We may not have nearly as many Happy Hours as Portland or Seattle but the Bay Area does have a good ones if you know where to go. Here are some local happy hours that should help the week go by a little quicker!
Grande Cafe and Bar (Monday-Friday, 3-7pm; in the bar) at the Hotel Monaco on Geary and Taylor is one of my all time favorite restaurants. Besides making me feel like I am back in Paris, they have the best banana cream pie in the whole wide world. Yes, that good. Happy hour offers bar bites such as oysters on the half shell, flatbread and salmon tartare ($3-$7) and house wine for $5. Go in on a Monday and mention the secret word “Moulin Rouge” to your server and get 50% off bar food items.
Cafe Des Amis (Monday-Friday, 3-6pm; bar, lounge or outside bistro tables) on Union Street is another restaurant that takes me back to Paris (ok so maybe I’m a bit of a Francophile). It looks and feels just like a Parisian Cafe and the food is just as good. Their happy hour offers a daily selection of beers for $2.50, glass of wine for $5, $1 0ysters, Charcuterie Tasting ($10), Cheese Tasting ($12) and burger, fries and glass of wine for $19. Not to mention the bartenders and servers are super fun and friendly. Like you needed more of a reason to hang out here.
Comstock Saloon (Monday-Friday, 11:30-2:30pm) is located in a historic space on Columbus Ave near Jackson Square that has been serving up drinks since 1907. For those of you who like to have a drink (or 2) on their lunch break before going back to work, this is your go-to spot. Buy 2 full price drinks and get a free lunch. Who would turn down a free lunch?
Beast and the Hare (Wednesday-Friday, 6-7:30pm) recently opened on Guerrero in the Mission and is likened to a London gastropub. Their happy hour offers appetizers like root beer lamb sliders, spicy wings, deviled eggs and fried pickles. Wash these down with $4 draft beers, $3 cans and $5 house wine.
Horizons (Monday-Friday, 4-7pm) is right on the water in Sausalito and offers one of the most stunning views of the Bay Area. Pop in for happy hour and you have your pick of $5 items like nachos, fish tacos, sliders with fries, chicken skewers and roasted garlic with cambozola and chutney. Pair it with $4 beers, $5 wine of the day or $4 well drinks.
Balboa Cafe (Tuesday-Friday, 3-6pm) in Mill Valley is known for its burger but I could just eat the warm bread and butter and be just fine. If bread and butter isn’t your thing, their happy hour offers other appetizers like Buttermilk Chicken Lollipops, Calamari Fritti, Chicken or Vegetables Quesadillas (all $5) and Balboa Sliders. Drink specials include $5 chardonnay, merlot, sparkling wine, bloody marys, well drinks and $4 draught beers. Be ready to see some cougars in action.
More to come next week….