Whether you’re pinching pennies or just looking for an afterwork hangout, happy hours are hotter than ever. Read below for restaurants and bars that offer excellent food along with your drinks, so you can satiate deliciously on the cheap.
Augie’s French: Classy versions of French onion dip and pigs in a blanket, along with deviled eggs (œufs mayonnaise) and French fries with aioli for dipping are all on the happy hour menu at this downtown French bistro. Because it’s a Stark restaurant (known for their unbeatable happy hours), you’ll won’t go hungry or thirsty. Lower ABV cocktails like the Kir Royale and higher octane Vesper and French 75 are $7. 3-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 535 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-531-4400, augiesfrench.com
Belly Left Coast Kitchen: Food and drink specials from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day Sunday. Pair happy hour drinks with small bites like a Mai Tai with dynamite shrimp, a Michelada with peppered fries or a Moscow Mule with buffalo chicken wings. 523 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-526-5787, bellyleftcoastkitchenandtaproom.com
Perch + Plow: Handcrafted cocktails are as delicious as they are beautiful at this lively restaurant-meets-nightclub. During happy hour, complement habanero chicken wings ($6) with a local draft beer ($5), or taquitos ($7) with the spicy pineapple margarita ($8). 5-7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. 90 Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, 707-843-3582, perchandplow.com
Criminal Baking Company: Wine, beer, cider and bubbly cocktails pair perfectly with a special evening menu available during Visitation Hours (aka happy hour) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. 808 Donahue St., Santa Rosa, 707-888-3546, criminalbakingcompany.com
Cascabel: Don’t cry for me, margarita, the truth is, I’ve never left you. Evita would really want you and your gal pals to hit up this Montgomery Village hot spot. At this Mexican grill and restaurant, ordering jalapeño jelly fries and Tecate shots is a win-win. Happy hour is 3-6 p.m. daily. 909 Village Court, Santa Rosa, 707-521-9444, cascabelbayarea.com
Front Room at John Ash: Sink into a leather seat and nibble on tasty small plates while kicking back well-crafted cocktails from 3 to 5 p.m. daily. 4330 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-7687, vintnersresort.com
Jackson’s Bar and Oven: A chef-driven menu and craft cocktails make this one of the most popular happy hours in Santa Rosa from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-6900, jacksonsbarandoven.com
Kancha Champagne Bar: Sparkling wine, sake, beer and sangria for a song, plus oysters, ceviche and empanadas from 4 to 6 p.m. daily. 643 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-623-9793, kanchasr.com
La Rosa Tequileria: 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 to 6 p.m. daily. 500 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-3663, larosasantarosa.com
Lazeaway Club: Get some island vibes by the pool at the glamorously-outfitted Flamingo Resort. Guava punch slushies, wine and beer compliment Thai chili chicken wings, edamame-avocado dip and pork belly bao from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-510-4533, lazeawayclub.com
Ricardo’s Bar and Grill: Double your happy hour pleasure with restaurant drink deals from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 p.m. to close daily at the bar. 2700 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-545-769, ricardosbargrill.com
Stark’s Steak and Seafood: There’s no denying that Stark’s is the Grand Poobah 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, well-crafted drinks and a clubby, steakhouse atmosphere. 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkrestaurants.com
Warike Restobar: Peruvian-inspired cocktails with plenty of kick and tasty bites from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 527 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-536-9201, warikesf.com
Willi’s Wine Bar: The addition of a full bar and hoppin’ happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. daily features small bites (get the Nashville hot fries), the famous $6 martini and banging Bedstuy Old Fashioned for $7. 1415 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa, starkrestaurants.com
Grata: Happy hour Italian-style off the Windsor Square. Focaccia pizza, arancini, melon and prosciutto bruschetta, short rib sliders and chilled oysters for $6. Choose from Prosecco ($5), house wine ($4) or a spritz for $6. 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 186 Windsor River Road, Windsor, 707-620-0508, gratawindsor.com
Spirit Bar at Hotel Healdsburg: With nibbles from Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen and the cozy charm of the hotel, it’s not surprising that space is at a premium at this haute happy hour. You’ll leave both full and well-lubricated. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com
Kapu: Tiki-tastic cocktails flow during happy hours — all day Monday through Wednesday, 4-6 p.m. Thursday, 4-6 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4-6 p.m. Sunday. Pair drinks with Hawaiian-style provisions like braised pipikaula or crispy pork belly for your complete tropical island experience. 132 Keller St., Petaluma, 707-559-3665, kapubar.com
Luma: Flatbread and a bottle of wine special for $35, plus craft cocktails and nonalcoholic cocktails from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 50 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-772-5037, lumaeatery.com
Salt & Stone: Day drinkers can get a boozy start to the day at this Kenwood hangout’s 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. happy hour (Monday through Friday). A selection of wines by the glass and well cocktails are $7 each. A quarter pound burger, crispy calamari, truffle fries, Bay shrimp cocktail and steamed mussels are each $7, as well. Don’t dawdle, however, because guests are asked not to linger more than an hour. 9900 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com
Seared: Petaluma’s best-bet happy hour. The menu is extensive, with filet mignon skewers, calamari, mac and cheese, tacos and a prime rib dip sandwich from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 170 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-762-5997, petalumaseared.com
Maya Restaurant: Not just nachos, but “Really Good Nachos,” are part of this Yucatecan menu, along with specially priced tacos, sliders and margaritas from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 101 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-935-3500, mayarestaurant.com
Oso: Locals love this epic happy hour from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Try some lower-alcohol cocktails that are strong enough to do the trick, but won’t leave you making grass angels. 9 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-931-6926, ososonoma.com
Rocker Oysterfeller’s: Oyster Mania Monday with half-off all oysters all day long. Happy hour specials 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday include deviled eggs, cheesy jalapeño pull apart bread, chowder with applewood smoked bacon and beer battered onion rings for $7.95. Drink specials: $2 off all draft beers, $3 off wine by the glass and $5.95 margaritas. 14415 Highway 1, Valley Ford, rockeroysterfellers.com
