1. Yard House
Multiple locations; yardhouse.com
Pass by any Yard House at certain hours and you’ll see large, ebullient crowds, which makes it an easy pick for best happy hour.
Yard House, which advertises itself as having the world’s largest selection of draft beers, was founded in Long Beach in 1996 and acquired by Darden Restaurants, owner of Olive Garden and other chain operations.
“At Yard House, there’s something for everyone,” said Christopher Yeh, director of operations. “Happy Hour gives guests the opportunity to explore 14 items on the menu with a mix of globally inspired dishes and twists on American classics.”
Half-priced appetizers range from poke nachos to Wisconsin cheese curds and there are also half-priced pizzas
Happy hour revelers can get discounts on drafts, wine and handcrafted drinks.
As for a draft, you have 180 to choose from, from crisp to sour, light to dark, fruity, malty and, if you like hops, a list of India Pale Ales is as long as your arm.
The bar is the centerpiece attraction at every Yard House, according to Yeh, and all have a glass-enclosed keg room that holds 3,000 gallons of beer at 36-38-degrees, with more than two miles of keg lines stretching overhead.
However, each establishment is allowed to create its own music playlist and choose art work by abstract artist Jerome Gastaldi for an individual vibe.
2. The Point Restaurant and Bar
34085 CA-1, Dana Point; 949-464-5700; thepointrestaurantandbar.com
A self-described family-friendly spot for seafood, pizza and burgers may not seem like the obvious choice for best happy hour, but readers of the OC Register and fans of the restaurant may be in on a secret.
Fans of the Dana Point hot spot enjoy the upbeat atmosphere and the wide selection of screens for sports..
Happy Hours are everyday fare, from 3 to closing on Mondays, and 3-7 p.m. during the rest of the week and weekend. There are deals on wings, beef or Buffalo chicken sliders, nachos, street tacos and pizza to name a few.
The bar menu has discounted beers ranging from Karl Strauss Brewing Company-crafted Aurora Hoppyalis IPA to Coors Light. House wines and sangria, well drinks and Libre Margaritas are also on sale.
Another recent special is not confined to happy hour: a Dew and a Brew, featuring a beer and a shot of Tullamore Dew blended Irish whiskey.
3. El Torito
Multiple locations; eltorito.com
El Torito’s $4, $6 and $8 menus, not to mention a $2 discount on the Grande Fiesta Platter, have become a happy hour staple at the eateries which bring in strong afternoon/early evening crowds.
Happy hour begins at 3 p.m. in the cantinas daily, except Dana Point, which does not have weekend happy hours.
On the liquor end, patrons can order tequila shots, 16-ounce drafts and well drinks off the $4 menu; signature margaritas, schooners and call drinks of the $6 portion; and for $8, mojitos, or a newly added Paloma tequila cocktail or spicy mango margarita.
Food menu items feature selections ranging from street corn, to mini tacos, loaded nachos, Mexican style sliders and new item steak and chorizo gorditas at the different price points.
And, of course, the Fiesta Platter which includes Buffalo tenders or wings, flauta, quesadilla, nachos supreme, plus guacamole and dipping sauces.
Although El Torito had to close a number of restaurants in recent years and was bought out of bankruptcy by Xperience Restaurant Group, the new owners say the contraction is over for the time being.
