The Happiest Hour in the Gables
Whether it be the vacation mentality or the scorching heat, there’s something about summer that makes you crave a good drink — especially after a hard day’s work. Our editorial team, along with foodie content creator Libna Echeverri from @peanuttandjelly on Instagram, set out on a quest to experience five different happy hours (yes, all in one day) in downtown Coral Gables.
More Than Wine
We started at Vinya Table, known for its plethora of wines. During happy hour, you can enjoy discounted wines along with a no-corkage fee on in-store bottles. However, we decided to taste test their cocktails to see if their mixology lived up to their oenology.
The Chin-Chin Tonic ($9) is Vinya’s take on the classic gin drink, served with a drizzle of chinola (passion fruit liqueur) and garnished with cucumber. Wine-adjacent, we also tried Ceci’s Sangria for Two ($10) which can be ordered with rosé or red wine and, obviously, is meant to be shared.
Let’s not forget the second part of the name: Table. We filled ours with a diverse selection of happy hour bites, including west coast oysters ($8 for three), juicy shrimp ceviche ($8), and roasted piquillo peppers ($5). Our favorite were the grilled artichokes ($8), laid on top of a delicious spicy tzatziki.
Lucky Hour
After devouring Vinya’s bites, we decided to cross the street for some beers at John Martin’s. Dropping by their “Lucky Hour,” we were met with half-priced Irish beers, house wines, and select Irish whiskeys.
Out of all the locations, the offerings here were the most limited, but there was still something for everyone. We enjoyed the house prosecco ($4.50), a heavy-bodied draft Guinness stout pint ($6), and a refreshing Harp Lager ($4.50). Perfect for beer lovers looking for a quick pint after work.
Not Just for Partying
Our next stop was Copper 29. Known for its bustling nightlife, Copper’s happy hour is largely overlooked. Here, you can enjoy $5 wines and $4 beers, but the true deal is the $7 to $8 cocktails. The Passion Martini ($7) is as delicious as it is beautiful, thanks to passion fruit puree and a decorative purple flower. Classics like Moscow mules and margaritas are also available.
Although the selection of happy hour bites is limited, they’re hearty enough to share. The chicken flatbread ($10) was a table favorite, with an ample amount of chicken baked into gooey cheese and drizzled with BBQ sauce. We also ordered the truffle mac’n’cheese ($10), which could easily be enjoyed as a standalone plate.
Buzzed at Bulla
Our thorough research had us feeling a bit light-headed as we turned the corner of Ponce de Leon south towards Bulla Gastrobar. Their happy hour includes half-off wines, $8 cocktails, and $28 pitchers of sangria. Our waiter recommended the Lemongrass Collins and Bougie Palmer, both of which were refreshingly cool.
Although there are no food specials during happy hour, sharing tapas at Bulla is a must. We went for the tabla mixta ($25), a charcuterie board filled with Tetilla, Manchego, Serrano ham, chorizo, walnuts, and olives. We also ordered the montaditos ($15): toasted bread topped with brisket, tomato marmalade, guindilla peppers, and tetilla cheese. We can never say no to tapas.
Sunset Daze
Our last stop, Cebada Rooftop, was strategically planned so we could enjoy the golden hour before sunset on the picturesque outdoor rooftop. Known for the comically named drinks, Cebada’s happy hour serves up $10 cocktails with names like “Bro, Why Are Your Pants So Tight” and “Relax, It Only Tingles a Little.”
But the brash names were no indication of the beautiful cocktails we received, garnished with baby sprout flowers, and served in an empty cigar box. By the time we finished, the sun had set, leaving us filled with the warm feeling of the happiest hour(s) we shared together.