| The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the bustling streets of Sacramento. As the heart of California's state government, the city had seen its fair share of long days, heated debates, and paperwork-laden desks. Amidst the fading light, a weary California state worker found themselves yearning for a simple pleasure to wash away the stress of the day: a cool, refreshing beer at a local happy hour.
There's nothing better than a cold beer after a hard day's work. We've gathered some of the best happy hour locations within walking distance to you, and I've added my own expert commentary on the matter. |
| Monday thru Friday, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Specials: $6 wine and sangria $6 draft beer and well $8 House Cocktails $7 appetizers (Bocce Balls, Bruschetta, polenta fries, fried ravioli)
Near: CDPH, DHCS
Notes: This place has the best sangria in the area. There's a ton of fruit, and you get your money's worth (Aka, they don't cheat on the wine to alcohol balance). Their food is pretty good too, I am a fan of the polenta fries. I feel like the vibe of the place is a hit or miss, but after about a pitcher, any unease dies away quickly. 8/10 for the sangria alone, but honestly their prices on everything else are pretty good too. |
| Monday thru Saturday 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Specials: Pricing not available
Near: CDPH, DHCS
Notes: They don't have pricing on their website which is a tad disappointing. You'll have to go and check this out for yourself. That being said, the blackberry margaritas here are the bomb. I think that this place is known for their drinks, so it's a great happy hour spot. Not only that, but you get chips with beans and salsa. I don't know what is in their bean dip. Best part, it's free as long as you're at a table. The tortilla chips are also light warm. To be frank, I actually just come here for the chips and stay for the drinks. |
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| Monday thru Friday, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Specials: $7.00 Maya Margarita $8.00 Asi Sabe Margarita $5.00 draft beer $8.00 Bocaditos de Mexico $4.50 Taco de adobo $8.50 Tacos de Requeson $8.40 Taco flight (3 tacos) And more
Near: CDT, State Treasurer, OPR, state capitol, DSH, CDE, DHCS
Notes: This location is super central to everyone, which is nice. However, I don’t know if it’s much of a happy hour. These prices are wild. ONE taco for $4.50 is considered a discount? Get out of town. That being said, their tequila selection is remarkable. They have tequila lockers available too. I don't know if this place is particularly worth going to for the happy hour, but as a standard tequila bar it's pretty great. |
| Date/Time: Monday thru Friday, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Specials: Oyster on half shell: $22 for a dozen Steak tartare: $9.00 Crispy Adobo Mushroom Tacos: $18.00 Fried chicken: $32 Lobster plateau: $145 Gin and tonic: $8.00 Old Fashioned: $12.00 Red wine, white wine, beer: $6.00
Near: CDT, state treasurer, OPR, state capitol, DSH, CDE, DHCS
Notes: Another one that’s super closer to everyone, definitely on the fancier side, but COME ON people. I maybe a cheapskate but I am not convinced to go eat your $28 taco. How much is this taco outside of happy hour? This better be the best taco you've ever consumed, or I want my money back. That being said, this feels like a great option for the fancier people out there. Ella has a truly stunning ambience. |
| Monday thru Friday 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
NO CLUE, it just started
Near: DOJ, CDT
Notes: This spot is great purely because it's really the only spot within the general vicinity. It's got a nice hipster vibe. The food can only be described as "edible" but the drinks selection is astounding. They have a ChatGPT drink that probably has an interesting story. They only very recently started up their happy hour, so I don't have feedback on prices. |
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| Monday thru Friday 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
TONS of options ranging from $5.50 – 10.00 Cocktails $10.00, all draft beers $6.00
Near: CDT, DOJ
Notes: So let me begin by saying that Mikuni's has some of the best sushi in the Sacramento area. Feel free to fight me on this as much as you want, I speak nothing but the truth. If you're ever looking for a state worker on a given Wednesday, they're probably at this freaking Mikuni's--and for good reason! Their happy hour menu is actually exceptional too, they aren't slacking on the sheer number of options and discounted prices. The parking situation isn't stellar, but not every restaurant is perfect. Mikuni's is pretty darn close though. |
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| Monday thru Friday 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Appetizers and pizzas ½ off $1.00 off big beers $2.00 off wines by the glass $3.00 off specialty cocktails $5.00 off well cocktails
Near: CalHR
Notes: Alright, so Iron Horse isn't the best restaurant on the planet (sorry to offend any one), but it does have one of the best happy hours hands down. Given that this article is specifically about happy hours, not restaurants in general, I can say with certainty that this is in the top 3. You can get an entire pizza here for $10.00 if you time it right. That's right, $10.00! Their cocktails are strong, their service is good, and everything is marvelously cheap. The outdoor patio is great, and the servers don't get mad at you if you end up with 10 additional people at your table. Parking around this area is pretty rough given its proximity to Ace of Spades, but that's why you go for happy hour and not dinner. |
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| Monday thru Friday 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Appetizers and pizzas ½ off $1.00 off big beers $2.00 off wines by the glass $3.00 off specialty cocktails $5.00 off well cocktails
Near: DOJ, CDT
Notes: I don't really know much about Public House, so I don't feel like I can give a proper review. It seems to be like a ritzy sports bar. The location is pretty good, and the happy hour prices are identical to Iron Horse, so I can assume that they have the same owner. Regardless, I believe in a liquid economy, and this fits the bill. |
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| Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Chimaek: $14.00 Pot stickers, wings, tacos: $8.00 Soso fries, La Galbi bites, calamari: $9.00 MMS, Jeju Island, Lycheetini, BTS Mule: $8.00 $1.00 beers $2.00 off soju $3.00 Somaek Blast
Near: DHCS
Notes: Okay, so this place is also 100% in my top 3 list of happy hour spots. A part of this is personal bias towards Korean food. That being said, they have a happy hour going from 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM. That has to be the best happy hour time in the world. Their selection for food and drink during happy hour are stupendous. This place gets a 10/10. |
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| Monday thru Friday 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
$2.00 PBR $5.00 house red/white $4.00 Trumer Pils $5.00 Sierra Nevada $10 stein of German Lager $5.00 draft beer $5.00 – 6.00 cocktails $2.00 fries, $3.00 corn dogs, $5.00 bavarian pretzels
Near: Not sure, but some things are worth sacrificing for.
Notes: I mean, WOW. A stein of beer for only $10? Lowbrau has a reputation for putting on a great happy hour. I dig their patio, and their drinks are insanely cheap. I actually feel like they're losing money on their PBR deal. The only issue I can think of is that this is rather far from state departments. You definitely have to drive to enjoy, but I think it's worth the pain of parking. |
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| Monday thru Friday 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
$3.00 off cocktails $5.00 well cocktails, mac and cheese, truffle tater tots $6.00 wine, chicken strips, artichoke dip, cornbread $7.00 cheeseburger sliders, ahi tuna poke, trio of fries
Near: DHCS, state capitol, CDT, CDE, CDFA, DSH, CARB
Notes: The main benefit of this place is the location. No matter where you are, you can walk to this bad boy. This is the ultimate event venue, being close to not only most of the state departments, but also to both of the hotels where most events are held. They also have great snacks. I would be lying if I said that this wasn't a great spot. |
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| Monday thru Friday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Fried chicken drumsticks - $12.00 Shishito peppers - $12.00 Housemade russet potato chips - $12.00 Parmigiano Reggiano fries - $10.00 Pastrami sliders - $10.00 Burrata and local melon - $20.00 Beer $7.00 Red wine - $9.00 White wine $9.00 Well drinks - $9.00
Near: CARB, State Treasurer’s Office, EDD, CSL, OPR, DSS, NRA, DGS
Notes: I honestly don't have many notes about this one because I've never been to Prelude. The prices do seem rather extravagant, but it could just be due to the proximity of this location to the capitol. I like the modern chic, look! |
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| Monday thru Friday 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
½ off select appetizers and all pizzas $2.00 off draft beer, wine, spirits, cocktails $3.00 off 9oz wine $4.00 off half yards
Near: DGS, CalPERS
Notes: I have never been a big fan of chains; however, I would be amiss to not mention Yard House. Their food is pretty darn good, and their happy hour is honestly solid. It's adjacent to the Golden1 Center, and I feel like it's a nice compromise for the state departments across the freeway. The parking situation is pretty decent as long as it isn't game day. I think if you're looking for something simple and easy, Yard House is a great option. They also have a late night happy hour that goes from 10 PM to close |
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| Monday thru Friday 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
$6.00 pints $1.00 off guest taps $1.50 off all wine $2.00 off specialty cocktails $9.00 tacos $9.50 que-bano rolls $8.00 cauliflower bites $8.50 chips and dip $11.00 pulled pork quesadilla
Near: Secretary of State, EDD, Office of Planning and Research
Notes: This is also a chain, but I feel like it has a bit more character. First off, there's axe throwing inside. This obviously has pro's and con's. Pro: you get to throw an axe. Con: Everytime someone else throws in axe, you flinch. How can you not when there's a large thud every few seconds? Regardless, I am a huge BBQ fan and this place has a variety of sauces which is fun (shocking, I know). |
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| Monday thru Friday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM $2.00 off any draft beer $3.00 can roulette $4.00 well cocktails $4.00 house wine $5.00 mac n cheese, fried pickles, house greens, tots ‘n’ sauce
Near: Unknown
Notes: This one is pretty far from state departments. I am a sucker for Kupros glass ceiling though. Their porch and upstairs patio are really nice after a long day of work. I like that there are nooks around the bar to avoid talking with people. Their ranch dressing can heal even the deepest of scars. |
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| Tuesday thru Friday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Saturday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
$10.00 Featured wines $5.00 Chambongs $5.00 Craft Beers $8.00 Speciality cocktails $6.00 Well drinks $10.00 charcuterie $14.00 molasses glazed pork belly $7 – 8.00 Street tacos $7.00 Goat Cheese and Ham $10.00 Mussels and andouille sausage
Near: DHCS, CDPH
Notes: First off, who doesn't love a Saturday happy hour? Second off, CHAMBONGS. If you haven't done this and you live in the Sacramento area, then you haven't lived. They slit off the back of a champagne glass and you have to drink it immediately (similar to a beer bong, but on a much smaller scale). Who said your Greek life years have to end after entering into the workforce? We party like we're 21, but with class (aka, with champagne instead of PBR). Their charcuterie is also excellent. Their wine is normally very expensive, so the $10.00 is a steal. Please feel free to reach out to me if you're interested in indulging. |
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