HAPPY HOUR

PAUL BAR/FOOD

3700 EAST VISTA CHINO
PALM SPRINGS

This spot, with its fabulous fare, classic ambiance and stellar drinks, also made my dinner list above. But the watering hole is just as beloved for its happy hour! Offered nightly from 4 to 7:15, the already affordable cocktails and bites are marked down even further, making it the perfect spot for a late afternoon/early evening libation! While there, be sure not to miss the massive meatball appetizer and stellar selection of hand-crafted mocktails.

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PIERO’S PIZZAVINO

73722 EL PASEO #1
PALM DESERT

This casual spot, opened by Florence-born restauranteur Piero Pierattoni in 2011, is best known for its fab Neapolitan pizzas, but the happy hours also can’t be beat! Offering authentic Italian dishes based on Piero’s family recipes, the happy hour offerings are extensive – from pasta to pizza to appetizers, with gluten-free options, to boot! The Fried Zucchini Blossoms and Grilled Artichokes are personal favorites (and affordable at $12 each), but you can’t go wrong with any menu choice. (Happy Hour is offered all day Sunday through Thursday and from 11:30 to 4 on Fridays and Saturdays.)

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RISTORANTE MAMMA GINA

73705 EL PASEO
PALM DESERT

Craving a $24 filet? Mamma Gina has you covered! Another Piero Pierattoni hot spot, this El Paseo eatery has been a beloved desert staple since originally opening in 1986. Other delectables on the all-night happy hour menu (offered from 4 p.m. to closing) include Salmone and Carpaccio Di Bue (at $16 and $18, respectively), with each dish more exquisite than the last. As such, it is no surprise that this place is hard to get into, but the long waits are well worth it!

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LA QUINTA CLIFFHOUSE

78250 CA-111
LA QUINTA

Securing a seat at this local favorite during happy hour (offered from 3:30 to 6 p.m. daily) is a cut-throat endeavor, to say the least! One drink in, and it won’t be hard to see why! The food is superb, the drinks well-crafted, and the ambiance unparalleled, especially on the gorgeous patio, which is literally built into the side of a mountain and boasts striking views and an open-air fireplace, perfect for those cool desert nights.

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STUFT PIZZA

78015 MAIN STREET, SUITE 100
LA QUINTA

A desert icon since its 2004 inception, this place gets my vote for some of the absolute BEST pies in the entire valley (thin crust with pepperoni, Canadian bacon and olives is my preferred order). But there is so much more to be had here, especially the daily happy hour, hosted from 3 to 6 p.m., with offerings including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Rib Bites and Street Tacos – all affordable and delicious. There is also a sister location in Palm Desert, but the patio at the La Quinta outpost is where it’s truly at!

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