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
In and Around the Peninsula
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 San Jose
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 Silicon Valley
Mexican
Whether you grab a seat at the long bar or perch at one of the standing tables, there’s plenty of room to enjoy happy hour at the lively, plant-filled Santa Clara outpost of this SoCal-based modern Mexican restaurant. Offered Monday through Friday, happy hour at Puesto means discounts on house margaritas, draft beers and wines by the glass — plus, 50 percent off bar bites, including birria nachos, potato taquitos and chicken flautas.
2752 Augustine Drive, Santa Clara, 408.333.9750
Mexican
The chic and clubby vibe, creative cocktails, and varied menu of small and large plates make Wild Rose a popular weekend destination for groups. Midweek is a great time to visit too, though, for the Tuesday through Thursday happy hour with specials on draft beers; select wines and cocktails; and bar bites like hamachi crudo, oysters, truffle fries, and salt and pepper wings.
200 E Campbell Ave., #2010, Campbell, 408.340.5136
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.
