Drink Here Now: Starlite in Mission Hills
Starlite, Mission Hills, 3175 India Street
Hours: Daily, 5 pm – 1 am; Fridays, 4pm – 1 am
Happy Hour: Daily, 5pm-7pm (drinks specials start at 4pm on Fridays)
The Scene
Set on an unassuming stretch of India Street that overlooks the 5 Freeway, walking through the geometric doorway of the Starlite is like walking through a portal to another world. Inside you’re greeted by a stunning table-height bar that occupies the center of the mid-century-esque, hipster-rustic space. Happy hour buzzes with an eclectic mix of tattooed Gen-Xers, still-hip older folks from the neighborhood, and beard-sporting millennials, sipping to the chill music that plays over the sound system.
The Drinks
Like the decor, the drinks menu features some classics, like their signature mule ($10) made with Rain Vodka, ginger beer, lime, Angostura bitters, as well as modern mixology like the Bellman ($11), a tipple consisting of Rittenhouse Rye, Raynal Brandy, Kronan Swedish Punsch, Peychaud's bitters, black walnut bitters, and toasted cinnamon. They also have a rotating menu of local draft beers.
The Bar Snacks
The bar is also a farm to table restaurant, and their menu of creative bites does not disappoint. They are most famed for their chickpea battered greens topped with lemon yogurt sauce, but we also love the winter squash and smoked provolone fritters and, when we’re really hungry, their burger topped with gruyere cheese and caramelized onions.
The Happy Hour Specials
$5 Select Draft Beers, $5 Well Drinks, $2.00 Off Specialty Cocktails
$5.50 Bar Snacks: Chickpea Battered Greens, Mini Kale Caesar, Coffee Rubbed Pulled Pork Toast
Our Happiest Happy Hour Order:
Startlite Mule ($8)
Chickpea Battered Greens ($5.50)
Grand Total: $13.50 + tip
