Happy Hour/Cheap Eats in Downtown L.A.

[chimasessions]

Hey all! I'm looking for some good happy hour/cheap eats in the downtown area, like my post says. I've been to Wokcano for early happy hour (4-7pm) and Cole's every now and then, but am looking for more places that have early and late happy hour deals in the area. I'm looking for places that are in $4-6 price range, that economy ya know! Lemme know what suggestions you all have! Thanks :-)

[girlplusfire]

7 Bar & Restaurant is about as cheap as it gets. Everything on the happy hour menu is $4. And they have plenty of drink specials. It's a small lounge on the corner of 7th & Grand (across the street from Bottega Louie) and is a very low-key vibe with sports and/or movies playing on the huge projection screen. It's my favorite place downtown.

[mc michael]

Really, it's low key? The lighting from the street is garish.

[girlplusfire]

Ha. Bordello is garish. 7 Bar is a bit dim, but I wouldn't call it garish. Are you sure we're referring to the same place?

[pharmnerd]

$4-6 total? Senor Fish has discounted ($1.50-$2??) fish tacos and beers. Not the best fish tacos in town, but decent for happy hour.

[burumun]

Pitfire Pizza used to have 50% off food 5-7 pm, don't know if they still do? But I used to eat $5 pizzas after drinking 35 cent cocktail at The Edison. Ahh, good times.

Edison now also has $5 bar food though 1 order isn't quite enough for dinner (reviewed it here http://gourmetpigs.blogspot.com/2010/...

)

Drago Centro has some (4 I think?) drinks that are always $5 - no matter when - including Manhattan, Aviation. I think they have all night cheap eats too.

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Pitfire Pizza
108 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[Liquid Sky]

burumum: Sadly, Pitifire Pizza got rid of their Pizza Happy Hour fairly recently. I found out the "hard way"... was informed AFTER I had already ordered a round of drinks and pizzas at around 6:30pm one weeknight (insert sad face here).

[mc michael]

Drago Centro has an all night long small bites menu in the bar with drinks.
http://www.dragocentro.com/pdf/DRAGOC...

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Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[Liquid Sky]

Didn't know Drago had this... thanks! Does their bar get very crowded, though, by a certain time?

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Drago Restaurant
2628 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403

[mc michael]

Well, there's an actual bar and then there's a long table that supplements it and maybe a table or two so I think you are OK unless there's a big group for some reason.

[Liquid Sky]

Fantastic!

[mc michael]

Shhh!

[dietgrace]

Spitz in Little Tokyo

[peppermonkey]

Late night menu at rivera, cocktails and food are cheaper, but i guess the a little more then $4-6

[Liquid Sky]

Just wanted to revive this great and useful thread!

BOTTLEROCK downtown has two happy hours as well: I think they're 4 to 7, and then again starting from 9:30pm (I think...)

If anyone else knows specific downtown (late) happy hours, definitely post here!!!

[Liquid Sky]

Would love to hear more about RIVERA'S happy hour. How is the crowd? And the food? (I'm looking for a place that does a rockin' margarita!)

[aching]

I can't speak to the margaritas, but the other cocktails I've had at Rivera are AWESOME. There is one called the Barbacoa that I adore. The crowd is...young and hip, I think would be fair to say? My only complaint is that it is so loud, it's difficult to have a conversation.

[Liquid Sky]

Good to know... Thanks, aching! The place looks nice from the outside. I've walked by several times but couldn't quite figure it out.

[snackwrangler]

casa: http://www.casadowntown.com/happyhour...

[Foodandwine]

can anyone chime in on first hand experience about casa downtown?

[mc michael]

Overpriced and not very ethnic.

[aventinus]

I like it a lot. No, it's not authentic. But IMHO, it's far better than the food at most authentic Mexican restaurants around town. Their homemade chips are the best in LA.

[mc michael]

The chips may be good, but I think there's a big drop off from there. Salsa OK. Guac, not so good. Actually, and this is not a knock, the best chips I've had lately are the housemade ones they sell at Whole Foods. Not cheap, but really good.
As for other restaurants, let's recall that Ciudad, Rivera, Serenata, and even Grand Central are all within shouting distance. Casa seems more like a meet and greet place than a real restaurant.
I now know there's even an El Cholo at 1037 S Flower and their chips and margs ain't bad.

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Ciudad
445 S Figueroa St Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[aventinus]

Well I'll just go out on a limb and say I like Casa more than all of the places you listed. I'm not saying the food is great, but it's more than decent. And if I may indulge in some edgy criticism, I'd say that Ciudad and Rivera are more scene places than real restaurants. I've had 5-10 meals at Ciudad and have yet to eat anything noteworthy there.

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Ciudad
445 S Figueroa St Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[skinnyfatso]

chaya

[cjla]

I was really impressed by Yxta Cocina Mexicana. It's been a couple of months since I've been, so I'd double check pricing, etc.

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Yxta Cocina Mexicana
601 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021

[Servorg]

You might be interested in the new Cork Bar which has both early and late happy hours:
http://www.corkbar.com/events.html

[aching]

Second Corkbar - their happy hour prices are a really good value and it's a fun place.

[Foodandwine]

Servog, what did you have at Corkbar, I plan to go tommorow and was curious to hear your recs.. Thanks

[Liquid Sky]

Actually, this should be updated because Corkbar's happy hour now starts at 10PM, not 11PM.

[Servorg]

Cork Bar ought to change their web site information...I don't believe anything I find on the web regarding hours of operation. There have been too many times I've gotten there and the place is closed. Now I call to confirm all pertinent information in advance.

[Liquid Sky]

Servorg: I'm not sure if this info is the most up-to-date regarding Corkbar, but I came across this announcement recently:

http://www.allabouthappyhour.com/revi...

[slowrider]

McCormick & Schmick's
Weiland Brewery

[ipsedixit]

I used to be a BIG fan of McCormick's happy hour cheeseburger, but ever since they increased the price it seems like the quality of the burger has decreased. That said, it is a VIABLE option if you want a "dry" happy hour -- food without having to buy alcohol.

[toonoble]

I usually tell people to avoid McCormicks because they dont have happy hour drink specials and the food is mediocre at best, although it is inexpensive. Wielands is ok but its located underground in a foodcourt setting if im not mistaken so you cant enjoy the weather.
I recommend Library Bar.

[slowrider]

You get what you pay for at McCormick & Schmick's. The question didn't ask for gourmet food btwn. 4-6 dollars.

The Weiland's brewery on 1st & Alameda has a great outdoor patio.

[ipsedixit]

Royal Clayton's
The Edison
Ciudad
Magnolia

[Yes Please]

Yes! The Edison! They have 35cent specials! Check the website

[tj442x]

I loved the Edison the first few times. Then I show up via motorcycle, and they tell me I have to check my helmet with the coat wankers. I turned around and left. Ban for life.

[TonyC]

Have run into this problem as well, but it's not unreasonable. Now I switch rides & and bring the scooter with the top case instead of the sport bike. I think, for the ambiance + the ridiculous HH (food + beer for $10, AND the $.35 first cocktail), it's worth it.

The other option is, of course, to use a helmet lock.

[tj442x]

I know, I am kind of blowing it out of proportion, but they really steamed me with that one. Was a favorite, no longer.

I am scared of helmet locks ever since someone urinated in my boss's helmet locked to his bike downtown. Yikes!

[Servorg]

"I am scared of helmet locks ever since someone urinated in my boss's helmet locked to his bike downtown. Yikes!"

One would imagine that checking it with the coat check folks would prevent that from happening. No?

[tj442x]

So would letting my hold on to my modestly sized belongings while patronizing the establishment. No?

[Servorg]

I think the problem arises if the establishment get popular with both the 2 wheel and 4 wheel crowd. Now you have an issue with where all those helmets will get put down when folks are drinking in a crowded room.

[TonyC]

OMG TJ, that is so foul. I've never heard of that actually happening in LA but...

Being good Angelenos, TJ & I both think paying for coach check is as blasphemous as valeting. It'd also defeat the purpose of saving $ by riding instead of driving.

Again, top case is your friend dude. Mine may look ugly, but it holds 2 FF lids.

[tj442x]

Good call, I should have some hard luggage on there anyway.