BGG Happy Hour Hop: Los Feliz

The weather has been so gorgeous lately that it’s become even harder than usual to refrain from calling in sick to work.  Life is short, and it’s 80 degrees outside!  When we’re on our deathbeds, we’re totally going to regret not ditching out on spending the next 10 hours trapped in a windowless cubicle in favor of laying on a beach somewhere with a guy named Felipe (please reference #2 and #5 here).  However, we all unfortunately need to get paid, so instead of ditching out altogether, we suggest you skip your lunch breaks this week and leave the office early to take advantage of the happiest hour(s) of the day.  To aid you in this endeavor, today we’ve compiled a BGG Happy Hour Hop for Los Feliz:  

Figaro Bistrot:  Where else can you find $5 escargot during happy hour? Throw in a $6 Kir Royal, $5 champagne, $4 well drink, or $3 Kronenberg, and we’re les filles tres heureuses. These are just a few items from the generous selection of food and beverages that this Parisian bistro discounts during happy hour, and while we could linger for hours over $8 charcuteries or $3 pommes frites (or both), we’ll restrain ourselves as this is just our first stop on what promises to be a very happy hop.

When to get happy: 5-7 p.m., daily
Address/Phone: 1802 N. Vermont Ave, (323) 662-1587

The Dresden: Much like Vince Vaughn, the Dresden was made famous by the movie Swingers.  Unlike Vince Vaughn, however, this lounge is still popular. With just the right amount of kitsch, The Dresden continues to attract locals and frat guy tourists alike with its classic lounge setting and nightly live music. During happy hour, all drinks and appetizers are discounted by $2. For the full Swingers experience, try the Blood and Sand with a side of shrimp cocktail. Stay after happy hour for jazz duo Marty and Elayne, who have been playing at 9 p.m., Tuesday - Friday, for the past 18 years.

When to get happy: Monday - Friday, 4-7 p.m.
Address/Phone: 1760 N. Vermont Ave, (323) 665-4294

1739 Public House:  If beer is your vice, you’re in luck at 1739 Public House: this Los Feliz pub features 64 brews on tap.  During happy hour, Public House offers $4.50 beers, $5.50 well drinks, and $5.50 Pinot Grigio.  Additionally, a full pizza is FREE with the purchase of a full-priced beer during the pub’s early happy hour.  On Mondays and Tuesdays, any meal on the menu is $7 or less.

When to get happy: 3-7 p.m. and 10-11 p.m., daily; meal specials all night on Mondays and Tuesdays; free pizza during early happy hour.
Address/Phone: 1739 N. Vermont Ave, (323) 663-1739

Rockwell VT.: They call it “Creative Happy Hour” at Rockwell, and the extensive list of discounted cocktails really got our artistic juices flowing the last time we visited this upscale lounge. We recommend sampling the white sangria ($7), a special for the summer that packs a lot of punch, or any number of the other imaginative cocktails  on offer ($7-$8).  Beers are also discounted to $5, house wines are $6, and appetizers and mini-flatbreads are $5-$8 (the pancetta flatbread is to-die-for, and, for the meatless among us, we recommend the wild forest mushroom flatbread).  

When to get happy: 5-8 p.m., daily
Address/Phone: 1714 N. Vermont Ave, (323) 669-1550

The Bigfoot Lodge: We know, we know... This bar is technically in Atwater Village, but its happy hour is too good to be ignored -- all drinks are $5!  It’s important to note, however, that there’s no food on the menu, so you’ll want to plan your caloric consumption in advance. Note: not advertised on the menu is the incredible ratio of guys to gals, making this a perfect pick-up spot for all of the single Broke Girls out there.  

When to get happy: 5-8 p.m., daily
Address/Phone: 3172 Los Feliz Blvd, (323) 662-9227

Ye Rustic Inn: It doesn’t get much dive-i-er than Rustic Inn, but that’s what happy hour is for, right?  Great if you are looking for a spot to watch the game (whatever that game might be), the prices are right at happy hour, which features $4 domestic beers and well drinks, $5 margaritas and imported beers, and a limited menu of basic, $4 snacks.  

When to get happy: Monday - Thursday, 4-7 p.m.
Address/Phone: 1831 Hillhurst Avenue, (323) 662-5757

Big Bar: We love a cocktail that can trick us into feeling (sort of) healthy, and the fresh-pressed juices used in Big Bar’s drinks accomplish just that. This tiny spot, located off of Alcove Cafe, has a nice, long happy hour for those of you who consider 2 p.m. an okay time to call it quits at the office.  Hendrick’s Gin cocktails and well drinks are $7, select draft beer is $5, and (quality) wine is $6. Pair your drinks with a generous portion of Mediterranean hummus or carnitas sliders (both $7.95 during happy hour), and we think you can easily fit in two meals (and who knows how many drinks) before happy hour is over.

When to get happy: Monday - Friday, 2-7 p.m.
Address/Phone: 1929 Hillhurst Avenue, (323) 644-0100

Vinoteca Farfalla: You had us at vino. This cozy wine bar is the place to go for happy hour wine and beer.  The $6 house wines here go beyond the questionable “red or white” selection at many happy hours, and there's even a premium happy hour wine list for $9/glass. Pints of beer are $4, and bottles are $3, and there’s not a single domestic brew on the list. The happy hour food pairs well with whatever you are drinking, ranging from the snack-sized olive tapenade ($3) to the meal-sized BraziBurger ($8), with many cheese, meat, and fried delights in between.

When to get happy: 4-7 p.m., daily
Address/Phone: 1968 Hillhurst Avenue, (323) 661-8070

Malo Cantina: So, we may have crossed the Silver Lake line to hop over to Malo, but its margarita specials and street-style tacos are worth the technical foul. During “Hora Feliz,” house margaritas are $5 (simply dangerous), well drinks are $5, and if it’s that type of night, El Valientes (cans of Tecate with a shot of Milagro Silver) are $6. We recommend taking advantage of the $2 fried Tacos Dorados to soak up some of that El Valiente, or better yet, a number of selections from the discounted taco menu ($1 - $5) which runs all night on Mondays.  

When to get happy: 4-6 p.m., daily; drink and taco discounts all night on Mondays
Address/Phone: 4326 West Sunset Boulevard, (323) 664-1011

written by Caila Ball