The Silly 60. Primetime libations. It's 5 o'clock somewhere. Pau Hana. Beer 30. Wine o'clock. The list goes on.
While the term 'Happy Hour' dates as far back as Shakespearean times, the concept of drinking before dinner comes to us courtesy of Prohibition. With the banning of alcohol, people turned instead to frequenting a 'cocktail hour,' held at speakeasies, prior to adjourning to a restaurant where alcohol could not be served.
Fast forward 80-odd years and happy hour has staked its place in American lore and touts a list of synonyms longer than a swizzle stick. Today's 'Hour of Power' is more than a marketing ploy to boost liquor sales on slow weeknights. It is often a way to allow people to gather and wind down from the day without breaking the bank. Half-price drinks are grand, a little nibble to go with it is even better. Throughout Sonoma, there are numerous places offering specials to encourage you to whet your whistle before dinnertime.
B&V Whiskey Bar & Grill
400 First St. E., 938-7110
HH: Daily from 3 to 6 p.m.
Located in the historic Sonoma Creamery building, B&V does a great job with cocktails of all sorts as well as a nice list of fairly substantial bar bites that range from locally sourced fresh oysters on the half shell to Kobe brisket sliders, ahi poke chips and more. B&V has numerous spots at the bar as well as booth-style tables to encourage patrons to congregate as they wish.
Hopmonk Tavern
691 Broadway, 935-9100
HH: Monday to Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m.
Affectionately called 'Monk's Recess' Hopmonk is one of the best spots for al fresco libation. House wine at half price as well as an exhaustive beer selection, make this one of the most popular spots in town. When the weather's nice, take advantage of the outdoor seating to mix and mingle with friends both old and new. Food offerings include fish or carnitas tacos, sausage bites, sliders and more. Reasonable prices and good sized portions keep folks coming back for more.
La Casa
121 E. Spain St., 996-3406
HH: Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 p.m.
House margaritas, beer, wine by the glass and well drinks can't be beat. A fun list of specialty margaritas includes the Cadallic and the Cost Rack among others. Happy Hour bites are a bargain at either $3 each, or five items for $12. Choose wisely and it's easy to leave full and happy. Soft tacos, nachos, chicken or beef sope and even a gooey bean and cheese dip (fundido) are all available for noshing.
Mary's Pizza Shack
8 W. Napa St., 938-8300
HH: Weekdays, 3 to 6 p.m. plus
Sunday to Wednesday, 8 p.m. to close and Thursday to Sunday, 9 p.m. to close
Mary's offers drink specials that start at $3 for cocktails and $2 off wines by the glass. Favorites like breadsticks are dirt cheap at just $2.35 and other offerings like calamari fritti, chicken wings, the famous He & She meatballs and more are nicely discounted. A lively crowd lines the bar and nearby cocktail tables but patrons are welcomed to sit anywhere during Happy Hour.
Maya
101 E. Napa St., 935-3500
HH: Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 p.m.
Popular at any time of the day, Maya comes alive during its livelyhappy hour with Maya margaritas, well drinks, wine and beer. Food offerings include yummy sliders for just $3 each, 'Really Good Nachos' at a sure-to-satisfy price of $5.50 and tacos for $4 each. A house specialty, Panucho, is a Yucatan-style tostada stuffed with deliciousness for only $5.50 – big enough for dinner. Of course, the bar crowd makes this scene all the more worthwhile.
Murphy's
464 First Street East, 935-0660
HH: Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 p.m.
Come spring, the doors at Murphy's are flung wide open for balmy happy hours on the patio. The prices can't be beat with $5 pints and house wines at $6 per glass. Among other offerings, a few of the pub nibbles include calamari, pepper jack tater tots, a yummy and unusual cauliflower gratin and, of course, Murphy's famous 'frickles.' If you want to make dinner out of it, the hearty pub burger and beer come with fries for just $10.
OSO
9 E. Napa St., 931-6926
HH: Monday to Thursday, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
This fun little 21-plus spot is perfect for a drink and a bite before heading to see a movie, a performance or just going home. The drinks menu innovative offerings like sangria, a Lillet Blanc spritzer or Champagne cocktail. For the less adventurous there's beer on top and wine by the glass. A special Happy Hour menu includes fresh oysters, deviled eggs, a hummus plate, ceviche and more.
Plaza Tequila
19315 Highway 12, 933-9496
HH: Monday to Friday, 3 to 5 p.m.
Offering one of the earliest happy hours of the day, Plaza Tequila has a lovely outdoor seating area and great specials. From $1 tacos to discounted appetizers, $3 beer and top shelf margaritas for $6, the lively restaurant gets hopping early and stays busy through the dinner crowd.
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