Happy hours aren’t quite as de rigueur as they once were, what with everyone working from home, but it’s not an entirely dead concept. There are still plenty of places carrying the happy hour torch, including offering the classic oyster special. There are a host of places to get cheap cocktails while enjoying breathtaking waterfront views and spectacular food deals. These 14 happy hours give San Francisco a breath of fresh air and might just be worth stepping out of your daytime pajamas and sliding onto a barside stool.
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14 Solid Happy Hours in San Francisco
Get happy with deals on food and a drink at these restaurants and bars

Popi's Oysterette
Popi’s Oysterette is a newer happy hour offering, but it’s already earning some neighborhood buzz. Try the confit tombo tuna ($9) or the steamed Manila clams ($8), and pair it with a $7 glass of wine or a $5 bottle of Anchor Steam. Monday through Thursday, 3-5 p.m.
Causwells
Causwells’ happy hour perhaps isn’t the most robust menu around, but it’s guaranteed the drinks will be unique, with barman Elmer Mejicanos designing the refreshments. Three drinks are included in the $9 cocktail special, which currently includes the Holy Trinity Martini, which is infused with the holy trinity (referring to the Cajun recipe holy trinity), dry vermouth, cracked pepper, and red pepper oil. Add on some oysters served with Angostura mignonette for $2 each. Tuesday through Sunday, 3-5 p.m.
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Jaranita SF Peruvian Rotisserie
Are there other Marina bars offering $5 empanadas during happy hour? Odds are Jaranita has that market cornered. Grab an “El Cholito (de la marina),” a mix of cucumber sake, dry vermouth, lime juice, and jalapeno for $8 or pay $15 for a cocktail flight to wash down the flaky pocket of goodness. Tuesday to Friday, 4-6 p.m.
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Cassava
With Cassava’s move to North Beach comes the addition of its “Champagne + spritz” happy hour, featuring a $10 “big pour” of house reds or whites, 25 percent off bottles of wine, and $10 off certain Champagne options. It also wouldn’t be a happy hour without some bites: Pick up a mini pancake served with Tsar Nicoulai caviar for $12, furikake popcorn chicken for $10, or a short ribs croquette for $10. Daily, 4:30-6 p.m.
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Palm House
During happy hour, Palm House slushies (white rum, spiced rum, and fresh lime juice) are only $10, which is enough of a reason to stake out a patio table at this Caribbean-inflected Cow Hollow hang. But dishes such as guacamole-like smashed avocado with lime and chile oil ($9), ahi poke tostada ($6), and jerk-spiced fries ($6) provide a compelling reason to stay. Tuesday through Friday, 4-6 p.m.
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One Market Restaurant
Just across the street from the Ferry Building, this restaurant offers Muni or BART travelers a chance to unwind before the journey in a classic San Francisco restaurant. Happy hour fare is not to be missed — the deviled eggs are $10, chickpea fries cost $9, while a latke will set you back just $4.25. Loaded latkes, with your choice of smoked salmon, pastrami, or pulled brisket will cost somewhere between $7.50 and $8.50. Tuesday to Friday, 4-8 p.m.
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PABU
The PABU Izakaya happy hour is still alive and well, featuring steamed pork buns for $3.88, karaage for $7.88, and a hand roll for $6.88. On the drinks side, sip on a Suntory highball for $10.88, or nurse a 22-ounce Sapporo for $9.88. Monday to Saturday, 4-5:30 p.m.
Waterbar Restaurant
Chef Parke Ulrich’s high-end Embarcadero restaurant launched its own rather affordable happy hour. Sidle up to the bar for $5 beer, $8 wine, and $10 cocktails. For cocktails, the options are limited to the El Tesoro Blanco Margarita and an Aperol spritz, which is nothing to complain about while taking in the luxurious view of the Bay. There’s also a daily featured oyster available for $1.55 each. Daily, 2:30-5 p.m.
The Harlequin
The space where the Harlequin now resides has long been a neighborhood happy hour spot, but even with an updated look, the new owners are committed to keeping the happy hour vibes intact for the locals. In that regard, it’s a classic happy hour menu with $10 cocktails, $8 glasses of wine, and $2 oysters. Daily, 4-6 p.m.
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Violet's
Violet’s happy hour options include Montucky Cold Snacks for $4, cocktails like the Ultraviolet (with butterfly pea flower gin, Hendrick’s, and creme de violette) for $8, and fries for $5. Don’t take a table in the dining room and expect to get the deal, however: Violet’s happy hour is for bar patrons only. Monday to Thursday, 5-6 p.m., Friday and Sunday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
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Doppio Zero San Francisco
This Italian Bay Area staple has a bevy of happy hour offerings for thirsty and hungry customers. Truffle french fries go for $6, a potato croquette with truffle fondue for $8, and six-inch pizzas for $8. All cocktails are $3 off, too, and draft beer is $2 cheaper. Monday to Thursday, 4:30-6 p.m.
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The Madrigal
Ordering cocktails from a Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group (Oakland’s Mama and FiDi’s the Vault) for $10 a piece is rare in its own right, let alone a nighttime happy hour. The Civic Center’s Madrigal, then, is hoping to provide this exceptional offering every week. Round it out with food off the happy hour menu, but keep in mind that the kitchen closes by 10:45 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 9 p.m. to close.
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Bar Crudo
Bar Crudo’s excellent, seafood-focused happy hour is a popular one, due to high-quality seafood offerings at a discounted price. There are $2 oysters or herb- and jalapeño-marinated mussels (all sold by the 1⁄2 dozen or dozen), crispy cod tacos ($12), and Crudo’s famously creamy seafood chowder ($12), all of which can be washed down with $5 beer or $9 wine. Monday to Saturday, 5-6:30 p.m.
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El Techo de Lolinda
One of the best happy hour views in town can be found at this rowdy rooftop bar, accompanied by $5 cervezas, $7 margaritas, $18 sangria pitchers, and bar bites that range from guacamole to empanadas. It can get quite crowded, especially on a sunny afternoon so plan to arrive on the earlier side. Monday to Friday, 4-6 p.m.
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