{"id":12304,"date":"2026-05-14T16:25:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T00:25:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelcostamesa.com\/blog\/?p=12304"},"modified":"2026-05-18T10:19:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T18:19:45","slug":"sip-happens-the-best-happy-hours-in-costa-mesa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelcostamesa.com\/blog\/sip-happens-the-best-happy-hours-in-costa-mesa","title":{"rendered":"Sip Happens: The Best Happy Hours in Costa Mesa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If\u00a0your\u00a0Costa Mesa<\/a>\u00a0itinerary includes \u201cgrab a drink,\u201d\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0already doing it right.\u00a0Whether\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0fresh off a flight, wrapping up a shopping spree, or heading back from the beach with sandy shoes, Costa Mesa has\u00a0a happy hour for every mood.\u00a0With lively patios that strum with live music,\u00a0this city knows how to turn a casual drink into\u00a0an entire evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ultimate Guide to Pre-Dinner Fun<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SOCIAL Costa Mesa\u202f<\/a>offers one of the more extensive happy hour menus in town,\u00a0happening\u00a0\u00a0all\u00a0day on Wednesday,\u00a0and Thursday\u00a0through Friday from 4 to 6\u00a0p.m.\u00a0You can try out menu items like\u00a0a\u00a0pork belly\u00a0sandwich\u00a0or\u00a0prosciutto and pear flatbreads.\u00a0Sip on $6 beers\u00a0or enjoy $4 off glasses of wine.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019ve spent the afternoon browsing the small businesses at The LAB<\/a>, make your next stop Habana for \u201cLa Social Hour<\/a>.\u201d  The colorful patio pairs well with Cuban bites, and the craft cocktails turn up the vacation energy in Costa Mesa. Every happy hour item, food and drinks included, is just $12. Cool off with a creamy pi\u00f1a colada or order the chile mango mojito, topped with colorful garnishes that are almost too pretty to drink. On the food side, the ham and cheese croquets or slow roasted pork sliders bring plenty of flavor to the table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Live music and a round of drinks make a good duo at The Wayfarer<\/a>. Stop by from 5 to7 p.m. for $8 cocktails, then stick around for live performances from local bands spanning genres from folk to Western Gothic. See who\u2019s playing<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0looking to start early, Wild Goose Tavern on 17th Street has you covered with one of the earliest happy hours in town, running Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This cozy neighborhood pub\u00a0with rustic lodge vibes\u00a0serves up\u00a0familiar-but-elevated\u00a0grub\u00a0and\u00a0weekly\u00a0specials<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Happy hour at South Coast Plaza<\/a>? Yes, please. Head to AnQi Bistro for \u201cRed Hour<\/a>,\u201d where bites and cocktails are all priced at $10. Share plates like the Sweet Corn Ma La Elote or An\u2019s Famous Garlic Noodles while sipping on a refreshing yuzu margarita or lychee martini.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just around the corner, VOX Kitchen<\/a> serves up a Chinese-Peruvian (Chifa) fusion happy hour Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. Their $10 cocktail lineup tastes perfect alongside their garlic chicken wings after a full day of shopping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heading back from the beach? Triangle Square makes it easy to keep the fun going with plenty of happy hour options all in one spot. At\u00a0Sevilla<\/a>, Tuesdays are made for tapas with 50% off 26 different Spanish small plates perfect for sharing with the table.\u00a0Casa de Onda<\/a>\u00a0brings Tulum-inspired vibes weekdays from 4\u00a0to\u00a06 p.m. with colorful cocktails and coastal Mexican flavors. For something more country-cool, head to\u00a0Westwood Coast<\/a>\u00a0for happy\u00a0hour bites like cowboy queso and southern meatballs at half off. Stick around on Tuesdays and Thursdays for free\u00a0line dancing classes<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy Hour Without Leaving the Hotel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Not every great happy hour requires calling an Uber.\u00a0Several\u00a0Costa Mesa hotels<\/a>\u00a0have their own cocktail specials, cozy lounges, and post-travel bites worth checking out before heading out\u00a0to explore the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n