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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.

by Tierney Plumb
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by Tierney Plumb

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).

2690 Via De La Valle Suite D210, San Diego, CA 92014
(858) 925-8212
(858) 925-8212

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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.

5662 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-0474
(858) 459-0474

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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.

4693 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 677-3784
(619) 677-3784

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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.

795 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
(980) 867-0727
(980) 867-0727

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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.

800 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
(619) 631-4949
(619) 631-4949

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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.

505 Laurel St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-2222
(619) 239-2222

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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.)

527 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-8226
(619) 232-8226

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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).

3391 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 563-9019
(619) 563-9019

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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.

830 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 564-6722
(619) 564-6722

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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.

1201 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 792-7737
(858) 792-7737

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Sea & Smoke

2690 Via De La Valle Suite D210, San Diego, CA 92014

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).

2690 Via De La Valle Suite D210, San Diego, CA 92014
(858) 925-8212
(858) 925-8212

Beaumont's Eatery

5662 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037

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.

5662 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 459-0474
(858) 459-0474

Polite Provisions

4693 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116

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.

4693 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 677-3784
(619) 677-3784

Fairweather/Rare Form

795 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

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.

795 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
(980) 867-0727
(980) 867-0727

SEA180º Coastal Tavern

800 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

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.

800 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
(619) 631-4949
(619) 631-4949

CUCINA urbana

505 Laurel St, San Diego, CA 92101

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.

505 Laurel St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-2222
(619) 239-2222

Don Chido

527 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

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.)

527 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-8226
(619) 232-8226

Sycamore Den

3391 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

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).

3391 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 563-9019
(619) 563-9019

Counterpoint

830 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

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.

830 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 564-6722
(619) 564-6722

Prepkitchen

1201 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014

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.

1201 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 792-7737
(858) 792-7737

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