{"id":412203,"date":"2026-07-25T19:04:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T19:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/412203\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T19:04:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T19:04:17","slug":"beloved-dana-point-restaurant-serving-iconic-california-cocktail-to-close-after-50-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/412203\/","title":{"rendered":"Beloved Dana Point restaurant serving iconic California cocktail to close after 50 years"},"content":{"rendered":"

An iconic harbor restaurant In Orange County<\/a> has promised to share the recipe for its signature mai tai before closing their doors for good<\/a> after a half century.<\/p>\n

Located in Dana Point Harbor, the Wind & Sea restaurant has been serving guests since Bob Mardian opened the doors in 1972 at just 24 years old, according to the Dana Point Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Last week, the restaurant took to social media share the sad news that its final day of service would be on September 15.\u00a0<\/p>\n

An iconic harbor restaurant In Orange County has promised to leave the recipe for its signature cocktail before they close their doors for good. Instagram\/@windandsearestaurant<\/p>\n

Located in Dana Point Harbor-with the beautiful Pacific Ocean as the backdrop-the Wind and Sea restaurant has been serving the community since 1972. Instagram\/@windandsearestaurant<\/p>\n

It is still unclear if Wind & Sea will relocate. Instagram\/@windandsearestaurant<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter more than five decades of unforgettable memories, it\u2019s time to share some heartfelt news with our beloved community,\u201d the announcement<\/a> read.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat began as a restaurant became a place where memories were made, celebrations were shared, and guests became family.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile our hearts are heavy, we are filled with immense gratitude for the incredible journey we\u2019ve been fortunate to share with you. The legacy of this place lives on through the memories created within these walls, the friendships formed around our tables, and the countless stories that will continue to be told.\u201d<\/p>\n

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In a later post, the popular spot teased that it would share the recipe to its iconic mai tai when a person asked for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s talk about the Mai tai recipe. That\u2019s what we all want to take home after W&S is gone forever,\u201d the post read.<\/p>\n

In response the shop replied: \u201cIt\u2019s coming.\u201d <\/p>\n

Mardian estimates that his restaurant has sold around 3.5 million of the fruity cocktail since the bar opened.<\/p>\n

On July 14, they shared the sad news that after more than fifty years they were closing up shop. Instagram\/@windandsearestaurant<\/p>\n

In a later post, the popular seafood spot teased it would share the recipe to the restaurant\u2019s iconic MaiTai, when a person asked for it. Instagram\/@windandsearestaurant<\/p>\n

Mardian vowed that they are going out in style, planning to auction off items from his restaurant including furniture, artwork and memorabilia. Instagram\/@windandsearestaurant<\/p>\n

Fans of the restaurant reacted on social media to the news.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up going to and working at restaurants in DP Harbor. It was always a special place to my family,\u201d one person wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe scattered both of my parents\u2019 ashes not far from W&S over a decade ago and I always say I\u2019m going to visit them and toast them with a Mai Tai. I\u2019m so sad that tradition will end,\u201d another added.<\/p>\n

Mardian said when he signed the lease in 1971 and opened a year later he was the first restaurant on the wharf and is the now the last original there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the lone survivor until Sept. 15,\u201d Mardian told the Dana Point Times.<\/p>\n

\u201cI signed the lease when I was 24, and here I am 54 years later. I\u2019ve had a good run.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy whole professional life, once I got out of college, has been with my own company that I started when I was 24,\u201d he added.\u00a0 I\u2019m proud of myself that I could do that at such a young age.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mardian vowed that the restaurant will be going out in style, planning to auction off items from his space including furniture, artwork and memorabilia.<\/p>\n

The closure comes amid a $600 million revitalization project in Dana Point<\/a> Harbor. Demolition is already underway along the waterfront buildings to \u201creshape the harbor into a more walkable, connected destination,\u201d per a press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It is still unclear if Wind & Sea will relocate along with other businesses in the area that are closing due to construction for the project.<\/p>\n

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