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A pitcher of margaritas at El Techo. Aubrie Pick

16 Solid Happy Hours in San Francisco

Get happy with deals on food and a drink at these restaurants and bars

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It’s been a strange few years for a myriad of reasons, so the idea of going to a happy hour might not be on the top of your to-do list. But happy hours are back in San Francisco, whether anyone was asking for them or not. There are a host of places to get cheap eats and cocktails running the gamut from breathtaking waterfront views to spectacular food deals. These 16 happy hours give San Francisco a breath of fresh air and might just be worth stepping out of the WFH world and onto a barside stool.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Jaranita SF Peruvian Rotisserie

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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 to wash down the flaky pocket of goodness. Monday to Friday, 4-6 p.m.

Palm House

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During happy hour, Palm House slushies (white rum, spiced rum, and fresh lime juice) are only $7, 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 cumin ($6), Spam with coconut rice musubi ($5), and sweet potato fries ($6) provide a compelling reason to stay. Tuesday through Friday, 4-6 p.m.

One Market Restaurant

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Just across the street from the Ferry Building, this restaurant offers Muni or BART travelers a chance to unwind before the journey ahead. Happy hour fare is not to be missed — the deviled eggs are $10, chickpea fries cost $9, and latke get you back just $4.25. Tuesday to Friday, 4-8 p.m. The restaurant also recently added “Summer Oyster Weekends” with a $2 oyster special (limit 12 per person), running Fridays and Saturdays from 4-8 p.m.

Deviled eggs from One Market’s happy hour menu.
Deviled eggs from One Market’s happy hour menu.
One Market Restaurant

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 oz. Sapporo for $9.88. Monday to Saturday, 4-5:30 p.m.

Noelle Chun

International Smoke San Francisco

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This Michael Mina outpost offers a high-life vibe with dastardly low prices during happy hour. Cornbread goes for just $2, a smoked pork belly bun for just $5, and a Montucky Cold Snack available for $5, too. Daily, 4-6 p.m.

The bar at International Smoke.
The bar at International Smoke.
International Smoke

Waterbar Restaurant

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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 DeLeon 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, with a limit of 24 per table. Daily, 2:30-5 p.m.

Views from Waterbar Restaurant
Waterbar Restaurant

E&O Kitchen and Bar

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An argument can be made for adding this restaurant to a destination list of $2 butternut squash dumplings alone. Need more reason? Salt and pepper calamari for $10, $6 beers, and craft cocktails for just $9. Tuesday to Saturday, 3-6 p.m.

A happy hour spread from E&O.
A happy hour spread from E&O.
E&O Kitchen and Bar

Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar

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Everything on the happy hour menu at sustainability-focused sushi bar Tataki is $5, including a seasonally-rotating list of beer, wine, and sake, as well as cocktails like the Matsushima mule. There’s also a respectable list of hand or cut rolls for $4, including a crunchy spicy tuna roll, and the albacore and avocado roll. Daily, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Burma Club

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Mint Plaza spot Burma Club is the downtown venture from the folks behind Burma Superstar (and its numerous off-shoots), with a number of happy hour discounts. Draft beer is $8, wines are offered by the glass at $10, and a selection of cocktails costs $13. Monday through Friday, 5-6:30 p.m.

Burma Club’s happy hour options Burma Club

Violet's

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Violet’s happy hour options include Montucky Cold Snacks for $5, cocktails like the Kokomo Slushie (with two types of rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut) for $8, and homemade chips and dip 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 to Sunday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Doppio Zero San Francisco

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This Italian Bay Area staple has a bevy of happy hour offerings for thirsty and hungry diners. 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.

The Madrigal

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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 new food off the happy hour menu, too, but keep in mind that the kitchen closes by 10:45 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 9 p.m. to close.

The Madrigal on Van Ness.
The Madrigal on Van Ness.
The Madrigal

Bar Crudo

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Those in the know arrive right at 5 p.m. for a seat at Bar Crudo’s excellent, seafood-focused happy hour. There are $2 oysters or herb- and jalapeño-marinated mussels (all sold by the 1⁄2 dozen or dozen), rock cod tacos ($10 for two), and Crudo’s famously creamy seafood chowder ($9), all washed down with $5 beer or $7 wine. Monday to Saturday, 5-6:30 p.m.

Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant

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Stormy or sunny, Ocean Beach provides an expansive view of the Pacific. The Beach Chalet only upgrades that view, and the folks at the end of the Sunset neighborhood have launched an affordable happy hour to complement the experience. Beer is $5, with wines priced at $7 and cocktails for $9. Monday to Friday, 3:30-6 p.m.

Liliana

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Liliana, the sister bar to chef Seth Stowaway’s restaurant Osito, is kicking off a new happy hour menu this summer. There will be a small selection of wines available by the glass, as well as two specialty cocktails, and Lonestar Beer by the can, which will be available alongside the regular menu. Tuesday to Friday, 5-6 p.m.

El Techo de Lolinda

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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. Get to El Techo by 4 p.m. if you want a shot at a good table; it can get quite crowded, especially on a sunny afternoon. Monday to Friday, 4-6 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 to wash down the flaky pocket of goodness. Monday to Friday, 4-6 p.m.

Palm House

During happy hour, Palm House slushies (white rum, spiced rum, and fresh lime juice) are only $7, 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 cumin ($6), Spam with coconut rice musubi ($5), and sweet potato fries ($6) provide a compelling reason to stay. Tuesday through Friday, 4-6 p.m.

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 ahead. Happy hour fare is not to be missed — the deviled eggs are $10, chickpea fries cost $9, and latke get you back just $4.25. Tuesday to Friday, 4-8 p.m. The restaurant also recently added “Summer Oyster Weekends” with a $2 oyster special (limit 12 per person), running Fridays and Saturdays from 4-8 p.m.

Deviled eggs from One Market’s happy hour menu.
Deviled eggs from One Market’s happy hour menu.
One Market Restaurant

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 oz. Sapporo for $9.88. Monday to Saturday, 4-5:30 p.m.

Noelle Chun

International Smoke San Francisco

This Michael Mina outpost offers a high-life vibe with dastardly low prices during happy hour. Cornbread goes for just $2, a smoked pork belly bun for just $5, and a Montucky Cold Snack available for $5, too. Daily, 4-6 p.m.

The bar at International Smoke.
The bar at International Smoke.
International Smoke

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 DeLeon 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, with a limit of 24 per table. Daily, 2:30-5 p.m.

Views from Waterbar Restaurant
Waterbar Restaurant

E&O Kitchen and Bar

An argument can be made for adding this restaurant to a destination list of $2 butternut squash dumplings alone. Need more reason? Salt and pepper calamari for $10, $6 beers, and craft cocktails for just $9. Tuesday to Saturday, 3-6 p.m.

A happy hour spread from E&O.
A happy hour spread from E&O.
E&O Kitchen and Bar

Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar

Everything on the happy hour menu at sustainability-focused sushi bar Tataki is $5, including a seasonally-rotating list of beer, wine, and sake, as well as cocktails like the Matsushima mule. There’s also a respectable list of hand or cut rolls for $4, including a crunchy spicy tuna roll, and the albacore and avocado roll. Daily, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Burma Club

Mint Plaza spot Burma Club is the downtown venture from the folks behind Burma Superstar (and its numerous off-shoots), with a number of happy hour discounts. Draft beer is $8, wines are offered by the glass at $10, and a selection of cocktails costs $13. Monday through Friday, 5-6:30 p.m.

Burma Club’s happy hour options Burma Club

Violet's

Violet’s happy hour options include Montucky Cold Snacks for $5, cocktails like the Kokomo Slushie (with two types of rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut) for $8, and homemade chips and dip 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 to Sunday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Doppio Zero San Francisco

This Italian Bay Area staple has a bevy of happy hour offerings for thirsty and hungry diners. 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.

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 new food off the happy hour menu, too, but keep in mind that the kitchen closes by 10:45 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 9 p.m. to close.

The Madrigal on Van Ness.
The Madrigal on Van Ness.
The Madrigal

Bar Crudo

Those in the know arrive right at 5 p.m. for a seat at Bar Crudo’s excellent, seafood-focused happy hour. There are $2 oysters or herb- and jalapeño-marinated mussels (all sold by the 1⁄2 dozen or dozen), rock cod tacos ($10 for two), and Crudo’s famously creamy seafood chowder ($9), all washed down with $5 beer or $7 wine. Monday to Saturday, 5-6:30 p.m.

Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant

Stormy or sunny, Ocean Beach provides an expansive view of the Pacific. The Beach Chalet only upgrades that view, and the folks at the end of the Sunset neighborhood have launched an affordable happy hour to complement the experience. Beer is $5, with wines priced at $7 and cocktails for $9. Monday to Friday, 3:30-6 p.m.

Liliana

Liliana, the sister bar to chef Seth Stowaway’s restaurant Osito, is kicking off a new happy hour menu this summer. There will be a small selection of wines available by the glass, as well as two specialty cocktails, and Lonestar Beer by the can, which will be available alongside the regular menu. Tuesday to Friday, 5-6 p.m.

Related Maps

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. Get to El Techo by 4 p.m. if you want a shot at a good table; it can get quite crowded, especially on a sunny afternoon. Monday to Friday, 4-6 p.m.

Related Maps