Top 10 Happy Hour Spots in
Santa Monica

We review and rate the top Happy Hours spots in Santa Monica.

• The FIG Restaurant

  Fairmont Miramar Hotel
  101 Wilshire Boulevard
  Santa Monica, CA 90401-1106
  Tuesday through Saturday from 5:00 to 6:00
  What makes this restaurant Happy Hour special is that it's in the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, one of the finest hotels in Santa Monica. There is a narrow window of opportunity for Happy Hour, it's only from 5:00 to 6:00 Tuesday through Saturday. All drinks and everything on the menu is half price. Some of specialty drinks you should try are the the Fig Mojito and the Moscow Mule. Menu items to order are the Kurobuta and Cavalo Nero Meatballs or Pacific Muscles with white wine sauce. The service, food and ambiance are defiantly first class.

• Chaya of Venice

  110 Navy Street
  Venice, CA 90291
  All night every night
  Chaya of Venice is one of top Happy Hours in the area (It's actually one block North of Santa Monica). Chaya, located just two blocks from Venice Beach offers a Sushi Happy Hour with great atmosphere, great, food, great drinks and a great crowd. What could be greater? You should try the Slingchi Martini for $6.00 with a lychee nut (it's actually a fruit). Sushi is always a good choice; for $5.00 you can have a California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll or find out what the Chef's Special is for the evening. Though the Happy Hour goes on all night, you may want to get there early as seating is limited.

• Casa del Mar

  1910 Ocean Way
  Santa Monica, CA 90405
  
  This Happy Hour is very popular and the best feature is that it takes place at one of the finest hotels on the West Coast. The Happy Hour is in the bar of the Casa del Mar Hotel with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the ocean for watching for that perfect sunset. The bar is at the far end of the grand lobby with exquisite European furnishings. Prices are good considering this is a very expensive hotel, $8.00 cocktails, $5.00 beers and $8.00 for a glass of wine. Casa del Mar serves complimentary tasty thick potato chips with their Happy Hour. The Wild Mushroom Flatbread for $8.00 is a good choice as well as the Bruschetta for $8.00. There is an in-house Sushi Chef that will prepare a Sushi Sampler for $18.00. The appetizers are on the light side.
• The Lobster has a great view of the Santa Monica Piier

  The Lobster Restaurant

  1602 Ocean Avenue
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6:30
  With a close up view of the Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Ocean, the setting is spectacular for the Happy Hour at the Lobster Restaurant. The Happy Hour at the Lobster offers draft beer for $4.00 a glass. Specialty cocktails are $6.00 like the Lobster Margarita or their Famous Mojito. A unique favorite menu item is a Lobster Corn Dog for $10.00, which is lobster sausage type creation with a breaded crust. Other favorites include the Hamachi Sashimi Pita Pizza for $10, the Pork Belly Lettuce Cups for $8.00 and of course the Crispy Calamari at $7.00. Afterwards you can work off you Happy Hour with a walk down to the pier or beach. Get there early as there is limited seating.

• Shutters Hotel

  1 Pico Boulevard
  Santa Monica, CA 90405
  Monday through Friday from 4:00 to 7:00
  The Shutters on the Beach Hotel offers a great Happy Hour at their "Coast" bar. There is bottled domestic and imported beer for $4.00. There is also a good appetizer menu with tasty items. Good deals are the fish tacos for $1.50, Ahi Tuna for $5.00 and a half dozen raw oysters for $9.00. What makes this a great experience is that you are right on the beach, you can't get closer without getting sand in your shoes.

• Hotel Shangri La

  1301 Ocean Avenue
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00
  This is the Santa Monica Happy Hour with the best view. The Happy Hour at the Hotel Shangri La in Santa Monica is and takes place on the top of this seven-story hotel. There is outside sitting with a fantastic view of the Santa Monica Bay, perfect for watching the sunset. There is also a glass enclosed lounge with heaters if it get's too cold. There is half priced wine and beer. There is a good Happy Hour Menu with Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates for $5.00 and Grilled Flatbread with wild mushrooms, which is enough for two to split for $10.00

• Loews Hotel

  1700 Ocean Avenue
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Everyday from 5:00 to 8:00
  The Happy Hour at the Loews Hotel Papillion bar in Santa Monica is popular. The Happy Hour items are ordered from the "Six Dollar Menu" and served with complimentary thick sliced potato chips that are light and crispy with a special seasoning. Of course everything on the menu is $6.00. This includes House Blended Cocktails, Sangria, selection of wines and champagnes and imported bottled beer. Domestic bottled beer is two for $6.00. Some of the top menu items are their raw Spicy Big Eye Tuna Tacos with Crisp Wontons and Chuka Salad Walnut Shrimp with a tangy sweet glaze and little melon balls. There is also the Santa Monica Chili with shrimp, scallops and lump crab flavored with garlic which is more like a fish stew rather than a chili. The swank atmosphere is accentuated by the pianist in the lobby playing the baby grand piano.

• Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel

  1111 2nd St
  Santa Monica, CA 90403
  
  The Penthouse sits on top of the Huntley Hotel on the 18th floor. The restaurant and bar have an incredible sweeping view of the Santa Monica Bay. The Penthouse was remodeled a few years ago and now is a modern, chic and upscale restaurant. There is $8.00 wine by glass and $5.00 beer. Some of the menu items include Sliders with your choice of blackened chicken, spicy jalapeno burger or pulled pork for $7.00. Other preferred appetizers for $7.00 are the Calamari, Goat Cheese Poppers or the short-rib tacos.
• The Gally offers the best value for Happy Hour in Santa Monica

  The Galley

  2442 Main Street
  Santa Monica, CA 90405
  Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5:00 to 7:00 and Sunday, Monday and Wednesday all night
  The Galley is the oldest restaurant and bar in Santa Monica. First opened in 1934 and not much has changed since then with is old world ship motif. There are $5.00 well drinks and $4.50 dollar beers. The menu items are selected regular meals at half price. Try the seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich with fries or onion rings for $7.00. Other good choices are the Half-pound Galley Burger for $6.50, Calamari Steak Sandwich for $6.00 or the Fresh Mushrooms for $3.75. The Galley breaks the mold of your typical Santa Monica Happy Hour, it's not light and chic with wimpy appetizers. Expect great value and you will not leave the Galley hungry.

• Upper West

  3321 Pico Boulevard
  Santa Monica, CA 90405
  Tuesday through Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 and Monday 5:00 to 10:00
  The Upper West is a nice upscale restaurant on Pico and is freeway being next to Interstate 10. The happy Hour offers Draft beers are $4.00 and $5.00, wine by the glass is $4.00 and specialty cocktails are $6.00. Recommended drinks are the Cucumber Martini with your preference of gin or Skyy vodka or the Honey Rye. Menu items to try are Vegetable Flatbread with grilled eggplant, The Lamb Nachos Bites with sweet pickled jalapenos and the Bar Burger that is smaller version of the Upper West regular burger. This place has a cool and relaxed atmosphere with some of the best Happy Hour food in Santa Monica.

We Can't Stop at Ten so Here are More Santa Monica Happy Hours

• Sushi Roku

  1401 Ocean Avenue
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 6:30, Saturday from 4:00 to 6:30 and Sunday from 4:30 to 6:30
  Sushi Roku is popular Sushi restaurant on Ocean Avenue with a view of the ocean and Happy Hour is served in the bar area. There is Hot Sake, small for $3.00 and a large for $5.00. A glass of wine is $5.00, Large Sapporo for $5.00 and Fusion or Apple Martinis for $5.00. Popular menu items are the Sushi Hand Rolls for $3.00 and Cut Rolls for $5.00. You should try the Rock Shrimp with Jalapeno or a classic California Roll. A favorite appetizer for $5.00 is the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice Cake.

• Enterprise Fish Company

  174 Kinney Street
  Santa Monica, CA 90405
  Monday through Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 and Sunday from 8:00 to 10:00
  The Enterprise Fish Company is a half bock off of Main Street and is known for its fish specials. There are 14-ounce and 23-ounce Draught Beer specials for $3.50 and $5.00 respectively. Bottled beers are $4.00 and $5.00. Select wines by the glass are $3.50 and well cocktails are $4.00 while the specialty cocktails are $5.00. Hot menu items are Oysters on the Half Shell for $1.00 each and Fresh Oyster Shooters are $1.50. The Ahi Poki is served seared or raw for $5.95 or the Mesquite grilled Artichoke for $5.95 are some of the favorites.

• Warszawa

  1414 Lincoln Blvd
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Tuesday through Friday 6:00 to 8:00
  The Warszawa Happy Hour is behind the Warszawa Restaurant in their outdoor patio. This is popular during the summer since it's outside. However, during the winter they have heaters that keep the place pleasant during cold weather. There is a dollar off the drinks and bottle beers are $4.00. There is the Okocim, a Polish Beer for $5.00. There is the Zubrowka a hauntingly fragrant Polish vodka with an earthy taste which is good on the rocks or with apple cider. On the menu there are Hot Dried Plums wrapped with lean bacon for $5.00, Golden Crispy Potatoes Pancakes served with coked fruit for $6.00 and Beef, Cheese or Mushroom Polish Style Ravioli for $6.00. If you are going to have only one thing, go for the Hot Dried Plums.

• Viceroy Hotel

  1819 Ocean Avenue
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00
  Happy Hour is at the Cameo Bar inside the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. This bar is frequented by celebrities and Hollywood executives and is the place to see and be seen. The Viceroy is considered the "Hidden Hotspot" in Santa Monica that many locals don't even know about. Well drinks are $9.00 and there are some very good menu items such as Burrata and Tomato Salad for $8.00. There is also the BBQ Pork Sliders or the Lavish Flatbread with goat cheese, pesto and mushrooms that are offered for $9.00 each.

• Angels Piano Bar & Supper Club

  2460 Wilshire Boulevard
  Santa Monica
  Every night from 4:00 to 7:00 but closed on Monday
  There are two for one special on premium well drinks and Margaritas for $5.00. The wine is $5.00 a glass and a pitcher of Sangria is $12.00. The favorite Happy Hour menu item is the Tomato and Bacon Pizza for $7.00, which is great value. Other top menu items are the Pulled Pork Sliders with Celery Root Slaw for $7.00 or the Hushpuppies for $5.00. The décor is reminisces of an old time bar with dim lights from the Forties. The best part of Angel's Happy Hour is what happens afterwards. Almost every night there are live performances, mostly jazz. The top shows at Angel's are so popular it's standing room only.
• Mosoon has great menu items for their Happy Hour

  Monsoon Café

  1212 3rd Street
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Everyday from 4:00 to 7:00
  The Monsoon Café is right on the Third Street Promenade and offers Pan-Asian style food with an exotically tropical décor. Everything on the Happy Hour menu is $4.00, that includes beer, house spirits, wine and sake; however, martinis are $1.00 more. Some of the favorite menu items are the Tuna Salmon Albacore Roll, the Tuna Crab Eggroll and the Scallop Dynamite (big).

• Border Grill

  1445 4th St.
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  Monday through Friday from 4:00 to 7:00
  The Border Grill is a popular Mexican restaurant in Santa Monica. Easy parking is across the street at the public lot with the first two hours free if you get in before 6:00. Good Margaritas for $5.00 and Draft Beer and Selected Wines for $4.00. You can choose any of the eight different tacos for $3.00 each or a platter for $8.00. Tacos to try are the Carnitas, Grilled Fish or the Roasted Lamb. Happy Hour is served with light and crispy chips and three types of Salsa. Also a favorite is the $3.00 Ceviche Shots. The food is a little on the salty side

• The Counter

  2901 Ocean Park Blvd # 102
  Santa Monica, CA 90405-2952
  Tuesdays after 4:00
  The Counter is a favorite burger restaurant in Santa Monica.There is not a real Happy Hour at The Counter in Santa Monica, instead on Tuesday evenings there is beer and burger special after 4:00. For $12.00 you get four mini-burgers with four mini-beers. These are uniquely prepared gourmet mini-burgers with paired draft beers. Not only are they flavorsome burgers and good beer choices, the presentation it great.

• Buddha's Belly

  205 Broadway
  Santa Monica, CA 9040
  Monday through Friday 4:00 to 6:30
  Situated between the Third Street Promenade and the newly remodeled Santa Monica Place Mall, Buddha's Belly is a popular Asian Fusion restaurant and bar. The Happy Hour menu items are $4.00 for food and drinks. Drinks include Asian bottled beer, selected red or white wines and a selection of hot or cold sakes. Favorite menu items are Har Gow, which are three steamed shrimp dumplings with Chinese hot mustard soy sauce and there is the Chicken Pot Stickers. Which is a big serving. The Vegetable Eggrolls are a little greasy.

• Barney's Beanery

  1351 3rd Street Promenade
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
  
  This popular restaurant and bar on the Third Street Promenade is fixture in Santa Monica. Well known for its burgers and chili. With 40 different draft beers and over a 100 bottled beers, you are sure to find one you will like. There is no shortage of TV screens, a total of 28 at bar including two large projection screen and one ginormous projection screen. Happy Hour prices are half price on draft beers and well drinks are $3.50. On the menu, there are good-sized Hot Wings for $5.25 or you can have Bean or Chili Irish Nachos for $4.25. If you are very hungry you should go for the Chicken Fingers for $4.25. If you want to bring you laptop, you can use the complementary Wi-Fi at Barneys.