If you want a lively bar scene, there are few places better than Santa Monica. With trendy new spots appearing next to long-standing classics, there’s a happy hour for everyone’s tastes.
Whether you’re looking for unique dives, soulful jazz bars, or just the best bang for your buck, you’ve got more options than you may know what to do with, so go ahead and check out our list of the best happy hours in Santa Monica, ridiculously useful when looking for the right cocktail spot in California!
The Best Happy Hour in Santa Monica that You Should Try!
Fig at Five at the Fairmont Miramar
- Address: Fairmont Miramar, 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Happy Hour: 5 to 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday
- Website
Fig at Five is one of the worst kept secrets amongst locals, but something now too many visitors know about. EVERYTHING is half off on the menu. Yes, that includes food (entrees too), fine wine, craft beer and cocktails.
The servers are excellent about letting you know when “last call” is for happy hour prices, and if they are slammed, don’t be surprised if last call comes around 6:30pm and even close to 7pm. As long as you are at your table at already eating before 6pm, the servers will honor your happy hour prices.
Lines for happy hour begin before the restaurant reopens at 5pm, so make a reservation (there are two lines- one for reservations and the other for walk-ups).
The Craftsman Bar and Kitchen
- Address: 119 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Happy Hour: 4:00–8:00 PM daily
- Website
The Craftsman with a happy hour that goes until 8:00 PM! The Craftsman features one of the best happy hours in Santa Monica, and it has even more affordable drink specials with well drinks at $6 each.
If you’re looking for beer and wine, house reds, whites, and sparkling are $6 each, and certain draft beers start at $4. You won’t find happy hour specials on food here. Still, the regular menu offers appetizers and sandwiches under $10 no matter the time of day.
Blue Plate Oysterette
- Address: 1355 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Happy Hour: Monday-Thursday 4:00–6:00 PM
- Website
Do you want a happy hour with a bit more refinement? Not a problem! Blue Plate offers an “oyster hour” with $6 beer and wine and $10 specialty cocktails. If you want something light before dinner, you can get half a dozen oysters for only $16.
If oysters aren’t what you’re looking for, but you still want seafood, get the $12 albacore tacos! If you’re looking for a spot tomorrow morning, Blue Plate Oysterette also has brunch drink specials.
Mercado
- Address: 1416 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Happy Hour: Tuesday-Thursday 5:00–7:00 PM, Friday 4:00–7:00 PM, Saturday-Sunday 4:00–6:00 PM
- Website
If you’re looking for a solid weekend happy hour in Santa Monica, Mercado has you covered.
And if you’re looking for quality Mexican food with a modern Santa Monica take, Mercado will not disappoint. Mercado has a slew of repeat customers for a reason.
Palma at The Santa Monica Proper
- Address: 700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Happy Hour: 4pm-6pm
- Website
Discounts on large format cocktails (meaning one pitcher can cover you and your friends), like the “Strawberry Dream” (prosecco, rye, strawberry, thyme, lemon) and the “West Fling” (prosecco, orange liqueur, fresh grapefruit juice) make it easy to catch up with friends over sips together.
Palmas also offers discounts on signature cocktails, small bites, house wines and beer.
Best of all, the Palmas is one of the most gorgeous restaurants in Santa Monica. Designed by Kelly Wearstler, you will instantly feel calm when you walk through the entry and find a seat to relax after a long day of work (or wandering the town).
Library Alehouse
- Address: 2911 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 11:30 AM-6:00 PM
- Website
With all their happy hour drink options under $10 and most under $6, you’ll be sure to find something you like without breaking the bank. 7 of the 8 food options are $10 or less, and the Dos Gringas are raved about.
You don’t have to be an avid reader to enjoy this library. The best part about Library Alehouse is their 6.5-hour happy hour on all weekdays.
The only downside is the happy hour just applies to food, though every offering is between $5 and $7. That being said, there are very few beers over $10 here, and you get a wide selection. Specials operate on a rotating basis, so make sure to see what they have when you’re there!
The Brixton
- Address: 2827 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Happy Hour: 3:30–7:30 PM daily
- Website
We see your 6.5-hour happy hour, Library Alehouse, and raise you 365 days a year of happy hours! Happy hour is nearly a religion at Brixton, with 28 hours a week of specials.
Well, cocktails come in at $7, and draft beers and house wines are $6 each. If you want something really fancy, specialty cocktails are $4 off. That same $4 discount is also applied to a handful of their tastiest food specials.
Still haven’t found where to eat in town? Head over to our guide to the best restaurants near Santa Monica beach.
Massilia
- Address: 1445 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Happy Hour: Monday-Thursday, 11am-6PM
- Website
Every wanted to step off the streets of Santa Monica and into Southern France? While I can’t say I ever wanted it before I knew it was an option, I sure do now! Massilia blends French, Spanish, Italian, and Moroccan cuisine in a space meant to emulate Marseille, France.
The best way to enjoy Massilia is to stop by towards the end of happy hour and have an appetizer and drink before dinner. With an intricate and pleasing menu, you’ll want to stay even when the specials are done. You can get cocktails and wines by the glass for $5 off during happy hour.
While not part of happy hour, pizzas are $12 past 10 PM. Go ahead and check their happy hour menu online.
The Misfit
- Address: 225 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Happy Hour: From opening until 7:00 PM daily
- Website
The Misfit touts it has the best Santa Monica happy hour (though who doesn’t?) around. In defense of The Misfit, cocktails, spirits, and wine (by the glass) are all half off. With a happy hour that starts the moment the doors open each day, there are few competitors in terms of value.
The Misfit offers $6 bloody marys and $20 bottomless mimosas if you fancy brunch. Their food is a bit pricey, but the food prices don’t seem too bad when a $16 cocktail becomes an $8 cocktail.
The Upper West
- Address: 321 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Happy Hour: Tuesday-Sunday 5:00–7:00 PM, all night Monday, 5:00–10:00 PM Tuesday (wines)
- Website
You may have to squint a bit to figure out the happy hour specials at the Upper West, but it’s worth the effort. Happy hour is 5:00–7:00 PM every day, with Mondays going from 5:00 PM until close and Tuesdays offering half-off bottles of wine from 5:00–10:00 PM.
This trendy establishment has a modern take on bar food, so you can enjoy happy hour comfort foods elevated. Tuesdays at the Upper West is the best happy hour around if you’re a wine connoisseur.
Jameson’s Pub
- Address: 2702 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Happy Hour: 3:00–8:00 PM daily
- Late Night Happy Hour: Sunday-Thursday 10:30 PM-12:30 AM
- Website
Jameson’s takes two for one seriously. Not only are all drinks two for the price of one during happy hour, but you get two happy hours.
Should you not want the same thing as your friend, you can get a double for the price of a single instead of the two-for-one option.
If you’re looking for a no-frills pub to go with a friend, Jameson’s is the place, especially if you’re a sports fan.
Sugar Palm at the Viceroy
- Address: 1819 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Happy Hour: Daily, 3pm-6pm
- Website
Enjoy $10 cocktails, $9 wine, $7 beer and plenty of appetizers under $13 to enjoy on your own or with friends as you sit by the pool. There are indoor and outdoor spaces for lounging, so call up your girlfriends for a cocktail after work.
Terrazza Lounge
- Address: 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Website
Located inside of the lobby at the Hotel Casa Del Mar, the Terrazza Lounge makes you feel like a high-profile guest no matter who you are. It’s hard not to drift off into fantastical imaginings when you see the view here, and sink into a cozy coach with friends.
The drink menu offers classic and seasonal cocktails. Anything from the Classics menu is a safe bet if you aren’t sure what to order.
While the cocktails are NOT on the “Sunset Hour” happy hour menu, you can get discounts on wine, beer, well drinks and a selections of nibbles. We recommend the Casa fries (sprinkled with herbs de Provence with a lemon aioli).
NOTE: while the lounge has the views, it is only available if you plan to have dinner there. If you are just looking for cocktails you can sit at the bar or in the many cozy seats around the lounge (think of it like a giant living room).
As long as the Terrazza Lounge isn’t packed, you are welcome to pop up for views as the sun begins to set.
More Spots for Santa Monica Happy Hour
- 1212 Santa Monica
- Art’s Table
- Bar Chloe
- Barney’s Beanery
- Basement Tavern
- Bazille
- Benihana
- Boa Steakhouse
- Bodega Wine Bar
- Britannia Pub
- Casa Martin
- Cabo Cantina
- Chez Jay
- The Craftsman Bar and Kitchen
- El Cholo
- King and Queen Cantina
- Lanea
- LouLou Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge
- Lunetta All Day
- Manchego
- Michael’s Restaurant
- Monica’s at the Hilton
- North Italia
- Red O Restaurant
- Santa Monica Seafood
- Solidarity
- The Surfing Fox
- Sushi Roku
- Stout
- Trejo’s Tacos
- Upper West
- Ye Olde King’s Head
So, where will we be seeing you at happy hour o’clock? Has you favorite Santa Monica happy hour spot made it to the list?
Best Santa Monica Happy Hour- DOWNLOADABLE MAP
PERMANENTLY CLOSED Happy Hour in Santa Monica
The Independence- PERMANENTLY CLOSED
- Address: 205 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Happy Hour: Wednesday-Friday, Sunday 4:00–6:00 PM
If you look at any list of Santa Monica’s best happy hours, The Independence is sure to be on it. The Independence is a local favorite for quality, price, and aesthetics.
For $10, you can pick from a list of craft cocktails that put a modern twist on classic drinks. Not seeing something that interests you? Draft beers and house wines are $7, and you have a full list of bites to pair them with. Their happy hour menu includes drinks and bites for all tastes.
Start Planning Your Trip to SAnta Monica
Where to stay in Santa Monica
- Santa Monica Proper Hotel
- Santa Monica Hotel: Pet-friendly and parking is included
- The Huntley Hotel: Luxury close to Santa Monica Beach and family-friendly
- Shore Hotel: Pet-friendly with a pool
- Viceroy Santa Monica: Views of the ocean, beachy vibes, pet-friendly with a pool
- Fairmont Miramar Hotel: Within walking distance of Third Street Promenade with a pool, spa and hot tub
Find more Santa Monica accommodation, whether you need a hotel, vacation rental or something unique and different HERE. Or check out the map below for all of your options.
Need a rental car? Yup!
Santa Monica is fairly easy to get around. We recommend renting a car and exploring all there is to see. You can find the best prices on rental cars by clicking here.
Book a tour
When you’re not discovering Santa Monica on your own, we suggest treating yourself to a tour. From private wine tours to kayak and SUP tours, cooking classes classes to tours of celebrity-owned homes, there’s a little something for everyone.
- Small Group Electric EBike bicycle Tour Santa Monica and Venice
- 2 Hours Small Group Surf Lesson at Santa Monica
- 5 ½ Hour LA & Hollywood Tour from Santa Monica
Browse all the Santa Monica tours available on Viator by clicking here.
Don’t forget your vacation photos!
If you want to capture the memories from your trip to Santa Monica, we recommend hiring a professional photographer. A Flytographer photoshoot is one of our favorite souvenirs from our travels and we want to share them with you! Use our link or enter the code: WALKINGONMEDIA for $10 off your first shoot.
