A Guide to Dining on a Dime All Across the City
We all know living in Los Angeles can get pricey, especially when we want to dine out. Luckily, LA has a slew of great happy hours no matter what neighborhood you’re in. Cocktails under $10? Check. A full meal under $15? We have those too. According to “girl math,” one might argue these happy hours are actually money makers! Some offer a better deal than cooking at home, so gather your girlfriends and plan a fun night out without breaking the bank.
The Waterfront
When: Tuesday-Friday, 3-7 p.m.
Whether it’s people-watching with boardwalk seating at The Waterfront or lounging on the relaxed, leafy patio, there’s a space here to suit your needs. There’s also something for everyone to sip during happy hour. Their concept is simple, and sometimes simple is best, especially if it’s BOGO. Yep, from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday (they’re closed on Mondays), drinks are buy one, get one free. Order that frosé, nitro espresso martini or whatever else your heart desires. Of course, wine and beer are also BOGO. On Thursdays and Fridays, the DJ starts spinning at 4:30 p.m.—around the time that first drink kicks in.
Location: Venice
Stache
When: Monday-Friday, noon-7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 3-7 p.m.
This West Hollywood queer bar is always a fun and sometimes raucous time. Stache hosts drag brunches and dance parties throughout the week, and their happy hour means you can pre-game early. The weekday happy hour starts at noon, so if you’re not beholden to the office, set up shop here, where well drinks, fries and the house blonde ale are just $5 each. There’s a crispy chicken sandwich for $10, which makes for a great lunch with their $8 happy hour palomas and margaritas.
Location: West Hollywood
Atrium
When: Daily, 4-6 p.m.
Atrium has managed to turn a warehouse into an airy, rustic-chic dining room that’s become one of the hottest spots in Los Feliz. They have daily happy hours—including weekends—with some great deals that include $4 beers, $8 wines, $9 classic cocktails and $10 house cocktails. Select foods are also discounted during happy hour; there’s $10 truffled arancini, and if you want to fill up, the $12 burgers are the best option (there’s an Impossible vegan version for $14).
Location: Los Feliz
De Buena Planta
When: Wednesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.
Both of De Buena Planta’s locations offer a Mexican oasis in the middle of Los Angeles. They have a great ambience with hanging woven basket lights and plants all over, but the Silver Lake location is our favorite. Here you’ll find a full food menu and happy hour from Wednesday to Friday. During happy hour, all cocktails are half off, so you can enjoy their specialty drinks like the Cococolada—a classic piña colada enhanced with mezcal and cacao—or the pink negroni with prickly pear juice. Plus, wines are also half off and beers are only $6. The Venice location’s happy hour is on Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: Silver Lake
Gracias Madre
When: Monday-Friday, 3-5 p.m., Sunday-Wednesday, 8 p.m.-close (bar only)
This plant-based favorite in West Hollywood has one of the most beautiful outdoor dining areas in the city, and there’s no better time to hang out here than in the afternoon with some drinks and bites. During happy hour, Gracias Madre offers $9 margaritas (even the spicy ones) and $7 bites, including a plate of three tacos of your choice. Happy hour deals are extended all day on Taco Tuesdays. There’s also a $10 Happy Madre Meal, which includes a jackfruit slider, garlic-chipotle fries and a house cerveza. For those who can’t get off work early, sidle up to the bar from Sunday to Wednesday after 8 p.m. to get the same happy hour deals at the bar.
Location: West Hollywood
Mother Tongue
When: Daily, 4-6 p.m.
Mother Tongue is a jewel-toned restaurant on the fourth floor of LA’s swankiest fitness club, Heimat, but that doesn’t mean you need deep pockets to come here. Sure, they have Michael Mina’s reserve caviar for $125 per ounce during dinner, but Social Hour bites start at just $4, including a slider with truffle cheese. Try their spreads like the roasted beet hummus or toasted walnut muhammara for $5 each, which are all served with toasted flatbread. Complete the experience with $5 beers or $10 wines and cocktails—our pick is the passion fruit margarita.
Location: West Hollywood
Everson Royce Bar
When: Tuesday-Sunday, 4-6 p.m.
Everson Royce Bar, more commonly known as ERB, has been an Arts District mainstay since it opened eight years ago, thanks to great drinks, delicious food and an expansive patio. During happy hour, select cocktails are only $10, such as the frozen paloma or the Bee Sting—made with tequila, honey, lemon and a spicy tincture. There’s also a $6 house lager and $8 wines. Food deals start at $6, including their famous burger, priced at $14 with fries. Still hungry? Don’t miss the $12 chicken and biscuits, served with cinnamon-honey butter.
Location: Arts District
The Misfit
When: Monday-Friday, noon-7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
This Santa Monica mainstay is one of the best places to eat with great proximity to Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. The two-story restaurant and bar oozes sophistication—vintage touches befitting its location in the historic Clock Tower Building—yet the prices are surprisingly affordable, especially during happy hour. The Misfit has a daily happy hour, from opening until 7 p.m., and the best part is that all of their cocktails are half off. Spirits and wines are also half off during this time. Though the food isn’t discounted during happy hour, the Barfly menu offers an amazing deal every weekday: an $8 food item that changes daily, including a smashburger on Monday, BLT fried rice on Wednesday, crispy chicken sandwich on Friday and more.
Location: Santa Monica
Gin Rummy Bar
When: Daily, 4-6 p.m.
Venice’s newest tiki-inspired bar has been the spot for tropical vibes since they opened, and even more so with their daily happy hours—think $10 frozen margaritas and daiquiris. If it’s too cold for a frozen marg outside—but is it ever?—the happy hour also includes $8 wines. There’s $4 Rolling Rock beer, or for those who want to get the party started quickly, a $10 shot and beer combo deal. Have a go at the indoor pinball machines or spread out on the beachy patio with some $8 wings or $11 coconut shrimp.
Location: Venice
Alley Lounge
When: Daily, 5-6:33 p.m.
Hidden behind FIN Asian Tapas in Culver City is Alley Lounge, and with a name like that, you won’t be surprised by the indoor decor—particularly the dark and sultry seating. In contrast, their large outdoor patio is vibrant with pastel blue picnic tables and a colorful corner everywhere you turn. What’s great about Alley Lounge’s happy hour is that it happens daily—yes, even on weekends. During happy hour, draft beers are $6.50 and cocktails and wines start at $11 per glass. The daily happy hour goes from 5-6:33 p.m., because you might want those extra three minutes to order one last drink.
Location: Culver City
Good Clean Fun
When: Tuesday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m., Monday, all day
Good Clean Fun wants to make natural wines approachable with a casual outdoor vibe, complete with a DJ spinning all week and colorful, hand-decorated wine glasses. They’re making natty wines even more approachable with happy hour deals. During their daily happy hour, there’s a rotating selection of $9 wines, and there’s always one from each category: sparkling, orange, white, rosé and red. If you’re not feeling the wine selection, they also have $5 Mommenpop spritzes, $5 beers and $10 cocktails. Bar snacks are also available starting from $7. For the ones really curious about natural wines, they offer a special flight of five wines for $15 on Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m.
Location: DTLA
The High Low Bar
When: Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 1-5 p.m.
This cavernous bar in Los Feliz has become one of Atwater Village’s go-tos for casual hangouts with already affordable prices (by current LA standards), and it’s even better during their weekday happy hour. Pop in after work for $2 off all draft beers starting from 4 p.m. Select cocktails like margaritas and Moscow mules are priced at $9 and wines are $8 per glass. Their shareable snacks are also discounted, starting with $2 crispy chickpeas, if you simply need something to munch on, there are $2 chips and salsa, $10 chicken wings and $12 carnitas nachos for those with an appetite.
Location: Los Feliz
Lowboy
When: Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.
Lowboy is one of Echo Park’s best neighborhood bars with great cocktails and solid burgers. The bar is hip yet laid back, and most regulars prefer to hang out on their back patio. Lowboy’s happy hour menu makes for some of the cheapest drinking options in town—well drinks are priced at just $6. They also have whiskey sours, gimlets and wine for $8, but the best deal here is The Triple Play, where you get a Lowburger (their fan-favorite smashburger), fries and any draft beer for just $14. That sure beats a happy meal.
Location: Echo Park
La Cuevita
When: Monday-Friday, 5-8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 3-8 p.m.
La Cuevita comes from the 1933 Group that’s known for operating some of LA’s most popular bars. Dark and brick-lined, this hideout feels like a hidden basement, especially with all the bat and dungeon decor around. We love that the happy hour here goes until 8 p.m. every night, so there’s no need to skip out of work early. The happy hour deal includes $7 select cocktails, including palomas and daiquiris. Plus, they usually have entertainment starting at 9 or 10 p.m., so nurse that drink and stick around for the show.
Location: Highland Park
