(Updated December 19, 2024)
The holiday season has officially arrived, bringing festive cheer and a lively atmosphere to Laurel Street, right in the heart of San Carlos. As you take a leisurely stroll along this charming downtown strip, lined with twinkling lights and bustling shops, we’ve put together a special guide to help you discover the best holiday-inspired drinks and happy hour spots.
IMPORTANT: Happy hour deals often come and go, so its best to call the restaurant first before going. Thanks!
HOLIDAY DRINKS IN SAN CARLOS
ELIA
Spiced Apple Sour
Sir Davis American Whisky, Fresh Lemon Juice, Liquid Alchemist Spiced Apple, Angostura Bitters, Fee Foam, Dehydrated Apple Garnish
THE REFUGE
Winter-Warming Beer Flight
Winter Ales this holiday season
List of Ales
Prairie Barrel Aged Christmas Bomb
13% ABV, Imperial Stout with spices aged in Bourbon Barrels
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
6.9% ABV, Winter Ale
Delirium Noel
10% ABV, Belgian Strong Dark Ale
St Bernardus Christmas
10% Belgian Winter Ale
The Bruery 11 Pipers Piping
11% ABV Scotch-stvle Ale
West Park Bistro
Mulled Wine
A harmonious blend of robust red wine, warming spices, and zesty citrus, gently simmered to perfection. Rich, aromatic, and delightfully soothing—mulled wine is the essence of cozy sophistication.
TOWN
Seasonal Cocktail List
Cocktail List
TOWN POMEGRANATE MARTINI $13
Citrus vodka, cold-pressed lemon juice, pomegranate puree, organic agave nectar, sugar rim, pomegranate cube
BERRY MULE $13
Tito’s vodka, black currant berry puree, fresh squeezed lime juice, organic agave nectar, fever tree ginger beer
SPARKLING PEAR MARTINI $14
Wild roots pear vodka, cold-pressed lemon juice, pear puree, organic agave nectar, sparkling wine, sugar rim
THE BAD BIRDY $14
Gem 8: bolt mezcal, aperol apertif, orange flower water, rosemary infused simple syrup, fresh squeezed lime juice, fever tree grapefruit soda
CUFFING SEASON $15
Astral reposado tequila, st. george spiced pear liqueur, pear puree, organic agave nectar, cold-pressed lemon juice, cmnamon sugar rim
BLOOD ORANGE MARGARITA $14
Espolon reposado tequila, combier orange liqueur, fresh squeezed blood orange juice, organic agave nectar, shaken ice cold and served up
CLASSIC MARGARITA $13
Herradura silver tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, agave nectar
DOWNHILL FROM HERE $14
Barr hill gin, fresh squeezed meyer lemon juice, homemade thyme-honey syrup
ALL THAT’S BERRY & RYE. $l4
Templeton i e whiskey, chambord ragpberry liqueur, black currant puree, cold-pressed lemon juice, housemade thyme-honey syrup
BARREL-AGED MANHATTAN $14
Aged in our own barrel for 14 days. Dickel 12 whisky, cinzano sweet vermouth, carpano antica vermouth, punt e mes, angostura bitters, amarena cherries
BOURBON BACKNINE $14
Bulleit bourbon, luxardo maraschino liqueur, unsweetened iced tea, cold-pressed lemon juice, marinated amarena cherries
RED WINE SANGRlA $15
Cabernet infused for over 24 hours with strawberries, pears, apples, pineapple, oranges, raspberry & pineapple rums, applejack brandy
TOWN ESPRESSO MARTINI $15
Vanilla vodka, lavazza espresso, bailey’s, kahula coffee liqueur
MOLLY O's
Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is a caffeinated alcoholic drink consisting of Irish whiskey, hot coffee and sugar, which has been stirred and topped with cream (sometimes cream liqueur). The coffee is drunk through the cream.
Groovy Goose
Christmas in a Cup
Gingersnap
Merry Mint Mocha
Eggnog Spiced Latte
Cardamon White Mocha
DRAKES
Holiday Cocktails
Spiced Cranberry Paloma
Cinammon Espresso Martini
Hot Toddy
Snowball Hot Chocolate
HAPPY HOUR IN SAN CARLOS
Drakes Happy Hour
Time
Tuesday – Friday 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Menu
- Edamame, Margherita Pizza, Giant Pretzel, Truffle Garlic Fries
- $11 for All Draft / $6 Beer
Contact
- Phone: +1 650-597-5080
- Address: 1101 San Carlos Ave. 94070
- Website: https://drakessancarlos.com/
- San Carlos Life Profile
Town Happy Hour
Time
Monday – Friday 2:30pm-5:00pm
Menu
FOOD
- Fried Prawns – $12
- Seabass Tostadas – $22
- Chilled Jumbo Prawn Cocktail – $13
- Housemade Shrimp Potstickers – $12
- Spinach & Artichoke Dip – $11
- Vegetable Tempura – $8
- Fried Pickles – $12
- Traditional Guacamole – $12
- Cheeseburger Sliders – $12
BEVERAGES
- Harken ‘Winemakers Select’: California, 2021 ($40 750ml Bottle) – $10 Per Glass
- Robert Hall: Paso Robles, 2020 ($40 Bottle) – $11
- Pomegranate Martini – $11
- Classic Margarita – $11
- Bourbon Back Nine – $14
- Sparkling Pear Martini – $22
Saffron Restaurant Happy Hour
Time
Monday to Sunday: 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Menu
FOOD
- Parle-G: The Iconic Indian biscuit, loved lor its timeless taste and perfect chai pairing $2
- Bun Maska: Sweet bread and butter $4
- Chicken Tikka Sandwich: Creamy chicken salad, slaw, and chutneys $8
- Bombay Sandwich: Green chutney, butter, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, grated cheese, and masala $8
- Keema Pav: Flavorlul minced lamb cooked in spices and served with pav bread $8
- Samosa: Golden crispy potato and peas samosa $5
- Paneer Pakora: Paneer fritters, green chutney $8
- Seasonal Cake $5
BEVERAGES
Masala Chai: Pot of chai for 1 person $9
Draft $7
- Firestone Mind Haze IPA
- Elysian Contact Haze IPA
- Longboard Island Lager
- Trumer PiIs
Bottle $5
- HenHouse Incredible Pale Ale
- Kona Big Wave Golden Ale
- Drake’s Flyway Pils
- Fort Point KSA Kolsch
- Golden Stole Cider
- Blue Moon Witbier
- Kingfisher Lager
- Kali Palang Saffron lager
- Stella Atlois Pils
- Animal tropical IPA
Contact
- Phone: +16505934269
- Address: 1143 San Carlos Ave
- Instagram: Saffron Restaurants
- San Carlos Life Profile
Highlands Sports Bar Happy Hour
Time
- Monday to Friday, 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm
- Late Friday and Saturday, 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Menu
FOOD
- Mozzarella Sticks $7
- Wings $8
- Garlic Sweet Potato Fries $7
- Crispy Brussel Sprouts $8
- Street Taco $5
- Chips and Guac $7
- Potato Skins $6
BEVERAGES
- Beers $7
- Specialty Cocktails $11
- Well Drinks $7
- House Red or White Wine $8
Other Promos in Combination with Happy Hour
- Monday First Responders and Teachers: 1/2 off select beer, wine, and all appetizers
- Tuesday Mexican: $5 Street Taco (Beef, Chicken or Pork) and $8 Margaritas
- Wednesday Kids Eat Free: All Day. 1 per Entree & Drink Purchase
- Thursday Sweetness: 1/2 off on all desserts
Noelani's Island Grill Happy Hour
Time
Tuesday to Sunday, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Menu
FOOD
- Edamame $7
- Pork Belly & Pineapple Bites $10
- Popcorn Chicken Chicharone $8
- Noelani’s Fried Rice $10
- Island Tacos $14/+ (Kalua Pig $14 | Fish $19) 3 Tacos.
- Kalua Pig Quesadilla $16
- No Ka Oi Burger $18 (Add Egg +$2 | Avocado+$2 | Pineapple +$2)
- Hurricane Fries $9
- Tsunami Fries $9
- Plain Sea Salted Fries $6
BEVERAGES
- $2 Off these Signature Cocktails: Kona Plantation Mai Tai, P.O.G.(Passionfruit-Orange-Guava) Mai Tai, Hawaii Tropix Sangria (Red), Mango Sangria (White), Blue Hawaiian, Chi Chi (or) Pina Colada, Guava Margarita, Hawaiian ‘Honi’ Cocktail
- $2 off Draft Beers
- $2 off Wines by the Glass (Excluding House Red / White)
- $2 off Well Drinks
Contact
- Phone: +16505471706
- Address: 1037 Laurel St
- Website: https://www.noelanis.com/
- San Carlos Life Profile
Doppio Zero Happy Hour
Time
Monday – Thursday 4:30PM to 6:00PM (at the bar only, and Happy Hour is not available on holidays)
Menu
FOOD
- Olives Plate $5
- Truffle French Fries $6
- Arugula Salad $8
- Margherita (6″ Pizza) $9
- Croquette $9
- Polpettine $9
- Diavola (6″ Pizza) $9
- Anchovy Fritte $9
- Prosciutto Plate $10
- Fried Calamari and Shrimp $10
- Gnocchi $10
- Beets $10
BEVERAGES
- Draft Beers $2 off
- Wells Drinks $2 off
- Cocktails From Menu $3 off
- Wine By the Glass $4 off
Contact
- Phone: +16505965152
- Address: 617 Laurel St
- Website: https://www.dzpizzeria.com/happy-hour
- San Carlos Life Profile
Shiki Bistro Happy Hour
Time
Monday-Friday, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday, 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Menu
FOOD
- Pork Gyoza $6 (each)
- California Roll $6 (each)
- Creamy Korokke $6 (each)
- Fried Egg Roll $6 (each)
- Fried Seaweed Roll $6 (each)
- Spicy Tuna $7 (each)
- Roll Shrimp Sunomono $7 (each)
- Chicken Yakitori $7 (each)
- Age-Dashi Tofu $8 (each)
- Chicken Karaage $8 (each)
- Veggie Tempura $8 (each)
- Unagi Roll $8 (each)
- Deep Fried CA Roll $8 (each)
- Steak Skewers $9 (each)
- Godzilla Roll $9 (each)
- NY Roll $9 (each)
- Goma Tuna Tataki $9 (each)
- Shrimp & Veggie Tempura $9 (each)
BEVERAGES
- Sapporo Beer $5 per pint /$15 per pitcher
- Large Hot Sake, All Wines $2 off
- All Bottled Sake $3 off
- Cocktails: Moscow Mule, Lychee Martini, Margaritas, Lemon Drop, Mai Tai, Orange Cosmopolitan $8
Contact
- Phone: +16505932275
- Address: 825 Laurel St
- Website: https://shikisancarlos.com/
- San Carlos Life Profile
Izzy's On the Peninsula Happy Hour
Time
Monday – Sunday, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Menu
$2 off on signature cocktails, wines by the glass, and beers; along with a number of rotating food specials.
Contact
- Phone: +16506542822
- Address: 525 Skyway Rd
- Website: https://www.izzysonthepeninsula.com/
Blue Line Pizza Happy Hour
Time
Monday – Friday, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Menu
- $3 dollar off on appetizers,
- $1 dollar off on wine by the glass and draft beers.
- Pizza or salad no discount
Contact
- Phone: +16506100200
- Address: 1201 San Carlos Ave
- Website: http://bluelinepizza.com/
Ending Note
Did we miss anything here? Please feel free to let us know by writing at hello(at)sancarloslife.com
About San Carlos Real Estate and Homes for Sale
San Carlos is host to an array of world-class restaurants across the Bay Area. Rightly called the “City of Good Living”, San Carlos is a wonderful place to live in! As per San Carlos Real Estate, homes are in the mid-price range for the Peninsula, but still not as expensive as areas like Palo Alto or Menlo Park; a desirable community to live in due to its overall well-performing school system – in fact, top in the whole of California.
As a resident, you’ll find here a mix of quiet neighborhoods and nearby city perks, with beautiful nature parks, and lots of things to do. Whether you enjoy shopping in boutique stores or exploring nature trails, there’s something for everyone. Being very close to Silicon Valley, San Carlos Real Estate is a smart choice for buying a home or investing in property. If you need help navigating through town for beautiful homes for sale, contact us today and we’ll be happy to be of service.
