When happy hour arrives in the South Bay, Silicon Valley professionals, sports fans, moms’ night out groups and couples all vie for a spot at the bar at the region’s many libation-driven locales that range from chic and clubby to casual and pubby. Popular destinations include a new upscale hotspot with sharable plates and bespoke cocktails in Palo Alto; a lively modern Mexican restaurant in Santa Clara for margaritas and nachos; a classic Irish pub in San Jose; and a brewery in Half Moon Bay with a view of the Pacific. Wherever you choose to imbibe, a good time is guaranteed at our picks for the best happy hour in the South Bay.
Feature Photo: Helena Yankovska
American
ADA-Compliant | Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating | Private Party Room
New Palo Alto hotspot Sekoya Lounge + Kitchen, helmed by the restaurateur behind San Mateo’s of Pausa Bar & Cookery, Steve Ugur, is making waves with its California-inspired shareable plates, seasonal cocktail program, curated wine list and upscale lounge-inspired atmosphere. Amber hour, offered Monday through Saturday, is an excellent time to visit, when the restaurant offers a special paired-down menu at discounted prices featuring a selection of cocktails like the strawberry gin and tonic; wine and beer; and small plates, including hibachi grilled skewers, oysters embellished with Fresno chile-sangria mignonette, smoked trout roe and citrus pearls; and caviar service.
Mexican
ADA-Compliant | Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating | Private Dining
Sister to the hip Mission District restaurant that serves traditional — and not so traditional — street tacos, small bites and sides, along with a cocktail menu that ranges from margaritas to micheladas. The Happy hour specials: $9 house margarita, red sangria, and wine (red, white, rosé or bubbles), and Tecate and Negra Modelo for $4 and $6, respectively. And at $9 each, made-to-order guacamole, “MF Chicken” tacos, dip sampler with guacamole, chile con queso, refried beans. A popular option is the “T-lish Prix-Fixe,” which is a tequila, a Tecate and a taco for $13.
632 Emerson Street, Palo Alto
In and Around the Peninsula
Seafood
ADA-Compliant | Brunch | Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Grab ‘n Go | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating | Watch the Game
Casual and whimsical “East Coast-style crab house” that specializes in crab, oysters, fish and chips, and other seafood greatest hits, as well as a full menu of pub grub and brunch staples. Happy Hour specials include $2 off on draft and bottled beer, $6 house wines and $8 especially drinks, and snacks run $3.50 to $9, including tempura mushrooms, veggie spring rolls, catfish bites and barbecue pork buns. Call to make a reservation.
4180 N. First Street, Unit 10, San Jose, 408.493.5112
American
ADA-Compliant | Full Bar | Happy Hour | Outdoor Seating
Lively lounge in the downtown arts, culture and entertainment district with a small-but-creative menu of specialty craft cocktails, draft beers, and gourmet burgers, bites and brunch dishes. Happy Hour specials include $5 single-mix well cocktails, half off on wine by the bottle, $2 off beer taps and small bites.
925 Blossom Hill Road, First Floor, San Jose, 408.363.2110
American
ADA-Compliant | Brunch | Full Bar | Grab ‘n Go | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Watch the Game
Archetypal Irish pub and restaurant with all the decor, fun vibe, whiskey, pints and pub food that usually goes with that. Happy Hour drinks include $5 draft beer pints, $6 well cocktails, $7 house wine and $8 signature cocktails. The pub grub dishes during Happy Hour are $10 and include crab cakes, bacon-wrapped prawns, buffalo wings, tacos and “Irish Nachos.” They do not accept reservations.
355 Santana Row, No. 1060, San Jose, 408.247.1706
In and Around The Coast
Seafood
ADA-Compliant | Brunch | Dogs Welcome | Full Bar | Grab ‘n Go | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Outdoor Seating
With a rotating selection of house-brewed beer that includes IPAs and blonde, amber and brown ales, to name a few, along with a large patio overlooking the ocean, Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. by the Pillar Point Harbor is always a popular stop on the coast. Come for happy hour Monday through Thursday and you’ll be treated to a friendly, welcoming vibe, along with discounts on draft beer, cocktails, artichoke hearts, nachos, buffalo wings and Yucatan ceviche. They do not accept reservations.
American
ADA-Compliant | Dogs Welcome | Grab ‘n Go | Happy Hour | Kid-friendly | Meal Under $20 | Outdoor Seating | Private Party Room
Located near Linda Mar Beach, the Pacifica outpost of this Santa Cruz-based coastal taproom and beer garden features 20 beer taps, including a rotating selection of West Coast and “foggy” IPAs and pale ales, plus a full kitchen cooking up brew-friendly favorites like tater tots tossed in a house-made spice blend, fish and chips, and a Niman Ranch burger. Select draft beers are $2 off during happy hour Tuesday through Thursday and all day every Monday. Call to make a reservation.
Who’s writing these?
Meet our always-hungry team of foodies who compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.
