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A Few Spots To Nab A Cocktail For Under $8

Great cocktails normally don't come cheap, but here are some exceptions.

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San Diego's Cocktail Week dove into everything from legendary dive bars to the ever-evolving craft cocktail movement. As you take in this week's cocktail suggestions around town, take this final learning lesson with you: You don't need to skimp on liquor quality to find a cocktail for under $8 in San Diego. Be sure to hit these upscale spots during times of the day when it'll only cost you a Lincoln and a few George Washington bills to throw back classy concoctions. You're welcome!

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Sea & Smoke

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Sea & Smoke's happy hour every day from 3-6 pm includes fantastic beverages ranging from $6 to $7, including Honey Bee (dark & spiced rum, honey, lemon); Revel Mule (spiced whiskey, lime, ginger beer); Sweet Tea (sweet tea infused bourbon or vodka and lemonade); and Partridge in a Pear Tree (organic lemon vodka, pear syrup, lemon).

Beaumont's Eatery

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Locals flock to this Bird Rock favorite for the $6 beer cocktail, Michilada, made with Pacifico, lime, tabasco, lime juice and finished off with a salted rim. A daily happy hour from 3-6:30 pm calls for $6 Mules, Mojitos, and Margaritas and $3 off any hand-crafted speciality cocktails.

Polite Provisions

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The award-winning bar keeps patrons' wallets full, thanks to five select cocktails for $5 Monday to Thursday, from 11:30-6 pm. The lineup generally changes monthly, and today it includes the Sleepyhead, Monte Carlo, French 75, Dunlop and Death in the Afternoon.

Fairweather/Rare Form

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Hit this cocktail corner near the ballpark on weekdays to imbibe on a Basil G&T or Rare Form Whiskey Cocktail for $5 each from 4-7 pm at Rare Form. The five-buck trend continues upstairs at Fairweather from 5-7 pm for a Daiquiri, Piña Colada, or Margarita.

SEA180º Coastal Tavern

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During daily happy hour from 2:30-5 pm, the hardest part of your day will be deciding between five tropical-themed liquors for $5: Watermelon Infused Svedka Vodka; Cinnamon Infused Bourbon; Bruleed Banana Infused Rum; Pineapple Infused Svedka Vodka; and Jalepeno Infused Tequila.

CUCINA urbana

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Happy hour daily from 3-6 pm entails $6 well cocktails and $6 sangria, which is also valid at its North County sister, CUCINA enoteca in Del Mar.

Don Chido

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This new Mexican staple in the Gaslamp clearly wants to get Taco Tuesday patrons buzzed, with $5 house margaritas every Tuesday from 4pm all the way until close. (Puesto also celebrates the weekly holiday, with $6 Margaritas from 3-6 pm.)

Sycamore Den

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This woodsy alcove's specialty cocktails are typically $9 but only $6 during happy hour (5-7pm Monday to Thursday and 4-7 pm Friday through Sunday). Pick from names like Hardly Wallbanger (Vodka, Galliano, OJ, Lemon, Vanilla, Soda) or Wolf Ticket (Dickel Whisky, Orchard Peach, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Angostura Bitters, Lemon Zest).

Counterpoint

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For $7 each, this Golden Hill hot spot knows what's up, serving a Pauper (Rittenhouse Rye, Pineapple, Lemon, Luxardo, Topped with Prosecco) and Old Hickory (Dolin Sweet Vermouth, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Housemade Orange Bitters, Peychaud’s) for $7 a pop during happy hour.

Prepkitchen

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Prepkitchen's always had a solid happy hour, with craft cocktails fully on board. A Last Knight (Rittenhouse, Fernet, Apricot Brandy and RX #7 Bitters) and La Pharmacia (Mezcal, Peach, Ginger and Lemon) will only set you back $5 for each during happy hour. Also available at its Little Italy and La Jolla locales.

Sea & Smoke

Sea & Smoke's happy hour every day from 3-6 pm includes fantastic beverages ranging from $6 to $7, including Honey Bee (dark & spiced rum, honey, lemon); Revel Mule (spiced whiskey, lime, ginger beer); Sweet Tea (sweet tea infused bourbon or vodka and lemonade); and Partridge in a Pear Tree (organic lemon vodka, pear syrup, lemon).

Beaumont's Eatery

Locals flock to this Bird Rock favorite for the $6 beer cocktail, Michilada, made with Pacifico, lime, tabasco, lime juice and finished off with a salted rim. A daily happy hour from 3-6:30 pm calls for $6 Mules, Mojitos, and Margaritas and $3 off any hand-crafted speciality cocktails.

Polite Provisions

The award-winning bar keeps patrons' wallets full, thanks to five select cocktails for $5 Monday to Thursday, from 11:30-6 pm. The lineup generally changes monthly, and today it includes the Sleepyhead, Monte Carlo, French 75, Dunlop and Death in the Afternoon.

Fairweather/Rare Form

Hit this cocktail corner near the ballpark on weekdays to imbibe on a Basil G&T or Rare Form Whiskey Cocktail for $5 each from 4-7 pm at Rare Form. The five-buck trend continues upstairs at Fairweather from 5-7 pm for a Daiquiri, Piña Colada, or Margarita.

SEA180º Coastal Tavern

During daily happy hour from 2:30-5 pm, the hardest part of your day will be deciding between five tropical-themed liquors for $5: Watermelon Infused Svedka Vodka; Cinnamon Infused Bourbon; Bruleed Banana Infused Rum; Pineapple Infused Svedka Vodka; and Jalepeno Infused Tequila.

CUCINA urbana

Happy hour daily from 3-6 pm entails $6 well cocktails and $6 sangria, which is also valid at its North County sister, CUCINA enoteca in Del Mar.

Don Chido

This new Mexican staple in the Gaslamp clearly wants to get Taco Tuesday patrons buzzed, with $5 house margaritas every Tuesday from 4pm all the way until close. (Puesto also celebrates the weekly holiday, with $6 Margaritas from 3-6 pm.)

Sycamore Den

This woodsy alcove's specialty cocktails are typically $9 but only $6 during happy hour (5-7pm Monday to Thursday and 4-7 pm Friday through Sunday). Pick from names like Hardly Wallbanger (Vodka, Galliano, OJ, Lemon, Vanilla, Soda) or Wolf Ticket (Dickel Whisky, Orchard Peach, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Angostura Bitters, Lemon Zest).

Counterpoint

For $7 each, this Golden Hill hot spot knows what's up, serving a Pauper (Rittenhouse Rye, Pineapple, Lemon, Luxardo, Topped with Prosecco) and Old Hickory (Dolin Sweet Vermouth, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Housemade Orange Bitters, Peychaud’s) for $7 a pop during happy hour.

Prepkitchen

Prepkitchen's always had a solid happy hour, with craft cocktails fully on board. A Last Knight (Rittenhouse, Fernet, Apricot Brandy and RX #7 Bitters) and La Pharmacia (Mezcal, Peach, Ginger and Lemon) will only set you back $5 for each during happy hour. Also available at its Little Italy and La Jolla locales.

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