"When: Mon-Fri, 4-6pm The Deal: 50% Off All Wine; $7 Beer; $8-10 Cocktails From the outside, The Independence looks a lot like the countless other American bar and grills that line downtown Santa Monica. But it’s better than the rest. Expect solid food and cocktails, an open space that works well for last-minute group hangs, and a Broadway location that’s probably only a few blocks away from your downtown office." - Nikko Duren