- April 19, 2024
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There is a giant, pork taco-shaped hole in my heart. Now that Darwin’s on 4th is closed, my favorite happy hour in town is gone, and I’m on the hunt to fill the void.
Luckily, in a town that revolves around early birds, there are plenty of specials to go around. Here are a few local restaurants serving delectable replacements for some of Darwin’s most popular happy hour dishes:
Check out Selva. Darwin Santa Maria’s former restaurant appears to use pretty much the same recipe — large steak fries in truffle oil, stacked in a tower with huancaina sauce on the side. Technically, these aren’t on Selva’s happy hour menu, but you can order the side dish on its own for $7.
The Selva Original Ceviche ($8), mojito ($6) and sangria ($6) will help satisfy your more traditional Peruvian cravings.
Happy hour is every day from 5 to 7 p.m., served only at the bar.
Thanks to a recent boom of local breweries and craft beer-focused restaurants, this one’s easy. On the same block as the former Darwin’s location, you’ll find Mandeville Beer Garden, which offers a “beer of the month” for $2 off during happy hour and $1 off all other drafts. This month’s beer is Mama’s Little Yellow Pils from Colorado’s Oskar Blues brewery.
Further east, there’s JDub’s Brewing Co., where all drafts are $2 off from 4 to 7 p.m. And on Siesta Drive, Northbridge Tavern offers $2 domestic drafts until 7 p.m. If you’re specifically craving Darwin’s beer, I spotted their cans in the cooler at Artisan Cheese Co. on Main Street not long ago.
Louie's Modern serves up an interesting version. Its salt-and-pepper calamari is served with ancho aioli and lime — an awesome alternative to the usual marinara — for $8. Also, check out their Kung Pao chicken lollipops and unique craft cocktails. Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. daily, served only at the bar.
I always found it strangely awesome that one of my favorite burgers came from a Peruvian restaurant. This alternative doesn't come as a surprise, but it’s just as delicious and half the price. Patrick’s on Main Street serves up its famous half-pound burgers for only $5 (with the purchase of a beverage) every Monday. The restaurant also has a happy hour with $6 appetizers, $2.95 drafts, $3.95 wines and wells and $6.50 specialty martinis. Happy hour is Sunday through Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m. in the bar or patio only.
Sorry guys; nothing else beats these. Drive up to Bradenton and hope the Darwin Brewing Co. food truck is open.
