It’s about time we talked about downtown San Diego happy hours, folks. No matter if you’re grabbing a quick beer after work, on the hunt for some discounted bites, or just want to have a chill hangout while going easy on the wallet, we’ve got this round.
Here are 27 local places offering the best happy hour deals right now.
A Japanese Mule at Cloak & Petal.
Photo via Cloak & Petal
Keeping spirits up
The Smoking Gun | Weekdays, 3-7 p.m. | Specials at this trendy downtown spot include a $6 Japanese Highball, an $8 Mai Tai, and the $30, Instagram-worthy Punch Bowl — a drink served in a disco ball, made for four, featuring Absolut Citron, Absolut Pear, Aperol, ginger, lemon, grapefruit juice, bitters, and champagne.
Cerveza Jack’s | Weekdays, 4-6 p.m. | You won’t want to miss $6 beers (add a “good times, bad habits” koozie for $3), seasonal $9 cocktails like the Strawberry Fields with strawberry-infused gin, basil, lemon, and simple syrup, and $12 snacks.
Whiskey Girl | Weekdays, 3-7 p.m. | Sip on $5 well drinks, beer, or house wine and $6 seltzers, plus 50% off apps.
Cloak & Petal | Weekdays, 4-6 p.m. | Designed after the streets of Shibuya and Harajuku in Tokyo, this hip Little Italy restaurant offers discounted specialty cocktails, sake, wine, and draft beer, plus snacks between $3-$13, and specialty rolls. Try the Japanese Mule featuring iichiko Saiten, ginger, lime, and Angostura.
Off the vine
Rustic Root | Tuesday nights | Going up on a Tuesday. Pop the cork on half-priced bottles of select wines + soothing live acoustic music to wind down for the night.
Meze Greek Fusion | Sunday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. + Wine Wednesdays | Wednesdays are where it’s at here — $4 off glasses of wine, 3-6 p.m., $17-$20 wine flights, and 50% select bottles of wine, 6 p.m. to close. This spot comes highly recommended by SDtoday reader Linda L. who likes to go with her friends. Cheers, Linda.
Wet Stone Wine Bar | Tuesday-Saturday, 5-6 p.m. + Sunday, 4-9 p.m. | Wine and dine with $8 glasses of select wines and sangria, $26 select bottles, and the $15 House Blind Flight Trio — and add some small plates like the Mediterranean Olive Mix, Mango Salad, and Roasted Eggplant & Tahina.
Try the flavorful shrimp aguachile with avocado, cilantro + jalapeños. | Photo by @garagekitchenbar
Biggest bargains
Garage Kitchen + Bar | Tuesday-Sunday, 4-6 p.m. + Friday-Saturday, 9 p.m. to close | Grab your friends and park it at this rustic scene that is slashing prices in half with 51% off drinks — excluding top shelf + specialty drinks — plus $3 off appetizers.
Henry’s Pub | Daily, times vary | Enjoy $6 draft, house wines, and wells, plus snack specials on certain days, like the $4.50 Basket O’ Wings on Wednesdays.
Happy Does Bar | Thursday + Friday, 3-6 p.m. (except during Padres games) | Get more for less with $3 Crispy Chicken Sliders + Happy Sliders, six brands of $5 beers, plus $6 house wine and seltzer.
Hungry for meal deals
Gaslamp Fish House | Weekdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m. | The happy hour grub deals are plentiful here — by land and sea — including oysters on the half shell at $1.50 a pop, Truffle Fries with Parmesan for $7, and $4 specialty tacos.
Techo Beso | Wednesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | The new rooftop bar in the Gaslamp Quarter offers happy hour deals like tacos, brisket sliders, and guacamole — with snacks ranging $2.50-$9 — plus $5 Pacificos and $12 specialty cocktails.
Madam Bonnie’s | Thursday-Saturday, 3-6 p.m. | Come for the roaring 1920s vibes, stay for the seasonal happy hour deals, which include $5 Bonnie’s Blonde Ale, $6-$15 snacks, and food and drink combos like the $25 Baked Brie + Bottle of House Wine.
Queenstown Public House | Weekdays, 3-6 p.m. | Score $9 drinks like Beer Flights, a Moscow Mule, or Whiskey Sour, plus $8 snacks like NZ Chips & Dip and Sliders.
The Butcher’s Cut | Sunday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | Sip on signature, $8 craft cocktails like the SD Breeze (vodka, pineapple, lemon, soda), alongside
scrumptious bites like oysters, Seared Tuna, Yellow Curry Chicken Skewers, Mini Blue Lump Crab Cakes, and Avocado Toast.
Cafe Sevilla | Sunday-Friday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Pair your beer, wine, sangria, or craft cocktails with a wide selection of flavorful tapas between $5-$12 like the Spicy Octopus Ceviche and Queso Fundido. Don’t miss the tacos inspired by the flavors of Spain.
Rockin’ Baja Lobster | Mondays-Fridays, 3-6 p.m. + daily 9 p.m. to close | Chow down on a plethora of items for under $10, including street tacos, Mexican Street Corn, Chili Lime Fries, and the Ahi Tuna Tostada.
Weekday wildness
Gaslamp Tavern | Weekdays, 3-6 p.m. | Take advantage of $2 off drafts, specialty cocktails, wine, and apps + $5 off wells. Plus, check out additional special deals for each day of the week, like the $5 mystery beers on Wednesdays.
Don’t sacrifice variety — grab a beer, wine, or cocktail all for the same price. | Photo by @thefieldsd
The Field Irish Pub | Weekedays, 3-7 p.m. | Pair $6 draft beers, house wines + well cocktails with food specials ranging from $3-15, including Black & Blue Sliders, Irish Potato Skins, and Curry Fries. Plus, grab $2 off specialty cocktails and four appetizers in a $15 Combo Platter.
A margarita flight at Barrio Star.
Photo via Barrio Star
Barrio Star | Weekdays, 3-5 p.m. | We spy a margarita flight for $20, a margarita for $8, sangria for $8.50, and snacks starting at $5.
Barleymash | Weekdays, 3-5 p.m. | Indulge in half-off beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails at this cool hangout.
Kansas City Barbeque | Daily, 3:30-6:30 p.m. | This will take your breath away: The iconic “Top Gun” bar offers daily specials on draft beer and snacks. We recommend grabbing a pint and perusing the memorabilia from the movie — and, of course, taking a seat at Goose’s piano.
Late night gem
Taste & Thirst | Daily, 3-8 p.m. + 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Grab half off all drinks and beers in the early happy hour, plus $4 Chicharones and $5 Lemon Pepper Fries. Late-night happy hour boasts $5 Becky Seltzers, $7 Skyy Vodka, $25 select pitchers, and $9 nachos.
King & Queen Cantina | Monday-Friday, 11a.m.-6p.m. + 9 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday, 2-6 p.m. + 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Sundays 2-6 p.m. + 9-10 p.m. | Share a $30 Mr. Tempo Beer Bucket with friends or enjoy $12 margaritas, $8 sangria, and snacks galore between $7-13.
Lotus Thai | Friday + Saturday, 5-10 p.m. | Take 20% off sake bottles.
Glass Box and five other restaurants at Sky Deck are offering happy hour deals Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m., starting Oct. 1, 2023.
Photo via Glass Box
Toasting to other parts of San Diego County
Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands | Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. (starting Oct. 1, 2023 | Six of the food hall’s restaurants — Ambrogio15, Craft House, Glass Box, Marufuku Ramen, Understory, and URBANA Mexican Gastronomy & Mixology — have teamed up to offer happy hours deals. Try a cocktail at Understory at 50% off, $1 oysters from Glass Box, or deals on apps and drinks at Craft House.
Paradisaea, Bird Rock | Wednesday + Thursday, 4-6 p.m. (starting Sept. 27, 2023)
The new happy hour specials include 50% off signature cocktails, draft beer, and wine, plus $1 West Coast oysters. If you’re hankering for a snack, ask for the new bar menu, offering 50% off dishes like Fava Bean Hummus and the Dry-Aged Cheeseburger.
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