CHEAP drinks in santa monica?? help!!

[AdamFoodie]

So I'm from the eastside but I'm in santa monica(23rd and whilshire) doing some work and afterwards I'm meeting up with a friend for drinks but I only have 20 bucks haha. So where's the super cheap dive bars and amazing happy hours. Come on westsiders help me out. Thanks

[Xericx]

Cabo Cantina, 2:1 Drinks until 8pm.

[hrhboo]

Joker on Pico near 31st and the Cozy Inn on Washington Place and Sepulveda (not SM but close enough)

[ElJeffe]

I can't believe someone else knows about the Joker! Nice on hrhboo. Is it really a busy happy hour spot?

Renee's is one of my favorites but not always busy.

[Wolfgang]

Barney's on 3rd has pints of Racer 5 and Arrogant Bastard for $2.75 during HH.

JPs has terrible domestic draft beer--always flat and not cold enough--and their drinks (about 5.50 well, 7ish call) come with ice that's close to shaved so it completely waters down your drink. Bottled beers are 4 or 5, no great bargain for a dive. The only way to get a decent drink there is to order it neat.
The Parlor has a pretty decent HH.

[goodhealthgourmet]

how about Renee's or El Cholo?

[Emme]

don't know how cheap it is, but i love renee's; it feels like a mix between tuscany and new orleans to me... i know weird combo, but it's totally transporting to walk down the entrance way.

[JeMange]

It's funny how out of touch with "the dank" the posters have been thus far. Border Grill is hardly a "super cheap dive bar" folks! A crepe place for drinks? Seriously??? I also love the person who suggested going to a cheap sushi bar - good idea...

If you're looking for cheap drinks and don't mind a place lacking in charm I'd suggest JP's on Wilshire and 11th. What the place lacks in ambience (and it's seriously lacking) it makes up for in stretching your bux.

[mollyomormon]

JP's is an awesome suggestion.

[slacker]

The OP also asked for "amazing happy hours." I'm assuming that's got to be a separate request from "super cheap dive bars."

[Emme]

love Warszawa for happy hour, not super cheap dive bar.

[recovering_vegetarian]

Dive bars aren't really my thing (nor are they Santa Monica's thing) so instead I focused on the "AND amazing happy hours" part of the question.

[Mateo R]

I don't think the OP was looking for a dive bar, he was looking for a place where he could have a few drinks (maybe more than a few) and also possibly something to eat for less than $20. At that crepe place you can have 5 gin and tonics while sitting at an outdoor table on the promenade while watching the crowd go by and still have something left over from your $20 for a tip. Perhaps you would rather cry into your (more expensive) beer at some dank sh*thole such as Del's saloon, but not everyone is looking for this. I stand by my recommendations. I'll also bet the OP followesd one of my recs and went to Cabo Cantina on Wilshire.

[JeMange]

cheap gin and tonics at a crepe restaurant watching fanny-packed tourists go by. Sounds like the night of the century!

[Mateo R]

touché.

But honestly Cafe Crepe is styled as a french brasserie, and the cocktails are the cheapest I know of in downtown Santa monica. It's not Anisette but they do have outdoor seating like a true french cafe would. If the friend you wanted to take with you happened to be more like a date and you only had 20 bucks, 2 rounds of cocktails followed by a stroll on the beach could actually turn into the night of the century if you were lucky.

P.S. I don't like their crepes.

[mollyomormon]

GasLite at 21st and Wilshire also has pretty cheap drinks.

[Mateo R]

I think the cheapest happy hour cocktails are probably at the at the crepe place on the promenade at Broadway -$3.50 wells and $3 beers. Barney's beanery is close to the same price. the yard might have some $3 beers as well but i think they raised the hh prices recently. Cabo Cantinas on the promenade and on wilshire are 2 for 1 at hh so the total bill will probably be similar to these. dont eat the food at cabo cantina. if you want to eat try the Border grill which also has a good happy hour with $3 appetizers and free chips and salsa. They have good drink specials also.

[recovering_vegetarian]

These are all good suggestions. As far as Border Grill goes, the drink specials are $4 margaritas, mojitos, and house beer and wine--a steal, considering the margaritas are usually $12+

And if you like beer, Barney's just may be your best bet.

I've also heard that Warszawa on Lincoln has a good HH, but I've never been.

You could also head to Main Street and check out Enterprise Fish Company. I'm blanking on the prices, but I have memories of their happy hour being really good...

[yogachik]

Cheapest drinks all night that I know are at Chez Jay.

Happy hour cheap drinks are Arsenal, The Yard. Arsenal is where your $20 will go the furthest.

[laurenb]

Tengu has an early and a late happy hour. They serve sushi so while it might not be the very cheapest place you do get quite a deal. Same said for Wilshire the restaurant on 24th and Wilshire - they have a good early happy hour.