2025 Surf City USA® Foodie Awards Best Happy Hour Winner: Daimon Japanese Restaurant
What makes the best happy hour? Maybe it's the strong drinks. For some, it's the unbeatable deals. Others love live music to make the end of a long day feel like a celebration. At Daimon Japanese Restaurant, you get all of the above. Named the best happy hour in Huntington Beach, this Sunset Beach hot spot is the place to be for well-priced libations, small bites, and entertainment. There's no need to wait till 5 o’clock, either: The restaurant opens promptly at 4 p.m., so day drinking can commence while the Surf City USA® sun is still shining.
A High-Enery Happy Hour
Daimon Japanese Restaurant isn’t your typical sushi spot. The party starts before you walk through the front door with glowing palm trees lighting a pathway to fun. Once inside, a black light effect sets the tone for the evening and illuminates neon murals adorning the walls. “Eat more chicken,” begs one colorful montage of fish.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, there’s almost always something to keep you entertained while you dine and drink the night away. Every Wednesday is open mic, and it's a smorgasbord of talent. Any given week you might hear singers, comedians, or poets. Thursdays feature a rotating musicians of live performers until closing, while resident DJ Rasul “The Knowbody” kicks it up a notch with remixes on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, guests are invited to take the stage and belt out their favorite tunes on karaoke night—no showbiz experience required.
Happy Hour Drink Deals
Every night gets off to a great start at Daimon, where happy hour runs from 4-7 p.m. in the sushi section. The biggest savings is on drinks, which include two for one pricing on beer, wine, sake, and cocktails. Draft beers rotate but usually include Japanese selections like Sapporo, also available in a bottle. Sake is served hot by the carafe or cold by the bottle, great for sharing with your group. The wine selection is small but offers enough variety for casual sippers. All but the house brut are available by the bottle as well, including a Josh Cellars rosé and Federalist chardonnay and red blend.
The happy hour cocktail menu is as fun and vibrant as Daimon itself. Options like the Pink Dragon and Virgin Hooker are light and fruity, while the “Not So Girly” offers a boozy alternative for Manhattan drinkers. Best of all, these spirited sips start at only $12. Though not on the happy hour menu, you may want to splurge on a signature tiki cocktail. The Volcano, which serves two, is a flaming concoction of spiced rum, brandy, pineapple, and orange with fruit garnishes that’s guaranteed to draw attention.
What to Eat
Easy apps like edamame, crispy vegetarian egg rolls, and mixed tempura pair well with Daimon’s sweet sips. If you’re enjoying after-dinner drinks at the tail end of happy hour, the dessert menu includes treats such as yuzu cheesecake and Mochidoki, a poppable frozen mochi snack filled with creamy ice cream.
For something heartier, take a look at the sushi menu. Specials include an assortment of albacore, salmon, tuna, and yellowtail nigiri or sashimi for under $11. For $6 to $9, you can indulge in familiar favorites like spicy tuna, rainbow, crunchy, and California rolls. If you can’t decide, opt for all three. Nigiri, sashimi, and three rolls are served during happy hour for $35—a great date night sampling.
If you’re lucky enough to score a spot at a teppan table, you’re in for an unforgettable evening. A special happy hour is available for teppanyaki from 4-6:30 p.m., and for $32 you get a complete dinner with your choice of two proteins like chicken, calamari, and New York steak cooked over sky-high flames. It’s a hearty offering that includes soup, salad, noodles, vegetables, and steamed rice, plus a showy performance put on by your personal teppan chef.
While reservations aren’t taken for happy hour in the sushi section, they are heavily recommended for teppanyaki, which has a 90-minute time limit per group. Call the restaurant at 562-592-4862 to book a table in advance.
