Happy Hour at Newport Beach’s Happiest Properties
After a dazzling sun-kissed day spent on the sand, the tide rises with the moon and the liquor cascades into glasses – and whether you’re at Newport Beach’s most luxurious resort perched on the coastal hills or snuggling into a cozy booth at the local inn right along the beach, these social hour experiences let the golden hour warm you from the inside out. The best part – you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the five-star ambience!
Culminate an evening of surf time by strolling along Newport Pier and landing at its base to find 21 Oceanfront, the charming restaurant and bar attached to Doryman’s Inn. The closest you can get to the beach without actually being on the sand, 21 Oceanfront boasts stunning views and quality cocktails. Sink back in the leather booths with rich redwood tones and while you enjoy the happy hour (4-7 PM) in one of Newport’s finest oceanfront restaurants, admire the Pacific waves as the sun slips past the pier. Can’t get enough? Select some blackened seared ahi or a marinated filet skewer to satisfy. Its Victorian décor brings old-school glamour and romanticism to the already captivating seaside setting. And a champagne flute never hurt anyone’s perception either.
Situated in the shopping-lover’s haven just across from Fashion Island, Island Hotel’s Aqua Lounge boasts four happy hours – specifically 3-7 PM) – seven days a week. Relax in the indoor lounge or embrace the cool coastal nights and recline on the outdoor deck while you choose from a selection of California wines, beers, and finger foods to gratify. Too much of a good thing? Not when each menu item is 50% off.
A destination unto itself, The Resort at Pelican Hill is a luxurious retreat. Drive along winding roads lined with imported Mediterranean olive and cypress trees before entering the Great Room Social Lounge where live music entertains nightly. From 5-7 PM sip on a smooth $5 glass of wine and enjoy live music from popular guitarists. Visit Thursday through Saturday and linger after happy hour to dance along with a live band. Before you head out, make sure to take a moment on the resort’s grand terrace with 360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific.
For a different waterside experience, drive down to Back Bay Bistro, Newport Dunes’ situated right on the edge of the Back Bay Nature Preserve. With an array of small plates featuring locally sourced ingredients (a farm-to-table approach), you can feel good about the organic nourishment you’re giving your body, making that glass of wine or draft beer guilt-free. At Back Bay Bistro Happy Hour lasts from 4 PM ‘til closing. An extension of its embracement of the natural world, Back Bay Bistro is dog-friendly – so bring your pooch along and sit on the outdoor patio!
Commandeering a yacht can be exhausting – so it’s a good thing you can admire them docked at the harbor while you unwind fireside on the outdoor patio of A & O Kitchen + Bar, the waterfront restaurant at the four-star Balboa Bay Resort. There’s no reservations, so come early from 4-6 PM to treat yourself to a budding evening along the harbor. With Moscow Mules on tap and buckets of shishito peppers, there’s no better way to watch the harbor transform into a glittering reflection of skies streaked in hues of golds and reds, and with beautiful yachts lining the perimeter.
Whichever places you choose, explore both the luxurious and the local in your carefree start of the evening and soak up the best of what our beach city has to offer when you pop in, plop down, and raise a pint in Newport Beach’s top hotels.
