What makes a great happy hour? Is it the discounted drinks or the appetizers? Delicious, reasonably priced appetizers are my preference in selecting a happy hour destination. Los Angeles offers many great happy hours, but I prefer staying close to home. Here are my 12 favorite happy hour destinations in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valley:
Best happy hours
As I am a meat lover, some of my favorite happy hours are at steak houses:
Where: Morton’s The Steakhouse Power Hour: Burbank and Downtown
Some of my favorites are Truffle fries, sliders, and filet mignon sandwiches with special pricing. When: 4:30 – 6:30, Sunday – Friday
Where: Ruth’s Chris Sizzle Swizzle, Swirl Happy Hour, Pasadena
You can get a fantastic steak sandwich and fries for $9.00
When: 5:00 – 6:30, Monday – Friday
Where: Dog Haus Biergarten, Pasadena
$1.25 sliders, dogs, fries, and tots. 2-for-1 on select beer, wine, and cocktails
When: 3:00 – 6:00 PM Monday – Friday
10:00 PM until closing Monday – Thursday
3:00 PM until midnight- Sundays
If you love a great Mai Tai:
Where: Roy’s Aloha Hour, Pasadena
7.00 bar bites, specialty cocktails at special prices. Their seafood is excellent, but I love the wagyu sliders. Roy’s is exceptionally welcoming, consistently excellent, and friendly service.
When: Nightly through 7:00 PM and again from 9:00 PM until closing
Where: Sakura Happy Hour, La Canada
Half off most drinks and appetizers, service can be hit and miss – mai tais are better at Roy’s and Damons.
When: 5:00 – 7 PM, Monday – Thursday
Where: Damon’s Happy Hour, Glendale
Mai Tais $5.00 – (just $4.00 on Monday) half off most appetizers
When: 3 – 7 PM Daily
Other local favorites:
Where: Smokehouse Happy Hour, Burbank
Bar bites $5-$7, well drinks $5, house deep dish martinis $8, house wines $7, and ALL beers on tap $5.00
When: 4 – 7 PM, Monday – Friday
Where: Montrose Basin 141
The plus is that it starts early, but none of their specially priced appetizers are exceptional. If you want to watch a game, this is a great place to do so, but not a place for quiet conversation.
When: 3 – 6 PM Daily
Where: The Proper, La Canada
$5.00 wine and beer specials & classic cocktails
If you are looking for a lively venue, this is it. A little too noisy for my taste, but a trendy happy hour destination.
When: 3 – 6 PM daily
Where: The Raymond 1886, Pasadena
Half-off bar snacks include oysters, pork belly, and burgers. Select glasses of wine and craft beer for $5; $7 on the featured craft cocktail of the day.
When: 4:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday – Friday
Where: Little Beast, Eagle Rock
Half off appetizers, $5.00 wine, and two beers for $4.00. If you enjoy adventurous foods such as roasted octopus, duck liver mousse, trout crudo, and similar fare, check out this restaurant. Be safe and make a reservation; they fill up fast.
When: Happy hour Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday from 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Where: Sushi Roku – Pasadena
Save on well drinks, signature cocktails, half-off sake, and bottles of wine every Monday.
Special happy hour appetizer menu, including hot appetizers and sushi.
When: Sunday – Monday, 5 – 10 PM
Wednesday – Saturday, 5 – 7 PM
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