Tag: downtown san diego

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in August

With summer seeming to speed by, I can’t believe it’s already time for another installment of San Diego happy hours! For the month of August, I’ve highlighted bars from the heart of downtown up to La Jolla, including my FAVORITE place for $5 poke as well as the best spot to grab $1 oysters by the pool!

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in August | The ELL Blog1.Market Hall

Located downtown at the start of East Village, Market Hall is a gourmet food shop with a fantastic selection of high end products including cheeses, wines, and ready-made meals. The spot also has an onsite bar and restaurant which offers a daily happy hour from 4-9pm. Yep, you read that right — it lasts for 5 hours! And to make it even better, all of their happy hour offerings are INCREDIBLE. Rosé is only $4, and that poké and cucumber stack pictured above is a simple $5. It’s a pretty quiet spot, but definitely worth a stop if you’re looking for some amazing food and drinks at ridiculously great prices.

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in August | The ELL Blog

2. Park & Rec

This indoor/outdoor concept in University Heights offers a double happy hour Monday – Thursday from 4-6 and again from 10 til close. Cocktails and wines are $6 each, so you can grab a Pimm’s Cup and head to the back house for a game of corn hole. If you’re more interested in people watching, grab one of the adirondack chairs on the front patio and soak up the neighborhood scene.

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in August | The ELL Blog

3. The Pool House

The newest rooftop spot to join downtown San Diego, The Pool House is an outdoor bar at The Pendry Hotel that opens to the public nightly starting at 5pm. Don’t miss out on their “Rooftop Social” during the week from 5-7 when their entire menu is half off. San Diego happy hours don’t get much better than this — oysters are just $1 each, and wines start at $5.50. You’ll feel like you’re staying at a five star resort for none of the cost!

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in August | The ELL Blog

4. The Smoking Goat

After getting back from Paris, Elliot & I sometimes (more like always) crave a European atmosphere. Enter The Smoking Goat, an intimate French restaurant in North Park that serves up farmhouse style cuisine. Stop in Monday – Friday from 5-6pm for their nightly happy hour, which includes $4 beers and $5 wines. If you’re feeling indulgent, splurge for the escargot and duckfat truffle fries, which are just $6 each.

5. Catania

Whiskenladle Hospitality’s fifth Italian restaurant, Catania, is perched above Girard street in La Jolla, offering both city and partial ocean views from the patio. Their daily “apertivo” runs from 3-6pm, where you can order discounted cocktails and bites. Authentic appetizers include beef carpaccio, arancini, and a salami plate, while drinks range from wines to simple craft cocktails.

Interested in learning more about San Diego happy hours? Read my previous guides here, here and here!

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in April

The next monthly installment of San Diego happy hours is here!  This month, I’ve included one of our all time favorites, as well as some other great go-tos throughout the city. Get ready to try out oysters on Adams Ave, Moscow Mules downtown, and margs in Liberty Station!

1. FIRESIDE

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in April - Fireside | The ELL Blog

This outdoor dining concept from the Patio Group is a perfect spot for an afternoon cocktail at Liberty Station. Southwestern accents are sprinkled throughout the patios — including cowhide cocktail tables! — and their back patio bar is housed within a shipping container. Six cocktails are on happy hour, including a yummy margarita and the “Bees Knees Please,” a gin + honey cocktail. Their food offerings are extensive as well, with flatbreads, salads and appetizers all included on happy hour (make sure to try the cornbread). Since Fireside is owned by the Patio Group, which is a very dog friendly restaurant group, pups are always welcome, too! Last time we were here, the server brought Aspen some salmon skin as a treat and she was in heaven. Happy hour runs 3-6pm Tuesday through Sunday, and all day on Mondays.

2. Jayne’s Gastropub

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in April - Jayne's Gastropub | The ELL Blog

Located on the northern side of 30th Street, Jayne’s Gastropub offers British fare in a charming white-washed spot. While their happy hour is a little higher priced than most ($8 for drinks and appetizers), the spot is worth a stop if you’re looking for something a little different in North Park.  The bright space and honeycomb tiled floors are a photo dream, plus they have a darling back garden patio that’s completely hidden from the street. Happy hour here runs Tuesday through Sunday from 3-6pm.

3. Lion’s Share

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in April - Lion's Share | The ELL Blog

Lion’s Share is one of our all time favorite San Diego happy hours. Located downtown off Kettner Street, the intimate bar + restaurant has an eclectic pub vibe, with dim lighting and animal oil paintings adorning the walls. Happy hour, which runs everyday from 4-6pm, includes a long list of craft cocktails for only $6 as well as appetizers from $4-$8. The Moscow Mule made with fresh ginger is my absolute fav, and their $4 truffle fries are hard to beat. If you’re wanting a little more substance, they also offer a burger + beer special for just $10.

4. Half Door Brewing Co.

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in April - Half Door | The ELL Blog

Looking for a spot to grab a beer before heading to Petco Park? Half Door is located just a block from the stadium – plus you can even see into the park from their rooftop balcony! The Irish style brew pub is located within a historic white house,  which gives the spot even more charm. Head inside to the first floor and sit at the bar, where they’ll pour their house brewed beers from doorknob tap handles. During happy hour, which goes Monday – Friday from 4-6pm, house beers are $5 and specialty cocktails are $6. They also have a selection of bites on the happy hour menu as well, such as fried goat cheese and ahi tuna tacos.

5. Beerfish

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in April - Beerfish | The ELL Blog

Beerfish offers a fun, nautical themed dining experience on Adams Street. Their outdoor patio is adorned with buoys, market lights, and bench seating, while inside is vibrantly complete with mapped wallpaper and a fresh oyster bar. Stop in Monday through Friday from 3-6pm and receive $2 off beers and wine, and oysters for just a dollar. Can’t go wrong with a glass of rosé and seafood outdoors.

Hope you enjoyed this month’s list of San Diego happy hours — come back in May for five new ones that are sure to bring some inspiration to your afternoon plans!

Best San Diego Taco Tuesday Spots

Tuesday has recently become one of my favorite days of the week since it’s the perfect excuse to have tacos + margs on a weeknight. I’m always up for an reason to have some fun on a day other than Friday or Saturday!  If you’re like me and looking for a spot to get some yummy Mexican fare at a great price, I’ve brought together six of my favorite San Diego Taco Tuesday spots for you to try out.

Bracero

San Diego Taco Tuesday | Bracero

Situated above Kettner Blvd in Little Italy, this authentic Mexican cocina serves up some of San Diego’s most sophisticated tacos. Their menu of unique taco selections include Beef Tounge Confit, Cauliflower Tortita, and Mexiterranean Abodaba which are $3.50 a piece everyday from 3-6pm. Their speciality cocktail menu is equally as intriguing with fresh takes on classics like a hibiscus sherry Paloma, and are $9.50 at happy hour.

El Camino

San Diego Taco Tuesday | El Camino

Upon entering El Camino, you may have the sensation that you’ve stepped foot inside a piñata. This colorful San Diego Taco Tuesday spot, with vibrant murals and bright tissue paper tassels strung from the ceiling, makes taco Tuesday feel like a party. El Camino is also one of the most affordable spots, too, with $2 street tacos and $3 margs, sangria, and Coronas on Tuesdays.

Del Sur

San Diego Taco Tuesday | Del Sur

South Park is full of hidden restaurant gems, and Del Sur is no exception. This colorful Mexican eatery has local neighborhood charm with a spot-on taco + drink menu. Their Tuesday special includes $3 tacos, $5 house made margaritas, and $4 sangrias. If you’re with friends (or feeling thirsty), pitchers of their cocktails are discounted, too.

Cantina MayahueL

San Diego Taco Tuesday | Cantina Mayahuel

Cantina Mayahuel is one of our more recent taco finds, although I wish we’d known about it longer! Located on Adams Street, this small tequila bar feels straight out of Mexico. Everything is prepared in a small kitchen right behind the bar, making the entire drinking and dining experience feel intimate. The cantina specializes in a huge variety of tequilas and mezcals as well, which includes their own house made brand. Margaritas are $5 and tacos are just $3 a piece all day on Tuesdays.

La Puerta

San Diego Taco Tuesday | La Puerta

This downtown spot has long been one of our favorite happy hours in the city with it’s amazing prices and yummy Mexican fare.  Tacos and TJ Dogs are two bucks all night, while all drinks and apps are 50% off from 3-7. Try their cochinita taco with a Whole Lotta Love margarita – you won’t be disappointed!

Puesto

San Diego Taco Tuesday | Puesto

While Puesto may have already made it onto my list for best happy hours in the city, it would be a shame not to include it on a San Diego Taco Tuesday list, too. Their crispy cheese-grilled tacos and “Puesto Perfect” margaritas are always a great way to end a Tuesday! Get there early while their margs are only $6 from 3-5pm, and stay for the $2.50 tacos and $3.50 Modelo cans that run all night.

5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try in March

Trying out new bars and restaurants is one of our favorite things to do, and San Diego happy hours are sometimes the easiest way to check out a place. If you’ve been looking for a new spot to try in the city, or simply want some inexpensive  sips and bites, here are five San Diego happy hours to try this month:

1. THE CRACK SHACK – LITTLE ITALY

San Diego Happy Hours | Crack Shack

This entirely outdoor restaurant is the perfect spot for a sunny afternoon cocktail. The Crack Shack’s menu is based around chicken + eggs (as the name suggests), serving gourmet chicken sandwiches alongside self-service homemade sauce bar. The lively atmosphere, complete with a bocce ball court and plenty of seating, makes this spot a fun afternoon hangout. Happy hour runs Monday-Friday from 3-6pm, with $3 off cocktails and $2 off beer + wine.

2. FairweatheR – East Village

san Diego Happy Hours | Fairweather

When the sun is out, piña coladas are in order. Head to this rooftop oasis above Rare Form and grab a tiki drink for only $7 during happy hour, starting at 5pm Monday through Friday.  If the glassware and pink umbrellas aren’t enough, the rooftop view of Petco Park should help, too.

3. Isola Pizza – Little Italy

San Diego Happy Hours | Isola Pizza

Isola has long been one of our favorite happy hours in the city. Ever since studying abroad in Italy, Elliot and I have been on the hunt for authentic Italian pizzas. Not only does this spot have one of our favorite margarita pizzas to date, it’s only $5 during their everyday happy hour from 3-6pm.  Add a glass of wine or Prosecco for another $5, and dinner is complete.

4. SODA & SWINE – LIBERTY STATION

San Diego Happy Hours | Soda & Swine

The Liberty Station Soda & Swine location has a vibe  reminiscent of a vintage soda parlor with funky twists – including a glass-topped foosball bar table, Spanish tile walls, and cherry red bar stools. The restaurant is specifically known for it’s meatball menu, which can be ordered with a variety of sauces on sliders, subs, or pasta (all of which are incredible). Happy hour is Monday – Friday from 3-7, with $5 beers, wines and select cocktails. A half order of “Dirty Fries” are only $5, too, and definitely hit the spot.

5. Puesto – Downtown

San Diego Happy Hours | Puesto

While Puesto is one of my all time favorite taco spots in San Diego, it gets even better at happy hour. The art-covered walls, colorful chairs, and cacti clusters create an artsy Mexican vibe within the historic Headquarters building. Happy hour runs Monday-Friday from 3-5, when their “Puesto Perfect” margaritas are only $6, and speciality tacos are $3.50 a piece.

Fairweather

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Fairweather |ELL.

Fairweather |ELL.

Fairweather | ELL.

Fairweather |ELL.

Fairweather |ELL.

Fairweather |ELL.

Fairweather |ELL.

Fairweather |ELL.

Fairweather |ELL.

This bar has definitely made it onto my top 5 list for San Diego. Fairweather is a vibrant and fun speakeasy-style bar adjacent to Petco Park. And when I say adjacent, I mean it is tucked onto a rooftop with a view of the park (!). This tropical oasis is, of course, one of Consortium Holding’s creations. Without a street sign or a marked entrance, the bar is made even cooler by the fact that you have to try and find your way to the roof

The vibrant colors, bright tiles, and living plant wall create a summery vibe in the middle of downtown. The best part, however, is their fun tiki-inspired drink list. During happy hour, Mai Tais, Piña Coladas, and other fun cocktails are $7, and come in crazy fun glasses complete with paper umbrellas. It doesn’t hurt that their tropical concoctions are some of the best around, too. And if there’s a baseball game going on, there is no better spot in the city to watch. You feel like you are a part of the game without the price of a ticket (and over priced cocktails!) At this point, I’m pretty sure Consortium Holdings can do no wrong. This is definitely a must try spot in San Diego (if you can find it!)

xx