If you’re looking to enjoy drinks while keeping your wallet (somewhat) happy while in Malta, heading to a place that offers happy hour in St Julians might be the solution. St Julians—also known as San Giljan—is famous for its vibrant nightlife, mainly thanks to an area called Paceville. It’s also a popular spot for numerous bars and restaurants that aren’t afraid to offer happy hour deals, no matter when you consider it to be the best time to visit Malta.
To help you find the best happy hour spots in St Julians, I’ve selected the top 7 spots that give you more drinks for your money. The choices are based on price, variety, and, of course, the quality of the happy hour cocktails. Let’s get drinking!
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1. Hammett’s Mestizo
- Happy hour deal: Half price
- Time: 17:00 – 19:00
- Price per drink: €10 – €14 (full price)
- To choose from: In-house cocktails, classics with a twist
- Google rating: 4.6 ⭐
To kick off this list of the best happy hour drinks in St Julians, I’m starting with a deal offering 50% off the original price and a selection of uniquely crafted cocktails. At Hammett’s Mestizo, you’ll experience flavors from Central America to the Caribbean, the Andes to the Amazon, and Patagonia. They take favorites like mojitos, Long Island iced tea, and gin and tonics and give them a unique twist.
The visually appealing cocktails pair well with the overall atmosphere of the restaurant. And don’t worry, even though it looks fancy, you’re more than welcome to stop by just for the affordable cocktails. While the inside offers plenty of comfortable seating, you can also choose to sit outside—the choice is yours.
2. Hugo’s Lounge
- Happy hour deal: 2 for 1
- Time: 12:00 – 18:00
- Price per drink: €6.95 – €8.95
- To choose from: Classic cocktails
- Google rating: 4.4 ⭐
While walking around the area, you’ll definitely spot the name Hugo here and there. When it comes to Hugo’s Lounge specifically, it’s worth a stop for their great early happy hour deal. The place has a bit of a fancy vibe, but the prices are excellent considering the quality of the drinks and the overall atmosphere.
If you’re feeling snacky, they’ve got Asian food on the menu—and it’s good (coming from someone who’s snacked quite a bit in Asia). The service has always been on point in my experience, which is why I’m confidently naming it the second-best happy hour spot in St Julians.
3. Café Cuba
- Happy hour deal: 2 for 1
- Time: 16:00 – 19:00
- Price per drink: €6.85 – €7.85
- To choose from: Classic cocktails, spritzers, signature cocktails
- Google rating: 4.1 ⭐
When visiting Spinola Bay, it’s hard not to notice Café Cuba. This Cuban-inspired restaurant, café, and happy hour hotspot in St Julians offers a great view of the bay while providing shade on those hotter days. There’s also an indoor area, which can be a backup plan when the outdoor seating is full.
The two-for-one drink deal covers cocktails like Aperol Spritz (yum!), frozen margaritas, and espresso martinis. You can also enjoy some signature drinks, including Summer Passion, Agave Mojito, and Bahama Mama.
4. NAAR Restobar
- Happy hour deal: 2 for 1
- Time: 18:00 – 19:00 (Monday), 16:00 – 19:00 (Tuesday to Friday), 16:00 – 18:00 (Saturday to Sunday)
- Price per drink: €9.15 – €9.95
- To choose from: Classic cocktails, signature cocktails
- Google rating: 4.3 ⭐
If you want to get away from the main parts of St Julians and maybe enjoy a nice walk by the sea, head to NAAR for their happy hour. This place is vibrant in every sense—not just in the look and taste of the cocktails. If you can resist snapping a photo or two here, I applaud you.
NAAR is a treat not only because of its great cocktails and lively atmosphere but also because of its delicious food. They also host events for drink lovers, like bottomless brunches from 11:00 to 13:00 on weekends, where you can enjoy unlimited drinks.
5. The Nordic Bar
- Happy hour deal: 1 for 2
- Time: 16:00 – 21:00 (Monday to Friday), 12:00 – 21:00 (Saturday to Sunday)
- Price per drink: €7.75 – €8.65
- To choose from: Classic cocktails
- Google rating: 3.7 ⭐
When arriving in Paceville during the earlier hours, you can still enjoy good vibes and music, especially at The Nordic Bar. Personally, this is my go-to spot when I want to unwind, as their playlist usually features ’90s and 2000s hits—and I’m, well, older. Anyway! If you want to pre-party close to the action, their happy hour drinks are decent, especially considering it’s in the heart of the party area.
So, why the lower ratings, you ask? Well, the service can be hit or miss, and depending on the bartender, the drink quality may vary. In other words, it’s a bit of a risky happy hour choice, even if the music gets your hips moving.
6. Bacco by Hugo’s
- Happy hour deal: 2 for 1
- Time: 17:00 – 22:00 (Monday to Friday), 17:00 – 20:00 (Saturday to Sunday)
- Price per drink: €7.95 – €10.95
- To choose from: Classic cocktails, special cocktails
- Google rating: 4.4 ⭐
Hugo strikes again with another hotspot for people to spend their nights drinking and dancing. But for the early birds, it offers a relaxing atmosphere with a stylish interior, Greek meze, and of course, happy hour drinks. Personally, this place holds a lot of nostalgia for me—when I first moved to Malta, it was our go-to spot for after-work drinks.
With over 30 different happy hour cocktails to choose from, you’re sure to find something that suits your taste at Bacco. Quality-wise, it strikes a nice balance between “not too fancy” and “not too shabby”—which, for some cocktails, is actually a perk. It’s also more spacious compared to some other happy hour bars, so you won’t have to fight for your drinks.
7. Tokyo Club
- Happy hour deal: 2 for 1
- Time: 19:00 – 22:00
- Price per drink: €7.75 – €8.95
- To choose from: Cocktails (classic and themed), house spirits, local beer
- Google rating: 3.8 ⭐
Malta’s international flair shines through even in its cocktails and happy hour deals. If you’re in St Julians and craving some Tokyo vibes, there’s a club that’s perfect for you. Opened in early 2024, they’ve really invested in the décor, which definitely gives off those cool Tokyo-inspired vibes.
The drinks also stick to the theme. For example, you can grab two-for-one deals on a Sake Mule, Tokyo Old Fashioned, or Wasabi Margarita. Personally, the ones I tried were a bit too sweet for my taste, but with the overall vibe and my deep love for anything Japan-related, I’ve got to show it some love.
To summarize the best happy hour spots in St Julians
St Julians is one of the top spots for happy hours on the island, along with Sliema and Valletta. It’s also a great place for indoor activities in Malta, where you can find a shopping complex, a cinema, an arcade, and bowling—all within a short distance, along with plenty of bars.
You may have noticed that the term “happy hour” should actually be “happy hours,” as the deals usually last around three hours, with 4 to 7 p.m. being the most common time frame. Of course, there are some places kicking off earlier, while some have different times depending on the day of the week.
If you’re traveling to Malta, you’ll likely visit St Julians at least once or twice, whether to party hard or enjoy one of its many restaurants, bars, pool areas, or entertainment options. If you do, I highly recommend checking out the happy hours—to get more sips for your bucks.
