5 Best San Diego Happy Hour Spots

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San Diego, California is brimming with amazing restaurants and Happy Hour menus. So today we’re sharing our 5 favorite San Diego Happy Hour spots throughout the city.

San Diego Happy Hour #1 The Original 40 Brewing Company

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OG Burger
  • Neighborhood: North Park
  • Location: 3117 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92104
  • Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 3 – 6 PM
  • What we ordered: Chrispy Boi Helles Lager, Juice Maze IPA, OG burger, Arugula salad, Baby back Adobo ribs, grilled vegetable plate, Pilsner puffs
  • Must-tries: Pilsner Puffs & Baby back Adobo ribs

Located in the land of pizza and bars, also known as North Park, is The Original 40 Brewing Company. This locally owned spot may sound like your typical brewery but you’ll be pleasantly surprised upon visiting. It is great for Happy Hour with the girls, date night or even a get-together.

This chic brewery not only serves a wide variety of craft bears like crowd favorites the Chrispy Boi (Helles lager) and the Juice Maze IPA; they also have an extensive wine list and elevated menu items. This isn’t your typical brewery with food being an after-thought.

About Original 40 Brewing Company’s Happy Hour:

  • Taster Flights – $9 for 3 4-ounce pours
  • Select Beers – $1 off
  • OG Burger – $12
  • Cheese Board – $13

San Diego Happy Hour #2: Farmer’s Table

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The “Library Room”
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Farmer’s Table Salad (left), Margherita pizza (right)
  • Neighborhoods: La Mesa, Bay Park & Little Italy
  • Locations:
    • 8141 La Mesa Blvd. La Mesa, CA 91942 (La Mesa)
    • 3055 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 92117 (Bay Park)
    • 550 Date Street, Ste. A, San Diego, CA 92101 (Little Italy)
  • Happy Hour: Sunday – Thursday, 3 – 6 PM
  • What we ordered: Margherita pizza, Farmer’s table salad with chicken, Watermelon patch cocktail, “That’ll do Pig” cocktail
  • Must-tries: Watermelon Patch & Smoking gun cocktails, fennel margherita pizza, Meat & cheese board

We visited Farmer’s Table Little Italy location, located at the heart of the neighborhood. This spot not only has beautifully interesting decor (my personal favorite is the library room), but is perfect for people watching in Little Italy.

Happy Hour is popping. Did you know? Farmer’s Table is the only bar in Little Italy with a walk up from the sidewalk! Another fun fact: the executive chef visits the fish market everyday to see what’s fresh to serve for the catch of the day.

About Farmer’s Table Happy Hour:

  • Duck wings with jalapeño tangerine – $9
  • Lamb Meatballs with lentils, mushrooms & red wine – $8
  • Meat & Cheese Board – $14
  • Drinks: $8 crafted cocktails, $7 well drinks, $6 house red and white wine

San Diego Happy Hour #3: The Smoking Gun

  • Neighborhood: Gaslamp Quarter
  • Location: 555 Market St. San Diego, CA 92101
  • Happy Hour: Monday – Thursday, 4 – 7 PM
  • What we ordered: Trigger Finger & Hurricane cocktails, Smoking Gun burger, Revolver salad with Ahi tuna, TV dinner

The Smoking Gun feels like your neighborhood retro bar. It is perfect for a post-work happy hour with your coworkers or a night out with your friends to watch a sports game or shoot some pool. Named after the old gun range that used to be downstairs, this spot has all sorts of ambiance!

The menu has Southern style dishes with a unique twist – one of our favorites was the “TV dinner.” The “Trigger Finger” is also a must-have! Popular dishes also include the chicken nuggs, the mac & cheese.

About Smoking Gun’s Happy Hour:

  • Select plates – $5
  • Cocktails – $10
  • Drafts & house wines – $5

San Diego Happy Hour #4: Mavericks Beach Club

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Shrimp Ceviche, Garlic Parmesan Wings, California Fries, Chips Salsa & Guac
  • Neighborhood: Pacific Beach
  • Location: 860 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
  • Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 3 – 8 PM
  • What we ordered: Shrimp Ceviche, Garlic Parmesan Wings, California Fries, Chips Salsa & Guac, Maverick’s Margarita & Blackberry Smash cocktails
  • Pro Tip: Come for Happy Hour on Tuesday’s for some extra deals. Get $10 all you can eat tacos on top of the normal Happy Hour menu.

You may recognize Maverick’s Beach Club for being the popular weekend beachside party spot with 15,000 square feet of bars, seating, views & dance floors. But during the week this beach club turns into the local neighborhood hang out spot. You’ll see families eating dinner, friends playing lawn games, and people watching sports on one of the 40 TVs.

The idea behind Maverick’s is a “beach bar with better food.” Well, they completely nailed it! The menu features Baja California influence that can accommodate anyone. They offer vegan and keto options (including impossible patties). Popular dishes included the California fries, the wings that were voted “best wings by the beach”, and the keto bowl. Popular cocktails include the Mavericks Margarita, Blackberry smash, watermelon mule, and slushies.

About Maverick’s Happy Hour:

  • Snacks – $2 off
  • Wine, wells & beer – $4
  • Mavericks Margaritas & Mai Tais – $6

San Diego Happy Hour #5: The Duck Dive

  • Neighborhood: Pacific Beach
  • Location: 4650 Mission Blvd. San Diego, CA 92109
  • Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 3 – 6 PM; brunch & bottomless mimosas are served daily
  • What we ordered: duck fat fries, DD spinach dip, oysters Rockefeller, dive wings, calamari & peppers
  • Pro tip: Come by on Wednesdays after 7PM for live acoustic music

Located in Pacific Beach, The Duck Dive is a neighborhood lounge and bar that serves coastal cuisine. The clientele ranges from post-work snackers to families grabbing dinner. The restaurant is located near the water and draws inspiration from surfing, which you can tell from the vaulted ceiling and surf videos that play throughout the bar.

Most popular dishes include the weekly special entree as well as the tacos. Guests also love the family style punch bowls (perfect for sharing) and “Tropic Like It’s Hot.” Pro tip: they’re pretty instagrammable!

About Duck Dive’s Happy Hour:

  • Snacks & craft cocktails – 1/2 off
  • House wines & wells – $5
  • Draft beers – $2 off
  • Daily Specials that change throughout the week. Find them on the site here.
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