Nothing makes us happier than eating, drinking and saving money - all at the same time.
Stark’s Steak and Seafood, Santa Rosa
There’s no denying that Stark’s is the Grand Pubah when it comes to Santa Rosa’s happy hour scene. Packed to the gills most nights, It’s the perfect storm of top-notch bites under $5, well crafted drinks and a clubby, steakhouse atmosphere. Rather than trotting out nuked chicken strips and Bud lights, they roll out inspired tapas and sides from their steakhouse menu — tuna tartar taco ($1.75), prime rib banh mi, $5; potato skin fondue, sweet chili chicken wings and truffle fries for $3.95 and a quarter-pound burger with caramelized onions and truffle aioli for a thrifty $5. Plus a $2.50 Beefeater martini, Lost Coast Blonde Ale ($2.75), selected wines, $5 margaritas on Monday and Tuesday, along with several other old school cocktails for $5 and $6. Monday through Saturday 3-6 p.m. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 546-5100.
Starks’ Bravas Bar de Tapas, Healdsburg
During “Locals’ 420 Hour,” look for gin and tonics, sangria, beer, goat cheese tostadas, duck meatball bocadillos, Spanish flatbread and cider braised chorizo and shishito peppers, all for the mind-bending price of $4.20. Happy hour is Monday through Thursday 3-6 p.m. 420 Center St., Healdsburg, 433-7700.
Front Room at John Ash & Co., Santa Rosa
Sink into a leather seat and nibble on tasty small plates while kicking back well-crafted cocktails. Here you can steer clear of the bro-crowd, rubbing elbows with the hotel’s chic clientele, politicos and pinstriped professionals. Wednesday’s “Crush the Rush” includes complimentary appetizers from 5:30-6:30pm along with $2 off all cocktails, $4 wine/beer/weekly cocktail. On Saturday, it’s Pizza and Pinot from 6-9 p.m., with $10 pizzas and a featured $10 pinot of the month. Sunday you can build your own burger and fries for $10.
Front Room Happy Hour is 4-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Also Wednesdays from 4-6:30 p.m., Fridays from 3-6 p.m., Saturdays from 3-9 p.m. and Sundays 3-5 p.m.. 4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 527-7687.
Central Market, Petaluma
An amazing deal from one of Sonoma County’s best chefs, Tony Najiola, but it’s literally an hour, so you can’t dawdle. Chances are you’ll want to stay for dinner. $1 oysters, $5 wines, $3 beers and free pizza at the bar from 5-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 42 Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma, 778-9900.
Barndiva Studio Bar, Healdsburg
We won’t lie, this isn’t a cheapo happy hour. This is a Wine Country experience. But sipping cocktails and bistro bites inside this eclectic gallery of performance and visual art is a must-do in Healdsburg. Chef Ryan Fancher’s restaurant vision has been adapted to a more casual bistro model with small plates of charcuterie and other apps. Barndiva has opened up the beautifully curated space to sip craft cocktails and be one of the beautiful people. Open at 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 237 Center St., Healdsburg, 431-0100.
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Duke’s Spirited Cocktails, Healdsburg
This newly opened cocktail bar in Healdsburg is all about seasonal craft libations, aka farm-to-glass drinks that include herbs, fruit vinegars, fruit purees and top shelf artisan booze. A couple examples: “Darling Nicki” ($11) includes Mezan Panama run, chai tea, Hamilton 151, Leopold’s Tart Cherry and Spirit Works Sloe Gin; “Rangpur More” ($11) with Opihr gin, rangpur lime shrub, pink peppercorn, saffron bitters and house tonic; or the “Barely Legal” ($12) with Charbay Meyer lemon vodka, Giffard Lychee, yuzu, lemon and grapefruit. Wine, beer and ciders are also on the menu for traditionalists, as well as non-alcoholic house-made sodas (burdock root beer, grapefruit) and teas.
Happy Hour Monday through Thursday from 4-6 p.m. 111 Plaza Street, Healdsburg, 431-1060.
Jackson’s Bar and Oven, Santa Rosa
Happy hour stretches from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with $2 Jacksons Pale Ale, $4 selected wines, $5 well drinks and the specialty cocktail — orange fennel drops (a new take on the Cosmo). Take half off on buffalo wings and truffle parmesan or chipotle fries, and pay $5 for sliders or tacos on weekdays. On the weekend, $6 Bloody Marys. 135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 545-6900.
Oso, Sonoma
Sonoma’s hippest new eatery features mole braised short rib tacos, Korean buffalo wings and Sangria. Plus, we hear they’ve finally got some outdoor patio space. Happy hour is 5-6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 9 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 931-6926.
Chalkboard, Healdsburg
Chef Shane McAnelly uses his happy hour menu to playfully explore cuisines and dishes that might not make it to his regular menu. Currently, he’s stoked on Fillipino cuisine, and his 4:30-6:30 p.m. from Friday to Sunday happy hour menu includes rock shrimp and avocado lumpia, chicken adobo, tamarind braised pork ($6). The theme extends to inspired drinks like Paquiao Plum Punch with Batavia Arrack, an historic sugar-based spirit; Singapore Sling; plus beer and wine. The chef will be visiting Spain next, so stay tuned. 29 North St., Healdsburg, 473-8030.
El Barrio, Guerneville
Guerneville’s tequila-haven is another cool-kid spot from restaurateur Crista Luedtke. From 4-6 p.m. Thursday through Monday, $2 Tecate, $5 Sangria, $7 margaritas with chips and salsa. 16230 Main St., Guerneville, 604-7601.
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Spoonbar, Healdsburg
Sit and watch the world — or at least Healdsburg — go by at this open-air eatery inside the H2Hotel. Miyagi oysters, fermented chili glazed chicken wings, grilled chorizo skewers ($5), crafty cocktails like the Blind Tigers (St. George Absinthe, Benedictine, Aperol, lemon, yuzu, hibiscus, $6), wines ($6) and Death & Taxes, Proving Ground IPA ($4). 5-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Friday through Saturday from 8-10 p.m. 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 433-7222.
Brew, Santa Rosa
We love the laid back, inclusive vibe of this combo coffeehouse and pub. Sip on pour-overs and cold-brewed coffee from SF’s Ritual Roasters, local microbrews and ciders that change frequently, along with wine and tea. Happy hour is everyday from 3-6 p.m. and all day on Sundays, with $1 off beer and cider on tap, as well as wine by the glass. 555 Healdsburg Ave., Santa Rosa, 303-7372.
The Villa, Santa Rosa
This popular Happy Hour on the Hill is a mix of old-timers and youngsters, both of whom appreciate a bargain and a shrimp cocktail. There’s nothing fancy here, but the view is spectacular, and you can get a Bud Light, fried calamari and mozzarella sticks or a pizza for a song from 3 -7:30 p.m. Retro-cool eats, including the aforementioned shrimp cocktail, spaghetti and meatball, fried zucchini and even a straight up hot dog, start at $2 and top out at $5. Bud, Coors, PBR and wine are $2. 3901 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa, 528-7755.
Seared, Petaluma
Folks in Petaluma give a hefty thumbs up to this relative newcomer downtown. Happy hour is Monday through Saturday 3-6 p.m. The menu is extensive, with filet mignon skewers, pork belly banh mi, salt and pepper calamari, citrus cured salmon, mac and cheese, tacos and the ultimate beer food, onion dip and chips. All are $6 and under. Drinks include the George Clooney margarita, whisky punch, rye martini, wine and beer from $2.50 to $7. 170 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 762-5997.
La Rosa Tequileria, Santa Rosa
Welcome to Sonoma County’s favorite Margaritaville. Tequila drinks and approachable Mexican fare make this an easy choice for kicking back with a few friends from 4-6 p.m. daily. House margaritas and shots, $5; well cocktails and microbrews, $4. Cheese nachos, quesadillas, hot dogs, ahi tostada and other mini bites for $3-$5. 500 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 523-3663.
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Belly Left Coast Kitchen, Santa Rosa
When isn’t it happy hour at this downtown Santa Rosa restaurant? They’ve got food and drink specials from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with your best bet being Taco Tuesday from 2 p.m to close, with solid tacos and an impressive collection of craft brews. The rock star vibe and beer-centric drink list makes for plenty of fist-bumping fun. 523 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 526-5757.
Maya Restaurant, Sonoma
Not just nachos, but “Really Good Nachos,” are part of this Yucatecan menu, along with specially priced tacos, sliders and margaritas from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you want something a little more special, ask for the fresh-squeezed margarita or taste your way through Maya’s 100+ tequila list. 101 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 935-3500.
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Though there are hundreds of great happy hours from Cloverdale to Petaluma, not all are created equal. Here are some favorite places that combine great food, drinks and crowds to make your post-work hours happier, at least for an hour or so. Click through the gallery above for the best happy hours in Sonoma County.
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