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The Best San Diego Happy Hour Specials in 2024

Your guide to the most popular bar drink specials, cheap bites and more, from Pacific Beach to South Park
Photo Credit: James Tran

Life’s most joyous moments are fleeting. Case in point: Happy hour. So get out there, make the most of discounted drinks and eats, and (for once) get to bed at a reasonable time.

Happy Hours in University Heights

Hundred Proof

When: Monday-Friday until 6 p.m.

Deals: $7 cocktails, $6 wine, $5 draft beers, $4-$6 bites

Go here for: Understated interior design and because one happy hour drink can lead to more drinks and dinner, Japanese whisky and Chef Brad Wise’s menu of burgers, steak, poke, and bao.

Park & Rec

When: Monday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. and 10 p.m.-close.

Deals: $6 blood orange margaritas, Old Fashioneds, mules (with choice of booze), wine, and Tecates.

Go here for: The comfy, heater-equipped patio, dual Ping Pong tables, and strong cocktail game.

Cellar Hand

When: Wednesday-Sunday, 4-5 p.m.

Deals: 50 percent off all wine by the glass, beers, and sangrias, along with discounted bar snacks and pitas

Go here for: Hyper-local ingredients and a respectable selection of wines

The Best San Diego Happy Hours to Get You Through the Week

Photo Credit: Nate Madlem

Madison

When: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.

Deals: $7 signature cocktails and wine; happy hour food menu featuring $10 mussels and toast; $10 burger-and-beer combos, and small bites.

Go here for: The feeling of being inside a giant guitar and smokin’ deals on high-caliber cocktails.

Kairoa Brewing Company

When: All day Monday and 4-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday

Deals: $5 pints of all 10 house beers; $6 wine, $5 bites like sausage rolls, shrimp butties (whatever they are), and lamb tacos.

Go here for: Sunsets on the expansive second-floor patio overlooking the University Heights neighborhood sign.

Pro Tip: Wine bottles are discounted 30 percent on Tuesdays.

Wormwood

When: Wed., Thurs., and Sun., 5-7 p.m.

Deals: Absinthe, cocktails, wine, and bites

Go here for: San Diego’s largest selection of absinthe paired with authentic French cuisine

Working Class brewery and restaurant in North Park, San Diego featuring plenty of happy hour deals
Courtesy of Working Class

Happy Hours in North Park

Louisiana Purchase

When: Wednesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. and weekends from 3-5 p.m.

Deals: $7 cocktails, and a few appetizers, including $7 three-cheese mac with crawfish tails.

Go here for: To get all the burrs outta your saddle (as they say in the South).

Seven Grand

When: Monday-Saturday until 8 p.m.

Deals: $5 beers, $6 bourbon mules, and $6 whiskies including Evan Williams, Wild Turkey 81 Rye, Black Grouse

Go here for: Whisky, taxidermy, low lighting.

Tamarindo Latin Kitchen and Bar

When: Tuesdays.

Deals: $7 tequila shots, $4 tacos, sopes, and tostadas

Go here for: Sustainably-sourced tequila, the dog-friendly patio, and tempura avocado.

Working Class

When: Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m.

Deals: $4 draft beer and wine, $5 starters including Buffalo wings, onion rings, and meatballs

Go here for: The doggo-approved “Puppy Chow menu” and umbrella-shaded patio.

Splash Wine Lounge and Bistro

When: Daily until 6:30 p.m.

Deals: $6 wine, $5 beers

Go here for: The conversation-spurring effects of wine-by-the-ounce dispensers.

Coin-Op Game Room

When: Weekdays, 4-7 p.m.

Deals: $4 well drinks, $6 cocktails, $1 off beers, $3 fries and other bites

Go here for: Obliterating your co-workers in Skee-Ball.

Pro Tip: Games are free all day on the last Sunday of every month.

Finca

When: Tues.-Fri., 5-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 3-6 p.m.

Deals: $10 glasses of wine and sangria, along with $10 tapas

Go here for: Bone marrow, caviar, and a never-ending wine list

Fernside bar and restaurant in South Park, San Diego featuring an extensive happy hour menu
Courtesy of Fernside

Happy Hours in South Park

Fernside Bar and Kitchen

When: Weekdays, 3-6 p.m.

Deals: $7 cocktails, $6 wine, $5 beers, and $5 menu items including chicken liver toast, chicken wings, and burgers.

Go here for: Come for happy hour, stay until midnight, when the kitchen closes on weekdays.

Kindred

When: Always.

Deals: $5 well drinks, $5 herb puffs, $6 popcorn

Go here for: Though not technically a happy hour, you’ll want to let that minor point slide seeing as this vegan fave with an outstanding bar always offers a few easy-on-the-pocketbook options.

The Rose

When: Daily, 2-4 p.m.

Deals: $8 house rosé, $9 amaro spritz, and baker’s half-dozen oysters

Go here for: Anything you could want—a glass of wine, brunch cocktails, freshly baked pastries, and a comprehensive lunch and dinner menu

The Rabbit Hole bar and restaurant in Normal Heights, San Diego featuring weekly happy hour specials
Courtesy of The Rabbit Hole

Happy Hours in Normal Heights

Rabbit Hole

When: Weekdays, 5-7 p.m.

Deals: $5 draft beers, $6 wine, $6 specialty cocktails, half-off appetizers

Go here for: Bring the dog, bring the baby, bring your sharpest pals for Wednesday night trivia, at 7:15 p.m.

Abnormal Heights

When: Thurs., 3-7 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., 3-5 p.m.

Deals: $10 house cocktails, $5 craft beer, $7 wine, $7 cocktails, and $5 off all food plates

Go here for: An under-the-radar rooftop bar offering killer flat-top steaks and cocktails.

The Grass Skirt tiki bar in Pacific Beach featuring weekly happy hour specials
Courtesy of OpenTable

Happy Hours in Pacific Beach

The Grass Skirt

When: All day Monday, and Tuesday-Thursday, 5-6 p.m.

Deals: $6 cocktails, $5 well drinks and wine; $10 discounts on punch bowls, $6 okinomiyaki fries, $6 garlic edamame, $6 Korean chicken wings, and other bites

Go here for: Volcanic eruptions, flaming cocktails, and shameless levels of tiki-ness.

Mavericks Beach Club

When: Weekdays 3-8 p.m.

Deals: $4 beers, wine, and well cocktails, and $6 margaritas and Mai Tais

Go here for: Plenty of outdoor space to for corn hole and ocean breezes.

Pro Tip: Taco Tuesdays (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) offer the dangerous proposition of $4 house margaritas.

Hideaway

When: Mon.-Fri., 3-6:30 p.m.

Deals: Half-off shots, bottles, and canned beer; food specials; and discounted glasses of wine

Go here for: Lobster mac, churro beignets, and a surfer’s dream interior 

The Nolen rooftop bar and lounge in Downtown, San Diego featuring weekly happy hour specials
Courtesy of The Nolen

Happy Hours in the Gaslamp and East Village

Blind Burro

When: Weekdays, 3-6 p.m.

Deals: $4.50 beer bottles, $6 margaritas, $5 well drinks, $4.50 fish tacos, and $4.50 TJ dogs with fries.

Go here for: Elote, ceviche, carne asada nachos and Baja-style ramen.

The Smoking Gun

When: Monday-Thursday, 4-7 p.m.

Deals: $5 for draft beer, house wines, well drinks, and select plates; $10 specialty cocktails

Go here for: The photo booth, Frito pie, and housemade corn nuts.

Pro Tip: The entire bar is half-off Fridays 3-7 p.m.

The Nolen

When: Every day, 4-6 p.m.

Deals: $7 cocktails and wine, and $6 appetizers like tater tots with chile mezcal salt and chile glazed meatballs.

Go here for: Views of the waterfront, fire pits, and getting far above the fray of the Gaslamp.

Ironside restaurant in Little Italy, San Diego featuring a happy hour menu
Courtesy of OpenTable

Happy Hours in Little Italy

Ironside

When: Weekdays, 3-6 p.m.

Deals: $8 cocktails, $5 beers, and small bites like $1 oysters and $6 chowder fries

Go here for: Did we mention the $1 oysters?

By Cole Novak

Cole Novak is an award-winning writer and digital strategist with a passion for highlighting local figures, small businesses, and nonprofits. Born and raised in San Diego, Cole is passionate about photography, surfing, art, the local food scene, and the great outdoors.

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