C’mon Get Happy

By Heather Caro

We love a girl who puts a little consideration into her martini.

That’s why, when reader Angela Wentz asked us for help finding the best outdoor happy hours in Yakima, we couldn’t turn her away. She had a serious list of criteria: great service was a must, an outdoor seating area, and, of course, good happy hour specials.  Said Angela, “Everyone knows that if you can get a discount it makes the fare that much better.”

We had our work cut out for us, but to make it easier, we enlisted Angela to help.  And many happy hours of research later, we developed a list of a few sunny spots we think are worthy of even more investigation.

Second Street Grill

There’s something so…urban about sitting outside the gargantuan “garage” doors at Second Street and enjoying a cocktail after work with your friends right in downtown Yakima. You’ll have to leave work a little early for appetizer specials, but that doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.  Happy Hour Sunday through Saturday, 3-5 pm for appetizer specials, 3-6 pm for drink specials.

Get Happy: Half price wells, half price special microbrew (picked daily), half price special martini (picked daily).

Second Street Grill

28 North Second St.

Yakima

509-469-1486

secondstreetgrill.com

Angela says, “The bartenders are friendly, and with the eclectic sampling of appetizers, it’s hard to pick just one.”

Zesta Cucina

Slip into the bar or sip out on the deck with its gorgeous summer flowers at the Italian-fare favorite, Zesta Cucina. Happy hour lasts from 4-6pm Monday – Friday and features half-price drink and appetizer specials – but be sure to come early as seats fill up fast.

Get Happy: $2-$5 appetizers like their chopped salad, sautéed mushrooms and braised meatballs.  $2 bottled beer, $3 wines by the glass, $3 draft beers, $5 cocktail drink specials.

Zesta Cucina

5110 Tieton Drive
Yakima

509-972-2000

zestacucina.com

Angela says her three Zesta faves are the martinis, the chopped salad and the chicken ravioli.

The G Spot Bar

Sitting outside the G Spot Bar at Gasperetti’s Restaurant, one wouldn’t know that North First Street is just around the corner.  With its soothing fountain, lush plants and comfy seating, the only thing that’s missing for happy hour goers are the blue cheese potato chips (house made) we highly recommend.  Happy hours are Monday through Saturday, 3-6 p.m.

Get Happy: $3 draft beers, $4.50 well drinks, $5 house wine, assorted discounted appetizers, such as pizza, blue cheese potato chips, hamburger sliders

Gasperetti’s Restaurant/G Spot Bar

1013 North First St.

Yakima

509-248-0628

gasperettisrestaurant.com

Angela says, “If you haven’t tried (the blue cheese chips), you need to…these definitely give nachos a classier name, and who doesn’t love melted cheese on fried food?”

Sportscenter

Who can resist sharing a pint among friends beneath Yakima’s iconic glowing neon hunter? Yakima’s Sportscenter has been a night-life hot-spot, but with happy hour specials and yummy appetizers like sweet potato fries, diners need not wait until after dark to visit. Get “centered” for happy hour from 3-6 pm, Monday through Friday.

Get Happy: $1 off draft beer, $3 off wells, $3-4.00 appetizers

Angela says, “The appetizers are tasty and with the pricing, you can share a couple with friends.”

Sportscenter

214 East Yakima Ave.

Yakima

509-453-4647

yakimasportscenter.com

Tequila’s

With its exotic outdoor bar and its “outside of the boxcar” location, Tequila’s offers nothing but sun and terrific drink specials during the warmer months.  Grab a table with an umbrella and enjoy a margarita with some nachos during happy hour, Monday through Friday from 2-6 pm.

Get Happy: $2 domestic beer $2 lime margaritas, $3 well drinks, $3 imported beer and $3 appetizers, such as nachos and quesadillas.

Tequila’s

1 West Yakima Ave.

Yakima

509-457-3296