5 San Diego Happy Hours to Try In July

My monthly guide of San Diego happy hours is back (see here and here for previous guides)! For July, I’m highlighting some favorites in Hillcrest, La Jolla, Mission Hills and South Park. Read below to find out where to get the best fish tacos on happy hour, which place in San Diego is making cocktails with their own fruit wines, and where to stop in South Park with the pup for a glass of wine!

1. Hundred Proof

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

This brand new bar concept is located just down the street from the group’s first restaurant Trust (one of my go-to favorites for brunch). With a modern-meets-woodsy vibe, Hundred Proof is a great spot to grab craft cocktails and bites. From 3-7pm during the week, they offer $7 craft cocktails, $6 wines and $5 beers, plus $3 off all food. Their fish tacos were some of the best I’ve ever tried, and they were only $6 for a plate of three! Their marble bar and jackelope wallpaper make it a pretty fun spot to Instagram, too.

2. Fruitcraft

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

Recently re-conceptualized from a winery to a fermentery, FruitCraft in Hillcrest is making some of the most interesting cocktails in San Diego. All of their wines and spirits are made from a range of fruits other than grapes, such as pineapples, pomegranates, cranberries, and mangoes. FruitCraft then uses these to mix up a range of unique cocktails, such as their take on a Moscow mule made with pumpkin wine! While they don’t currently offer a traditional daily happy hour, stop by on the weekend for Sangria Saturdays and get discounted red and white sangrias.

3. Bar by Red Door

Located in Mission Hills, Bar by Red Door is the sister concept to their adjoined farm-to-table restaurant, Red Door. The space is filled with hanging plants, modern seating, and plenty of natural light, with a bar menu written out on an entire wall-length mirror. Happy hour runs daily from 5-7, and includes $8 cocktails, $6 wines and $5 beers. They also offer food on happy hour as well, with farm fresh offerings like caprese lettuce wraps and mixed vegetables.

4. Whisknladle

Happy hour at this La Jolla gem is everyday from 4-6, making it the perfect spot for a drink near the beach. All libations are $5.55, including select cocktails and house sangria. Small plates are also on happy hour, including a bowl of local mussels and garlic toast. Weekend happy hours are especially hard to come by in La Jolla, so definitely keep Whisknladle in mind if you’re around on a Saturday or Sunday!

5. The Rose Wine Bar

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

South Park is full of great local spots for food and drinks, and The Rose Wine Bar is no exception. The bar has a patio perfect for pups, and they offer an extensive wine list for anyone’s palette. During happy hour (Monday – Wednesday from 4:30-6:30 and Thursday-Sunday from 11:30-6:30), glasses of wine and flatbreads are $2 off, and beer & cider are just $5. Corkage is also reduced to $5 during happy hour, too, so you can pick out a bottle in their shop to share!

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

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

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

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.

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

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!

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.