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.