Commonwealth Lounge & Grill

I had an after work party here one night a few years ago. I liked the ambient vibe and the low-​rise bar… kind of different. Good dance music if you like that, very loungy and low lit. Nice classy place if you get enough people in there. I’ve only been there when it was not packed which i actually prefer. Great service and great cocktails! Go here with a group.

So I’m sure the food is awesome and all but they have a serious issue with the security guards charging entrance fees for some and not others.
It’s not cool. They made the guys in my group pay a cover fee and then I watched 10 other guys get in for free. Like wtf!?! I hope that money was at least going to the owners of the place not the bodyguards.
All I’m saying is be fair charge everyone or don’t charge anyone.

There was a time that I would have given this place 5 stars, but they have gone downhill big time. Just like everyone else is saying, the bartenders are rude as hell and the bouncers are all on a major power trip. Probably got nowhere in life and took this job to get their kicks picking on college kids. Pathetic. I hate to give 1 star cuz I know it’s bad for business but management needs to get their shit together and fire the majority of their staff cuz they lost a lot of business from me and will lose a lot more. Plenty of better places in DTF.

I’m surprised this place has an overall 3 star rating. I wish it was possible to give a zero star rating. Rude staff, terrible service and everything is overpriced. I’ve been to this place twice and both times it was a horrible experience. The first time was equally as bad as the second but I figured I would give it a second shot just in case. Everything you read about the rude bouncers and terrible customer service is true. I’m not sure what ownership and management is thinking with so many other great places to go to in Fullerton. I wouldn’t waste your hard earned money or time at this overpriced and rude establishment. The bouncers and management are way too cocky. They are only asking for trouble with the way they act. Unfortunately, ownership will probably never read this.

I went to Downtown Fullerton for the very first time about 2 weeks ago. And Commonwealth was the first bar I went to for the night. I loved the atmosphere of the club, the music and the price of the drinks were reasonable. It got pretty packed, although it was a Saturday night but I’m for sure going back!

This might have been a good place to take my lovely wife but… one of the rude staff members kept pestering us. First we were told that we couldn’t stand in an area. Then after dancing we sat down for a breather at the same place we sat prior while enjoying some conversation and drinks. Only to be told that these tables were for bottle service. No one was getting bottle service in the entire place. It’s mostly a college crowd in the DTF on the weekends. So we left never to come again.
A note to the management staff this place needs to put signs up on the tables and booths that are «Bottle Service» if you don’t want patrons to sit there.
PLEASE direct the staff not to touch people when asking them to move. I had to push this clown away and remind him just that.
He’s the Short Hispanic guy with pooly shaved head, bad breath and dressed like a hoodlum.

Went here based on reviews and Unilocal’s rating. Ended up here around 7:30 and the place wasn’t even open! Apparently their hours have changed, but no one bothered to update anything about that. Instead of 5PM-​2AM they are now 8PM-​2AM? Ended up going down the road to Hopscotch, had great food, great drinks, and an awesome night. Definitely worth walking a few doors down, rather than waiting on a place that can’t even get their hours right!

Terrible service as soon as I walked in the door, I Turned around and walked out. To many other bars in Fullerton to go to. Next!

There manager jeff needs to go… Sooo im texting minding my own business talking to to a bouncer chilling and then this short dude who looks like he was in charge of the bouncers comes up to me and starts telling me something. Now im active duty military with a hearing disability and i couldnt hear what he was saying. I told him what? And then he said thats it get him out of here and takes my drink away. This was the first bar and second beer i drank there so i was definitely sober enough to have a conversation with the guy but alas he was too hard headed or arrogant to listen to me. Talk about being unprofessional granted i know its late and they do there best to maintain there customers but talk about napolean syndrome i wish i got his name but he was was like 5′ 3″ tan slicked back hair with a button up shirt. I really wish there management would work on who they hire, probably some more educated people who know how to talk to folks. Thanks for making my welcome home from deployment night special fuck tard. Oh well never coming back plus the place smells like vomit.

Wayne is the best bartender ever !!! Commonwealth is one of the best bars in Dtf. The security is the best and the bartenders are really nice. Strong drinks and good service.

Had my birthday here a few weeks back and forgot to review, so here it is.
I was a bit skeptic coming here because of all the reviews I read here on Unilocal-​but I liked the set up and it was a convenient location for all my friends.
I initially went by around 4 but the sign read open at 5 thursday friday and Saturdays. So I called the number provided-​I don’t remember the guy’s name but he is the manager-​I let him know I was inquiring about having my birthday and he was extremely helpful. I told him I wanted a few bottles and my own space, chatted a bit and booked the date-​I did not have to provide deposit-​which was awesome. He said I xould bring in my own food and cake at no charge as well-​FABULOUS!
Day of — I got there at 7 to set up… Obviously totally dead but the music was on and bartender was there.
My birthday started at 9, a few people had came in and I was worried it was going to be dead…
As my group started arriving, I was already getting a bit tipsy, lol. Hey, it was my birthday so don’t judge.
11 came around and DJ arrive, more people started arriving and it started to get good.
I had my own 3 sections, bartenders were great. Security, totally accomodating and checking on us. Then the manager arrived and introduced himself to me, super nice and gave me a break on ordering more.
All in all, I had a fabulous birthday… Crowd was mixed and music was off the hook with a good sound system… Everyone was having fun. drinks are standard around $ 8 – 12. Security only flashes their lights at people who are in the way of walk ways and you do not have to buy bottle service to get a seat.
Only complaint is bathrooms are a bit messy and booths need some re upholstery but other than that, it was great
I ordered bottle service, 2 bottles of vodka, 3 bottles of champagne, 3 buckets of beer =$ 400…
I will definitely come back to this place for a night out.

This review is after the managers comment (Jeff) of «I don’t give a Sh*t if you put it on Unilocal» So here you go.
Let’s begin,
A few months ago I came to this place for a drink when they have the club/​bar around 11pm. I’ve always liked coming here but I noticed the management looked different. Either way I was having a good time. Only had one drink and enjoying the music. I noticed a very young security guard flashing his flashlight in peoples faces and frequently telling people to move by touching them. (Mostly girls) I can tell he was very inexperienced which tells me the bar was probably hurting for security guards. I didn’t agree with the way he did his job but it’s a bar and he’s probably new. So I ignored it.
Later on this same security guard comes up to me while I’m having a drink and tells me «tell him not to stand in the walking section» wait a second… This guy wants me to tell another guest where to stand? Someone I didn’t even come with. Isn’t that your job??? I don’t come to a bar to tell someone where to stand or not stand. THATS A SECURITY’s JOB. Not a customer’s. I knew right away this kid didn’t know what he was doing. He looked about 18. Scronny little guy. I felt sorry for him. I replied and told him that’s your job not mine… And he replied I saw you talking to him. I wasn’t going to continue arguing with this kid. I just shook my head in disbelief and walked away.
I later see him talking to a guy that seems to be in charge. I wait for them to stop talking and ask the guy if I can speak with him for a second. He says sure and introduces himself as the manager (Jeff) I tell him that his security guard wants me to deliver messages to people and do his job for him. I know I’m kinda a big guy 6“3 281lb but that’s his job not mine. I also tell him I seen him frequently grabbing women when they are not looking. This security guard is coping a feel every chance he gets. He replies «he’s doing his job». I told him maybe you didn’t understand me. He’s grabbing girls and telling me to tell others where not to stand. I don’t come here to be a security guard nor to train new ones. He then says «Ok, I will talk to him». I replied thanks, I like coming here and prefer to bring it to your attention rather than posting it on Unilocal like most people. He then replies «I don’t give a Sh*t what post on Unilocal» I said excuse me? He repeats it. This guy could not have been the real manager. He was about 5’5 120 pounds dark skin Latino with little man syndrome. I told him So you wanna go from professional to ghetto huh? Ok. I put my drink on the floor. And the little scronny security guard quickly started calling for back up. I had them shook just by putting my drink down. I saw what the scronny security guy did so I started walking out. As I’m walking out 3 security guards are running in like they are about to stop a serious fight. I stop all three of them and told them relax that’s for me. I’m walking out. It was a bald Caucasian guy who seemed proffesional and a little fat Latino with a thick mustache. The little Fat guy wanted some action because he was touching my back telling me to get out. This guy wouldn’t last 15 seconds on his feet with me. But that’s not the point, the point is I got escorted out for bringing up a concern to management that involved a security guard touching women inappropriately. Then was told to post this review by the same management because they didn’t give a Sh%#.
To any surrounding bar/​restaurant owners:
If you want management to be professional the first 30 seconds and then say they do not give a Sh*t to your customers when bringing a concern to their attention; Then remember the name Jeff from commonwealth lounge and grill.
As far as their bartenders: They were all very professional.
I hope this review helps future guests and management.
And I do mean Future management.

This place is definitely one of my favorite nightlife bars in Fullerton. The music is always good and the drinks are pretty strong. I definitely love the ambiance here. I also give them 5 stars because the manager found my iPhone 6 and took the time to call the number that popped up on my iPhone and let me that he found my phone, so I picked it up and I recovered my phone thanks to the wonderful manager. He made me love this place even more.

I’ve never eaten here but I’ve been here a bunch of times. This is usually the go to spot for me and my friends when we get bored and want to go somewhere easy. I think it’s $ 5 for guys to get in, I don’t remember. It’s dark and dim and usually theres a table open if you get there earlier. They some times have a live band. which i hate… or the DJ plays 90s music and current music and people are usually dancing. We sometimes go next door but usually not. I like it because it’s away from the smoking area so it never smells like smoke in there. The bathrooms sometimes need more attention but theres never much of a line and I like that the entrance is kind of hidden. It never gets annoyingly crowded.

This place would get zero stars if it were possible. Last night I arrived to this establishment with a group of about 20 or so people. We were able to walk in because not many people were there. I had a jack and coke which was ok… the dance floor was a decent size and they had multiple empty booths. My fiancé and I sat down in one of the booths that did not have a reserved sign on it and a bouncer came and told us we had to move unless we purchased a bottle. we saw people with buckets of beer so we asked if we could purchase a bucket to sit at the table and one bouncer told us you couldn’t purchase a bucket of beer unless you purchased a bottle which we knew was a lie. So anyway we find another bouncer a very tall bald Caucasian guy who was nice and allowed us to purchase (by the way when buying bottle or beer service it’s cash only which is sketchy but whatever) so we get the beer and we are fine. At this point I have been to the women’s restroom several times. It’s filthy of course but the worst part is I asked for paper towels to be replaced on three separate occasions and they never were replace so I had to walk back in their little kitchen and get ripped off a piece of paper towel to dry my hands. Other women were just walking out without washing. They also didn’t have any seat covers. OK to the RIDICULOUS part of the night. We wanted to purchase another bucket of beer so we ordered I had to get cash out of their atm which charged about a 3 $ service fee. I come back and start to hand the money to the manager and my fiancé didn’t recognize the guy as the manager and thought he was trying to make a pass. He just said «hey man what are you doing?» And then the manager just went ape crazy on us. He told us he didn’t need our business he has people in there spending thousands of dollars and proceeded to throw us and the entire party out of the lounge. I tried to diffuse the situation and ask if we could just purchase our beers and let it go and he proceeded to want conflict. For me it wasn’t professional at all and he appeared to have little man syndrome (when a short guy feels the need to act tough to prove himself) so after he refused to settle the situation. He said he was going to call the police and tell them we stole the beers! I’m like you are putting us out I’m not paying for these beers you opened and are refusing to let us drink. So then this fat not buff. FAT black guy comes over… he has a sheriff’s badge and handcuffs so I’m like oh let me explain to you the situation. He’s like no you gotta go. So I’m like excuse me you are suppose to sheriff where is you sheriff’s department located and he told me he didn’t have to answer any questions and put his fake badge inside his shirt. So not only is the manager a complete ego self centered maniac, he has sheriff impersonators! I told them I would be calling the sheriff’s department in regards to this and also placing this Unilocal review. I think they get a lot of college students so they think they can treat people any kind of way. Also when walking out a group of ladies were trying to ask him about getting in and he slammed the door in one of their faces. I told them what just happened and they walked away!
So note to the little guy… just because you have a lot of business one day doesn’t mean it will keep coming so you need to humble yourself and maybe brush up on your customer service skills. Also as a manager who has someone spending «thousands of dollars» you may want to invest in a blazer and tuck your shirt in… typically that’s what real managers/​owners do. Also everyone isn’t dumb so please don’t have anyone wearing a fake sheriff’s badge in your club claiming to be the law… it’s stupid and goes to show you have no real control. Also if you have so many people spending «thousands» I find it strange that almost every table had buckets of beers instead of buckets of bottles!
Oh and their liquor display needs some work.
I think that is all… horrible experience and I will never be returning and will be sure to share my experience with everyone.

First time to the place on a Friday night. It was crowded but it seemed like a nice place from outside. The bouncers/​security there have no idea what they’re doing. They kept flashing bright light in your face in the pretence of clearing a walkway to the restroom. As though people cant find their own way to the restroom! Once by accident I stood in their glorified walk of fame to the restroom and was texting a friend directions and the bouncers got in my face, used abusive language and threatened to throw me out if I ever stood in the walkway again. These guys were pulling authority like they own the place except they had zero ability to control the crowd where they needed to. Drinks are just about okay for the price, so all in all a poor experience.
I dont plan on going there again and would recommend you good folks not to waste your time going there either.

This is probably one of my favorite places to hang out and have appetizers and drinks! I really indulge in the ambiance of what this place has to offer and the staff her are pretty cool too.
My favorite appetizer is the chicken fingers which comes with a out of this world hot sauce along with some cucumbers, odd combination right? But it works for me!
They have live bands playing here during the week and on the weekends it turns more into a bar night club
Definitely bring your friends and chill!

It had been a while since I last visited this place and thought we would stop by for a quick bite. Big mistake. We arrived at 7pm and they just opened. We were told that the menu only consisted of appetizers… no problem… however, as we began ordering, we found out that half of the items were unavailable. They apparently «did not receive their bread shipment yet», so all sandwiches were unavailable. WTF!!! They also «ran out» of a few other items. So we settled with the tater tots and chicken skewers. 45 mins (I kid you not) later, the food came out! We were the only ones there. Unacceptable. The server apologized and said that food wasn’t their thing. It is mainly a bar and nightclub… then you shouldn’t serve food at all then!!! Will not return…

There are a number of reasons this place meets the one-​star level, but to point out one reason, our server and bar-​tender took 30 minutes to serve us our food, mixed up the food order, forgot that we ordered drinks, and had the nerve to ask us why our tip wasn’t more generous. Take a guess.
This is a very unwelcoming, seedy establishment.

August 23, 2013-​Friday Night
Came here last Friday night with the bf so he could wish his friend a happy birthday. Before we walked in, we decided to dine at CHOMPS. OMG… so good. Anyway, as we entered, the place quite decent. The choice of music was okay, but one of the things that disturbed me is that a Bruce Lee movie was on! Wait a minute… it’s 11pm and there is a Bruce Lee film on… with no volume… only club music. Hang on there… isn’t this place a LOUNGE?
Yes– this place is sort of loungy… but the music is so loud that it’s utterly impossible for a conversation to commence. All I could do was stare at the screen figuring out what Bruce Lee film it was. I concluded that I know nothing of the film.
Bar– getting to the bar was IMPOSSIBLE. I would have to crawl up and down, slide through people and worm my way through the unbreakable wall to get to the bar. Notice how I didnt’ say «to the bartender»? Well, that’s because I wasn’t able to see one around. Why, you say? Because the barternders were all in the corners of the bar.
Aftermath– Bf and I only stayed for a quick 10, perhaps 15 minutes and we bounced out of there.
Sorry Commonwealth Lounge, I tried… but It’s hard to have fun when you got a movie on and the impossible wall of humans blocking me from the elixr of goodness that would make my body move and grooooove. hahahaha

I was intrigued by $ 10 prime rib. Came back on Saturday at 6:00 pm. They told me dinner was at 7 pm and the prime rib wasn’t ready. I pointed out the fact that the sign said prime rib was available every day from 5 pm to 10 pm, and they said it wasn’t ready. Ignoring the fact that I saw dirty dishes on one of the other tables with what was left of a prime rib, I ordered a flatbread appetizer to pass the time. The waitress then told me that they were all out of flatbread.
Needless to say, I walked out and ate next door at the Kentro Greek Café.
The lounge is small, I’ve been here on a friday night and the music is a throwback from the late 90’s and early 2000’s. It was a good time, but the bar was sticky and I thought the drinks were light on alcohol.
Zero stars for the dinners service, 2 stars for the lounge-​feel.