Anthill Pub & Grille

The Anthill Pub & Grille has a decent beer selection, especially considering that it's located on a college campus. It is only one of two places in Irvine that carry Pliny the Elder (the other is at Whole Foods) among their rotating taps.Draft beers are $10 for a pint (Pliny pour is slightly less - 12 oz?), though they have a happy hour Mon-Fri from 5-7pm (I think) where the beers are $8.17. Yeah, random number, I know. Didn't try the food because I can't eat like I'm in my 20's any more. Great place to grab a drink if you find yourself going to UCI, though they are closed on the weekend. Parking is $4 an hour in the garage by the student center.

I graduated in 2012 so it was a blast from the past to return back to the pub. To my surprise, nothing has changed! It's much bigger than I remember actually. The rotating beers on tap have improved and they have good variety. They have a couple TVs playing all the sports. I can't believe how lucky UCI students are to have a place like this directly on campus. Let's keep this place alive and continue to support this local pub.

Oh Anthill Pub, it has been around since I started my undergrad here at UC Irvine in 2013. This is a long overdue review. This place hold so many memories in my heart from turning 21 back, getting together with friends, and celebrating special moments. This pub at UCI is a staple for not only undergrads, but also grad students and professors.Okay let's get to the point from a very honest experience & review. When I first started going to the pub in my undergrad, this place was always poppin' especially during happy hour and trivia Tuesdays. At some point the pub closed down for remodeling? and/or changed ownership? (Not 100% sure the reason) but given this was around the time of COVID-19 pandemic.Since the pub had reopened, the hours had changed and some of the selections of draft beer also changed as well. Of course due to inflation price also slightly increased. Everytime I come here I always get the stoner tots, I recommend getting an extra side of the cheese sauce since pub food is always good with beer. My partner really enjoys the Cali burrito but I think that's only available on the day menu not late night menu. It is a great place to also catch some basketball games or other sports game inside since they have TV's around. It's also a nice place to come get some drinks and study as well if you do not mind the noise level. I believe they still have happy hours from 4pm-7pm on weekdays, but the pub is closed on weekends.Something I did not know as an undergrad and wished I knew was how you are welcome to go into the pub if you are under 21 and purchase food, but of course you are not allowed to purchase drinks.

We were just wondering if they had some drinks on the menu, and the OLDER lady who was "helping" us rudely remarked, "I already told you guys we don't have it" when only one person in our group was told that information. She also didn't believe my ID was real even though I gave her my real ID and student ID to show that it is me. All of the other times I've been to the pub the staff have been helpful and kind. The OLDER today was rude and condescending. I don't know if I'll be back if she's working...

Great place to get decent prices on really good beer! Highly recommend getting a pitcher. The variety in beers is pretty good and also changes depending on the season.The food is great bar food, but not so great lunch food if you get what I mean. Recommend the Stoner tots to share!

For a pub that's conveniently located on the UC Irvine campus, the location does not get any better than this. I've been here a few times before and after the management change and a few noticeable changes:* they now take credit card (not that it's a big issue when you have a plethora of ATMs just steps from the door)* prices have gone up on both drinks and food* food quality isn't as great as it used to be - fried zucchini (see picture) - was oily and soggy. Portobello mushroom melt (picture) was decent - but would've liked fries instead of the rock-hard potato chips that came with it.* none of the prior-change staff work here anymoreOne of the most noticeable changes is how empty this place gets on what should be their busier nights. Weekends used to draw a decent sized crowd, but it seems those people are finding elsewhere to go. It's good they still retain the "theme" nights such as Karaoke on Saturdays or Trivia on Tuesdays.The management change definitely took with it a bit of it's character and what made the Anthill Pub, "our" pub. Still, it's a good spot to grab something if you need to unwind, yet stay on campus.

Sadly, the beloved Anthill Pub will be closing July 26th since UCI opted to not renew the contract. Figured the best way to express my gratitude would be to write this review. So here we go! Thanks, Anthill! I was already pretty ecstatic to finally attend a university with a bar on campus. My expectations were initially low as I was an under the impression that such establishments thrived more from the convenience rather than the quality of beer on tap. Anthill Pub completely shattered my expectations as they boasted a rather respectable rotating selection of local (and not so local) craft beers! I took solace knowing that I could pop in and possibly drink beers from Ballast Point, The Bruery, Founders, Russian River, Alpine, or even Almanac.Occasionally, I would stop in after class to celebrate a job well done or just grab a beer after a rough day as a TA. I still reminisce about those epically hilarious karaoke nights with my classmates or those awesome-as-heck tap takeovers. The free pint on your birthday was also a nice touch. Food generally left something to be desired. While average food and stale tortilla chips will certainly fill you up,they make for a mediocre dining experience. Still, I'm pretty bummed out that I'm unable to make one last visit. I'll miss this pub. Shoot, I may even miss those crappy stoner fries too haha!ZOT ZOT ZOT!

This place has deleted many of the bad reviews on yelp since it was bought out; Surprise! It was once the heart of great brews, conversation, and intimacy in a time when people's heads were glued to their phones. My colleagues and I would frequent the pub even after we graduated as it was the best bar in Orange County. UCI granted the contract to the space to Aramark, who has since been a dementor or succubus of sorts for "soul" of a restaurant. Many of the students have left campus since this catastrophe and I just wanted to kick some skeletons out of the closet to remind UCI that many times, the independent places will always be remembered for their hospitality and unique ambience and you can try to trick people but your gross business practices are carved in the minds of many alumni. Long live the pub.

Loved this place in college...wish they opened on the weekends so alumni can stop by and enjoy.

This place is not what it used to be. Came back here as an alum couple days ago. The whole community vibe is gone. Place is dead. Staff are rude. Lastly, the beer selection and food are all meh.