Offer: $3 off all beers and $3 to $20 on entrees
Ludwig’s Biergarten has been serving beer on Castro Street in downtown Mountain View since 2019. There is a small indoor biergarten and a large outdoor biergarten filled with long communal tables in the European tradition. Happy hour is usually a busy time at Ludwig’s, according to bartender Joshua Anthony Perez, adding that the clientele is an eclectic mix of “tech workers, local regulars and industry people from other bars and restaurants “.
Happy hour tasting served at Ludwig’s Biergarten in Mountain View, California on October 7, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
Ludwig’s offers an assortment of interesting cocktails and wines in addition to a wide selection of imported and local craft beers. Beers come in various sizes and include German staples like Fruh Kolsch as well as beers from local breweries like Barebottle and Native Fermentations. The culinary offering includes German-inspired dishes such as Spätzle Käse Kroketten, Käiserkrainer Bites and Jäger Fries. I recommend keeping it classic with a half liter of Veltins Pilsener and Ofenfrische Brezen (imported pretzel).
Ludwig’s Biergarten, 383 Castro St., Mountain View; 650-230-4575. Instagram: @ludwigsmv. ludwigsmv.com.
Happy hour cocktails at LV Mar on September 29, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
LV Mar Tapas & Cocktails, Redwood City
Happy hour: Every day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Offer: $10 classic cocktails, $40 carafes of cocktails, $5 bottled beer, $30 buckets of beer, $5 entrees to $28 and $2 oysters
LV Mar is a modern, comfortably upscale Latin restaurant located in downtown Redwood City. Instead of focusing solely on the cuisine of a single country, the restaurant encompasses a wide range of Latin flavors to create truly unique bites. The dishes come together as an infusion of flavors from Mexico, Spain and Central America. LV Mar focuses on happy hour to attract new customers to try these delicious deals.
Jean Salinas, bartender at LV Mar, September 29, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
Classic cocktails such as mojito, paloma and sangria are enhanced with quality ingredients and house-made juices. Botanitas (small bites) include Latin-inspired dishes like ceviche, torta Cubana and various tacos. I recommend the expertly balanced classic margarita, paired with the papas birrias, which are a decadent blend of seasoned fries, braised beef, melted cheese and salsa roja.
LV Mar Tapas and Cocktails, 2042 Broadway, Redwood City; 650-241-3111, Instagram: @lvmarrwc. lvmar.com.
7 Mile House bartender Pamela Malbas serves drinks on October 5, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
7 Mile House, Brisbane
Happy hour: Every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Tuesday)
Offer: $7 shots, classic cocktails, draft beers, house wine and appetizers
7 Mile House is a historic, award-winning, family-run bar and grill offering standard pub fare as well as Filipino favorites. Bartender Sahrai Cervantes said simply that 7 Mile House is “the perfect place on the Northern Peninsula” for happy hour. The regulars park comfortably at the bar and seem to know the majority of people who enter the restaurant. The stoic location and rich history (7 Mile House was built around 1858) make drinking here feel like an event.
Pulled Pork Adobo Sliders at 7 Mile House in Brisbane, California on October 5, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
7 Mile House’s drink specials are pretty standard offerings, such as Jameson shots and whiskey sour lowballs. The food offerings are the star here, with specialties including garlic fries and zucchini sticks. I opted for the Pinoy-inspired pulled pork adobo sliders, paired with a classic Cuba Libre. You can’t go wrong pairing rum and Coke with pork slathered in adobo sauce!
7 Mile House, 2800 Bayshore Boulevard, Brisbane; 415-467-2343, Instagram: @7milehouse. 7milehouse.com/.
Chicken Souvlaki Skewers and a pint of Drake’s 1500 Pale Ale at Hashes & Brews in San Bruno, CA on October 9, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
Hashes & Brews, San Bruno
Happy hour: Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Offer: $6 discounted draft beer, house wine, well drinks; Special entree offers from $7 to $9
Hashes & Brews claims on its website to have a passion for two things: “good food and great service.” From the first impression, the excellent service is palpable. They don’t have a dedicated bartender, but I was happily greeted by Crystal Esparza, who works as a hostess/waiter/busser/bartender. She told me that “business hasn’t picked up since the pandemic” and that was evident from the mostly empty restaurant. However, as I sat at the bar, she greeted several regulars by name and you could feel the classic “Cheers” type vibe.
San Bruno resident Mark Nicolas is a regular at Hashes & Brews in San Bruno, California on October 9, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
They offer a notable amount of local beers on tap as well as wines by the glass and fine drinks. I opted for my favorite in these situations, Drake’s 1500 Pale Ale, and paired it with the chicken souvlaki skewers. The owner is Greek and offers a menu with Mediterranean accents. The chicken skewers were cooked to garlicky perfection and went well with the lager.
Hashes and Beers, 811 Cherry Ave., San Bruno; 650-952-3189, Instagram: @hashesandbrews. hashesandbrews.com.
Hot Crab Artichoke Dip and Rose Lentil Cocktail at Kincaid’s in Burlingame, CA on October 6, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
Kincaid’s Fish, Chop & Steakhouse, Burlingame
Happy hour: Monday to Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Offer: $4.50 to $6.50 beer, $7 to $9 wine, $7 spirits, $8 to $10 house cocktails and $6 to $12 appetizers
Kincaid’s is part of a national chain of boutiques with one location in Redondo Beach and two other locations in Minnesota. The Burlingame location complements classic American cuisine with beautiful bay views. Happy hour is offered in the bar and lounge and includes an impressive selection of food and drinks. The large lounge wasn’t very full when I was there, but bartender Leticia Ramirez told me that business was picking up and the crowd was usually “half regulars and half Facebook,” alluding to to employees returning to the restaurant. neighboring Facebook offices. The waterfront location and stylish decor make Kincaid’s stand out among other options in the area.
The bar and lounge at Kincaid’s in Burlingame, California on October 6, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
Kincaid’s offers beer on tap, a nice selection of wines by the glass, and some interesting house cocktails. The most impressive food items include elevated plates such as crab and artichoke tots, Baja-style fish tacos and prime rib sliders. Ramirez recommended the decadent hot crab and artichoke dip. I paired it with a Pink Colored Lentils cocktail made with Malfy Rosa Gin, Aperol, Reàl Passion Fruit Puree and lime.
Kincaid’s Fish, Chop & Steakhouse, 60 Bay View Place, Burlingame; 650-342-9844, Instagram: @kincaids_burlingame. kincaids.com.
Bartender Adriana Lopez at Avenida Restaurant in San Mateo, California on October 9, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
Restaurant l’Avenida, San Mateo
Happy hour: Monday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the restaurant and Friday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the bar, terrace and parklet only
Offer: $3 off signature and seasonal cocktails, $10 off cocktail carafes, $2 off bottled beer and $8 to $12 off appetizers
Avenida is a modern Filipino restaurant and bar inspired by the vibrant streets of Old Manila. Located on the corner of 3rd Avenue in San Mateo, it’s a lively art deco-style space. Unlike most other establishments on this list, few regulars or colleagues occupy the bar seats. Instead, Avenida is more likely to be “filled with families,” according to bartender Adriana Lopez.
Lumpiang Shanghai at Avenida Restaurant in San Mateo, California on October 9, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
Avenida’s food and drink options are rich in Filipino flavors. Signature cocktails include a Black Pandan Old Fashioned, Spiced Trade and Calamansi Tonic sangria. Small plates include Filipino dishes like tortang talong, mushroom al ajillo, and prawns with shrimp. I opted for the iconic Lumpian Shanghai paired with the approachable Pinoy Punch, but everything here is delicious!
Avenida Restaurant, 201 E 3rd Avenue, San Mateo; 650-781-3637, Instagram: @avenidasanmateo. avenidarestaurant.net.
Happy hour oysters and Blackberry Old Fashioned at Rustic Oyster House in San Carlos on October 7, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
Rustic House Oyster Bar and Grill, San Carlos
Happy hour: Monday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Offer: $3 off beer, wine and cocktails on the menu, $7 to $9 on appetizers and $2 off the chef’s choice of oysters
The Rustic House Oyster Bar and Grill offers quality seafood in a casual and unique environment. The vibe and decor is more South Coast than San Carlos and the atmosphere is fun and energetic, which lends itself to a perfect setting for a happy hour. The location on El Camino means less foot traffic than locations in downtown San Carlos, so “promotions like happy hour, live music and our loyalty program are helpful in attracting people,” according to the manager General Lana Flatt.
Bartender Camryn Collins at Rustic Oyster House in San Carlos on October 7, 2023. Photo by Devin Roberts.
Rustic House has an extensive list of cocktails on the menu such as the Rustic Margarita, Southern Heat and Fisherman Sangria. Crispy calamari, ceviche and fish and chips highlight the menu. However, the obvious choice lies in the name of the restaurant and I ordered a dozen chef’s choice oysters for $2 (this day’s choice was from Pickering Pass, Washington). According to bartender Camryn Collins, the Blackberry Old Fashioned is one of the most popular cocktails on the menu and it certainly did not disappoint.
Rustic Oyster Bar and Grill, 920 El Camino Real, San Carlos; 650-394-4534. rustic house94070.com.
This article ends here, but my search for even more happy hours does not. I hope happy hour culture comes back in force, because even though food and drinks are discounted, what we get for free is the invaluable connection with our colleagues, friends, family and community . Cheers!
