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Best Happy Hour Spots In Orange County

San Clemente Happy Hour header Nick's
(credit; Nick's)

Why wait for Friday? Restaurants and bars in Orange County celebrate happy hour every day of the week. Spectacular deals and sunsets await if you can start your evening early. Our favorite Orange County happy hour spots are popular with locals and visitors so don't be late. Visit our original piece Best Happy Hour Spots In Orange County for more ideas.

Happy Hour Mozambique
(credit: Mozambique)

Mozambique
1740 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 715-7777
www.mozambiqueoc.com
Happy Hour: Mon – Fri., 3-6pm, weekends 3-5pm

South African food, a new rooftop "Veranda" bar with ocean views and a well-priced happy hour food and drink menu make Mozambique one of the best happy hour deals in town. Meet friends for $5 drinks and appetizers and $10 dinners. Celebrate the end of the weekend with Reggae Sundays from 5 – 10pm

Happy Hour 180Blu photo Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
(credit: Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel)

180Blu at Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
One Ritz-Carlton Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 240-2000
www.ritzcarlton.com
Happy Hour: Live music Tue., Thur., Fri., Sat. from 6 – 9pm

180Blu patio bar at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is a place to impress a guest or just soak up the huge ocean views. When the ocean and sky are lit up in sunset shades of orange and red, Catalina Island looks close enough to reach out and touch. Add a few pelicans gliding by, surfers at Salt Creek Beach below and you've discovered why everyone loves coastal Orange County. Want to bring your pooch? Try Yappy Hour on the lawn where dogs drink bacon-flavored water while their owners sip and dine al fresco.

Happy Hour photo Yard House
(credit: Yard House)

Yard House
71 Fortune Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 753-9373
www.yardhouse.com
Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 3-6pm, Sun. –Wed. 10pm. to close

Can't make an afternoon happy hour? No problem. Yard House also has happy hour pricing for late night revelers. Sit inside and watch a sports game or snag a seat on the patio. There are over 15 half-priced appetizers and pizzas on the happy hour menu plus specials on beer and drinks and it's all served with efficient and friendly service.

Happy Hour photo Wind & Sea
(credit: Wind & Sea)

Wind & Sea
Dana Point Harbor
34699 Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 496-6500
www.windandsearestaurants.com
Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 4-7pm

Surrounded by leisure and fishing boats, sea birds and if you're lucky a sneaky sea lion or two, Wind & Sea has a prime viewing spot in the Dana Point harbor. Sit inside the lounge area or on the patio for happy hour specials. The two stand-out items are the calamari steak and the mai-tai which is a steal at $5.45 but after two you may not care what it costs.

San Clemente Pier Fisherman's photo Kristi
(credit: Kristi Marcelle)

The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar
San Clemente Pier
611 Avenida Victoria
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 498-6390
www.thefishermansrestaurant.com
Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 3:30-5:30pm

The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar sits over the Pacific Ocean on the San Clemente Pier with views of surfers and the sunset. Sip on cocktails and nibble on happy hour appetizers as The Pacific Surfliner train rolls past and enjoy the scenery. Eating is first come, first serve and it feels like you've won a medal when you score a table but it's worth the wait when you take in the view.

The Deck at Pacific Edge Hotel  photo Visit Laguna Beach
(credit: Visit Laguna Beach)

The Deck at Pacific Edge Hotel
627 Sleepy Hollow Lane
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-6700
www.deckonlaguna.com
Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 4-6pm.

If you want to know what Laguna Beach is all about, get a table at The Deck. Happy hour is Monday – Thursday but any day in Laguna with views of the ocean is a happy day. Feast on $2 shucked-to-order oysters and sip $6 drinks and you're on Orange County time. Make it a staycation and walk 2 minutes to your room at Pacific Edge Hotel, where The Deck is located.

What are your favorite happy hour spots in Orange County? Share in the comments below!
Kristi Marcelle is a travel and lifestyle writer and regular contributor at Ciao Bambino and CBS Los Angeles. She loves planning travel adventures with her family, a good glass of wine at the whining hour and the Green Bay Packers. Follow her on Twitter @kristimarcelle.
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