Gina's Pizza

Gina's Pizza located in Campus Plaza in Irvine offers a Happy Hour on Monday nights that adds up to being all round underwhelming. The only good deal is for $2 slices of cheese pizza.
When 60 oz. pitchers of domestic beer are advertised for $8, they really mean that its a pitcher of bud or coors light. And, they charge you tax on the pitchers. $3 off any large combo pizza also doesn't add up to much, since the pizzas are usually all over $20 anyway. Making it a good deal only if you were already going to order that type of pizza anyway. My opinion is to pass on Gina's Pizza Happy Hour if you're looking for a great deal.

Chili's

Chili's located on Culver and Alton, has a late night happy hour from 9pm to close Mon-Thurs. The deals however are not that great. For food, there's 50 cent buffalo wings, free chips and salsa with any purchase and $3 chips and queso dip. Margaritas and draft beers are all $1 off.
My table ordered the El Nino margarita, Grand Patron and Platinum Margaritas. All of which were good and contained a good amount of alcohol. However, even with happy hour, these drinks came out to about $8 each.
The chips and queso were good, however, it would be more worth it to just go for the free chips and salsa, since they don't give you that much queso dip. Wings are good, but better deals can be found for a larger amount of wings elsewhere.
To conclude, the Chili's Happy Hour is good if you are already planning on going there anyway, but is not worth a separate trip just for these deals. Note: Happy Hour is only in the bar area.

Maki Maki

Maki Maki has one of the best sushi happy hours around Irvine. 50% off of select sushi and maki rolls. $5 rice bowls (featuring chicken, salmon, etc.) and beers from $2.75 to cocktails, which top out at only $5.
The shrimp tempura maki is a unique blend of sushi and other japanese cuisine that makes for a great snack. The rice bowls make for a good dish that compliments the other selections. (my table enjoyed the salmon and chicken teriyaki bowls) like a roll or other food item, such as the $1 chicken skewers. However, it is worth noting that the bowls featuring seafood (i.e. salmon) don't hold that much of the fish selection. Also, the beer featured includes Hefeweizen, Newcastle and Blue Moon. The sushi rolls featured aren't anything too special, just your run of the mill salmon, tuna and shrimp type rolls. However, the price is what makes them worth getting, most priced at around $2.75.
Beer and sushi make a surprisingly good combination for anyone who has never tried them together before. Or for anyone who enjoys Japanese food and draft beers. Making Maki Maki a happy hour not to miss.

Maki Maki at the Irvine Spectrum has Happy Hour Monday from 3:30 to close and Tues-Thurs, 3:30-6:00pm.

TGI Friday's

TGIF's is a nice place to go for a relaxing and fun atmosphere to hang out with your friends without trying to do anything really fancy. Happy Hour consists of half off appetizers, $1.50 burger sliders and 1/2 off cocktails. Also, they have a daily $5 specialty cocktail every day of the week. In addition, they have a daily special on a bucket of beer. The bucket is $10 and holds 5 different beer bottles ranging from Corona to Pacifico.
The most popular appetizer ordered by by table was the Sesame Jack chicken strips. Also, my table tried the Buffalo Wings and Loaded Potato Skins. All of which were well liked by those that ordered them and at the prices were a great value. The burger sliders were also a popular dish, however even though they are only $1.50, most felt that there still wasn't enough in them to make them worth that price.
Different drinks that were ordered included the bucket of beer with Heineken, Pacifico and Corona. These were not special beers in any way, other than the fact that they were immensely cheaper than at any other restaurant or bar, coming out to just $2 each. Specialty cocktails that were ordered included Sex on the Beach, Tennessee Peach and the Strawberry Lynchburg Lemonade. All of which were liked by those that had ordered them, with Sex on the Beach cocktail on the top of the list preferred by those that got drinks.
The bucket of beer and half off appetizers together make TGIF's a great casual happy hour to hit up with your friends whenever you feel like just having fun and hang out with your friends.

Happy Hour at TGIF's occurs Mon-Fri from 4 to 7pm in the bar area only.

McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

McCormick and Schmick's seafood restaurant, located off of Main Street in Irvine, has great Happy Hour offerings. However, its worth noting that this is a happy hour purely based on food being a great deal and not drinks.
In order to qualify for the Happy Hour menu, (4-6:30pm and 9-11pm M-Thurs), one must purchase at least one drink. This drink does not have to be alcoholic in nature and is usually around $3.
After your purchase your drink you are eligible for the World Famous Happy Hour menu, featuring items such as the $1.95 bar food that includes food such as Hummus. Then there's the $2.95 portion of the menu featuring a cheeseburger and fries (best deal). The $4.95 menu features pot stickers and calamari.
Everyone that tried the dishes agreed that the best deal for the price was the cheeseburger and fries. The burger's are a little on the dry side, but it may have just been a fluke that night. The pot stickers are nicely presented but were nothing special in quality or taste according to those at my table. However, all of the meals that people ordered were good overall and filled everyone up, making McCormick's a great happy hour for food prices.

Claim Jumper- Irvine

Claim Jumper- not normally a name associated with Happy Hour, but rather with large gourmet meals like steak and seafood. However, their happy hour is worth checking out. During their late night Saturday HH, there is not a large crowd at all, so you and your friends have a large area to relax and hang out. Beer ranges from $3.25 to $4.25 per pint from a selection ranging from Coors Light to the CJ Hefeweizen. Martinis and other specialty drinks are $5.95 during this time and appetizers range from $3.50 to $7.25.
Those at my table ordered the Claim Jumper Martini, CJ Hefeweizen and the Tropical Hooter. The martini is very strong and was a little too strong for some. CJ Hefeweizen was very good, it was a citrus like wheat beer that went down smoothly. The Tropical Hooter tasted great and also had a good amount of alcohol in it as well.
For appetizers, the personal BBQ chicken pizza and Halibut Fish Tacos were tried by my table. The pizza was good, but small. And the fish tacos were good as well, but not that filling, given that you only get two of them.
For a light snack and a good drink, Claim Jumper's Happy Hour is one to check out.

Claim Jumper's HH is from 3 to 7pm Mon-Friday and 9:30pm to close on Saturdays in the saloon area.

Islands- Newport Beach

Islands, located in The Bluffs in Newport Beach, is a nice relaxing place to have a few appetizers and drinks with your friends. The atmosphere is very laid back and is designed to look like what else? an island. Appetizers are half off, and are a great deal. For one person, an appetizer is like a meal and is very reasonably priced during happy hour. I ordered the Quesadilla, while others at my table ordered the Tiki Tenders and Beachside Sliders (4 mini burgers). All of which were very well received by everyone who ate them.
Free chips and salsa for your table are also served during happy hour.
Beer and wine are $1 off. The Islands Golden Ale has a sweet taste to it, but also tastes a lot like Coors Light. In my opinion, Islands has a great happy hour for food, but better beer can be found elsewhere.

Islands Happy Hour is 4 to 7pm Monday through Friday. Please note: Happy Hour in the bar area only.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company- Costa Mesa

The main reason that my friends and I decided to try the Happy Hour at Karl Strauss, was due to the fact that it is known for its excellent selection of beers. Individual beers at Karl Strauss Brewery are reasonably priced during happy hour at $3.50 a pint. At this location, you're also able to sample the different types of beer before making your selection. The beers that our table decided to try were the Woodie Gold, Endless Summer Light and the Windansea Wheat Hefeweizen. The Woodie Gold and Endless Summer Light are obviously light beers, and everyone who had them liked them. the Hefeweizen was slightly darker, and had a unique citrus like taste to it without adding any sort of fruit.
Appetizers are on special too, however not always half off, in fact some are discounted by as little as a dollar. The best appetizer that my table tried was the brewhouse nachos ($7). They had a mix of cheese, thousand island dressing and beans and were well liked by everyone at the table. Garlic fries and the cajun fries were also on special for $4 each. These each were ok, but the nachos were the best overall appetizer.
When checking out the Happy Hour at Karl Strauss, definately make it a trip for the drinks and not the appetizers.

Kimera Restaurant and Lounge- Irvine

Kimera, sounds like an Asian restaurant of some kind from its name. However, it actually serves mainly American style cuisine. Their happy hour menu is served only in the lounge and bar area and includes food dishes ranging from $5 to $8 each. Also, well drinks are on sale for $5.
It's worth noting that Kimera is in the middle of a business district and requires parking in a garage, which gives you a ticket that you can have validated for free parking after eating. In addition, there is no dress code, however it is also notable that the majority of customers are dressed in nicer clothes, given that the atmosphere is more like that of a lounge than just a generic bar.
Well drinks include Rum and Coke and Vodka and cranberry juice (pictured). Both of which are good tasting and strong at the same time.
$5 entrees include garlic fries, $7 include different pizzas and for $8 you can get a small steak.
The Carne pizza and shrimp pizza were tried by those at my table and were both a good size and were of a gourmet quality.
If you're looking for an upscale place in Irvine that has a unique and upscale atmosphere, then hit up Kimera. But if you're looking for your more laid back college hang out, then pass on this one.

Yard House- Irvine

Happy Hour at the Yard House occurs twice daily. Once in the middle of the day and again for late night from 10pm to close on select days. They feature select half priced appetizers and discounted drinks. My table ordered the egg roll dish as well as the seared ahi sashimi appetizer. Both we're good. The sashimi did seem a little on the boring side however. Presentation was nice, but there wasn't much to the taste of the dish. The sauce that accompanied the sashimi didn't add much to it.
Beers that were tried included the Great White and the Slim Chance. The Great White was especially good, tasting like a cross between Long Board and Blue Moon. Also, I tried a martini called the Island Drop, which featured rum and punch.
All of the beers tried at my table, people liked very much and the Island Drop was also good tasting and strong at the same time. For drinks, Yard House happy hour is a great one to check out.

JT Schmid's- Tustin

JT Schmid's has a good amount of house beers on tap for their happy hour. JT Light is a good idea for those that don't like dark beer or like something that goes down easily. India Pale Ale is slightly stronger, but is still not that strong for those that like harder stuff. Emil's amber is my personal choice since it goes down pretty smooth and is stronger than the previous two drinks.
The appetizers that are discounted include Sweet potato fries, Brew House nachos and the calamari. According to those at my table, the calamari was very good. I tried the fries and nachos as well, and they were also good for the happy hour price. Although, none of the drinks or appetizers were that amazing.
If you have some extra time, then the happy hour here is worth a try, otherwise its not something you need to go out of your way for.

Bluewater Grill- Tustin

The Bluewater Grill in Tustin has a happy hour that offers $3,$4, and $5 drink and appetizer specials. Most of which are a great deal. The $3 choices that my table tried included the Calamari Burger slider w/fries, a pair of fish tacos and a pair of oyster shooters. $4 selections included salt and pepper shrimp, and calamari fritti.
All of these were well reviewed with the exception of the pair of oyster shooters. It may be that we expected more of a food item than a shotglass of cocktail sauce and an oyster in it, but this was not my favorite dish nor would I order it again.
Drinks include your run of the mill $3 beers such as Coors Light, $4 wines and bucket drinks and other beers such as Hefeweizen. My table tried a variety of these drinks including a martini entitled "The Obamatini", which was very good.
If you like seafood combined with good cocktails or beer, then the Bluewater Grill is well worth a look.

Ra Sushi- Tustin

Upon entering Ra Sushi, located in The District at Tustin Legacy, the atmosphere instantly strikes the customer as a unique Japanese dining experience. The whole ambiance of the establishment gives off the vibe of a very fun and upscale restaurant. For Happy Hour, they offer everything from $1 hot sake to half off appetizers, sushi and $5 well drinks.
Everyone at my table decided to give the $1 hot sake a try. However, none of us had ever had sake before and upon taking our first cup...did not especially like this drink. But, if you yourself do enjoy hot sake, then the amount that you receive for $1 is a great value. $2 bottles of Sapporo Japanese beer were what everyone at my table decided to try on the rest of the happy hour drinks menu. This is a very smooth tasting beer and is well worth the price.
The appetizers and sushi rolls are also a great deal here. The salmon and shrimp nigri were a top choice among those at my table. And received high marks from everyone, (note: there is wasabi in both of these). The shrimp tempura is priced at $4.50 and gives about ten shrimp per plate and has a quality taste to it. The Crispy Soft Shell Crab appetizer and Lobster spring rolls are also reasonably priced during happy hour and are filling and great as well.
Overall, this is more a happy hour for Japanese food then for drinks if you like sushi and other cultural food from this region. If this sounds like you then it is well worth the time to take to try the happy hour at Ra Sushi.

Acapulco-Costa Mesa

Margarita Mondays are pretty much the best deal you'll find for margaritas anywhere in Orange County. All day until 10pm, they serve house margaritas for $2.50 each and fruit margaritas for $2.75 each. You can get them either on the rocks or blended. During their happy hour, they also have half off of appetizers and dollar tacos, available with beef or chicken in a soft or hard tortilla. In addition, there is a self-serve salad bar during happy hour that is included with the purchase of any menu item. The salad bar includes chips, beans, macaroni pasta, and quesadillas.
I myself tried all of the salad bar items and found them to be very good, especially for being free. The food that I tried included the beef hard shell taco and mexican pizza. The taco was average, but the pizza was great. It was the size of a regular pizza normally ordered for a whole meal and only cost $3.25. Drinks wise, I ordered a house margarita and melon margarita, on the rocks and blended respectively. Both were strong and were a good value for the price.
So, I'd recommend Acapulco's happy hour and margarita monday to anyone that likes Mexican appetizers as well as margaritas.

BJ's- Irvine

Everyone knows that BJ's has great beer and pizza. During Happy Hour, its even better. Mini pizzas are all half off!! However, the other happy hour deals are less spectacular. There's $1 off of beer pints, not pitchers though. And $2 off of appetizers. Now, while this is better than paying full price its not that good of a deal to drive out for.
The mini-pizzas are the main draw here. I had the margarita pizza which was very good for the price. Others at my table had the classic pepperoni pizza. They too thought the deal was well worth it.
Beers that we ordered included the run of the mill Sam Adams Boston Lager, Hefeweizen, and various Pale Ale's. While they were good, they can also be found easily at other breweries. So overall, if you're hungry for pizza, this is a great happy hour to hit up. As far as beers go, better deals can be found elsewhere.

El Torito-Irvine

El Torito in Irvine, located across from John Wayne Airport has a pretty fun Happy Hour and Taco Tuesday. Tacos are $1 each and are good quality for the price according to the group I was with. The House Margaritas are heavily discounted during this time as well. The small/regular margaritas are a great deal. The glasses that they come in carry a large amount and are filled to the rim. The Large's are an even better deal. They are reasonably strong and good tasting as far as margaritas go.
Other food that is discounted are appetizers. They're half off. The food tastes very good, but isn't really that filling. I ordered the gorditas and liked the quality of them, however, I was still hungry after just ordering this dish.
Beers are also half off during happy hour. I recommend a glass of the dos equis beer. Its very cheap and comes in a giant goblet. Its a great tasting drink and goes down very easily. El Torito's happy hour is great for drinks, as far as food goes, just fill up on the $1 tacos haha.

Capital Seafood- Irvine

So my friends and I decided to try this place in Diamond Jamboree on a random Thursday night a while back. Suffice it to say, it was an extremely good deal and we have come back several times since. There's a great deal with $7 pitchers of beer (choice of Blue Moon or Newcastle). My personal preference is Blue Moon, since it has a smoother taste.
Appetizers are also at a discounted rate. Shrimp Har Gow and Pork shu mai are each reasonably priced at $3.25 for 4 pieces each. Both of which are of great quality for the price.
Different drinks are also available such as Saketini's and other Asian cocktails. However, I'd recommend sticking with the beer if you're a beer drinker. Several of my friends that have tried the mixed drinks regretted ordering them.
So overall, the beer and appetizers, especially the dim sum, make Capital Seafood Happy Hour (Thurs and Fri 10pm-close) a great value to eat and drink at.