Los Angeles' Best Happy Hour 2008

Blow off steam after work in this old-school Culver City lounge.

Reviews:

• “Happening Spot Everytime”
• “This is where I started to love LA….”
• “So much more than a dive bar!”
• “Who would have thought a "
• “A night well spent!”

Tips: Thursday, Friday and Saturday pack them in with karaoke nights, especially Fridays with a grateful post-work crowd.

Backstage Bar & Grill or email Backstage Bar & Grill

Enjoy live music and pub grub at this Brit-themed bar.

Reviews:

• “Cigarette Smoke, Bad food (think air plane), AWFUL SERVICE”
• “Absolutely horrible! Worst experience in years..”
• “Friday nights are very crowded”
• “Very rude working staff”
• “a right fiddle "

Tips: Take your pooch along, but don’t expect to sit inside. Four-legged friends are welcome only on the patio.

Cat & Fiddle

Bigfoot Lodge owner launches swinging ’70s-themed nightclub with early neighborhood/industry bar scene and live, late-night DJs.

Reviews:

• “Fun Birthday Celebration Place”
• “my favorite bar!”
• “The name is cooler than the people”
• “Great bar”
• “Great little find!”

Tips: The bar is small and the DJ scene very popular on weekends—plan to arrive before 11pm to avoid a wait in line.

Saints & Sinners or email Saints & Sinners

Mostly 20-something locals plant their behinds on the bar stools at this beach hang.

Reviews:

• “UFC 83 Night”
• “WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY BAR LIFE”
• “Fake Irish Pub”
• “This is the sort of bar you outgrew before you stopped using your fake ID.”
• “THE BEST SINFUL SUNDAY PLACE TO PARTY!!!!”

Tips: Get there early for the daily happy from 3pm to 7pm, which includes two-for-one drinks on most of the menu, plus a variety of food specials. On Mondays, the promotion runs all night.

Patrick Molloy’s

Historic Hollywood hot spot gets a menu-makeover to draw new generations of deal-making diners.

Reviews:

• “Great atmosphere and Service…baaaad food. "
• “Railroad Car”
• “good times”
• “Cool atmosphere”
• “Classic Old Hollywood”

Tips: The upstairs bar and deck is open Thursday through Saturday, and although it’s less exclusive than the Standard’s elitist Roof Bar, the space is usually packed with networking nightlifers by 11pm.

Formosa Cafe

Hip neighborhood martini bar boasts stylish full-service restaurant popular with the business crowd and entertainment community.

Reviews:

• “Fun atmosphere, great service”
• “Good food and warm service in an unlikely setting”
• “Great Friday Night Dinner & Drinks Spot!”
• “Great Lounge!”
• “Drink up!”

Tips: One of the busiest happy hours in Beverly Hills, the lounge offer appetizers and drink specials from 5pm to 7pm. Throw a private party for eight or more during happy hour, and the restaurant will provide five appetizers for only $10 per person. Drinks not included.

Nic’s Restaurant or email Nic’s Restaurant

Cheap margaritas and no-frills Mexican food fuel a spring break-style party.

Reviews:

• “Really Fun place”
• “Great happy hour, not so great atmosphere.”
• “Horrible customer service”
• “good food, good drinks… bad customer service”
• “Great drink specials!”

Tips: Get two-for-one drinks weekdays, 4pm-8pm. Popular cocktail choices include traditional and watermelon margaritas, mojitos and the Cabopolitan, made with tequila, cranberry and lime juice.

Cabo Cantina

Border Grill’s owner-chefs venture beyond Mexico to the rest of the Latin world.

Reviews:

• “One of LA’s Best High-End Restaurants”
• “Perfect restaurant before a great show at The Ahmanson!”
• “Ciudad not so bueno.”
• “Expensive Flavors of the Latin World”
• “Great customer service”

Tips: Happy hour takes place Monday through Friday from 3pm to 7pm. Get $4 drinks and appetizers. There’s also “after dark” specials on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9pm to 11pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm to midnight.

Ciudad

Luxe Roaring Twenties nostalgia beckons Angelenos to rediscover the Wilshire Corridor amid dramatic decor, chic cocktails and sophisticated food.

Reviews:

• “I just love the place!”
• “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
• “Utterly perfect.”
• “One of the finest restaurants in LA”
• “The royal treatment at the Royale”

Tips: Complimentary valet parking is provided with validation from the restaurant.

Royale

Downtown’s lounge-life evolution continues, this time in a historically refurbished, turn-of-the-century boiler room.

Reviews:

• “See to believe…”
• “We need more places like this”
• “Great decor, rude Staff”
• “Classy, trendy, beautiful lounge”
• “Different concept but well done”

Tips: The bar is actually located down Harlem Place Alley. Look for the bouncer outside.

The Edison or email The Edison

Cheerful pub with oversized bar menu and lots of beer on tap moves into former Cafe Veneto space.

Reviews:

• “I just heard they have a “B” letter grade."
• “Excellent sevice and great food!!!”
• “Go for the beer”
• “Neighborhood Beer pub!”
• “It seems that things are almost back to normal.”

Tips: The bar offers a well-frequented happy hour beginning at 4pm on weekdays, with specials on drinks and appetizers.

3rd Stop or email 3rd Stop

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