Everybody loves a good happy hour and San Diego can boast a plethora of food and drink specials that are perfect for the cost-conscious local and the budget-savvy visitor. Whether you are visiting for business or pleasure, here are my picks of the best happy hours in San Diego.
*Psst! The ones with an asterisk are perfect if you are entertaining an out-of-town client.
Downtown/Midtown
- Analog offers happy hours every night of the week! My fave is ‘Totcho Tuesdays’ (4 p.m. to Close) with $2.22 PBRs and half off totchos.
- Ra Sushi has happy hours Monday – Saturday, 3 – 7 p.m, and $2 – $7 select sushi, apps and tapas.
- La Puerta has one of the best happy hours in downtown. There are regular and late night happy hours! You get more bang for your buck here with half off apps and drinks (Monday – Sunday, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.) Late night happy hour is on Wednesday – Sunday, 10 p.m. – Close.
*Starlite is nestled in quaint Midtown. Their happy hour is offered Monday – Saturday, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (Fridays they start early at 4 p.m.). Expect $4 draft beer, well drinks and amazing cocktails!
Hillcrest/Banker’s Hill
- *Wet Stone is my favorite wine bar in San Diego! This locals-only type bar is a perfect setting for a low-key business meeting. Their happy hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 5-7 p.m., and Sunday, 4-6 p.m. Wet Stone is closed on Mondays.
- *Mister A’s is the perfect setting for a business meeting if you’re looking for breathtaking views of the city and bay that are sure to impress your out-of-town client. Too many great deals to list here but happy hour is Monday – Friday, 2.30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Kensington
- Kensington Cafe is a great spot to hang with great friends while enjoying great food! Happy hours specials include: Mondays – half off bottle of wine; Tuesdays – $3 taco night; Wednesdays – happy hour all night; Thursdays – $8 pizzas and a beer!
North Park
- Tioli’s Crazee Burger has been voted one of the best burger joints in San Diego. Their happy hour offers killer deals on burgers and beers and is on everyday 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- The Office Bar is perfect to bring out the hipster in you! All drinks are two-for-one from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. every weekday. You can’t ask for much more than that!
Little Italy
- Waterfront Bar & Grill was established back in 1933, and is one of San Diego’s oldest watering holes. Happy hours are Monday – Friday, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., and offer $3.75 well drinks, $4 drafts and $3.25 domestic bottles.
Pacific Beach
Firehouse is situated on the west side of Mission Blvd. in the infamous party town of Pacific Beach. This hotspot has full ocean views from the rooftop bar. Firehouse is a great spot to enjoy an evening of refreshing brews and ocean breezes! Happy hours vary per day, but look for them Monday – Friday, 4 p.m. – Close.- Moondoggies is another killer spot in Pacific Beach. Moondoggies offers a delicious mix of food and drink at affordable prices. Deals vary by day but specials start at $2.50 for well drinks, up to $12 a pitcher. Happy hour is offered Monday – Sunday, 3 – 7 p.m., Fridays 3 – 10 p.m., and Mondays all day!
- Bare Back Bar & Grill is a New Zealand-inspired bar and restaurant, where you can eat like a Kiwi. Happy hour is Monday – Friday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., and offers $3 wells, $3 drafts and half off apps.
Point Loma
- *Wine Steals is in Point Loma’s Liberty Station You can sit outside on their generous patio and enjoy a glass of wine (or two) while taking in the views of the neighboring golf course. It’s perfect for any business meeting. Happy hour specials include eight different glasses of wine for $4, and select $2 pizza slices (Monday – Thursday 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
Ocean Beach
- OB Noodle House offers excellent food and a huge variety of beers. Happy hour is Sunday – Saturday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., and includes half off all beers on tap, and much more.
La Jolla
- *The Grill (previously named Clay’s) sits on the top floor of the historic Hotel La Jolla. Here you can enjoy unique, California-inspired cuisine while admiring the stunning views of La Jolla Cove. It’s a great place to hang with local La Jollans, eat delicious food and drink housemade sangria. Daily happy hour runs 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. and they offer up to half off the food, $3 draft beers, $4 wells, $5 sangria and $6 wine by the glass. It makes a great setting for business meetings.
- BarFly is located on Prospect in downtown La Jolla. This funky bar offers an eclectic mix of foods from the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Daily happy hour runs 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Friday, with $4 apps, wines, beers and well drinks.
Old Town
Barra Barra is in Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town. This authentic Mexican restaurant offers an excellent happy hour Monday – Thursday, 4pm – 6pm, with margaritas starting at $3.50, draft at $2.50 and house wine at $5.
Del Mar
- En Fuego Cantina & Grill can be loosely translated as ‘ON FIRE!’ This one is popular even with downtowners. It offers a daily happy hour from 4.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m. The best night to go is on its famous ‘Taco Tuesday’ night, where beers start as low as $2.00 and delicious tacos start at $3.00 (Tuesdays 4.30 p.m. – Close).
- Jimmy O’s is a great bar to hang with the young, hip, North County crowd. Regular happy hour runs from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., with a late night one on from 10 p.m. – 12 a.m. Deals include $3 drafts, $4 margaritas and $2 off apps.
I also suggest following King of Happy Hour on Twitter to get the most up-to-date happy hour specials. Check out King of Happy Hours “Approved” list here.
About Sarah C.