Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.


Best Happy Hour San Francisco


From appetizer specials to deals on drinks, these San Francisco bars and restaurants offer some of the best happy hours to be found in the city.


San Francisco/Bay Area Restaurant Search San Francisco/Bay Area Restaurant News
San Francisco/Bay Area Culinary Events San Francisco/Bay Area Wine Dinners

San Francisco City
East Bay
Peninsula

SAN FRANCISCO CITY

The Alembic California
13/20
1725 Haight St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
415-666-0822
Known for its cocktails, this bar and small-plates restaurant is a bit like the neighborhood it inhabits: effortlessly cool. More...

Amelie Le Bar a Vin Wine Bar
13/20
1754 Polk St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-292-6916
Cozy and affordable wine bar offering petite French bites and a killer happy hour. More...

Americano Italian
14/20
Dining Room at Americano, San Francisco, CA Hotel Vitale
8 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-278-3777
Embarcadero views and a pretty after-work scene are quietly eclipsed by the Italian-influenced cuisine. More...

Bin 38 Wine Bar
13/20
Dining Room at Bin 38, San Francisco, CA 3232 Scott St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-567-3838
This bustling, sprawling Marina wine bar draws an attractive crowd looking for a good time. More...

Bocadillos Tapas
14/20
Dining Room at Bocadillos, San Francisco, CA 710 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-982-2622
Chef Gerald Hirigoyen's Jackson Square charmer serving satisfying, inexpensive tapas. More...

Cafe Claude French
14/20
Dining Room at Cafe Claude, San Francisco, CA 7 Claude Ln.
San Francisco, CA 94108
415-392-3505
Downtown bistro with an authentic atmosphere and well-executed classics. More...

Coco500 California
14/20
500 Brannan St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-543-2222
With an expansive menu of small plates in a lively atmosphere, this glossy eatery will please every purse and palate. More...

The Cosmopolitan New American
13/20
Dining Room at The Cosmopolitan, San Francisco, CA Rincon Center
121 Spear St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-543-4001
Chef Steven Levine's menu gives a playful spin to all-American favorites. More...

EPIC Roasthouse Steakhouse
14/20
Dining Room at EPIC Roasthouse, San Francisco, CA 369 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-369-9955
Big views, charm and New American cuisine cull the elite to this show-stopper on the Embarcadero. More...

farmerbrown Soul Food
13/20
Dining Room at farmerbrown, San Francisco, CA 25 Mason St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-409-3276
A stylish, sepia-toned, Southern-themed meeting spot serving refreshing house-made cocktails and California soul food. More...

Fly American
13/20
762 Divisidero St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
415-931-4359
A darkened room lit by flickering candles barely holds the throng of trendy young things on busy nights. More...

Fog City Diner American
14/20
Dining Room at Fog City Diner, San Francisco, CA 1300 Battery St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-982-2000
A romantic cross between a 30s roadside diner and a 40s big-city bar and grill. More...

Hog Island Oyster Company Seafood
14/20
Dining Room at Hog Island Oyster Company, San Francisco, CA Ferry Building Marketplace
1 Ferry Building
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-391-7117
The San Francisco Ferry Building provides a serene, second home for this celebrated, sustainable oyster company from Tomales Bay. More...

Jasper's Corner Tap & Kitchen Gastropub
13/20
Serrano Hotel
401 Taylor St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-775-7979
Gastropub in the Serrano Hotel offers comfort food, artisanal beers and creative cocktails. More...

La Mar Cebicheria Peruana Peruvian
14/20
Dining Room at La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, San Francisco, CA Pier 1 1/2, The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-397-8880
Modern Peruvian cuisine and sweeping Bay views distinguish chef Gastón Acurio's first U.S. restaurant. More...

Local Kitchen California
13/20
330 First St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-777-4200
Thanks to generous happy hour specials, good cooking, attentive service and a crowd-pleasing menu, locals help keep Local packed. More...

The Monk's Kettle American
13/20
Dining Room at The Monk 3141 16th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-865-9523
A Mission tavern with sophisticated pub fare --- and one of the best beer selections in the city. More...

Olive American
11/20
743 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-776-9814
Young professionals sip martinis and mojitos at this sleek bar while munching from an overgrown snack list. More...

Pasion Peruvian
14/20
737 Irving St.
San Francisco, CA 94122
415-742-5727
Peruvian restaurant with a vivacious neighborhood vibe, killer happy hour and seven ceviches on its "nuevo latino" menu. More...

ThirstyBear Brewing Company & Spanish Cuisine Brewpub
13/20
Dining Room at ThirstyBear Brewing Company & Spanish Cuisine, San Francisco, CA 661 Howard St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-974-0905
Although primarily a brewpub, the traditional Spanish tapas are another big draw for this cool industrial space. More...

1300 on Fillmore Contemporary
14/20
Dining Room at 1300 on Fillmore , San Francisco, CA Fillmore Heritage Center
1300 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
415-771-7100
Slow soul food and balanced cocktails mark this stylish dish of a restaurant and lounge, evoking 1940s jazz glamour. More...

The Tonga Room Restaurant & Hurricane Bar Pan-Asian
11/20
Dining Room at The Tonga Room Restaurant & Hurricane Bar, San Francisco, CA The Fairmont San Francisco
950 Mason St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
415-772-5278
Entering the Tonga Room is like stepping into a happy-hour version of Disneyland's "The Pirates of the Caribbean." More...

Tres Mexican
13/20
130 Townsend St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-227-0500
The flavors of Jalisco are offered at this Mexican eatery. More...

Uva Enoteca Italian
14/20
Dining Room at Uva Enoteca, San Francisco, CA 568 Haight St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
415-829-2024
With its all-Italian wine list, cheeses and small plates, and chic décor, Uva Enoteca is a neighborhood favorite. More...

Waterbar Seafood
14/20
Dining Room at Waterbar, San Francisco, CA 399 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-284-9922
Gorgeous views, bold flavors and a whimsical interior have made Waterbar a seafood-lover's dream. More...

Zare at Fly Trap Mediterranean
14/20
Dining Room at Zare at Fly Trap, San Francisco, CA 606 Folsom St.
San Francisco, CA 94017
415-243-0580
Visit this SoMa restaurant for Iranian cuisine peppered with Mediterranean flavors. More...

EAST BAY

The Albatross Pub Pub
Quick Bite
1822 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
510-843-2473
Have fun with pub quizzes, live music, darts and other games at the oldest pub in Berkeley. More...

FIVE Modern American
15/20
Dining Room at FIVE, Berkeley, CA Hotel Shattuck Plaza
2086 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-845-7300
Authentically retro-chic Berkeley dining room plays host to a thoughtful farm-to-table menu. More...

Gather California
14/20
Dining Room at Gather, Berkeley, CA 2200 Oxford St.
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-809-0400
A lively and bustling restaurant that gives equal thought to vegan/vegetarian and omnivorous dishes. More...

Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill Seafood
13/20
Dining Room at Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill, Oakland, CA 1520 Lakeside Dr.
Oakland, CA 94612
510-208-5253
A prize waterfront location, historic building and vibrant atmosphere give this friendly seafood restaurant, bar and grill multifaceted appeal. More...

Luka's Taproom & Lounge California
13/20
Dining Room at Luka 2221 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612
510-451-4677
A gourmet gastropub that takes its grub very seriously. More...

Sea Salt Seafood
14/20
Dining Room at Sea Salt, Berkeley, CA 2512 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
510-883-1720
Local power couple Cindy and Haig Krikorian get their sea legs at this seafood restaurant. More...

Skates on the Bay Seafood
12/20
100 Seawall Dr.
Berkeley, CA 94710
510-549-1900
This Berkeley restaurant has a great view of the Bay. More...

The Starry Plough Pub Pub
Quick Bite
3101 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705
510-841-2082
Pizza and sandwiches are the main fare, but the real highlights are live music, poetry jams and Irish dancing. More...

Walnut Creek Yacht Club Seafood
13/20
1555 Bonanza St.
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-944-3474
Fresh fish and a raw bar at this downtown restaurant with a yachting theme. More...

Yoshi's Japanese
13/20
Dining Room at Yoshi 510 Embarcadero W.
Oakland, CA 94607
510-238-9200
Japanese food and world-class jazz in Oakland’s Jack London Square. More...

PENINSULA

Donato Enoteca Italian
14/20
Dining Room at Donato Enoteca, Redwood City, CA 1041 Middlefield Rd.
Redwood City, CA 94063
650-701-1000
Upscale but authentic Italian cuisine is served elegantly at this friendly Redwood City hot-spot. More...

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company Seafood
13/20
390 Capistrano Rd.
Princeton by the Sea, CA 94019
650-728-2739
Lively oceanside restaurant and brewery featuring a fun outdoor patio with several fire pits. More...

Martins West Pub British
14/20
Dining Room at Martins West Pub, Redwood City, CA 831 Main St.
Redwood City, CA 94063
650-366-4366
Pub meets farm-gourmet at this friendly, Scottish-inspired hangout. More...

Sam's Chowder House Seafood
13/20
Dining Room at Sam 4210 Cabrillo Hwy.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650-712-0245
This seafood eatery overlooking the ocean offers New England-style specialties among other regional seafood dishes. More...

 

Back to Best Happy Hours

RESTAURANT AWARDS
RESTAURANT AWARDS

Subscribe to receive the 2012 edition of our annual restaurant issue, and check out our current Top 40 U.S. Restaurant selections, and more!

DINING ON A BUDGET

Best Cheap EatsSplurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area. Also, check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.