Our Five Favorite Walnut Creek Happy Hours: What Are Yours?

Happy Hour has a cool new face in Walnut Creek.

Downtown restaurants are offering great deals that allow customers to try nice wine, beer and flavorful and inventive cocktails. But it's not all about the drinks. Chefs at some of Walnut Creek's best restaurants are using Happy Hour to introduce culinary creations--and, again, in an affordable, appetizer format. 

All this said: Where are Walnut Creek's best Happy Hours?

We are members of the Diablo View chapter of the Rotary Club and have started a blog, Walnut Creek Happy Hour, to keep people up to date on the Happy Hour scene, and to let you know the Happy Hours we'll be visiting ourselves. You are welcome to join us.

Here are our Top Five Walnut Creek Happy Hours. Let us know--please--if you agree, disagree, or if you've had other great Happy Hour experiences in Walnut Creek. 

Shiro
If you like sushi, I just don't know how this can be beat. Shiro has a generous Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 6:30 pm Tuesdays through Fridays. 

Highlights: $3 rolls, beer, sake or glasses of wine. When I say $3 rolls, Shiro serves Costco-sized portions, so don't worry about walking away hungry!  Oh, and be sure to try their "Tootsie Roll."

 Throw in a cool ambiance that makes you feel like you are in Los Angeles. Even if you get here at 6:15 p.m. on a Friday, the restaurant always has been able to put in a quick order to make sure you can take advantage of their special. 
1523 Giammona Dr.,  925- 945-1400, shirowc.com

Modern China CafeWith summer here, it's pretty important to have a Happy Hour spot with prime outdoor seating. Modern China Cafe is located in the heart of downtown, right on North Main Street, with an amazing patio that makes it one of the best people-watching spots in Walnut Creek.

Did I mention that Modern China Cafe has $3 beers, $4 wine and $5 cocktails from 4 to 6 p.m and from 9 to 11 p.m.?  The dim sum is only $2 and the Chow Fun would be considered an entrée at most restaurants.  We've had several Happy Hours here, and the response has always been very positive. Check here for more information about their Happy Hour and other specials. 
1525 N. Main St., 925- 988-8008, modernchinacafe.com

Lift LoungeI laugh about the title of this Locust Street establishment since learning that it is co-owned by a plastic surgeon. Kyle (a fellow Rotarian and literary scholar) wrote the following in his Yelp review about Lift:

"Lift combines sophistication and class for an atmosphere that is enjoyable and relaxing. A warm greeting as you enter the door by a well suited attendant is a welcome relief from other area bars that antagonize you, card you and charge you at door. Overstuffed dark leather couches line the room, making everyone feel as if they've just purchased a table in Vegas.

Chip, the owner, can be found in person each night and has a true passion for customer service and quality. The cocktail waitresses are exceptional and probably work as models by day. It makes Lift the kind of lounge you don't want everyone to find out about."

What Kyle forgot to mention is that Lift's Happy Hour runs from 4 to 9 p.m Monday through Friday.  That means $3 beers, wines and well drinks. The sliders are considered by our group to be among the best burgers in town. 
1321 Locust Street,  925.698.4857

Artisan Wine Lounge
You have probably walked past this small, intimate wine bar a few times and not noticed it. If you want a quiet, inviting place to hang out with friends, Artisan is the spot.

And, it has a great Happy Hour, which runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Prices are very reasonable with glasses of wine between $3 and $4 and beer and sangria for $3.  In addition, Artisan servs $1 appetizers that are small but tasty. 1633 Bonanza St., 925- 280-1633 www.artisanwl.com

The Door
I was very surprised when we had our first Happy Hour here.  Built from the rubble of the popular Zheng Long restaurant, The Door has a relaxing and inviting ambiance.  Whether you want to sit indoors or walk out to their expansive patio that backs up to a creek, you would be hard pressed not to enjoy yourself.

What The Door did well with their Happy Hour was to provide an eclectic selection of "street bites" and to offer an extended Happy Hour. On weekdays you can go in from 3 to 6 p.m.. (3 to 5 p.m. Friday), or you can try their late Happy Hour, which is 8:30 p.m. to closing. 

Perhaps the best part are the extended Happy Hours on weekends: Saturday, 12-5 p.m. and Sunday 12-6 p.m. Beer and wine selections will only set you back $3.50, and The Door rotates  selections.  Although a few blocks from downtown's main dining scene, the journey south is well worth it.
1448 South Main St.,  925-930-8088, thedoorrestaurant.com

Again, it you have any Happy Hour suggestions,  feel free to add them below.

For information about our Diablo View Rotary club chapter, visit our website.