Los Angeles happy hour round up: DTLA, Santa Monica

We all work hard for our money (so hard for it honey) and now with the recent spike in gas prices, who can afford to eat? You can, with these discounted dishes from Taste Terminal’s list of local happy hours. Here it is, Happy Hour Round Up Part Two.

The happy hours will cover the following criteria:

1. For when you…
This refers to what you’re looking for and what you need in a happy hour.

2. One up for grub
What you can expect to eat on the tantalizing happy hour menu.

3. I’ll drink to that!
Drinks featured on the happy hour menu.

4. In the mood
The feel, the crowd, the mood.

5. Cha-Ching!
Best deal on the menu.

6. Bang for your buck
The percentage of savings at the venue will be reflected in one of the following categories:

  • Great deal! You’re robbing them blind!
  • What a savings! and I still have money in my pocket!
  • Good deal, worth the money.
  • There’s definitely a discount, but I’m not sure if its enough.
  • Minimal discount from the regular menu.

WP24

Located on the 24th floor of the Ritz Carlton & JW Marriot in downtown Los Angeles at L.A. Live, WP24 is one of Wolfgang Puck’s fine dining restaurants focusing on Asian flavors offering a 240 degree view of downtown Los Angeles. WP24 is serving up the Tastes of 24 in the bar lounge from 5 PM – 7 PM daily, guests are able to sample the WP24 restaurant menu through a three course offering at $24 per person.

1. For when you…
Want to have a nice night out, to go somewhere fancy or to taste a fine dining menu at a discount.

2. One up for grub
The bar lounge offers three course: two options to choose from for the appetizer – Tiny Pork Belly Dumplings, Black Vinegar Dipping Sauce or Crispy Shrimp and Lobster Spring Roll; two options to choose from for the main dish – Steamed Salmon, Baby Bok Choy, Ginger, Soy or “Szechuan Style” Flat Iron Steak; and a dessert – The Marjolasian – Layers of White Espresso Mousse and Dark Chocolate (the menu rotates occasionally).

3. I’ll drink to that!
Each night there is a cocktail, a white wine, and a red wine available at the discounted price of $8. The options available rotate and vary.

4. In the mood
Upscale and sophisticated with mood lighting, patrons include hotel guests, convention goers, and businessmen/women.

5. Cha-Ching!
This menu is available at only a portion of the restaurants cost.

Basement Tavern

Located underneath the Victorian Restaurant in Santa Monica, CA, the Basement Tavern is a speakeasy bar offering elevated bar food and specialty cocktails. While the Victorian is said to be haunted by a friendly apparition named Delia, the Basement Tavern hosts a daily happy hour from 5 PM – 8 PM, Monday through Saturday and 5 PM until close on Sundays. Happy hour discounts include food items marked at 50% off, $2 off bottle beer, $5 glass of house red or white wine, $5 Delia’s Elixir cocktail – after the in house ghost, and $7 rotating specialty cocktails that vary per day.

1. For when you…
Need a dive-y and casual bar to socialize and to relax.

2. One up for grub
The dishes available on the bar food menu includes a variety of options. From the standard Basement Burger and Truffle Fries ($7) – beef burger, shaft bleu cheese, jalapeños, wild arugula, and Roma tomatoes with hand cut Kennebec potatoes, truffle, parmesan, and thyme to a Prosciutto and Wild Arugula Pizza ($6) to the Lobster Rolls ($8) – fresh Maine lobster and cream cheese in a crispy roll, drizzled in a homemade BBQ sauce or the Strawberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes ($6) with bacon strips and house made whiskey maple syrup for your late night fix.

3. I’ll drink to that!
Over a dozen cocktails are available on the cocktail menu, of which one is available at $7/day. Such cocktails include the Bathtub Gin – gin, citrus, jalapeño, cucumber, and mint, on Wednesday, or the Strawberry Moon – moonshine, strawberries, basil, citrus, agave, and champagne float, on Fridays or the C’est La Vie – vodka, mint, citrus, blueberries, and champagne float on Sundays. Also available everyday at $5 during happy hour is Delilah’s Elixir – buffalo trace bourbon, agave, raspberries, and lemon.

4. In the mood
Low key, casual, relaxed, and chillin’ after work.

5. Cha-Ching!
The Lobster spring rolls. Originally at $16, the lobster spring rolls are available at 50% off costing you only $8.

Public School 612

The goal at Public School 612 in downtown Los Angeles is to provide you with a proper education. Offering knowledge in spirits, microbrews, and gastro-gourmet foods, guests will find their composition notebooks filled with beers on tap, cocktails, and dishes. As for Recess [Happy Hour], a sampling of the style of food offered at Public School 612, consists of decently sized portioned dishes running for $2, $4, and $6 with $4 handles, $5 well cocktails, and $10 half liter of wine. Recess runs Monday – Saturday from 4 PM – 7 PM and all day Sunday.

1. For when you…
Are thirsty for a beer and hungry for some grub.

2. One up for grub
Dishes available during Recess include a wide variety of styles and cuisines. Available are the refreshing Thai Noodle Spring Roll – roasted peanuts, napa cabbage, carrots, & red bell pepper ($2), Caramelized Onion Dip w hand cut potato chips ($2), Wild Mushroom & Taleggio Lavash Pizza with arugula and shaved parmesan ($4), Fried Grafton Cheddar Curds with buttermilk ranch dressing ($4), the Schezwan Calarmari ($6) and the flavorful and bold Asian BBQ Chicken & Ribs with ginger, chile, garlic, and scallions ($6) to name a few.

3. I’ll drink to that!
The beer selection at Public School 612 is an extensive list ranging from American craft beers on tap such as Allagash White or Ballast Point Calico Amber to imported beers such as Duvel Green or the Unibroue Ephemere to bottled and canned beers such as Tripel Karmeliet, Port Brewing Wipeout IPA, or the Maui CoCoNut Porter. Also offered are signature cocktails and a variety of wines.

4. In the mood
Casual, low key, and relaxing after work.

5. Cha-Ching!
Wild Mushroom & Taleggio Lavash Pizza ($4).

Read more:

Los Angeles happy hour round up part one: Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills

Photography provided by Natalie Woyshner and Jenny Lam