Bali Hai Restaurant Happy Hour Times & Specials
SARAH S.
UPDATED
September 6, 2025
Happy hour highlights:
Bali Hai Restaurant offers happy hour specials Monday-Thursday from 3:00pm-5:00pm.
Enjoy deals on food like crispy calamari and coconut shrimp as well as drinks, from Happy Hour Mai Tais to wines and beers.
Happy hour at Bali Hai Restaurant is served in the bar/lounge area only.
Bali Hai Restaurant
Escape to a Polynesian paradise at Bali Hai Restaurant, where happy hour pairs tropical flavors with breathtaking waterfront views. From Monday to Thursday, 3:00pm to 5:00pm, unwind in the bar and lounge with island-inspired bites like crispy calamari, coconut shrimp, and Bali Hai tuna poke. Sip on their legendary Happy Hour Mai Tai for $11, or enjoy $1 off wine and bottled or canned beers as you take in the stunning skyline of San Diego Bay. A staple since 1954, this iconic tiki destination blends rich history, exotic cocktails, and a relaxed island ambiance, making happy hour at Bali Hai an experience unlike any other.
Bali Hai Restaurant happy hour times
Day | Times |
Monday | 3:00pm-5:00pm |
Tuesday | 3:00pm-5:00pm |
Wednesday | 3:00pm-5:00pm |
Thursday | 3:00pm-5:00pm |
Friday | N/A |
Saturday | N/A |
Sunday | N/A |
Last updated: 1/28/25 (Source)
Bali Hai Restaurant happy hour menu
Bali Hai Restaurant offers happy hour food and drink specials Monday-Thursday from 3:00pm-5:00pm. View the menus below for more information.
Happy hour food menu
Day | Specials |
Monday | $14 Bali Hai tuna poke / $11 coconut shrimp / $10 crispy calamari / $10 spinach cream cheese lumpia / $10 island beef skewers / $10 firecracker pork ribs / $10 flash fried shishito peppers / $6 Bali or wasabi fries / $6 edamame |
Tuesday | $14 Bali Hai tuna poke / $11 coconut shrimp / $10 crispy calamari / $10 spinach cream cheese lumpia / $10 island beef skewers / $10 firecracker pork ribs / $10 flash fried shishito peppers / $6 Bali or wasabi fries / $6 edamame |
Wednesday | $14 Bali Hai tuna poke / $11 coconut shrimp / $10 crispy calamari / $10 spinach cream cheese lumpia / $10 island beef skewers / $10 firecracker pork ribs / $10 flash fried shishito peppers / $6 Bali or wasabi fries / $6 edamame |
Thursday | $14 Bali Hai tuna poke / $11 coconut shrimp / $10 crispy calamari / $10 spinach cream cheese lumpia / $10 island beef skewers / $10 firecracker pork ribs / $10 flash fried shishito peppers / $6 Bali or wasabi fries / $6 edamame |
Friday | N/A |
Saturday | N/A |
Sunday | N/A |
Happy hour drink menu
Day | Specials |
Monday | $11 Happy Hour Mai Tais / $1 off wine by the glass / $1 off beers by the bottle or can |
Tuesday | $11 Happy Hour Mai Tais / $1 off wine by the glass / $1 off beers by the bottle or can |
Wednesday | $11 Happy Hour Mai Tais / $1 off wine by the glass / $1 off beers by the bottle or can |
Thursday | $11 Happy Hour Mai Tais / $1 off wine by the glass / $1 off beers by the bottle or can |
Friday | N/A |
Saturday | N/A |
Sunday | N/A |
Bali Hai Restaurant happy hour tips
Get there early—3 PM sharp is best: happy hour is only Monday–Thursday from 3:00pm-5:00pm in the bar/lounge, and seats fill quickly, especially by the windows.
Go for the island bites that everyone raves about: crispy calamari, coconut shrimp, firecracker ribs, and the tuna poke are fan favorites, and most items run around $10–14 during happy hour.
Don't miss the Happy Hour Mai Tai: at $11, this tiki classic is famous for being strong (limited to two per guest), and it’s the drink everyone talks about.
Pair your drink with live music vibes: acoustic sets or solo singers during happy hour make the already vibrant atmosphere feel even more festive.
Parking is easy and free: there’s a large lot right by the entrance, so you don’t need to stress about street parking or valet.
Stay for the view—even after happy hour ends: the bay and downtown skyline turn golden at sunset, and many people linger with another round just to watch the shift from day to night.
FAQs
Do they have free parking?
Yes, Bali Hai Restaurant has free parking in the nearby open parking lot.
Is there outside seating?
Yes, Bali Hai Restaurant has outside seating with a beautiful view of downtown San Diego.
Do they take reservations?
Yes, reservations are accepted and highly advised. You can book a table online.
Bali Hai Restaurant Happy Hourista review
SARAH S.
CONTRIBUTOR
Happy hour at Bali Hai is a San Diego ritual. Set on Shelter Island, this Polynesian icon frames sweeping bay views with tiki torches, carved totems, and live island music that feels timeless. For $11, you can experience the legendary Mai Tai, a rum-forward classic so potent it’s wisely capped at two per guest. Each sip is smoky, citrus-kissed, and unapologetically strong. Small plates are crafted with the same attention. Coconut shrimp arrive perfectly crisp with ginger-lime dipping sauce, while ahi poke, jeweled with masago and seaweed salad, balances briny freshness with crunch. Firecracker pork ribs glazed in house barbecue sauce bring a sweet-spicy indulgence, and the beef skewers with pickled banh mi salad strike a satisfying balance of richness and tang. What elevates Bali Hai beyond a standard happy hour is its sense of history and occasion. Here, cocktails are crafted with intention, bites are vibrant, and the skyline view becomes part of the experience. It remains one of San Diego’s most iconic—and artful—ways to unwind.
