ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LA’S TOP HAPPY HOUR HOT SPOTS
HAPPY HOURS!!!
These are some of the Best Happy Hours in Los Angeles. Try out amazing food at nothing prices. Get buzzed on the cheap & go sample crazy. Tons of fun, good Cali vibes. Read on & take a look at what some of these spots have to offer.
(Tap on the pictures or the links below to go to their websites)
CHAYA DOWNTOWN LA
Photo courtesy of CHAYA Restaurants
Located in the heart of the Downtown business district, Chaya has become a mainstay among area office workers and the pre-theater crowd, making it an ideal happy hour haunt. Calamari ($6) sounds deceptively simple, but is fried crisp with just the right amount of breading, and pairs perfectly with a jalapeño aioli. Otherwise, the best bets are the fresh sushi rolls, served in generous portions, such as spicy tuna ($6), shrimp tempura ($7), seafood tartare roll ($7) or inside out albacore ($6).
Happy hour cocktails ($7) run the gamut from a classic gin Martini to the more exotic Seeing Double, with blood orange and lavender-infused tequila, plus lime and pomegranate juice.
Happy hour is available weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the bar and lounge areas.
Chaya Downtown LA525 S. Flower St., Downtown213.236.9577www.thechaya.com/downtown-la
THE CHURCHILL
Gougeres, gruyere and garlic chives | Photo by Michael Jackson, courtesy of The Churchill
Located adjacent to the Orlando Hotel, The Churchill draws just as many loyal locals as LA visitors. The gorgeous patio, central location and solid menu play a part in the repeat business, so the happy hour is almost a cherry-on-top bonus. Grass-fed beef sliders ($7) are filling, as is the duck sausage pizza ($10), and the gougères and duck-fat popcorn are an ideal complement to lip-licking cocktails ($7) like a traditional, non-blended Daiquiri, Margarita or Old-Fashioned.
Happy hour is available throughout the restaurant daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Churchill
8384 West 3rd St., West Hollywood
323.655.8384
www.the-churchill.com
1886
Pork belly | Photo by acuna-hansen, courtesy of 1886 Bar at The Raymond
Tucked away inside the Raymond Restaurant, 1886 has created its own identity through a top notch mixology program first launched by Marcos Tello, and a special menu of savory bites specific to the bar. All food items are discounted by $2 during the “parlor hour,” including small snacks like fried spuds and papadums (all normally $6) to roasted lamb neck or yellowtail collar (both usually $12). The daily bartender’s cocktail selection is Hendrick’s gin-based ($7), and the punch ($6) can be as straightforward as sangria or something much more complex. Happy hour runs daily from 5 p.m.to 7 p.m.
1886
1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena
626.441.3136
www.theraymond.com
TRATTORIA NEAPOLIS
Photo by Franck Noack, courtesy of Trattoria Neapolis
In a beautiful, bi-level space adjacent to the Shops on Lake Avenue retail complex, Trattoria Neapolis has quickly become a local favorite for modern Italian. Both food and beverage specials on the “aperitivo” menu are all priced at an unbelievable $5. Among mini pizzas from the wood burning oven, imported from Naples, are a basic margherita, along with a compelling smoked pork shoulder, layered with taleggio, caramelized onions and sage. Bar bite duos include deli-style tongue sliders and the hearty short rib “manwich” sliders. Cocktails are also serious business, courtesy of mixologist Vincenzo Marianello, such as the tea-infused Old Fashioned and a classic gimlet. Available in the bar and lounge, aperitivo runs weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Trattoria Neapolis
336 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena
626.792.3000
www.trattorianeapolis.com
FIG
FIG kale and squash | Photo courtesy of FIG
FIG at Five is a singular hour in which most everything on the menu, except steaks and the “feed me” tasting menu, is available for half-price. This includes cheese and charcuterie plates, snacks, starters, entrees and desserts, plus beverages. Considering chef Ray Garcia’s focus on farmers market fare, dishes change quite frequently, making it a huge draw for foodie regulars. Among seasonal items worth a whirl are the super fresh kale salad (normally $16), the beautifully seasoned romanesco (typically $10) and the sweet butternut squash with spiced marshmallows and pepitas (also usually $10). For dessert, don’t miss the house-favorite peanut butter crunch bar (normally $11). Happy is available Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. only.
FIG
101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
310.319.3111
www.figsantamonica.com
A-FRAME
A-Frame double cheeseburger | Photo by Eric Shin, courtesy of A-Frame
Along with Waterloo & City and Corner Door, A-Frame anchors a trio of gastropubs along the western edge of Culver City. Distinguished by its unique, pitched roof, A-Frame is part of Kogi BBQ chef Roy Choi’s emerging culinary empire, and the food is as imaginative, yet approachable, as the architecture. The massive double cheeseburger ($7) combines a seemingly chaotic array of toppings—sharp cheddar, tomato confit, pickled red onions, hot sauce and sesame mayo—into a series of beguiling bites that are each a little different and a lot decadent. But be sure to start with the heirloom pickles ($3)—more like a creative play on crudités—with pickled apples, carrots and more. Also, try one of three cocktails ($7), such as the Backwoods, comprised of bourbon, applejack, maple and bitters. Happy hour takes place Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the restaurant.
A-Frame
12565 Washington Blvd., Culver City
310.398.7700
www.aframela.com
Waterloo & City
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Stop by A-Frame’s two neighboring restaurants for a proper happy hour bar crawl. Waterloo and City’s twice daily happy hour is also from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and again from 10 p.m. to midnight, except Sunday, when it runs 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eclectic appetizers include the rich chicken liver mousse ($6) to Indian butter chicken flatbread ($8) and even a sticky toffee pudding dessert ($5). Check out the “pub-tails,” too.
Waterloo & City
12517 Washington Blvd., Culver City
310.391.4222
www.waterlooandcity.com
The Corner Door
Apple cider-glazed wings | Photo courtesy of Thirsty in LA
Adjacent to Waterloo and City, The Corner Door also does happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., including addictive crispy chickpeas and almonds ($3), as well as apple cider-glazed wings ($7). Classic cocktails like Margaritas and Moscow Mules are also $7.
The Corner Door
12477 Washington Blvd., Culver City
310.313.5810
www.thecornerdoorla.com
BOUZY
Photo courtesy of Bouzy Gastropub, Facebook
A South Bay favorite, but little-known outside of its Hollywood Riviera enclave, Bouzy sports a casual, family-friendly vibe early on and then fills with more of a traditional bar crowd as the night progresses. Fortunately, there’s a happy hour for each. The food menu changes frequently, but includes both nibbles ($3), such as a delightfully creamy and crunchy egg salad on rye or roasted Brussels sprouts in balsamic, as well as “bigger bites” ($5) like chile verde with slow-braised pork, or a dinner salad of mixed greens with shaved fennel and apple. Cocktails like the Bouzy Hurricane are $4 each, and eight-ounce quartinos of food-friendly wines are only $5. Both happy hours take place daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.
Bouzy
1611 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach
310.540.1222
www.chezmelange.com/eat/bouzy
The Eveleigh
(Coming soon)
Also coming soon:
St.Felix
Bin73 (Washington Blvd // Marina Del Rey)
Tekilla Cantina
District 21
The Tavern on Hollywood