Prototype Issue
Bar Exam: Outdoor Happy Hours in LA
By Lizbeth Scordo
(page 1 of 1)You don't have to be an alcoholic to enjoy happy hour. Anyone can appreciate drink specials, especially if you can enjoy them in the beautiful outdoors.
Bodega
Bodega’s is located in Pasadena’s Paseo Colorado. Inside, white vinyl bar stools and suede couches give the spot a loungey feel. Every night from 4 to 7 Bodega offers wines for $5 a glass. This includes whites from around the world, and California reds. Beer’s $3. Appetizers are discounted too. On Sunday, happy hour restarts at 10 p.m., to beat the Sunday night blues. Tip: DJ Lux and DJ Dave spin tunes on Monday and Thursday nights. Where: 260 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 626-793-4300
BottleRock
At Culver City’s BottleRock Sony Studios worker bees rub elbows with neighborhood hipsters, surrounded by hundreds of bottles of vino stacked up the wall of this industrial space. The wine list is dizzying, but the happy hour list, available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, is abbreviated; choose from eight varietals for $4.50 a glass. Nibble Marcona almonds and tuna-stuffed piquillo peppers for $5 or under. Tip: Your server will open any bottle of wine on the list as long as you order two glasses. Check the board for already-open bottles to try. Where: 3847 Main St., Culver City, 310-836-WINE
Nick & Stef’s
The happy hour at downtown’s Nick & Stef’s steakhouse is where attorneys and finance folks gravitate for specials on colorful drinks with even more colorful names—5 o’Clock Punch ($7.50) or Lady’s Lemonade ($6.50). During happy hour house chardonnay and merlot are $4. Happy hour menu includes a BBQ chicken quesadilla for $4.50, fried oysters for $7.50 and a wild mushroom and goat cheese flatbread for $13. Happy hour runs from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays. Tip: Don’t not remember to get your parking garage ticket validated; otherwise you’ll end up paying almost $4 for every 12 minutes. Ouch. Where: 330 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, 213-680-0330
On the Waterfront
This European-style spot along the Venice Boardwalk offers stellar ocean views and people-watching. During Sunset Happy Hour from 6 to 8 weeknights order half-price glasses of house wine and flutes of German beer on draft, including Erdinger Wiezenbier. Bud bottles are $1.50, Coronas are $2.25 and house wines cost $2.25. The happy hour food menu includes $5.95 burgers, $3.95 gazpacho and $5.95 fried calamari. Tip: A menu of discounted items like burgers and soups are available during happy hour. Where: 205 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, 310-392-0322
The 3rd Stop
From 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, in this candlelit pub you buy the beer and The 3rd Stop will serve your group a complimentary margherita pizza. The bar offers a selection of three dozen suds on tap for $5—from Sharkbite Red Ale made in San Diego to Belgium’s Grimbergen Abbey Ale. The crowd is full of Cedars Sinai staffers still decked out in their scrubs. Smaller parties may like the street-side patio, and larger groups can try the farmhouse table inside. Tip: If you sit at a table inside or out you still have to order at the bar. A server will bring you your order when it’s ready. Where: 8636 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, 310-273-3605
World Café
Careful, the drinks are strong at this Santa Monica staple. During happy hour margaritas and apple martinis cost $5 and $3 kamikaze shooters are also available. The happy hour appetizer menu offers chicken soft tacos, tempura onion rings and hummus with crudité, for $3 or under. The crowd is a mix of couples canoodling on couches and bigger parties. Happy hour runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Tip: While World Café doesn’t offer its happy hour specials on the patio, during warm weather the lounge doors stay open, giving the room open-air breezes. Where: 2820 Main St., Santa Monica, 310.392.1661
Ciudad
Downtown’s most happening outdoor patio happy hour haunt for Latin lovers is Ciudad. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., wash down $4 tacos with $4 drinks: margaritas, mojitos, sangria and house wines. Tuesday features Paella on the Patio. For $29 per person, the freshly made Spanish dish is cooked before your eyes. Savor it with selected Spanish red wines. Tapas are featured Sundays at Ciudad from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tip: On Sunday, discounts apply from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for drinks only. Wednesdays through Fridays, Flamenco band Cale will keep you awake. Where: 445 South Figueroa St., Los Angeles, 213-486-5171
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