Happy hour is the new dinner.
As prices continue to soar, restaurants are becoming an out-of-reach luxury for many, but there are early bird values if you’re willing to make a few changes to your schedule.
I’ve found 10 of the best happy hour deals in Sonoma County where you can get a cocktail and a burger (or another delicious bite) for under $25. Sometimes, even less.
Though it’s not easy for everyone to sneak out of the office at 3 p.m. for a martini and potato skin fondue, it’s worth putting in a few after-work hours at home to score a screaming deal at a top-notch restaurant.
And it’s not just about booze — you can get a discounted coffee or slab of beef if you know where to look.
Downtown Meetup, Belly Left Coast Kitchen
A super casual vibe with a hint of rock ‘n’ roll describes Belly and its owner, Gray Rollin. As the chef to rock bands and pop stars ranging from KISS to Katy Perry, Rollin understands shareable snacking and fun comfort food. The extensive happy hour menu includes beer-friendly appetizers, including Dynamite Shrimp tossed in sweet chili sauce ($8.50), brisket tacos or cheese curds with lemon aioli ($10), pulled pork nachos ($12) and a petite Angus burger slider ($5). All beers on tap are $7, and specialty cocktails, including a Mai Tai, Titos Martini and Belly Margarita, are all $10. Happy Hour is 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all day Sunday. 523 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-526-5787, bellyleftcoastkitchenandtaproom.com
Vibe Hour, Lo & Behold Bar and Kitchen
It’s bottoms up at 3 p.m. when you’re at this off-the-square gem. Early birds get the cozy lounge seating up front, with martinis, Aperol Spritz, daiquiri, bubbles, wine or sangria for just $9. Free bar snacks change daily, but you’ll typically find bites like pickled veggies, popcorn or some kind of salty goodies. Small plates like mushroom egg rolls with truffle mustard or baked oyster dip are good choices to pair with your happy hour drinks. 3-5 p.m. daily. 214 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-5021, loandbeholdca.com
Valley Hangout, Salt and Stone
This (almost) all-day happy hour runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with incredible $7 cooked oysters, a quarter-pound cheeseburger, steamed mussels, shrimp cocktail or the dessert of the day. Well-cocktails and beers are $1 off, and the restaurant has a selection of $7 wines by the glass. It’s worth sticking around for lunch or an early dinner on the patio overlooking the lovely Sonoma Valley. 9900 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com
Take a Fika Break, Småstad Coffee
At this Swedish-themed coffee shop, you can experience the tradition of “fika” — a purposeful daytime break to enjoy a sweet treat paired with coffee in the company of colleagues, friends or family. Whether a latte lover or a black coffee person, you can get 15% off pastries and coffee from 3-5 p.m. daily. 981 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-939-1906, smastadcoffee.com
Classy Cocktailing, Fern Bar
At this Sebastopol hot spot, cocktails are crafted rather than created. And while that might sound a bit bougie, these are genuinely delightful, balanced cocktails that aren’t too sweet or too boozy, but just right. Infused spirits like tamarind tequila, yuzu gin, brown butter bourbon and lemongrass vodka can be added to cocktails ($10-$12) or sipped straight ($8). The cocktail lineup changes regularly, but walking away from creations like a yerba mate margarita or the “Smokey Negroni,” with mezcal, Campari and Aztec chocolate bitters, is hard. My favorite classic cocktails are the Manhattan and Hemingway Daiquiri with rum, grapefruit juice and Luxardo maraschino. Happy hour munchies are equally fun, with fancy takes on pigs in a blanket, fried chicken and smoked fish dip with fried saltines ($8-$12). Happy hour is 4-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 3-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. 6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com
Fancy Hour, The Matheson
Top-notch Healdsburg restaurants can sometimes feel out of reach, but one of the best times to enjoy these iconic spots is during happy hour — and The Matheson’s is a deal. Wines and cocktails, like the Modern Margarita with clarified lime, are $9. The wine wall, with dozens of impressive wines dispensed by the taste or the glass, offers a 30% discount. Pizzetas from the wood-fired oven are less than $10, a Wagyu burger with raclette is $15, and fries with green peppercorn aioli and spiced ketchup is $6. Happy hour is from 4-6 p.m. daily. 106 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-723-1106, thematheson.com
The OG, Stark’s Steak and Seafood
This Santa Rosa steakhouse is home to the happy hour of happy hours — and everyone knows it. From 3 p.m. on weekdays, the classic martini is just $5, while other cocktail standbys, like the Old Fashioned and Moscow Mule, are $8. House whites and reds are $7 and Barrel Brothers Lager is $5. The appetizers keep us coming back, including the famous potato skin fondue, the tuna tartare tacos or calamari for $7, as well as the quarter-pound burger with melty cheese and truffle aioli for $9. Bar seating is scarce by 4 p.m., so it’s worth heading over early. 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkrestaurants.com
Tried and True, Seared
This longtime downtown steakhouse is one of Petaluma’s favorite cocktail stops — because it’s reliably good. The cocktails aren’t especially fancy, but they’re classics and range from $8.50 to $9. The crave-able eats include gourmet mac and cheese ($8), filet mignon skewers ($9.75), a prime rib dip ($9.75) and a mini wedge salad ($9). 3:30-6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 170 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-762-5997, petalumaseared.com
Swanky Space, Spirit Bar
From 5:30-7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, you’ll find in-the-know Healdsburgers camped out at the swanky lobby of the Hotel Healdsburg, enjoying happy hour cocktails from $8.50 to $10 and local wines for $9.50. To gussy up your adventure, you can order bar bites from next door’s Dry Creek Kitchen Wednesday through Sunday. 25 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com/spirit-bar
Carnivore Hour, Sonoma County Meat Co.
Head over for meaty deals at this Santa Rosa purveyor, which offers discounts on constantly rotating cuts from 3-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. You’ll find their weekly selection at Instagram.com/socomeatco. 35 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-521-0121, sonomacountymeatco.com
You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.