How to Happy Hour: Best Happy Hours in LA
- Bar Recommendations by Jacqueline Hillman
Drinking in LA at a discount!
I am fairly new to LA, having moved here in January 2021 during the pandemic. I’ve fielded a handful of inquiries from people wondering why we chose California over Texas. Hmm, good question – because we love it here! And yes, I know the prices for just about everything in the city of angels can be on the steep side, so if there’s any way to enjoy the best of LA at a discount, then I’m all for it! Here are a few of the happy hours that have made my top list so far:
Pilot – Mediterranean (DTLA)
Located in the Hoxton Hotel and offering valet for $15 (since parking in DTLA is a real B! and I’m lazy), Pilot is a fabulous location to grab an after work drink and enjoy a view. Strategically situated on the hotel’s roof, you’ll find a Mediterranean coastal vibe and a very relaxed atmosphere. This place is great for couples or friends catching up – a good spot just to chat and have leisurely conversations. When you sit in the lounge area, there’s a QR code that brings you to the menu, and all ordering is done online – this virtual service was a bit of a twist and proved smooth and interesting, until we were in immediate need of a waiter, that is. While selecting, you can see what’s on rotation for the Daily Drink or order your choice of spirit & style from the Well Drinks. For snacks, try the Red Pepper Hummus or Za’atar Spiced Fries with extra seasoning.
Deals: Wine $8, Daily Drink $8, G&T $10, Well Drinks (Whiskey, Vodka, Tequila/Gin) $8, Beer $4. Food ranges from $10-$16 and $22 for Oysters on the Half Shell.
When: 2-5pm Weekdays
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La Bohème – American/Mediterranean (WeHo)
As soon as we rolled up into the valet ($15) at the back of the outdoor patio, we knew an amazing experience awaited. We had booked through OpenTable and there seemed to be a lot of spots available for a last-minute reservation (a rarity in this city), even though it does get packed later in the evening. For me, what differentiates La Bohème from your average happy hour is the service and ambience. The outdoor portion is definitely the place to be, and the vibe is so chill and laidback; I was instantly in love! Looking around, I noticed that the crowd was pretty mixed and there were a lot of large groups in between the tables of couples and other pairs; surveying the scene, I understood that this could be a perfect destination for a variety of occasions – from a birthday celebration to a first date. My happy hour drink of choice is the Spicy Margarita ($8) – get it, and you can thank me later. There was a lot of HH food options too. My personal faves were the Stuffed Piquillo Pepper with Goat Cheese ($9) and Steamed Mussels ($11) which are done in a Thai style red curry that is actually spicy – they don’t warn you on the menu, but look out for the kick! If you’re not already enticed, La Bohème has Happy Hour every day of the week, and they also do a Community Night on Mondays where you buy one Community cocktail and get the second one free.
Deals: Wine & Cocktails $8, Beer $2 off, Food ranges from $7-$12
When: 5-7pm Weekdays & 4-7pm Weekends, Community Night Mondays – 5pm till close
Gracias Madre – Vegan Mexican (WeHo)
Vegan? No problem, Gracias Madre is the spot for you. To be honest, on my first trip to this venue, I had no idea this place was fully plant-based, and I tend to be more of a meat person. Still, I did find some goodies on the HH menu that shocked my taste buds in the best of ways. My husband and I came here on a Friday, just at the start of HH and on an empty stomach – a recipe for disaster. But we downed a couple of their flavorful Crispy Tacos and felt a whole lot less like passing out. Their outdoor patio dining is the best, and the ambience is really great, especially in the early afternoon. A fave drink for me is the Purista Margarita, not only was it delicious, but it’s their signature cocktail. . . for good reason! Three drinks later, there was no question that I took full advantage of the HH pricing!
Deals: Wine $7, Purista Marg $8 & Beer $5. Food is $8. Taco Tuesday $25 Taco flight, including the Purista Marg.
When: 3-5pm Weekdays
Another thing to note is that all these places are dog friendly which is always a plus point – let’s keep it real, LA is the land of the pampered pooch, and I do enjoy a good date day/night with my little fur-baby! I recommend booking ahead for all three and getting your drink on for the low.
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