Shirubē Japanese Santa Monica $5 beers, $6–9 sake, $8 “whiskey” cokes, $5–9 bar bites When: Mon–Thu 5–6:30pm; Sat, Sun 4–6pm Why we love it: This Tokyo-based restaurant chain serves seasonally inflected Japanese drinking fare on the northern edge of Santa Monica. The Westside location is the family-run company’s first location outside Japan, and while the regular dinner menu is excellent, the happy hour menu is a downright steal. Shirubē's ultra-popular corn ribs are on the menu as is the restaurant's surprisingly tasty negitoro over garlic bread. Snacky fare like pork belly tacos, edamame and garlic shrimp ($12) are also on offer during happy hour.