The Hottest Happy Hours in Town

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Bottoms Up!

Cheers to Laguna Beach’s hottest happy hour spots. – By Sarah Pierce

asada happy hour

Everybody loves a good happy hour deal, but with so many in Laguna Beach to choose from, how do you decide where to go? We scoured the hottest happy hours in town and came up with some notable standouts in a few select categories, including those with killer deals, excellent beer and cocktail selections, outstanding food, live music and breathtaking views. As the saying goes, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere,” so bottoms up!

Killer Deal

Ask any Laguna local what their favorite happy hour spot is, and most will say K’ya Bistro Bar, located in La Casa del Camino. What makes K’ya such a killer deal? Not only are the prices good ($5 food and drink specials), but the menu is equally as impressive. Forget your typical happy hour bar fare—K’ya chef Craig Connole delights bargain seekers with culinary pleasures like bacon-wrapped dates, caprese skewers and Hawaiian ahi poke. Plus, order any cocktail, beer or wine during happy hour and get any food item on the regular dinner menu for half price. At only $5 each, that makes this a killer deal. Happy hour at K’ya is daily from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. (1287 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-376-9718; kyabistro.com)

Beer Selection

Rock’n Fish has a fully loaded happy hour menu featuring $5 off appetizers and $5 cocktail, martini and wine by the glass specials. But what really makes Rock’n Fish’s happy hour stand out is its eclectic beer selection. Whether you prefer a hoppy IPA from California or a mild lager from the Czech Republic, Rock’n Fish has more than 20 different draught beers from around the world on special for $5 during happy hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 3 – 6 p.m. (422 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-497-3113; rocknfishmb.com)

True to its name, House of Big Fish & Ice Cold Beer is home to one of the largest—if not the largest—beer selections in Laguna Beach. In addition to $5 drinks and killer food specials (including 25 cent wings, $1 raw oysters and appetizers as low as $2 to $5) you can get $1 off its entire selection of more than 70 beers during happy hour. Appetizer prices change every hour, starting at $2.30 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. and ending with $5.30 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. (540 S. Coast Hwy. #200; 949-715-4500; houseofbigfish.com)

Cocktail Selection

Mozambique offers an array of cocktails and martinis at only $6 during happy hour—nearly half-off their regular price. Choose from more than 15 different adventurous elixirs, including the African Mojito (citrus vodka, muddled red grapes and lemon, topped with Sprite and Chambord) and the Cucumber Jalapeño Margatini (reposado tequila with fresh jalapeño, cucumber and lime juice). Mozambique also features $3 beers, $5 wines and food specials, including $10 dinners. Happy hour at Mozambique is daily from 3:30 – 6 p.m. (1740 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-7777; mozambiqueoc.com)

Tasty Cuisine

For savory food options, Sundried Tomato Cafe offers $6 appetizers like the Mini “Rustic Jars” (sundried tomato hummus or pesto, whipped goat cheese torte and flatbread), the filet of beef tacos, or $4 off the prime Angus sirloin cheeseburger. Wash it down with a $4 draft beer, $5 well drink, $5 wine or $7 martini. Enjoy happy hour daily from 2 – 7 p.m. (361 Forest Ave.; 949-494-3312; sundriedtomatocafe.com)

Starfish offers a sensational selection of Asian-inspired items at $5 during happy hour, including its wagyu banh mi sliders and Saigon Summer Rolls. Pair one of the many dishes on special with a $6 house wine, a well drink or something more exotic like the Pineapple Euphoria cocktail (tequila, agave nectar, jalapeño and pineapple). Happy hour runs daily from 4 – 6 p.m. (30832 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.; 949-715-9200; starfishlaguna.com)

Live Entertainment

French 75 Bistro offers daily happy hour specials of $7 selected small plates and $5 selected wines by the glass, well drinks and Champagne cocktails. Happy hour patrons often linger a little longer Wednesday through Saturday, when the intimate French American bistro really comes alive with musicians performing live jazz, piano and guitar at 6 p.m. Stop by any day of the week between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to enjoy happy hour deals. (1464 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-494-8444; french75.net)

Ocean View

For decades, Las Brisas has been a magnet for visitors, thanks to its amazing views of the coastline. Al fresco dining on the patio gives you access to the warm ocean breezes the restaurant is named after, as well as a special happy hour food menu consisting of light Mexican fare and desserts. Prices range from $11 to $14, and happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 – 6 p.m. (361 Cliff Dr.; 949-497-5434; lasbrisaslagunabeach.com)

Situated at the top of La Casa del Camino hotel, The Rooftop boasts one of the best ocean views in Laguna. Besides being known for its beautiful panoramic views, The Rooftop is also known for its mojitos. Choose one of the signature mojitos made with fresh mint and lime wedges hand-muddled with your choice of fresh berries, mango or pineapple, and served with a sugar cane stick. All mojitos, beer, wine and well drinks are half off during happy hour. The Rooftop’s happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 3 – 5 p.m. (1289 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-497-2446; rooftoplagunabeach.com)

The Scene

Since opening its doors just over a year ago, this LA-based Japanese restaurant and sushi bar Katsuya has become one of the hottest social scenes in Laguna. The modern, sophisticated ambiance is tempered with a comfortable vibe and up-tempo lounge music. When you’re not busy people-watching, you’ll enjoy great happy hour specials like $4 well drinks and beer, $6 wine and hot sake carafes, and $7 specialty cocktails like the Burning Mandarin (Absolut Mandarin vodka, hand-crushed serrano chili, fresh lemon and orange juice and a splash of cranberry) and white grapefruit cosmo (Finlandia Grapefruit vodka, Cointreau, fresh lime juice and white cranberry juice). Snack on delicious happy hour food items, such as $5 sushi and rolls, and $7 specialty rolls. Happy hour is daily from 5 – 7 p.m. (858 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-793-4030; sbe.com/katsuya)

Outdoor Oasis 

What better way to enjoy a $5 house margarita than sipping it outside on the tropical-inspired patio at Avila’s El Ranchito? Come early, as the inviting, open-air patio quickly fills up with patrons taking advantage of the amazing happy hour deals, including $3 beers and well drinks, $4 shots, $5 house wines and $5 food specials. Snag a coveted spot by the outdoor fire pit to stay warm after the sun sets. Happy hour at El Ranchito is Monday through Friday, 2 – 6 p.m. (1305 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-376-7040; avilaselranchito.com)

Late Night Happy Hour

Always missing happy hour because you’re stuck in the office? Luckily for you, Asada
Laguna is one of the few restaurants in town that offers a late night happy hour. Wash away the stress of the day with a $4 draft beer or house wine, $5 sangria, $6 Mango Margatini or Local Margarita, or $8 Cadillac Margarita. Asada also boasts an impressive collection of nearly 60 tequilas and mezcals, including hard-to-find premium tequilas like Chinaco Negro and Gran Patrón Burdeos. Enjoy these great happy
hour drink prices at Asada Monday through
Friday from 3 – 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 10 p.m. until close, and all day on Taco
Tuesday. (480 S. Coast Hwy.; 949-715-5533; asadalaguna.com)

Whether you’re looking for amazing food, ice cold beer or an impressive view, these Laguna Beach happy hours are guaranteed to deliver. Know a great happy hour not included on this list? Share your favorite spot with us at Facebook.com/lagunabeachmagazine. LBM

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