Looking for a great cocktail and wine happy hour? Look no further than Valanni.

Valanni is an elegant restaurant and bar located on Spruce Street between 13th and 12th in Center City. Monday through Friday from 4:30-7 Valanni hosts one of the best happy hours in the city, featuring extensive variety of drink options while upholding high standard of quality and taste.

We visited Valanni on a Thursday evening and chose to sit at one of the sidewalk tables; the happy hour specials are served either outside or at the bar indoors. My friend and I have done extensive research on the Philadelphia happy hour scene for well over a year now, and we found Valanni to score high in drink variety, drink quality, food specials, ambiance and friendliness of service.

The happy hour menu features a long list of specialty cocktails and wine, normally $10 and under, for $5 during happy hour. You’re not stuck having to order well vodka with diet coke here! Valanni’s specialty cocktails include creative cocktails like the Brazilian Pop (mango puree, pomogranate liquor and sparkling wine), the Sparkling Pear Martini, Mojitos garnished with old-fashioned rock candy stick, and Margaritas. All their cocktails are fair game for happy hour prices as long as they are normally priced at $10 or under.

Valanni’s happy hour wine list does not include a single “house wine” like many other bars, rather the regular wine list is featured and any glass of wine less than $10 is $5 during happy hour.

Valanni not only features a wide variety of amazingly good drinks, but they also feature select Tapas ½ off during the hours of 4:30-7. Again, the menu features something for everyone including spicy pulled chicken empanadas, “fiery” potatoes, crispy chickpeas and chorizo, marinated olives, baked brie, trio of spreads, fried calamari, and crispy brussel sprouts. If your mouth isn’t watering right now then you are stupid and you don’t deserve to go to Valanni. The portions are small, but they’re tapas (and for the price you can afford to get one of everything).

In case your mind has not already gone there, let me just describe some of the pairing options for this blissful happy hour. I had the pleasure of drinking a glass of McManis Pinot Noir paired with a warm baked brie with walnuts, cranberries and apples. My next course in the happy hour included a glass of the Bodegas Esteban Martin Garnacha paired up with the trio of spreads including hummus, tirokafteri, muhammara on warm grilled pita bread.

I’ll admit, this is not the happy hour for beer drinkers, but that doesn't mean there aren't options for brew fans. However, for cocktail and wine drinkers, Valanni will not disappoint.

12.15.10

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