Islands: All Night Happy Hour

Whether you're a football fan or just like watching men in tightly fit uniforms run around the field, Islands is your go-to spot to watch the game! To celebrate the football season, Islands is offering all-night happy on Mondays and Thursdays (yes, that's at all locations). The happy hour includes appetizers for less than $5. Like their signature Beachside Sliders (4) for $3.95, Cheddar Fries (a must order) for $3.95, Spinach & Artichoke Dip for $4.95 and more. Plus you can't forget the drinks, like their Craft Beer (16oz) for $3.95, well drinks at $2.95! And you have to try their signature cocktails like the Big Island Iced Tea for $4.25.

Honestly, the last time I visited an Islands was in college but I was pleasantly surprised at the wallet friendly menu and drink selections. It's where you go for a casual night out to hang out with friends and catch a game or two. Plus who doesn't love all night happy hour?

The limited time, Makaha Maggie
with pineapple infused tequila, Grand Marnier,
fresh pineapple and agave nectar 

Beachside Sliders with caramelized onions, ketchup and pickles

No description needed, this is really good as a shot!

Steak Tacos

Islands Restaurants 

All night happy hour is available at all locations 

Monday & Thursday: 4pm-close 

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 4pm-7pm

Sunday: 9pm-close 

Reviewed by Angel 

Paradise Theatre

The Paradise Theatre - A festive sloe gin fizz.

What's better than happy hour? How about happy hour at LA's very first Styx themed speakeasy-- the one, the only, Paradise Theatre.

I know what you're thinking, there are a handful of places with craft cocktails served in vintage glasses that call themselves a "speakeasy" but Paradise Theatre is definitely different. It's a speakeasy in the most authentic sense of the term: entrance is by approved admittance, it's a secret location and it just might be open in the wee hours. It's also where the local bartenders hang out, during their off hours.

The Crystal Ball - Apple brandy, lemon juice, grenadine,
and a "crystal ball" of ice

I had the chance to visit Paradise Theater in June and quite frankly, I had no idea what to expect. After brushing up on my Styx music (aka Googling Styx music), I recruited my friends Victor and Mary from 2Sense-LA to join me on a late-night LA Adventure. "Late-night" since Paradise Theatre doesn't open till 11pm.

The Grand Illusion - A gimlet with mint, patterned after the
forest theme of the Grand Illusion cover.

Upon entering, your greeted by Bear. But don't worry, he's a security guard that's all bark and no bite. (Literally.) Get past this ball of fluff and you're good to go. We were then met with a welcome shot. A palate cleanser that was similar to a limoncello.

The group had a selection of cocktails - cleverly themed Styx cocktails that is. The ambiance is fun, welcoming and as midnight rolled around, more and more patrons began filling the room.

The Pieces of Eight - Their variation of the Ward 8 (Bourbon,
orange juice, lemon juice, grenadine, and mint)

This is truly a passion project... having a penchant for great craft cocktails and you guessed it, Styx. Overall, it's just a really fun place to hang out. Plus R&A are great hosts.  

The news is that Paradise Theatre will come to close on August 16th. But luckily for us they are offering a happy hour special until then! 

Here are the details: Paradise Theatre is only open on Fridays, doors open at 11pm. 

To get an invite and more details on happy hour visit their Instagram: ParadiseTheatre

Friends, take a trip to Silver Lake's one and only Styx themed speakeasy, while you still can! 

~~~~ Reviewed by Jenni ~~~~~~ 

Paradise Theatre 

Silver Lake

http://instagram.com/paradisetheatre

Next Door Lounge

I've already been out to Next Door Lounge when it first opened, but they invented me back to try their new happy hour menu. At first glance, we were pleased to see there was more food items compared to the old menu. There weren't as many cocktails choices compared to last time, but I'd rather have more food than drink options. Even though I love my cocktails, it's really the food that brings me in. After all, don't we all need good food to absorb the alcohol??? Another plus is that their happy hour cocktails are just $5-6. Definitely a good deal.

Next Door's happy hour is Tuesday through Friday from 5-8pm. I LOVE that it goes till 8pm!! And they also have a late night happy hour Tues.-Thurs. from midnight-1:30pm.  

click to enlarge

So between our two trips, here's what we ate. And there wasn't one dish we didn't like. Definitely good quality food for happy hour!

Shrimp Ceviche - $5

spinach, walnuts, roasted apple, mozzarella, goat cheese, fresh herbs

Loved it! Very tasty.

 Crostini - $3

Roasted red and white beets, carrots, parsnip, 

turnip, celery root, and goat cheese

Spinach and Goat Cheese Flatbread - $6

spinach, walnuts, roasted apple, mozzarella, goat cheese, fresh herbs

Heirloom Tomato and Spinach Flatbread - $6

Smoked Pulled Pork - $6

with guacamole and srispy onions - served with apple coleslaw (not shown but it was GREAT!)

Sliders - $6

served with Sweet Potato Fries

YUM!

And they even have dessert on the happy hour menu. I definitely preferred the Creme Brulee over the Pumpkin Pie. It was a bit flat.

Creme Brulee - $6

Pumpkin Pie - $6

For happy hour drinks, NDL offers $4 beers and wine, and the following cocktails:

Whiskey Sour $6

Old Forester Bourbon, lemon, sugar, egg whites

Moscow Mule - $5

Vodka, ginger beer

 Daiquiri - $5

Matusalem Plantino, lime, sugar

I just LOVE the drink prices!

So between the low drink prices and great food... Next Door Lounge has won me over compared to the last time I was there. I will definitely be back.

Happy Hour

Tues-Fri 5-8pm.
Tues-Thurs Midnight-1:30pm

Next Door Lounge

1154 North Highland Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90038
(323) 465-5500

nextdoorhollywood.com
facebook.com/nextdoorlounge 
twitter.com/nextdoorlounge

Onyx Lounge

A few weeks ago I met up with one of my favorite DTLA happy hour buddies, The Minty. We first met up at Pattern Bar, but unfortunately we weren't too impressed with their happy hour food prices and decided to go to Onyx instead. And boy, was that a good move!

Onyx's happy hour is daily from 4:30-7pm and ALL of their specialty cocktails are just $6 and I thought they were great!

They also have a REVERSE HAPPY HOUR Sunday - Thursday 10pm-close.

Onyx's cocktail list was created by Douglas Williams (@LiquidDouglas on Twitter) and is superb. Since Minty and Doulas are Twitter friends, he asked her back to try some new cocktails that would be on their menu. And lucky me... she invited me to tag along. Between both trips, we were delighted with the creative cocktails. Take a looksee!

Spring St. Smash - $6 
Bourbon, blackberry, basil, lemon, sambuca

Lenora's Fizz - $6
Gin, applejack, raspberry, lemon, egg white

Bitter Muse - $6 
Mezcal. sour cherries, gran classico

Smoked Peach Mint Julep - $6
Berheim wheat whiskey, Leopold Brothers' Georgia Peach Whiskey Cardamaro

Padrino - $6
Pisco, sherry, maraschino, bitters

FIDM Cup - $6
Gin, lime, celery salt

Here is the cocktail menu featured while we were there. Although the new cocktails were available, the menu was not yet updated. (Click to enlarge.) On my third trip back, I tried the Bunker Hill and love it!

For happy hour food, you get $2 off anything on the menu below. A bit high for happy hour, but if you are like me and  you drink more than you eat... the $6 cocktails COMPLETELY make up for it. And notice there are many options for our Vegetarian friends!

Mojo Marinated Pork Sliders - $9

Fish & Chips - $6
Shrimp ceviche w/ tortilla chips

So if you are looking to get your drink on, you gotta check out Onyx. You won't be disappointed.

And check out Minty's take on our visit.

Happy Hour

4:30-7pm Daily
10pm-close Sun.-Thu.

Onyx Lounge

118 w. 5th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213-891-1144


onyxloungela.com
facebook.com/OnyxLoungeLA
twitter.com/onyxloungela

Kravings

It was one year ago today that I posted my first happy hour review and it was for Kravings in Tarzana. Since their happy hour inspired me to start this blog, I thought I'd honor them and update my review. Plus, that original post is super cheesy 'cuz lots of it I just copied from the review I wrote on Yelp.com.  And check out some of the text!! It's not even centered properly. How embarrassing! Hmmm... bad Vixen. Oh well. Now on to the update!

Kraving's happy hour is daily from 4-7pm and they also have a late night happy hour Wednesday -Saturday from 10-11pm.  Gotta love a late night happy hour on the weekends, right!? But it's their menu that is the real bonus at this happy hour. The first time I went to Kravings, their menu was slightly different from what they have now.  Back then I got a 1 1/2 lb. lobster for $20. WHOA MOMMA! You can still get lobster but it's offered in a combo deal and still is a great price. But they still do offer the Filet Mignon entree for just $10. YEP! 10 BUCKS! You get 4.5 oz of filet wrapped in bacon with a side salad, pita, and Greek yogurt. It's such a good value!  Here some of the other goodies we've had and loved:

 Blue Point Oysters $1.25

Big and meaty!

Bacon Wrapped Dates $5

Stuffed with Blue Cheese, Brie, and Walnuts

Love them!

Filet Mignon Wrapped in Bacon $10

served with pita and a side salad

Baby Back Pork Ribs $5

Very tender.

Seared Ahi Tuna $5

It was good, but just okay 

compared to the other dishes.

Check out the rest of the goodies offered including their Happy Hour Combos:

Amazing deals, right!? I've been back a few times this year but if it wasn't my mission to find new happy hours, I'd be at Kravings every week!


They also have good deals on drinks.  Signature drinks are $6-7, all Smirnoff cocktails are $5, and Straight Smirnoff Martinis are $6. You can also get wine starting at $6 or a 21 oz. beer for $4. And the selections of beer are great: Blue Moon, Heineken, Amstel Light, Pyramid, and Samuel Adams. That's an awesome deal for 21 ounces!

Caipirnha $6

Ginger Pineapple Mojito $7

White Cosmo $7

















So if you live in the Valley and haven't gone to Kravings yet... well, I don't want to call you stupid... but... you are. ;)

Happy Hour

Daily 4-7pm and Wed-Sat 10-11pm
Amazing Food starting at $1.25
Cocktails, Beer, and Wine $4-9

Kravings

18663 Ventura Blvd.
Tarzana, Ca 91356
818-881-7111

kravingsfusion.com

Helpful Tip: 
Don't park in the lot in front because it's one hour max. But there is a large parking structure in back and it's free.