Got a favorite local restaurant? Chances are, it offers what might soon be your favorite happy hour.
In Greater Palm Springs, even working stiffs who aren’t retired or on vacation like to cut out early for eats and drinks at bargain prices. Judging from the number of happy hours around the Coachella Valley on any given night, this might be a contender for happiest place on earth. (We do have our share of costumed characters, after all.)
Here are a few favorites to consider adding to your rotation.
Babe's Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse
Monday through Friday, 3-5:30 pm in the bar. Going strong for years, Babe’s happy hour draws a steadfast band of locals. Budget-friendly beer bites go hand in hand with their award-winning craft brews. 71800 Hwy. 111, Rancho Mirage, (760) 346 8738, www.babesbbqandbrewhouse.com
ChiChi at the Avalon Hotel
Sunday through Thursday, 4-7 p.m. in the bar. The chef behind Cheeky’s, Birba, and Mr. Lyons whipped up a south-of-the-border bar menu and drinks that each ring in at $10 or less. Guests and locals compare tasting notes over beef empanadas, yucca fries, and queso fundido. 415 S. Belardo Road, Palm Springs, 760-318-3005, www.avalonpalmsprings.com
photo courtesy of eight4Nine
Eight4Nine has an attractive lounge menu to explore.
Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge
Fonzie would approve. The all day, every day “Happy Days” lounge menu features a signature burger and munchies (priced at $9 or less) that beg for a fancy cocktail. The lofty white space pops with art photography and hot pink accents — the antithesis of Arnold’s diner. 849 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-325-8490, www.eight4nine.com
Enoteca Bar & Wine Club at Ristorante Mamma Gina
Daily, 4:30 p.m. to close. A vino-fueled happy hour so coveted that people add their name to a list and wait with pleasure. The three-page menu features some classics from the main restaurant at slashed prices. Find it adjacent with its own corner entrance. 73705 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 760-568-9898, www.mammagina.com
photo courtesy of jackalope ranch
Jackalope Ranch plays host to one of the liveliest down valley happy hours in its Saloon.
Jackalope Ranch
Sunday and Monday, 3 p.m. to close; Tuesday through Saturday, 3-6 p.m. in the Saloon, upper main dining room, and Palapa Patio. Another popular down-valley meeting place, this one mixes up $6 margaritas ($7.50 for raspberry, peach, or strawberry) among other specials. Those quick enough to snag patio seating cash in on one of the few al fresco happy hours. 80400 Hwy. 111, Indio, 760-342-1999, www.thejackaloperanch.com
Lulu California Bistro
Daily, 11 a.m. to closing. No waiting until happy hour starts here. Before some have finished their pancakes, Lulu is plating up $8.99 burgers, two pizzas under $8, and a host of other munchables under $10. Lemon drops, cosmos, mojitos, bloody Marys, and margaritas are all under $6. 200 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-327-5858, www.lulupalmsprings.com
photo courtesy of pacifica seafood restaurant
Pacifica Vodka Bar offers more than 150 different types from more than 20 countries.
Pacifica Vodka Bar
Daily, 3-6:30 p.m. in the bar (Wednesday and Sunday until 9:30 p.m). Get global with your choice of more than 150 vodkas from more than 20 countries. At any time, any vodka from the international vodka bar is $8 at the bar. During happy hour, seafood lovers enjoy a discounted bar menu and drinks. 73505 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 760-674-8666, www.pacificaseafoodrestaurant.com
Purple Palm at Colony Palms Hotel
Daily, 3-6 p.m. Dignified offerings for light noshing sets “Sunset at the Purple Palm” apart. Oysters, cheese and charcuterie plates, citrus-marinated olives, and made-to-order guacamole balance your order of a $4 beer, $6 well drink or $9 house wine. 572 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-969-1818, www.colonypalmshotel.com
Roy’s
Daily, 4-7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close in the bar. Maybe time passes differently in Hawaii. Aloha Hour runs for several hours twice a day at Roy’s, where the island spirit prevails in $7 tropical cocktails, plus wine, sake, and craft beer. A short list of bar fare reflects the Pacific Rim theme. 71959 Hwy. 111, Rancho Mirage, 760-340-9044, www.roysrestaurant.com
photo courtesy of smokin' burgers
Smokin' Burgers offers a daily happy hour from 3-6 p.m.
Smokin’ Burgers & Lounge
Daily, 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight. If you miss the first happy hour (or want to get happy twice daily), there’s another at 9 p.m. Food items are $5.99 (oddly, no burgers at happy hour prices) and pitchers please a crowd at $10 for domestic, $13 imported. Other drink specials, low-key locals, and plenty of TVs round out this venue. 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, www.smokinburgerslounge.com
SO•PA at L'Horizon Resort & Spa
Sunday through Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m. at the communal table in the garden. Just two months old, Communal Hour at this midcentury hotel’s restaurant led by Michelin-starred Chef Giacomo Pettinari groups friends and neighbors around a 26-foot long communal outdoor dining table. A portion of the proceeds from the small bites and specially priced cocktails (like the Punch of the Week and a Community Cocktail), beer, and wine support a local charity. 1050 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-323-1858, www.lhorizonpalmsprings.com
Stuft Pizza
Daily, 3-6 p.m. Small pizzas at $2.50 off are just one of more than two dozen temptations on a wildly diverse and economical menu designed for feeling Stuft and happy. House wines and well drinks are $4; beer starts at $2.25 for a 16 oz. pint. 78015 Main St., La Quinta, 760-777-9989 and Westfield Mall, 72840 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert, 760-610-7990, www.stuftpizzabarandgrill.com
photo courtesy of tommy bahamas
Great view and spirits from the second floor lounge at Tommy Bahama.
Tommy Bahama
Daily, 3-6 p.m. Three hours of “Island Time” should relax almost anyone. Reduced prices on the bar menu and cocktails that taste like a vacation in a glass make this a rousing spot on the second floor along El Paseo. 73595 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 760-836-0188, www.tommybahama.com
Trilussa
Daily, 4-7 p.m. at the bar. The flavors of Italy in an elegant atmosphere draws devotees who order $5 Chianti and well drinks, $3 beer, and $4 house wine. Share a mini Italian feast of ciabatta sliders, prosciutto and melon, eggplant parmesan, lasagna, fried calamari, steamed mussels, and other Italian traditions. 68718 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City, 760-328-2300, trilussarestaurant.com
photo by chris miller
TRIO's Uptown happy hour runs a full eight hours.
TRIO
Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the bar and on the patio. Take your time. This bustling Uptown happy hour runs a full eight hours. Five-dollar bar bites and the freedom of indoor or outdoor seating complement $3 well drinks and $8 martinis. 707 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-864-8746, www.triopalmsprings.com
Yard House
Monday through Friday 3-6 p.m.; late-night happy hour Sunday through Wednesday 10 p.m. to close. A big scene with flat screens and tall beers have made the Yard House a no-brainer for the happy hour crowd. Kick off a night of live sports and mingling around the bar with discounted drinks and casual eats that start at $5. 71800 Hwy. 111, Rancho Mirage, 760-779-1415, www.yardhouse.com
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