For our glass half full kinda people, happy hours in San Jose are where it’s at. Whether you’re looking to try out a new spot on the cheap or get together to decompress after work, these discounts on beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks will turn that frown upside down.
Editor’s note: Hours listed are happy hours only.
Off the vine
EMC Seafood and Raw Bar | Daily, 3-6 p.m. | Pair $8 glasses of house white or red with $2 oysters, $9 sushi rolls, and other bites ranging from $6 to $16.
Rootstock Wine Bar | Tuesday-Friday, 3-5 p.m. | Treat yourself to deals on wine, beer, and bites the Los Gatos and Mountain View locations. Bonus: Get half-off on bottles of wine every Monday.
Hop & Vine | Monday-Friday until 6 p.m. + all day Wednesday | We’re talkin’ $2 off all wine + beer flights, $2 off all wines by the glass or beer or tap, and $2 off food items like pizzas, charcuterie boards, salads, and veggie platters.
Keeping spirits up
Dr. Funk | Daily until 7 p.m. (excluding SAP Center event nights) | Kick off the evening with $12 hand-crafted drinks — try the Mai Tai or Puka Punch — and $9 curry or nacho fries.
The Pressroom | Daily, 3-5 p.m. | Hit up this buzzy spot in the historic 1884 Lyndon Building for 50% off all cocktails, martinis, and wine by the glass, plus $7 draft beers and $12-$16 snacks like fried artichoke and guajillo short rib sliders.
Five Points | Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m. (excluding SAP Center event nights) | Choose from $12 drinks like the mezcal-based Daybreaker or tequila reposado Paloma, and pair with $17.25 wings or coconut shrimp.
O’Flaherty’s Pub | Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m. (excluding SAP Center event nights) | You must have the luck of the Irish — this downtown staple offers $7 shots of Jameson, best paired with the spot’s beloved curry fries and maybe some karaoke. There’s late-night happy hour on Thursdays, too, from 9 p.m. to last call.
Excuse us while we nom at Nomikai. | Photo via @nomikaisj
Hungry for meal deals
Nomikai | Thursday-Saturday, 6:30-9 p.m. | Bring a crew of friends and enjoy a Punch Bowl on Thursdays only, plus 20% off all starters and wine and $9 deals on signature cocktails, drafts, and mocktails before 9 p.m.
The Table | Monday-Tuesday, 4-5:30 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday, 2-5:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 3:30-5:30 p.m. | We spy lots of $6-$18 snacks on this discounted menu, plus the $22 One-Hitter Quitter combo that includes a signature burger with a daily selected beer + a shot.
San Pedro Social | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | Grab discounts on drinks plus food deals like the $15 slice + pint combo, $7 fried ravioli, and $10 spicy chicken sliders.
The Old Wagon Saloon & Grill | Daily, 3-7 p.m.| Say howdy to $6 select appetizers, $4 pints, and $5 well drinks.
JOEY Valley Fair | Monday-Thursday, 3-6 p.m. | Try the truffle fries + dry martini combo for $18 or the JOEY cheeseburger with a glass of wine of beer for $28. The happy hour menu features a pair of exclusive dishes, too — the crispy tempura shrimp for $13 and the $11 roasted corn guacamole.
If the deal’s on, then it’s game on. | Photo via @sjminiboss
Biggest bargains
Meso Modern Mediterranean | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m .| Go all in with snacks under $10 like the falafel bites, kufta meatballs, and crostini. Add an $8 glass of wine, or $10 Fresa Margarita and you’re golden.
Olla Cocina | Daily, 3-6 p.m. | Indulge in half-price wine and cocktail carafes and half-price beer pitchers to go with $5 tacos or the $10 ceviche tostada. You get free chips + salsa, too.
SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant | Wednesday-Sunday, 4-6 p.m. | Dive into $15 apricot-yuzu mignonette oysters on the half-shell, $12 St. Louis-Style Spare Ribs, a rotating selection of $6 beers, and $13 house cocktails.
MINIBOSS | Tuesday-Sunday, 5-7 p.m. | It’s game on with deals on food, beer, highballs, and cocktails, but don’t forget to level up on Thursdays when all arcade games are free to play.
District Bar | Daily, 5-6 p.m. | Run, don’t walk for two-for-one oysters on the half-shell, $7 rotating draft pilsners or IPAs, and $9 cocktails + bites like the crispy spiced chicken wings.
Late-night gems
Straits Restaurant | Daily, 3-6 p.m.; Monday-Tuesday, 3 p.m.-close; Wednesday-Thursday, 9 p.m.-close | Sip on $10 cocktails like the Mango Tequila Spritz or an $8 glass of house red or white wine. Add snacks like $6 frites or $7 crispy cauliflower and you’ve got a outing for ~$20.
Lazy Dog | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9p.m.-midnight | Chow down on a variety of bites like the wings, Brussels sprouts, and Bacon Candy — and wet your whistle with an endless list of wines, beer, and well drinks.
Yard House | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. + Sunday-Wednesday, 10 p.m.-close | Take 50% off select appetizers and pizzas while enjoying $2 off beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails.
The Continental Bar | Thursdays, 6-11 p.m. | It’s sevens across the board — with $7 drink specials during Chill Thursdays at this popular nightlife spot. You can also grab $11 shots of Don Julio 1942.
Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know so we can expand this guide.
Host at home
Shop our favorite happy hour essentials to host friends for a drink at your place:
- Craft delicious drinks at home with syrups and mixers made from fresh ingredients.
- No clue how to put together a charcuterie board for your next event? No worries, here’s a helpful road map that you can use for everyday hosting!
- Try these alcohol-free sparkling beverages available in six organic flavors and made with nourishing, regenerative ingredients that help you tap into your inner power.
- The Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker promises no more leaks and has a built-in measuring system.
- This set of six colored wine glasses reminds us of Estelle stemware — only more affordable.
- Pair your colorful wine glasses with a colorful decanter that’s an Anthropologie best-seller.
- Keep wine and champagne cold in a marble wine chiller.
- An electric wine opener makes opening bottles smooth and stress-free.
- Don’t forget the best drinkware made by small, local businesses — we’re big fans of the Pirani Life tumbler, an eco-friendly version of a Solo Cup, and these Kanga Coolers koozies that keep drinks cold.
