Spice Up Your Weeknights With These Stellar Local Happy Hours
Dining in Orange County can get a little pricey, especially when stunning oceanfront views are included, but there’s a little thing called happy hour that every type of person loves. We’ve made it even easier for you by rounding up some of our favorite discounted bites and sips. So once it’s time to clock out, head over to one of these eateries and break up that mid-week monotony. And if you’re not local to OC, you’re in luck–some of these restaurants even do happy hour on weekends!
Laguna Fish Company
When: Every day, 3-5 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday, 9 p.m.-close
New to the Laguna Beach neighborhood, Laguna Fish Company offers the freshest seafood in a fast casual environment. Oysters, a full bar and located directly across the street from Main Beach, what could be better? Every day happy hour could, and they have that too! From 3 to 5 p.m. every day (plus Thursday through Saturday 9 p.m. to close), enjoy $2 oysters, $10 plates like halibut ceviche and a shrimp quesadilla, $5 draft beer and $10 house margaritas. The dishes are inspired by Mexico and South America and they have fresh fish daily. Laguna Fish Company is the perfect spot for seafood lovers looking to unwind after a long day at the beach.
Location: Laguna Beach
Avila’s El Ranchito
When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m.
Avila’s El Ranchito recently launched their happy hour menu, and you know where to find us from 3-6 p.m. any day of the week on the Balboa Peninsula! Let’s start with the margs—the Fresca Skinny is $10 and a Fresca Skinny Cadillac is only $12 during happy hour. Pair it with two small crispy tacos (shredded chicken or beef) for $5, and your next round of drinks with $10 Chingolingas. Is your mouth watering yet?! Other happy hour specials include $2 off all craft margaritas, $5 Dos XX Amber or Lager, two mini burritos for $8 and half off one item combinations. A local favorite that never disappoints, expect traditional and authentic dishes from this family-owned and operated restaurant.
Locations: Newport Beach, Balboa Peninsula location
Visit their website to find other locations’ happy hour specials.
**This happy hour special is for the Newport Peninsula location only. Check their website to find other locations happy hour specials.
Social Costa Mesa
When: All night Wednesday, 3-6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday (cocktails only on Saturday)
@localemag We just found your new favorite happy hour— you’re welcome. 🍻 #localemagazine #socialkitchen #ocdatenightspots #ochappyhour #costamesaeats ♬ original sound – Boiler Room
If you’ve never been to Social Costa Mesa, you need to add it to your calendar now! And you have plenty of opportunities to do so. With their new Wednesday through Friday happy hour, Social Costa Mesa offers a killer deal from 3 to 6 p.m. $5 Modelos, $8 Moscow mules, Palomas and old-fashioneds await. Of course, there are delicious happy hour bites too, like $6 bacon-wrapped dates, $8 Brussels sprouts and $9 blackened pork belly bites. The vibes are always high at Social, and it’s the perfect spot to meet up with coworkers, your crew or your significant other for a weekday date night.
Location: Costa Mesa
Craft House
When: Monday-Tuesday, all day (bar area) + 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. (dining room and patio)
Wednesday-Thursday, 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. (entire restaurant)
Friday, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. (entire restaurant)
Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (entire restaurant)
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This Dana Point favorite offers elevated American fare as well as a selection of extremely rare whiskeys—if you’re a whiskey connoisseur, this should definitely be on your list. Food portions are generous and great for sharing, and you’ll definitely want to bring the whole gang for happy hour (or as Craft House calls it, social hour). Their happy hour might just be the best in town (and happens every day of the week during select times)—select beers are $5, Aperol Spritz are $7, and you won’t want to miss out on their Shoot + Brew, made with Buffalo Trace, for just $8. Flavorful birria tacos are $8, and 3-piece spicy tuna crispy rice is $9. The chile verde fries for only $6 are also a must-order! Pop in for the next big game, a celebration with family or an after work activity with the crew.
Location: Dana Point
Tavern House Bar Kitchen + Bar
When: Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. + (newly added) Saturday-Sunday, 3-5 p.m.
With the glistening Newport Harbor as your backdrop, you’ll enjoy happy hour with a view at Tavern House. This elevated neighborhood restaurant has been recognized as an Ocean Friendly Restaurant by the Surfrider Foundation, so you can indulge in calamari, shrimp, scallops and freshly caught seafood guilt-free. Get some bang for your buck and order the charred Brussels sprouts—they’re just $10 during happy hour! They come with bacon, pine nuts and a drizzle of maple syrup. Other discounted dishes include a burger and beer for $15, fish and chips and coconut-crusted shrimp for $13. Pair your bites with any well drink for $8. Happy hour every day of the week? Count us in!
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Local Insight: To see Tavern House’s full happy hour menu, click here.
Location: Newport Beach
Orange County Happy Hour
Rum Social
When: Daily, 3-5 p.m.
It’s time to get social at this new tropical, Caribbean-inspired lounge in the heart of Laguna Beach! Rum Social has one of the most expansive happy hour menus out there, featuring items like epis-spiced chickpeas ($6), Hamachi crisps served with shark sauce ($12) and Jamaican curry cauliflower ($10). All island cocktails are $12 during their social hour; we love the Jungle Bird. And in case you can’t make their happy hour, don’t fret—they have a cocktail hour every day during the last hour before closing.
Location: Laguna Beach
Lido Bottle Works
When: Tuesday-Friday, 4-7 p.m.
For one of the best happy hours in Lido Marina Village, head over to Lido Bottle Works for bayfront views, innovative cuisine and refreshing drinks. They’ve extended their happy hour until 7 p.m. for the summer, so 9-5ers should have ample time to catch it after work! Each dish is prepared with local and sustainable ingredients and is created to be a sensory experience with each bite. They also have over 70 craft beers and California wines, making this bayside hotspot a great happy hour destination.
Location: Newport Beach
Orange County Happy Hour
The Cannery
When: Wednesday-Saturday, 4-6 p.m. + Sunday, 3:30-6 p.m.
Pull up a seat at The Cannery’s upstairs Jellyfish Lounge to experience their extensive happy hour menu. Their sushi offerings change with each fresh catch and also depend on what’s in season. Indulge a little and order their toro with truffle butter and uni or some sweet shrimp ebi. When it comes to drinks, everything is $2 off during happy hour. We love the Poolside, a cocktail made with fresh cucumber, lemon, agave and your choice of Wheatley Vodka, Roku Gin, Los Vecinos Mezcal or Siete Leguas Blanco tequila.
Location: Newport Beach
Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen
When: Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.
Located in the lobby of the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, Heirloom Farmhouse is a produce-forward, farm-to-table eatery. During happy hour, you can get a rack of smoked ribs for $13 and tuna tartare for $14. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you can opt for the Farmer’s Pick of the Day, which is a rotating specialty cocktail created by the bartender. Afterwards, head upstairs to Hive and Honey, their rooftop bar, if you want to keep the drinks flowing.
Location: Irvine
Orange County Happy Hour
SOCIAL Cocina y Tequila
When: Wednesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.
SOCIAL is always a fun time and a great place to celebrate, no matter the occasion. The interior is super Instagrammable, and the vibes are always on point. Just about everything on the menu is only $7 during happy hour. The chicharrones are great to start with—they’re doused in Tajin, lime, cilantro and topped with guac. For drinks, choose from mezcal gimlets, palomas and Mexican mules. As an added bonus, you can get a Don Julio 1942 shot for just $9 on Taco Tuesdays.
Location: Huntington Beach
SOL Mexican Cocina
When: Monday, Wednesday-Friday, 3-6 p.m.
Get a taste of Baja California right here in Newport Beach. SOL adopts old-world, traditional Baja-style cooking, and everything is made from scratch, including all 24 types of their salsa. The agave bar features a constantly changing roster with over 80 of Mexico’s finest tequilas and mezcals, so you already know their margaritas will blow you away. Starting at $7 during happy hour, choose between a house margarita, skinny margarita or watermelon marg. Also, don’t miss out on the two tacos for $6 deal!
Locations: Newport Beach, Irvine
Louie’s by the Bay
When: Daily 4-6 p.m. + Wednesdays all night
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Louie’s by the Bay is a cozy and elegant Italian restaurant located in Mariner’s Mile with dreamy views of the bay. Their happy hour goes beyond just small bites and tapas—the Fritto Misto comes with a generous portion of shrimp, calamari, lemon and zucchini served with spicy marinara sauce for just $10. You can also get other full-sized meals like cacio e pepe and Wagyu beef sliders. Plus, the local favorite house negroni is just $10 during happy hour.
Location: Newport Beach
Orange County Happy Hour
Mozambique
When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 3-5 p.m.
This upscale, three-level restaurant draws inspiration from South Africa’s vibrant coast, bringing bold, flavorful food all the way to Laguna Beach. Choose to dine in the Durban Room, a speakeasy lounge on the first floor, in the dining rooms on the second floor or on their panoramic roof deck. Get a South African pie ($17) or some peri-peri prawns ($18) during happy hour and any well drink or select glass of wine for $8. They even have a halal menu with dishes like samosas and fiery chicken.
Location: Laguna Beach
Descanso
When: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m.
This modern Mexican spot serves authentic fare in an elevated setting. During happy hour, their margaritas start at just $6. The choriqueso verde ($9) is a staff favorite, and their elote asado ($6) is some of the best around. However, happy hour isn’t the only time they have specials—on Taquero Tuesdays, the plancha room transforms to a street taco stand, where they grill your meats tableside. On Wine Wednesdays, head in for $5 wines by the glass!
Location: Costa Mesa
Orange County Happy Hour
The Rooftop Lounge
When: Monday-Thursday, 3-5 p.m.
This rooftop bar in Laguna Beach delivers on views, cuisine and happy hour deals. Visit at sunset for classic American fare and panoramic views of the coast. While they don’t offer food items during happy hour, all mojitos, well drinks, beer and wine are half off. You can stop by just for drinks and to enjoy the breeze or opt to stay awhile and order the miso sunflower glazed salmon to accompany your beverage.
Location: Laguna Beach
Tanner’s Restaurant
When: Monday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m.
Drawing inspiration from its surrounding Surf City community, Tanner’s serves classic, laid-back beach bites like sliders, chicken tenders and avocado wraps. Draft beer is $5 and select wines are $7 during happy hour, but they also have drink specials like Mojito and Mule Monday and Margaritas and Taco Tuesday. There’s an upscale treehouse bar located on the top floor of Paséa Hotel & Spa—take the elevator up all the way and allow yourself to be dazzled by their stunning rooftop bar.
Location: Huntington Beach
