Cool & Hip Happy Hours

Talk of the Town

A playful lounge to hang with friends during Happy Hour is The Bazaar by Jose Andres at the SLS hotel. The Philippe Starck designed setting amuses patrons as they sit at a communal table that screen films by Fellini. Start with a blanca cava sangria in an individual mini pitcher or a unique “salt air” margarita classic, while ordering king crab steamed buns with pickled cucumbers and tuna ceviche avocado roll with jicama, micro cilantro and coconut dressing. 465 South La Cienega Blvd. (310)246-5555.

Wolfgang Puck’s Newest

WP24 at the new Ritz Carlton offers incredible views of Los Angeles as it sits up on the twenty-fourth floor of the hotel.  Puck’s award winning Asian cuisine features Peking duck rolls with a special hoisin glaze or prawn toast with a sweet and spicy garlic chili. Signature sushi and sashimi is served with cocktail pairings such as the Dragon’s Fire or Umami Cocktail Hendreick’s. 900 W. Olympic Blvd. (213)743-8800.

1940s Vibe

Newly opened Hatfield’s provides diners with elegant snacks and cocktails in an upscale setting.  Start with a cucumber mint gimlet or a colonial “pink gin” as you nibble on hangtown fry of soft scrambled eggs, braised bacon and fried oyster or a deviled quail egg with smoked trout. Then stay for their seasonal prix fixe dinner.  6703 Melrose Ave. (323)935-2977.

Great Mexican Cuisine

Frida in Beverly Hills and at the Americana in Glendale, are serving Happy Hour specials from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday. Beers are $4 and house, strawberry or mango margaritas are $6.  Most of the small plates offered during Happy Hour are under $5.  Live Mariachi music by the group Mariachi Los Toros perform on Thursday and Friday evening after 7pm at the Glendale location. Frida Beverly Hills is at 236 S. Beverly Dr., (310)278-7666; or in Glendale at 750 Americana Way, (818)551-1666.

Bar Bouchon

Beverly Hills offers a French bistro happy hour that begins at 4 p.m. on Monday -Friday.  Start with one of Bar Bouchon’s signature cocktails ($7) or a White Apron ale ($4) while biting into a deviled egg with crispy bacon and watercress ($6) or sandwich au fromage grille – a grilled cheese sandwich on a brioche ($4.50). 235 North Canon, (310)281-5698.

Guest Chef Series

Josiah Citrin, chef/owner of the Michelin starred Melisse in Santa Monica, is offering a summer guest chef series. On August 23, David Kinch of Manresa in Los Gatos joins Citrin in the kitchen to prepare a one-of-a-kind meal.  Ray Garcia, chef at Fig, also in Santa Monica, will prepare the evening’s amuse bouché. This dining adventure is $150 per person with a portion of the proceeds to be donated to the Special Olympics. 104 Wilshire Blvd, (310) 395-0881.

Taste of Larchmont

The 18th annual Taste of Larchmont Village will be held on Monday, August 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. on Larchmont Boulevard between 1st Street and Beverly Boulevard. Numerous restaurants will be offering culinary delights, including Avocado Grill, California Roll & Sushi, Chan Dara, El Cholo, Kiku Sushi, La Bottega Marino, Larchmont Deli, Le Pain Quotidien, Le Petit Greek, Louise’s Trattoria, Prado, Village Pizzeria and Z Pizza. There will also be a wine tasting at Larchmont Village Wine & Spirits, and desserts courtesy of Baskin Robbins, El Coyote, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Crumbs, House of Pies and Larchmont Larder. The event will benefit Hope-Net. For tickets, call (213)389-9949 or visit www.hopenetla.org.

JW Marriot’s Hot Spot

The Mixing Room, located next to the L.A. Live complex offers an indoor and outdoor lounge that serves innovative cocktails such as The Fizz with Plymouth gin, pineapple, and ginger and rooftop passion with Herradura silver tequila, and passion fruits.  Pair these libations with eggplant goat cheese fingers, meatball Fontana sliders and seared tuna tacos with cabbage slaw and salsa fresca.  900 W. Olympic Blvd. (213)765-8600.