The Hours: La Hora Feliz is celebrated every day of the week at Iruña, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.
The Details: Sangria or a Smirnoff-based beverage will run you 3 bucks, while wine, specialty cocktails, and martinis are priced at 5 to 6 dollars. Ten tapas are available for nibbling at a discounted price of 4 to 5 bucks.
(the happy hour break down after the jump)
The Interior: Iruña is almost like two different restaurants, the indoor dining area full of old world Spanish charm, and the sleek, modern patio area. The bar chairs looked a little uncomfortable, so we opted for the patio, which had an urban, mid-century modern vibe. The aged tile patio framed (classy) astroturf cut-outs and plenty of bench seating in bright colors warmed the room. If you decide to sit inside, plenty of tables, horseshoe booths and a long communal high-top table are available in addition to bar seating. Just make sure to test those funky bar stools out before making your decision!
The Cost: Three tapas, a mojito and a blueberry vodka bevvy rang in at $21 before tax and tip.The Conclusion: Iruña has all the delicious tapas that Sol y Sombra was known for, but in a much more central location. The décor is spot on with a modern, Spanish vibe, and the drinks and happy hour nibbles are priced right for the after work crowd to unwind.
The gazpacho ($4), goat cheese croquettes ($4), and clams with artichokes ($5) were the perfect size for sharing between two people. The croquettes were the fanciest fried cheese sticks we've ever seen on a happy hour menu, and the clams were surprisingly ample for the price point. They were fresh, juicy and accompanied by a delicious broth for lapping up with the crusty bread pieces. The gazpacho was a little bit on the spicy side, but the vegetables tasted incredibly fresh and were blended until silky smooth.
Awesome tapas aside, the drink specials offered were also a big winner. That is, provided you aren't looking for a cold beer after work. Mojitos, martinis, flavored vodka and specialty cocktails were available at reduced prices, and they helpfully provided the up-charge ($2) in case you wanted to make one of your flavored vodka choices into a fancy martini. The sangria was also delicious, and at $3 a glass, we could easily waste away the afternoon at Iruña!
Overall Grade: A-
