After spending all day inside a temperature-controlled box, you deserve to break free and grab a drink after work. Of course, we’d never advocate for drinking and driving, but whether you limit your intake of beverages to your personal maximum, consume non-alcoholic drinks, or carpool with a co-worker who may be the designated driver, you can celebrate the end of a tough work day in a myriad of safe ways.

Does this scenario sound familiar to you? Sitting in your cubicle, you make the mistake of going down the block to pick up your lunch when you realize how much you’d rather be outside – and that leads to the inevitable 3 pm “drinks after work?” group text because, after all, you live in Los Angeles, where Happy Hour options are aplenty. 

The following represent our top picks for enjoying after-work drinks in Woodland Hills.

HQ Gastropub, located at 20969 Ventura Boulevard Suite 32, was born from a vision to create a fresh twist on the traditional restaurant, bar, or tavern, offering a pop culture-inspired global menu boasting meals and drinks of high-quality – thus, the “HQ” in the name. When it comes to after-work drink spots, you can’t go wrong with HQ Gastropub, inspired by the broad range of craft beer and high-quality spirits used to create custom-crafted cocktails; since 2015, the location in Woodland Hills has specialized in these high-quality craft beers, wines and cocktails, all of which are made with premium ingredients including FeverTree soda water and tonic, Bundaberg ginger beer, real Mexican Coca-Cola and fresh fruit juices. Open Monday through Wednesday from 12 pm to 12 am, Thursday from 12 pm to 1 am, Friday/Saturday from 12 pm to 2 am and Sunday from 9:30 am to 12 am.

The White Harte Pub, located at 22456 Ventura Boulevard, makes after-work cocktails fun and engaging with a Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm – but this charming British-style pub, established in 2004, offers many more compelling reasons to stop in and stay awhile. Originally conceived as the sister pub of Fox and Hounds in Studio City, The White Harte quickly became one of the hottest spots in the West Valley, what with its casual atmosphere, popular evening crowds, original vibe, 18 popular beers on draft – including imports, domestics and local crafts – plus more than 20 in bottles, spirits, cocktails, and wines. Discover this hidden Woodland Hills gem that will definitely wow you with its English countryside pub mystique. Open Monday through Wednesday from 12 pm to 11 pm, Thursday from 12 pm to 12 am, Friday/Saturday from 12 pm to 1 am and Sunday from 10 am to 11 pm.

San Fernando Brewing Company, located at 425 Park Avenue in San Fernando, represents a different kind of after-work drink spot, being a “tasting room” that manufactures beer – choose from signature beers like Stoney Point Stout, Royal Road Pale Ale, O’Melveny Red Ale, and Wolfskill IPA, or enjoy the many specialties on tap and seasonal options. The service is sincere, professional, and generous, and the small “keg experiments” like Redrum and Summer Saison are absolute gems. If you’re looking for a unique after-work wind-down experience, try San Fernando Brewing Company. Open Wednesday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Thursday through Saturday from 12 pm to 11 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday.

Malibu Wines and Beer Garden, located at 23130 Sherman Way in West Hills, is a wine-tasting and craft beer spot that makes for the perfect after-work venue, considering its roots as a historic building turned tasting room in the heart of San Fernando Valley. Featuring Saddlerock and Saddlerock Estate wines and local craft beer, this tasting room offers unique tasting experiences and events that yield long-lasting memories. The Semler family continues to warmly welcome visitors, guiding them through a captivating exploration of their wines – with each taste, you embark on a journey through the flavors of Malibu, from the crisp, cool notes of coastal Chardonnays to the robust richness of Cabernet Sauvignons nurtured in the sun-drenched vineyards. Open Monday through Thursday from 12 pm to 7 pm, Friday/Saturday from 12 pm to 9 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 7 pm.

JOEY Woodland Hills, located at 6344 CA-27 #1010, has often been called “the Valley oasis,” boasting a wide-open kitchen plan and spacious patio for a deliciously modern and refreshingly casual restaurant experience. Loaded over by general managers Anna Pestyk and Michele Magliocco and regional chef Pasquale Parrotta, JOEY Woodland Hills is a great after-work spot for cocktails, socializing, and much more, with CEO Jeff Fuller ensuring pride in people, food, and drinks. The JOEY Restaurant Group has been family-owned and operated since 1992 and has grown into an iconic multi-concept brand throughout North America with planned growth and expansion into 2030. Open Monday through Thursday from 11 am to 12 am, Friday/Saturday from 11 am to 1 am, and Sunday from 11 am to 12 am.

Rose’s Garden Bar, located at 26787 Agoura Road in Calabasas, is a Persian-American farm-to-table organic restaurant boasting a full bar and wine list, featuring an al-fresco tree-lined dining patio with a fire pit and floral décor. Often described as a “healthy, sexy, fun and delicious” experience, Rose’s wows as an after-work drink spot in Woodland Hills, with premium selections like the Tom-a-Rita, Espresso Martini, and Fun Weekends. The drink menu is sure to impress, being it’s packed with so many tempting options, but many fans of Rose’s Garden Bar return for favorites such as the Cool Girl, a perfectly balanced and refreshing treat with just the right amount of basil to cut through the tang. Open Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 am to 10 pm, Friday/Saturday from 11:30 am to 11:30 pm, and Sunday from 11:30 am to 9 pm.

As we head into the fall and winter seasons, the time is now for post-work drinks and light bites. The city’s many vaunted Happy Hours offer discount options, including house cocktails, easy wine by the glass, and craft beer. Because this is Woodland Hills, there’s also no shortage of tasty food to accompany those luscious beverages.