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.
If you’re looking to take dad out for Happy Hour on Father’s Day, the Rockridge District Association has put together a fabulous list of possibilities. However, happy hours are not limited to this weekend, so below is a sampling of what you’ll find daily; be sure to bring a friend or two along to enjoy these establishment standouts:
A16 (5356 College)
A16 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)
À Côté 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)
ACRE Kitchen 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)
Ben ’N Nick’s 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)
Forge 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)
Holy Basil Pho 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)
Khana Peena 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)
Namastey Patio 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)
Saffron Kitchen 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)
Soi Four 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.
