he looked at me like I was a moron and told me as if exasperated, that all non-​members have to sign some book. I’ve been going to this Legion for years, maybe that’s a thing, but I have never been told that. Not a big deal, but if it is a new thing, perhaps have a little patience.
Got a table and was enjoying a beautiful day at my Legion, when we were inundated by two couples and about 6 or 7 screaming 4^th graders. They were throwing sand at each other on the beach right next to the sitting area and just being totally obnoxious. After 20 mins of this they started jumping off the adjacent fueling pier and continued to see who could scream the loudest and be the biggest brat 10 feet from our table. (There are several big «NO this or that» Legion signs everywhere including no jumping off the fueling pier). One of the «parents» then started hanging dirty wet beach towels over the railing between the sitting area and the beach. Another member sitting in the back of the patio area ask him to remove a towel because it was blocking her view. He said something sarcastic and moved it.
I had enough so went to find the Legion Guard who had given us such a hard time, to have him talk to these disrespectful people and their kids. I told him the kids were being loud and obnoxious and jumping off the pier, which is apparently clearly prohibited of Legion guests on the Legion signs. He told me the pier was private property and there was nothing he could do about that or the kids being stupid. Wow.
I get grilled and treated like a criminal by some guy I have no idea who he is at my own Legion. Then we have to tolerate disrespectful people who bring in a bunch of unruly brats, which the same Guard won’t do anything about. And another Veteran who wanted to merely hold an unlit cigar (because smoking is banned outside now too) as well as me whose key card wasn’t working, get the 5^th degree.
I wish I had more time and lived closer so I could be more active, run for office and clean up what has become a disgrace. This Legion is for Veterans, period. There are others who may go there, but Veterans are what it is all about. They should be treated with the utmost respect and dignity, not hassled by whoever these appointees are, who are probably not even Veterans. If whoever is hassling us are Veterans, that makes this even more disgusting.
It is always a challenge to get to this Legion on weekends with traffic, but it has always been worth it, up until now. My daughter was married there and I attended awards banquets and was in honor guards there, so the place holds a lot of memories. Now, I have no desire to go back. That is a disgrace on every Legion Officer who has enacted these ridiculous rules and allowed the members to be treated like they are.
If I do go back and get treated the same way or have to endure disrespectful people, I’m not going to have the same «love your fellow Vet» attitude, especially when most of the people there and the ones being the biggest jerks probably aren’t even Vets. It high time for a little revolt at this Legion to enact some changes, or at least be heard. If I get booted I don’t care, it’s hardly the Legion it was anymore anyways, just another politically correct joke.

This Post keeps getting better and better. The food is fantastic! Dennis and Ulysses do a great job, as so the rest of the staff. Andrew works his tail off to make sure that you have a fantastic event and the bartender’s pour a stiff drink.
Those things along with the incredible Newport Harbor view make this a great place for your next event. Arrive on a boat? Get married on the beach? Top notch chef! The place is amazing!

The View is great and the food and drinks are good. I have been a member of this Post 291 for many years. They have a few jerks who think they are Chesty Puller always barking orders which becomes annoying.

Andrew, the events coordinator, is wonderful. He helped us plan my grandmother’s 90^th birthday party at this post. He emailed and phoned with us for months leading up to the party. He met with me the day before to do over last minute details, and he was very accessible the day of the gathering. He is excellent at his job. The location is, of course, beautiful. The sea breeze and harbor view are lovely. The food they served us was light and refreshing yet satisfying. They set up tables and umbrellas outside as needed. Great place for any party!

For the view, the serenity and the friendly people I would give this place five stars. Nothing like a gentle breeze brushing through your hair as you gaze past teetering masts to watch the silent parade of stately sailboats glide by. Since this is a club for veterans and their offspring, you can quickly get to know people. Impromptu conversations are common. In fact, we were offered a spot on a little jaunt out past Crystal Cove with a gentleman who kept his sailboat docked right beyond our table. We weren’t dressed for the occasion, so we declined, but reminded ourselves to always pack some sailing gear whenever we returned. On the whole, this is a more mature crowd, although this day the clientele ranged from 3 to 83 because there was a wedding going on at the back half of the broad deck. There are many events that occur here: dinners are hosted in the large event room and bands play here frequently.
The food is very reasonably priced, although service might not be stellar, as some other Unilocalers mentioned. However, due to the cozy atmosphere and the easy freedom to be had here, I would say this is a decent trade off. You are definitely not going to be shooed away from your table at any time. Stay there as long as you like, with a view most people would die for, and make some new friends if you are so inclined.

The comment from C G is right — this used to be a fun Post, but things have become less friendly and CONSIDERABLY more expensive in the last couple of years.
As a member of another Post, I visit 291 several times a year to eat and drink when I am in the area and occasionally will have a guest, or two, with me who are not eligible to join the Legion. I’ve always been sure to follow their sign-​in policy, but the last couple visits the security volunteer stood over me while I signed myself and my guests in as if I was a second-​grader who needed adult supervision. I’ve already shown my current membership card — how about affording me some respect? I’m here to put money in your coffers!
I have also just learned that their new sign-​in policy is that Legionnaires may sign in up to 5 guests, and Auxiliary and Sons may only sign-​in three guests. WOW — how full of themselves are the Legionnaires here? This type of elitism is what is killing off so many posts in this country. I guess the Sons and Aux are second class citizens at 291 — I wouldn’t be surprised if they start reducing their efforts at this post.
I no longer feel respected at this Post, so will no longer be visiting. Their Legionnaires need to understand that I may «only» be a Son, but if it weren’t for my father who served long before them they might just be speaking German right now. Because they served and I did not does not mean that I am any less a loyal, patriotic American than they are. What a shame!

I probably set myself up to be disappointed by assuming it would be more organized and professionally managed. I finally came to the realization this is essentially a volunteer organization and lowered my expectations considerably. If you look at it as simply a bar with average food and service but a terrific location, reasonable prices and free parking (if you’re a member) then it can be a fun and enjoyable experience. Forget what the web site says about operating hours; they seem to vary according to some whim. We arrived one Friday night for dinner and after waiting about twenty minutes approached one of the servers only to be told they’d just stopped serving. This was the same night we tried to book a reservation according to the procedure on the web site. I received an email a week later saying they could accommodate my request. I’m not making this up. Nevertheless, for all its shortcomings we still return a couple times a month. You just can’t beat the location.

What’s not to love about this beautiful location and fantastic Post?! Views, food and service, great people… on a scale of 1 – 10, 10 being best… it’s a solid 17!!!

Newport Harbor Post 291 in Newport Beach used to be a fun American Legion Post.
One of a kind and the best around!!! It’s not fun anymore.
Things started changing around mid 2014 and its snowballed since.
It’s expensive, unfriendly, rigid, snobbish, arrogant, and full of rules! My God the Rules!!! And you had better read them too!
This place is just odd. There are better places to enjoy looking at the boats! Much better!
Parking stinks and traffic is horrible just to get there.
They don’t have the best reputation in OC anymore among American Legion Posts. Thanks to social media the word is traveling fast that this post is not what it used to be.
As for using it for your parties, sure they’re good (and expensive) and they had better kiss your butt and cater to your every whim.
But overall they don’t treat their members right. I transferred my membership.
Life is too short!

What a great location. Had our wedding reception there, it was amazingly beautiful. The room is nothing fancy. However you can make it beautiful. The view is phenomenal. We had such a great time wonderful food, friends, and a fantastic band called Hollywood blonde who is known throughout the orange county and LA area it was so much fun. Love this place!
Thank you

Friday nights dinner and dancing band (s). Saturday bar open but no restaurant, facility available for rentals. Cook your own hamburgers available most of the time. Great lunch location overlooking the harbor. Lots of people on Friday nights having good food, great music with good friends. Typical menu has 5 — 7 items for dinner. Fish, meat, pasta, salads etc all prepared excellently.

Great food, decent service, good friends., awesome place! I highly recommend it if you are a member.

Love the American Legion Great food good service!

Always a good time… Great service And the food amazing… This IS a place to have an event… The building it’s beautiful pluss the view is amazing u can even get married in the little beach on the site of the building… On summer it’s pretty much pack everyday pluss they have plenty of weeding and events on weekends

Huge patio, bands playing on Sundays, it’s a Legion Yacht Club, how could you go wrong!!! Lower priced drinks, grill your own hamburgers or brats and they also have a menu at times too. Can’t beat this legion!

The members are very friendly which makes it a great place to hang out at for events. I went for Superbowl Sunday and a St. Pattys party and will definitely be back. Doesn’t hurt that it’s on the water great views. Food is yummy. Drinks are cheap can’t ask for anything more!

We had our wedding here this last weekend, and we couldn’t have asked for a better venue. Alex the event manager was so helpful and eager to assist us with any questions or concerns we had. He was attentive and very flexible. Although this space doesn’t seem to be the «prettiest» there is so much you can do with it to dress it up.

God Bless America and the American Legion.
Drinks are delicious.
The people are über friendly.
The food is always top notch.
The view is one of the best in OC

Best American Legion around! Great people, friendly staff and a setting like no other.
Thanks to all the veterans, supporting families and our current troops serving our country across the globe. You are not and will never be forgotten.
This place is the best on the 4^th of July and during the Christmas Boat Parade. It’s the cheapest membership club on all of Newport Harbor and it has the cheapest, stiffest drinks in town. Plus you can cook your own food when you want to feel manly.
One of Newport’s hidden gems… unless you are a patriot!

It is already the 5^th month of 2013 and no reviews written about Post 291. I am going to fix that!!!
This A.L. Post is situated on the Balboa Peninsula, looking across at the 1%‘s mansions on Via Lido Sud, Lido Island. Forget about those ungratefuls and enjoy the facilities of the American Legion while not forgetting that those ostantacious mansions are made possible by the service of the members of the Legion.
Strong drinks, friendly people, wonderful views of the harbor. What more could you ask for? It’s fun to sit in the patio and burn your own burgers and enjoy the company of real, not fake tea-​bagging, patriots.
I am a member of another Post now that I have moved from SoCal, but whenever I am in the area a visit to the Post is a must.