Happy Hour in Sonoma County

Okay, with so many great places to eat in Sonoma County it can be overwhelming to pick a place with the perfect vibes for your occasion. However, I'm here to do the hard work for you. So here are my top 5 happy hour spots in Sonoma County, in no particular order:

1. Grata Italian Eatery in Windsor, CA. They have the most amazing espresso martini. The arancini and meat ball sliders are a MUST for happy hour and if you're still hungry, the Akashi hanger steak is the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. The staff there are incredible, there is a cozy outdoor patio and the interior vibes are what every speakeasy is made of. If you find yourself in the area, you have to add it to your list. Grata is my go-to spot for a week day happy hour.

2. Jacksons Bar and Oven in Santa Rosa, CA. Jackson's has been my tried and true spot for the last several years, and it has never let me down. Being a popular restaurant, it can get noisy if you find yourself there at 7pm on Saturday night but you won't regret the burrata (best I've ever had), their wine selection is extensive with local wines, I've never had a cocktail I didn't like, and I have had my fair share of espresso martinis that I still dream about. Might I also recommend the prosciutto pizza for a late night bite. Jackson's also has great sections for large groups and is frequently my go-to spot for birthday celebrations.

3. Bird & The Bottle in Santa Rosa, CA. Have you had cheese curds? Well, now take them up a notch. Bird & The Bottle is a tapas style restaurant so keep that in mind when ordering. I like to start with 2-3 appetizers and then 3 or so small plates depending on the group size i'm with. They also have a lovely wine menu but the humming bird cocktail is my favorite. All of their tacos are phenomenal and you can't go without trying the whiskey balls. Trust me.

4. Roof 106 in Healdsburg, CA. Think Restoration Hardware without the price tag or pretentious vibes. Roof 106 is one of my favorite spots for a drink, small bite, and a good photo op. If you have never had cured pork belly, then you need to order the house cured pork belly pizza. Cocktails are all phenomenal and you can have the best seat in the house when Healdsburg does music on the square.

5. El Gallo Negro in Windsor, CA. If you love Mexican food, then this is the spot for you. I love sitting at the bar, grabbing a watermelon margarita and some fish tacos on a warm summer afternoon. Really, what could be better? The staff are all so sweet and will make you any cocktail you could dream of. You can even get cocktails to go.