A man on skates zooms past the Gaucho Cafe is set to open this weekend at Alamitos Beach in Long Beach, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.

I can see clearly now the rain is gone. It’s gonna be a bright, bright (somewhat?) sunshiny day. You know what I mean — it’s beer-drinking weather. 

Raise your hand if you made it through Dry January (✋). Or maybe you just took four weeks to hibernate (or outright hide) after the holiday season. Well, you can put the most well-behaved month of the year behind you.

Below, you’ll find the return of our continuing happy hour list. You can find previous installments of such, here, here and here (note: Bar Envie has closed). If you’re still struggling to plan Valentine’s for your Valentine next week, here are some ideas and itineraries for you. And if you are an enjoyer of the sports, check out this list of places to watch the Super Bowl in Long Beach this Sunday. 

Without further meandering, call yourself an Uber and let’s get happy. 

Gaucho Beach – 780 E. Shoreline Drive

When: Monday to Friday, 3 to 6 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

What: If you’ve seen me sipping a Mercado Gaucho here around the sunset hour, no you didn’t. I may have giddily helped myself to more than one. Why? Because they recently lowered their happy hour price on that particular tajin-rimmed elixir from $12 to $10. And one thing about me — I noticed. 

Gaucho Beach is technically…a concession stand? It’s not though. It’s a pocket-sized upscale lounge on the beach and despite the fact that this city has the word beach in it, we’re sorely lacking in establishments where you can sip adult beverages seaside. 

I’ll be honest. This place ain’t cheap, which is why it’s so important that they offer a decent happy hour. Here’s what they’ve got: $5 draft beers (7 options), $10 cocktails (Mercado, Old Fashioned, margarita, raspberry lemon drop and gin and tonic) and a $22 carafe/$9 glass of sangria (red, white or rose).

They also offer $8 calamari, $10 mussels, $8 empanada plates (veggie options too) and more. 

Baby Gee – 1227 E. Fourth Street

The Kringle Hopper at Baby Gee, December 2023. Photo by Jake Gotta

When: Monday to Friday 5 to 7 p.m. 

What: I know it won’t be shocking for you to see Baby Gee on this list, but I personally hadn’t been able to vouch for it until recently. I know, I know, it took me a while to try it (I was still mourning college memories of taking that extra shot I didn’t need at 1:55 a.m. at The Red Room, which formerly inhabited that space). 

I am happy to confirm that I recently made some nice new memories (which ended at a respectable hour) at this very charming watering hole which is decorated fittingly with ’70s living room gewgaws, fringed lamps and more jewel-toned decor. It bears no resemblance to its former tenant.

Here’s what they’ve got: Half off bottles of wine (which start at $24); $2 off draft beers, wines by the glass and well cocktails; $4 hot dogs (vegan doggies too), $4 soft pretzel, $12 meatball sub and (drumroll) free popcorn. 

Cocktail of the day is also $10. 

The Crab Pot – 215 N. Marina Drive

When: Monday through Friday 2 to 7 p.m. (excluding Valentine’s Day)

What: In my happy hour research, The Crab Pot caught my eye for two reasons: they have a massive HH menu and on it, they offer a build your own bloody Mary option. Step one, you can choose your vodka (Absolute $6.50 on up to Grey Goose $8.50). Step two: add garnishes from soft shell crab ($5) to bacon ($1). Can’t decide? Get the works for a whopping $8. Honestly, that could be a whole meal. 

Moving on, they also offer $5 well cocktails, $5 wines and a few $5 drafts. 

And instead of ordering a meal in your bloody Mary, you could also get $13 wild salmon tacos, $10 half pound of spicy shrimp in shell, $2 spicy fries and much, much more. Check out their huge menu here.


Where are you imbibing these days? Tell me your secrets. 


Kat Schuster is the assistant editor for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her at [email protected].