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Hillcrest Happy Hours — San Diego, CA | SAVOR San Diego
Hillcrest Happy Hours 17 local spots with active deals in Hillcrest, San Diego
About Hillcrest Hillcrest is San Diego's most vibrant and welcoming neighborhood — a diverse, walkable district centered on University Avenue and Robinson Avenue that's been the heart of the city's LGBTQ+ community for decades. The food and drink scene here reflects that inclusive energy: eclectic menus, creative cocktail programs, and a general attitude that everyone belongs. Hillcrest's independent restaurants and bars range from cozy neighborhood pubs to brunch destinations and buzzy cocktail lounges, all within a compact grid that's perfect for bar-hopping on foot.
Hillcrest happy hours are generous and unpretentious. Expect $5-7 cocktails, $4 pints, and half-price appetizer menus that feel like they were designed by someone who actually eats out. Many spots run extended happy hours from 2 to 6 PM, and several offer late-night happy hours after 9 PM. The vibe is consistently warm and social.
Metered street parking along University Avenue; free side-street parking on the residential blocks. Hillcrest is well-served by buses on University and is easily walkable from Mission Hills. Best time: early weekday evenings for deals + ambiance without Saturday-night energy.
3805 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 restaurant
Go for the daily happy hour food and drink deals, plus unique daily specials like all-night happy hour on Thursdays.
7 deals — tap to view Wed, 4:30pm-10pm
50% Off Wine Bottles Mon, 4:30pm-9pm
$25 Steak Frites Daily, 4:30pm-6pm
$6 Select Beer $8 Single Pour Wells $8 House Red or White Wine by the Glass $9 Featured Cocktails $8 Togarashi Tater Tots $10 Chicken Sliders $14 Ahi Tostaditas $15 Quesabirria Egg Rolls
+4 more deals
See Full Details 142 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 restaurant
2-for-1 drinks daily during happy hour and late night, plus $9.99 all-you-can-eat Taco Tuesdays.
5 deals — tap to view Sun – Thu, 10:30pm-12:30am
2-for-1 Regular Priced Drinks Tue, 12pm-2am
$9.99 All You Can Eat Tacos Daily, 4pm-8pm
2-for-1 Regular Priced Drinks +2 more deals
See Full Details 1027 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 sports bar
Go for the daily happy hour with discounted nachos, wings, and quesadillas, plus unique daily drink and food specials.
13 deals — tap to view Sun, 3pm-10pm
$15 Carne Asada Mon, 3pm-10pm
$12 Big Ass Burritos Wed, 3am-1am
$10 Wings $5 Well Drinks $5 Bottles and Cans $7 Jameson Shots
+10 more deals
3896 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 restaurant
Grab a family pack on Saturdays for a complete meal deal.
1 deal — tap to view Sat, 10am-12am
Family Pack (4 Burgers, 4 Fries & 4 Drinks)
See Full Details 2760 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 restaurant
Award-winning French bistro fare and cocktails at up to 50% off, available seven days a week.
2 deals — tap to view Weekdays, 3:30pm-6:30pm
$7 Draft Beers $11 Wines By The Glass $12 Featured Signature Cocktails $12 Well Drinks $5 House Bread w/Butter & Tapenade $10 Truffle Fries $12 Calamari Fritti $12 Tarte Flambée $12 Parc Beef Sliders (2) $12 Parc Ceviche $14 Lobster Arancini
3827 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA restaurant
Go for the all-you-can-eat tacos and 2-for-1 margaritas every Wednesday, or enjoy weekday happy hour deals.
2 deals — tap to view Tue, 11am-9pm
All-You-Can-Eat Tacos 2-for-1 Margaritas
Mon, Wed – Fri, 3pm-7pm
$5 Draft Beers $6 Margaritas $3.50 Tequila Shots $8 Guac & Chips
See Full Details 142 W University Avenue ste C, San Diego, CA 92103 restaurant
Significant savings on French appetizers and entrees like Filet Mignon, Pate, Mussels, and Escargots during their weekday happy hour.
1 deal — tap to view Tue – Fri, 12pm-3pm
$25 Filet Mignon Burger with Fries $15 House Pate $32 Filet Mignon with Truffle Fries $15 Mussels $10 French Onion Soup $10 Escargots
See Full Details 1440 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 restaurant
Quality wines and Mediterranean small plates in a charming indoor-outdoor setting.
1 deal — tap to view Sun, Wed – Sat, 4pm-6pm
$10 Glass of Wine $10 Spritz $10 Sangria $10 Kalimotxo $5 Beer $8 Gildas $8 Manchego $9 Finocchiona $8 House Potato Chips $8 Marinated Olives
1220 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 bar
Grab $4 well drinks and 16oz drafts on Thursdays, plus $3 off food and a BOGO token during their main happy hour.
5 deals — tap to view Wed, 8pm-12am
BOGO Token for Next Drink Wed, 8pm-10pm
$3 Off Full Food Menu Daily, 2pm-6pm
$3 Off Food Menu BOGO Token for Next Drink
+2 more deals
See Full Details 141 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 restaurant
Go for the daily happy hour with discounted margaritas and appetizers, plus enjoy Taco + Tequila Tuesdays.
3 deals — tap to view Sun, Mon, Wed – Sat, 3pm-6pm
Guacamole Cheese Quesadilla Baja Shrimp Ceviche Queso Fundido $5 Beer (Bohemia, Corona, Corona Light, Dos Equis Lager, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, Pacifico) $7 Cabrillo Margarita (House, Silver Tequila) $7 Tequila Shot (Cuervo Tradicional) $7 Sculpin IPA, Ballast Point $7 Well Drinks (Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Whiskey) $7 Sauvignon Blanc, Natura Organic
1040 University Ave B101, San Diego, CA 92103, USA restaurant
Grab $5 Italian appetizers, $10 Margherita pizza, and discounted draft beers and select wines.
2 deals — tap to view Fri, 3:30pm-5:30pm
$4.50 Draft Beers $6 Select Wines $5 Fried Zucchini Blossoms $5 Focaccia Bread w/Pizza Sauce $5 Truffle Fries $5 Caponata $7 Polpette di Manzo $10 Pizza Margherita $15 Calamari Fritti
Tue – Thu, 4pm-6pm
$4.50 Draft Beers
1236 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 restaurant
$7 mules, draft beer, and house wine, plus discounted bites like buffalo cauliflower and shrimp tostadas.
3 deals — tap to view Tue – Fri, 4pm-6pm
$7 Mules $7 Well Drinks $7 14oz Draft Beer $7 House Wine $7 Buffalo Cauliflower $7 Potato Skins $7 Giant Soft Pretzel $7 Grilled Cheese $9 Shrimp Tostadas
Thu, 5pm-12am
$8 Glasses of Wine 1035 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 wine bar
$8 house wines, $10 wine flights, and $13 flatbreads with outdoor seating available.
1 deal — tap to view Sun, Wed – Sat, 4pm-6pm
$2 Off Beer & Wine by the Glass $8 House Wine by the Glass $10 Wine Flight: Bart $35 Bottle & Board Special $13 Flatbreads
See Full Details 1266 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 restaurant
Go for the daily happy hour with discounted fish tacos and beers, plus extra deals on Taco Tuesday.
2 deals — tap to view Daily, 4pm-8pm
$2.99 Fish Tacos $6.00 Beers $15.00 Mini Burrito & Fish Taco (with chips & drink) $7.00 Mini Quesadillas $6.50 Elotes $16.00 3 Rolled Tacos (with rice, beans & drink) $15.00 Torta (with fries & drink) $9.00 Half Size Caliente Fries or Nachos $13.00 Half Size Caliente Fries or Nachos + Beer
308 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 bar
$6.50 happy hour food and well cocktails on weekdays, plus $1 Bud Light drafts and $10 mini pitchers on weekends.
3 deals — tap to view Mon, 2pm-2am
$6.50 Happy Hour Food $6.50 Well Cocktails
Tue – Thu, 2pm-7pm
$6.50 Happy Hour Food $6.50 Well Cocktails
Fri, 2pm-7pm
$6.50 Happy Hour Food $6.00 Well Drinks $6.00 House Wine
530 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 restaurant
Grab $4 Sapporo and $5 House Sake during happy hour, plus enjoy discounted small bites.
2 deals — tap to view Daily, 9pm-10pm
$4 Sapporo $5 House Hot Sake
Daily, 4pm-6pm
$4 Sapporo $5 House Hot Sake
See Full Details 3845 Fifth Ave San Diego, CA 92103 bar
Industry night offers 25% off drinks and free pizza, plus enjoy drinks under $9 on Dive Bar Wednesdays.
3 deals — tap to view Mon, 7pm-1:30am
25% Off Drinks (Industry) Free Pizza (Industry)
Mon, 9pm-11pm
$8 Beer/Seltzer & Shot Special Wed, 12pm-1:30am
Drinks Under $9
See Full Details Common Questions What are the best happy hours in Hillcrest? SAVOR tracks 17 independently owned venues with active happy hour deals in Hillcrest, San Diego. Each is scored 1-5 on Value x Quality. Browse the full list above or filter by deal type, venue type, and features.
How many happy hour venues are in Hillcrest? Hillcrest currently has 17 independent bars and restaurants with active happy hour deals on SAVOR. This count updates as venues are added or as deals change.
Independent happy hour discovery. No chains. Scored by Value x Quality.
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$14 Artisan Cheese Board
$14 Seared Ahi Sliders (2)
$14 Wagyu Sliders
$15 Smoked Salmon Blini
$15 Spicy Shrimp Provencal
$16 Steamed Mussels
$24 Fresh Oysters (6)
Weekends, 3:30pm-6pm
$7 Draft Beers $11 Wines By The Glass $12 Featured Signature Cocktails $12 Well Drinks $5 House Bread w/Butter & Tapenade $10 Truffle Fries $12 Calamari Fritti $12 Tarte Flambée $12 Parc Beef Sliders (2) $12 Parc Ceviche $14 Lobster Arancini $14 Artisan Cheese Board $14 Seared Ahi Sliders (2) $14 Wagyu Sliders $15 Smoked Salmon Blini $15 Spicy Shrimp Provencal $16 Steamed Mussels $24 Fresh Oysters (6)
See Full Details
$7 Chardonnay, Gnarly Head
$7 Malbec, Trapiche
$8 Presidio Margarita (Cadillac, Cuervo Tradicional, Gran Marnier)
$8 Espolon Silver Tequila Shot (Premium)
$8 Mezcal Shot
$8 Sangria
$8 Cabernet Sauvignon, Casa Madero
$9 Fresh Jalapeño Margarita
$9 Pomegranate Margarita
$9 Mango Mint Margarita
$10 Espolon Margarita (Premium)
$10 Espolon Margarita Light (only 137 calories!)
Tue, 3pm-8:30pm
$4 Roasted Chicken Taco $4 Adobo Carnitas Taco $4 Chorizo & Potato Taco $5 Shrimp Taco $5 Poblano Queso Taco $6 Steak Taco $6 Ensenada-Style Fish Taco $6 Grilled Mahi Mahi Taco $4 Cabrillo Margarita $4 Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver Shot $5 Presidio Margarita $5 Espòlon Blanco (neat) $6 Pomegranate Margarita
Thu, 11:30am-9pm
$5 Tequila Shots $5 Cerveza Mexicana $5 Classic Margaritas
$6 Select Wines
$5 Fried Zucchini Blossoms
$5 Focaccia Bread w/Pizza Sauce
$5 Truffle Fries
$5 Caponata
$7 Polpette di Manzo
$10 Pizza Margherita
$15 Calamari Fritti
Sat, 3pm-6pm
$7 Mules $7 Well Drinks $7 14oz Draft Beer $7 House Wine $7 Buffalo Cauliflower $7 Potato Skins $7 Giant Soft Pretzel $7 Grilled Cheese $9 Shrimp Tostadas
$2.99 Taco (Pollo Asado, Carnitas, or Birria) $3.25 Taco (Carne Asada or Al Pastor) $5.00 Beer $3.50 Elote $2.00 Churros