Happy Hour Hotspots

What better way to navigate Carmel-by-the-Sea's Happy Hour scene than with a local. For great deals, innovative libations and tasty noshes, here's a local's list to help you find the Happy Hour that's perfect for you!

Stop by Barmel, offering Happy Hour every Tuesday through Friday from 2-6pm and features an extensive Happy Hour food menu and drink specials.

If you're into sports, Brophy's Tavern at San Carlos St. and 4th Ave. calls itself "Carmel's Favorite Spot for Sports, Stories and Sustenance." Watch seven big screens from 3pm-5pm Mon.-Thurs. while sampling:

• $10 appetizers include Sliders, Artichoke & Spinach Dip, and Truffle Fries.
• $5 Coors Light; $6 Scrimshaw; $8 house wine; and $8 well drinks.
• Don't miss Brophy's famous "1,000 beer can wall."

Speaking of sports, golfers will want to check our Links Club, which offers 50% off Craft Draft Beers ($4.50 each), House Wine ($4.50) and Well Drink Cocktails ($6.00). Plus enjoy 50% off select appetizers like Putt Putt Pretzels, Onion Rings and Truffle Fries. Happy Hour is Sunday thru Thursday from 5-6 pm and 9-10 pm. Stay a little longer for virtual golf, Singer & Songwriter Open Mic night on Tuesdays and Live Music (with dancing!) from the area's best local bands every Friday & Saturday, with no cover.

Legendary Carmel Chef Rich Pepe's Bar Napoli on the corner of Dolores St and 7th Ave is a lively and friendly Italian-inspired wine bar with communal tables, ensuring that you're sure to meet fascinating people from around the world—or from around the corner, because this is another local's favorite. Happy Hour Sunday through Friday, 4:00-6:00 pm (no Happy Hour on Saturdays) and features:

• House white, red or Prosecco $8; Well cocktails $7; and specialty cocktails $10. Small bites are $8.
• A lovely courtyard between Bar Napoli and another Pepe establishment, Little Napoli, offers outdoor seating and a rare ceramic sculpture by renowned Carmel artist Jo Mora.

Mulligan Public House is a fun and friendly Irish gastropub that caters to the sports fan in all of us. On Dolores St., SE of Ocean Ave., choose between the lively indoor bar area or a warm and cozy outdoor patio. Either way, Happy Hour here is on tap Mon. and Wed.-Fri. from 3:00-5:00:

• $1 off large selection of draft beers, house wine and well drinks
• $8-10 appetizers include Zucchini sticks, Pub Fries and a Poke Boat. Kobe sliders are $2 each.
• Tuesday is Taco Tuesday; Wednesday enjoy Cigars Under the Stars on the heated outdoor patio.

Located in the historic Pine Inn on Ocean Ave. and Lincoln St., Il Fornaio is a great place to meet up with old friends—or make new ones. The uniformed staff treats everyone like you've been friends for years. Grab a seat at the bar for Happy hour Mon.-Fri from 4:00-6:00 pm and enjoy a wide range of treats including:

• Red, white wine or Prosecco $7.
• $8 cocktails include a variations on Martinis, Mules, Old Fashioneds and a Tiki Taormina.
• Half-price appetizers such as Calamari and Pastacini. Also half-price are pizzas: Margherita and Fradiavola.

Another Chef Pepe restaurant, Vesuvio on the corner or 6th and Junipero Sts. boasts a chic rooftop patio, the Star Bar, outfitted with heaters and fire pits to ward off the evening chill. It's one of Carmel's iconic hangouts, where visitors and locals co-mingle for Happy Hour Sunday through Friday, 4:00-6:00 pm (no Happy Hour on Saturdays). Offerings include:

• House white, red or Prosecco $11; Classic cocktails $11; and draft beer for $7.
• A selection of classic pizza selections $19; Meatball or Arancini Risoto Lollipops $10.
• When Happy Hour ends, Vesuvio ranks as one of the top nightspots in town, so stick around and enjoy dinner and cocktails served up by their expert mixologists.