Where: 351 Plaza Real, Boca Raton in Mizner Park 561/391-0755
The lowdown: One of my favorite Mizner Park spots, especially when it comes to a good happy hour, is Truluck’s. Although they are most well known for their fresh stone crab specials during season (not to mention their other stellar seafood dishes), their happy hour reputation follows soon after.
Truluck’s isn’t exactly your run-of-the-mill dollar draft and bar bites kind of place. This is Boca at its most chic. The crowd may be more sophisticated, but don’t mistake that for dull. This isn’t a Bingo hall. Truluck’s draws plenty of young professionals with a daily happy hour from 4:30 to 7 p.m.—and all night on Sunday. People of all ages end up swarming the bar and lounge area, giving the swank space plenty of energy. Happy hour specials include half-price cocktails and appetizers as well as 25 percent off all bottles of wine. A menu of seafood specialties, such as oysters Rockefeller for $8.50 and a pound of mussels for $8, makes this is one of the best happy hours in town. How can you resist a drink list of $6 glasses of wine and cocktails ranging from a mere $6 to $7?
Escaping to Truluck’s makes for a nice, quiet break from the gastropubs, sports bars and other restaurants that draw a nightlife crowd. The bar fills up fast, so try and arrive before 6 if you’re hoping to land a seat; the coveted high tops are prime real estate. Otherwise, hang around and order a glass of Sangria (featuring Truluck’s secret recipe) and make friends. Maybe they’ll let you squeeze in a chair.
The intangibles: Adding to the hip vibe at Truluck’s: live entertainment every night of the week. Pianists and singers frequent the lounge area, making for a relaxing and enjoyable evening. The Boca Raton location has won multiple awards for its seafood and service, including countless Readers Choice awards from readers of Boca Raton magazine. Though this restaurant isn’t a traditional after-hours spot, it’s a great place for a romantic night out, and an even better spot to make dinner out of a few appetizers and enjoy martinis during happy hour.
Hours: Truluck’s dining room is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. The lounge opens early at 4:30 p.m. everyday.
Website: www.trulucks.com/pages/boca-raton-florida
For more on bars in Boca Raton, click here.About Shaina
