I get together with a buddy of mine once a month for happy hour that usually turns into dinner. I think we’ve hit a bit of a rut and I’m hoping someone can pass along a favorite that will be a delight. We usually end up spending between $75 - $125 each, but we like a deal. We’ve done Flemmings, BOA, Bandera, really loved Ingo’s Tasty Diner, L’Assiete Steak Frites. I know that’s a lot of steak places, but it doesn’t have to be a steak place. I think steak places usually have a good happy hour, so we end up there. Basically the criteria is:
Red O on Ocean Ave has a pretty good and well priced happy hour. Food is better than OK (imho a lot better, but not wonderful). Transition to dinner has seemed easy.
Here’s Looking at You does some of the best cocktails in the city. 2 drinks + a full meal rarely breaks $100/pp. (Drinks ~$15, apps/small plates $12-24, large plates $24-37, steak $3/oz [skip], dessert $7-12).
Get the Avocado, Market Lettuces, Tartare, Sweetbreads, Frog Legs, Prawns, Hamachi Collar (not all at once - this is probably enough food for 3, or close).
For dessert get the Yuzu Tart, or sit at the bar for the opportunity to have some of their fantastic pie ($8).
I second Hatchet Hall but here’s some other places that might fit the bill also…
Cannibal has a solid happy hour discounts on wine, beer, and old fashioneds plus free charcuterie plates and good happy hour sandiwches.
Their burger is really good can’t speak for the rest of the food, but its got a good vibe and nice interior. In culver city but very close to where 405 and 10 meet.
Louie’s in Mar Vista is also delicious. Great happy hour on cocktails and beers. Many of their cocktails are made with their house made honey, made by the owner’s mom who’s a beekeeper.
It’s more of a bar with very tasty bar food. Asian inflected Southern dishes, the chicken gumbo, honey sriracha fried chicken, burger, shepards pie, etc are all very good have a specials menu that rotates frequently. The food can get quite heavy and its more gastropub food than elevated dining (ie hatchet hall) but basically everything I’ve had there tastes good.
Thanks all, I think we’re going with Charcoal. I love Louies and Hatchet Hall, and now I can’t wait to try Cannibal since it’s stumbling distance from me.
We drop in there after farmers market often during football season. Excellent drinks, but the food is very heavy. Everything is meat, gravy, biscuits, etc. They have a friggin market full of produce outside their front door and can’t be bothered to utilize it. Makes me assume the chef is a bit lazy.
When in that area, I usually go to Accomplice/Little Fatty for happy hour and dinner. It’s a great bar atmosphere.