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Best Happy Hour Spots In Orange County

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(credit: Shutterstock)

It's been a rough day, week or perhaps even a rocky month and you're looking for the perfect atmosphere to wind down with a great drink and good company at the end of the workday. Look no further, because Orange County is full of great happy hour spots that offer a two-hour mini-vacation to converse over the perfect cosmo. Whether your preferences include a chill sushi spot for a Friday date night, a relaxing rooftop deck to catch that Cali sea breeze, or a more swanky setting to take a business endeavor, the following list spills all on the best hot spots for that golden hour of any occasion. Get prepared to let go and let the good times roll.

Nightlife & Music Happy Hour, Mesa
Photo Credit: Mesa via Facebook

Mesa
725 Baker St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 557-6700
www.mesacostamesa.com
Happy Hour: Tues to Friday – 6-8pm

While they say "It's Five o' clock somewhere," in this case, it's "6 o clock". For two hours, Mesa in Costa Mesa offers a great happy hour including $7 cocktails such as an old fashioned, a Moscow mule, a delicious red & white sangria, beer flights, martinis and more. If it's a mid-week kind of happy hour you're after, stop by on Wednesday as their performer plays jazz with incredible covers.

Nightlife & Music Newport Beach Brewing Co.
Photo Credit: Newport Beach Brewing Co. via Facebook

Newport Beach Brewing Co.
2920 Newport Blvd.
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 675-8449
newportbeachbrewingcompany.com
Happy Hour: Monday - Friday: 3pm to 6:30pm

You can never go wrong supporting local restaurants. Why? Because they know better than anyone what your tummy craves. At this Newport Beach gem, there are specials for every day of the week and the location, just a two-block walk to the beach from the spacious outdoor patio, can't be beat. Newport Beach Brewing Co. offers $4 pints, $5 wells appetizers at discounted prices during too. Newport Beach Brewing Co. also offers certain specials throughout the week including a all day happy hour on Mondays, a Taco Tuesday (2 tacos for just $5), a $9 Pizza/Pitcher Wednesday and late night specials on Friday and Saturday. So whether you're taking the kids with you for an early family dinner or going out with friends and leaving the kiddies behind, there are options. Take a trip down to the ole' Co. and treat yourself to a brew or two while you watch the game or make it a pint-filled party.

Nightlife & Music Port Restaurant and Bar
Photo Credit: Port Restaurant and Bar via Facebook

Port Restaurant and Bar
440 Heliotrope Ave.
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
(949) 988-0471
portcdm.com
Happy Hour: 7 Days A Week, Before 7pm

Say you have to make a business pitch or want to catch a few hours with your beloved in a mystical seaside atmosphere. Port Restaurant and Bar will fill all those happy hour expectations. With this casual to elegant dining style, a quick after-work drink can turn into a full-on dinner party with ease. You'll find an assortment of happy hour starters like a full tapas menu, green plates and sliders that are served daily, you can't go wrong. Specifically, you'll get $2 off starters, green plates, tapas and rustic flatbreads, $4 off signature and specialty entrees, $2 off all beers and $3 off liquor, wines by the glass, specialty cocktails and martinis during happy hour. Port also has one of the best Taco Tuesdays around with $3 tacos, the most delicious $6 Agave margaritas and $4 Mexican beers. Wine Wednesday's mean 50% off wines by the glass with a food purchase and Thirsty Thursday's include $7 wines, $7 well drinks and $7 off pasta entrees. They also offer a terrific brunch on the weekends. This dazzling coastal restaurant is worth the effort, not just for the perfect dose of drinks but, also for the refreshing, elegant air.

Nightlife & Music Happy Hour, Ten Asian Bistro
(credit: Ten Asian Bistro via Facebook)

Ten Asian Bistro
4647 MacArthur Blvd.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 660-1010
tenoc.com/restaurant
Happy Hour: Monday - Friday: 4pm to 7pm

Ten Asian Bistro may be on the newer side of the Orange County restaurant and bar scene, but it makes up for lost time with its amazing waterfall décor and a bang-for-your-buck happy hour offered every day from 4pm to 7pm. Don't let the amazing prices for drinks and small plates during happy hour fool you. The cuisine is completely exquisite, as is the colorful and tranquil vibe of the interior. Ten Asian Bistro is the ultimate get-away for two hours out of any day.

Nightlife & Music Happy Hour, The Rooftop Lounge
(credit: The Rooftop Lounge via Facebook)

The Rooftop Lounge – Laguna Beach
1289 S. Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 484-6845
www.rooftoplagunabeach.com
Price: Half off all beer, wine, mojitos and well drinks
Happy Hour: Monday - Friday: 3pm to 5pm

It's a beautiful evening, just before sunset, and you imagine yourself watching this stunning scene drift into twilight with a delicious drink in hand and possibly a friend by your side. If this is something you dream of more than once during the weekday, then The Rooftop Lounge in Laguna Beach is just the place to enjoy happy hour every Monday through Friday from 3 to 5pm. Nothing beats an award-winning mojito and a breathtaking panorama of the Pacific. Without a doubt, this spot will remind you why you live in Orange County.

The science nerd and the woman that always has the prima donna hair, Stephanie Jones is a combination of both worlds. As a Bachelor of Arts graduate, she hopes to parlay her smarts into a career based on the world of writing, digital arts and marketing communications. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
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