Dining along Rockridge’s College Avenue is always a treat, offering a vibrant mix of restaurants for every palate, with many featuring their own distinct Happy Hour menus and specials. Just step onto the avenue, pick a direction, and explore.
Here is a sampling of what you’ll find; be sure to bring a friend or two along to enjoy these establishment standouts:
A16 (5356 College) is an upscale casual eatery specializing in authentic Southern Italian cuisine and regional wines. Co-owned by Shelley Lindgren and Victoria Libin, the restaurant features a vibrant open dining room centered around a wood-fired pizza oven.
Happy Hour Menu: Monday through Sunday, 5–6pm, features a curated selection of discounted Southern Italian snacks and beverages for dine-in guests:
Spuntini (Bites): Offers include fried or marinated olives ($5),
saffron arancini ($10), and a classic Margherita pizza ($15).
Drinks: Features a seasonal aperitivo ($9) or Bruto Americano, alongside select Italian wines by the glass (ranging from $9 to $10) and bottles.
À Côté (5478 College) is a shared-plates restaurant offering fresh, seasonal cocktails and a unique wine list paired with a Mediterranean menu that is influenced by California seasonality. The restaurant has been a neighborhood staple since it opened in 2000.
Happy Hour Special: Tuesday through Thursday, from 5-7pm. Mussels and Pommes Frites, two glasses of House wine or beer: $45
ACRE Kitchen & Bar (5655 College) is led by chef and co-owner Dirk Tolsma. The menu has been inspired by his travels in France, Italy, and Spain, with an emphasis on well-priced small plates made with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant serves California Rustic Cuisine — simple dishes inspired by the seasons and made with local ingredients that are meant to be enjoyed together.
Happy Hour Menu: Daily from 4-6pm. Choose a Varsity Martini ($8), beer or house wine to complement French fries ($6), ACRE Hummus ($10), or meatballs ($10). Or, try La Dolce Vita: Margherita Pizza with house wine and tiramisu ($25).
Ben ’N Nick’s Bar & Grill (5612 College) has been a neighborhood staple since 1997. The lively, easygoing pub is beloved for its rotating selection of local and hard-to-find beers, well-crafted cocktails, and elevated comfort food.
Happy Hour Menu: Available daily from 2–4pm: Draft and well drinks ($1 off); appetizers ($2 off).
Forge Rockridge (5900 College) is a popular venue on College Avenue that features an afternoon happy hour—drawing locals for its excellent value on wood-fired pizzas and drinks. It’s a great neighborhood spot to unwind, especially when grabbing a seat on their dog-friendly outdoor patio. Enjoy draft beers along with other rotating wine and drink specials.
Happy Hour Menu: Monday through Friday, 3:30–5:30pm: Select beer ($5), house wine ($8), small bites ($10), Margherita Pizza ($15).
Holy Basil Pho and Cocktail Bar (5362 College) is a beautiful Vietnamese restaurant that features pho and offers a daily happy hour (dine-in only) from 4-6pm that perfectly matches its upscale, date-night-worthy atmosphere.
Daily Happy Hour (includes drinks and bites): Expect $10 cocktails, $9 wine options, and $5 Lucky Buddha beers. Discounted bar bites and appetizers range from $7 to $12, featuring items like Spicy Java Fries ($7), Spring or Imperial Rolls ($6–$7), and shareables like Pork Potstickers ($10), Fried Calamari or Shrimp ($12), and Garlic Chili Prawns ($12).
Khana Peena Indian Cuisine & Bar (5316 College) offers a family-friendly environment with indoor and outdoor seating on a large heated patio, serving authentic Indian cuisine and full bar.
Happy Hour Menu: Daily from 5–7pm, includes select beers, wine, and cocktails ($3 off); plus half-off all appetizers.
Namastey Patio (5500 College) specializes in authentic Nepali and Northern Indian comfort food with vegetarian and vegan options in an easygoing setting that features a large glass-enclosed outdoor patio.
Discounted Lunch Special: Although Namastey does not have a traditional happy hour, they do offer an extensive discounted lunch combo that runs daily through mid-afternoon. The platter-style meal includes choice of a main dish and a selection of sides with bread, rice, and samosa.
Saffron Kitchen (5940 College) serves the authentic flavors, rich traditions, and warm hospitality of Afghanistan and the broader region. More than just a restaurant, it is a purposeful community space where cross-continental stories and deeply rooted culture come together on every plate.
Happy Hour Menu: Food and drink specials run from 2-6pm on weekdays, and is only served at the bar. Choose specialty cocktails ($10), sangria or house wine ($8), select beers ($5), and half-off well drinks.
Soi Four (5421 College) offers a modern take on the traditional through the use of fresh, local ingredients, sustainable practices, and a creative approach to authentic Thai dishes—influenced, accented, tinged…anything but “fusion.” Its popular and highly-rated happy hour provides a great opportunity to enjoy their contemporary, Bangkok-style Thai fare and crafted drinks at a discounted price.
Happy Hour Menu: Served from 4:30–6pm every day. Cocktails ($10), house wine ($9), and beer ($5). Choose from a selection of small bites ($9) including: Thai Spiced Corn Cakes, Shrimp & Pork Dumplings, or Blistered Garlic Green Beans.
