There’s no shortage of quality drinking in L.A., and because our bars know the way to one’s heart is often through the wallet, most of the city’s top watering holes also offer killer specials. Here are the latest to join the ranks of happy-hour greats, whether they’re offering late-night tallboys and British pub fare or afternoon nachos with mezcal-and-beer combos.
ink.well
When Michael Voltaggio retooled his flagship restaurant, ink., into the more casual-minded ink.well, we all knew we’d be getting a taste of the Top Chef star’s more informal menu, including but not limited to Voltaggio’s first burger. Now it’s here, and it’s a hearty patty from dry-aged beef that’s topped with slabs of beef bacon, house-made whipped cheese and fermented cucumbers. It’s also $21, but from 6 to 7pm every single day, get it along with any draft beer for only $20 during their "B&B" pairing special, available only at the bar and their first-come, first-served tables.
Photograph: Courtesy Petite Taqueria/Aliza J. Sokolow
Petite Taqueria
Nightclub squad the h.wood Group only opened their new tacos-and-margarita outpost at the start of October, but Petite Taqueria is already on the happy-hour attack with “Happy Hour and a Half,” a 5-to-6:30pm weekday window where chilaquiles, nachos, Mexican pizzas and broccoli quesadillas are only $8 and the drinks are plentiful and cheap. Classic margaritas and palomas are $10 each, as are mezcal- or tequila-and-beer combos. (Psst, Estrella tallboys are only $4.)
The Pikey
Hollywood haunt the Pikey is embracing the ghost of its longstanding dive-pub past with a late-night happy hour that launches this Friday. A nod to Ye Coach & Horses’ 70-plus years as one of Sunset’s resident dives before the Pikey took over, the current pub’s new “Midnight Special” proffers Bud Light and PBR tallboys for $3; Peroni for $4; glasses of house white, rosé and red for $5; well drinks for $5; and Moscow mules for $7. Hungry? Pad your stomach with pub staples like smoked nuts for $3; Welsh rarebit for $4; a chip butty (French fry sandwich) with relish for $5; and round it all out with curry toast with a sunny-side-up egg for $6 or a fried-chicken sandwich with buttermilk mayo for $7. Stop by Fridays and Saturdays from midnight to 2am. Not a night owl? You can still find these specials during their pre-existing, 4-to-7pm happy hour every day.
Photograph: Courtesy Wolf
Wolf
Next Monday, November 6, Marcel Vigneron’s stunner of a restaurant, Wolf, launches its first-ever happy hour, and it’s one worth howling about. From 6 to 7pm every single day, find cocktails from $8 to $10; vegetable-forward bar snacks from $5 to $13; glasses of house red or white for $10; boilermakers for $8; and full bottles of house rosé for $35. Sip on cocktails such as the Lil’ Red Ridinghood, with black strap rum, lemon, lime, club soda, black cherry and Malbec ($10) while you snack on tater tots made with aji amarillo aioli, cilantro and seasonal chilies ($5).
Cafe Birdie
This cozy Highland Park spot recently brought back brunch service, and now, it’s bringing on happy hour. The Monday-through-Friday specials include select classics for $9, including negronis and French 75s; draft beers for $6; Aperol spritzes for $8; and glasses of wine for $9. Feeling peckish? Find the restaurant’s signature Moroccan-spiced fried chicken for $10, among other specials, at this bar-only happy hour from 5:30 to 6:30pm.