RA Sushi Bar Restaurant

RA Sushi is a national chain with multiple Vegas locations, and while "chain sushi" might make purists cringe, their weekday happy hour from 3-6pm is legitimately solid. We're talking $3 sake, $5 beer, $6 cocktails, and $3 edamame—pricing that's hard to beat even at dive bars, let alone a sit-down sushi spot.

The Happy Hour Breakdown

Let's get into the numbers because they're impressive: Monday through Friday, 3-6pm, you're getting drink and food specials that actually move the needle. $3 sake means you can try different varieties without committing to a $40 bottle. $5 beer covers domestics and some imports. $6 cocktails include their signature drinks, not just wells.

And then there's the $3 edamame, which is basically free when you factor in how much edamame usually costs. It's the perfect happy hour snack—salty, shareable, and light enough that you can keep drinking without feeling like you just ate a brick.

Beyond the headliners, happy hour typically includes discounted rolls and appetizers. We're talking California rolls, spicy tuna, gyoza—the classics that are perfect for grazing while you work through sake flights. The variety is solid for a chain, and the quality is consistent, which matters when you're trying to plan around happy hour.

Multiple Locations

RA has several Vegas locations, which is clutch because you can find one near wherever you're staying. Check their website for the closest spot, but know that all locations run the same happy hour, so you're getting consistent pricing and menu across the board.

The spaces are modern and polished—dark wood, ambient lighting, the whole "upscale casual" aesthetic that chains do well. It's nice enough for a date but casual enough for a post-work drinks situation. Booths, bar seating, and usually a patio option depending on location.

Chain Sushi: The Reality

Let's be real: RA Sushi is not omakase. You're not getting hand-selected fish flown in from Tsukiji. But you're also not paying $200 for dinner. It's Americanized sushi done competently—fresh enough, rolled well, and priced for regular consumption rather than special occasions.

The fish quality is fine. Not mind-blowing, but not questionable either. The rolls are creative (some might say "too creative" with all the sauces and toppings), and the presentations are Instagram-ready. If you're a sushi snob, you'll find things to critique. If you're a normal person who likes sushi and wants to drink cheap sake, you'll be happy.

The Crowd & Energy

RA pulls a mixed crowd: young professionals during weekday happy hours, date nights in the evenings, friend groups on weekends. The vibe is upbeat without being clubby—there's music playing, but you can still have a conversation. It's social without being chaotic.

The bar area is usually the best spot during happy hour—easier to grab a seat, quicker service, and the energy is better than sitting at a table watching other people have fun. Sit at the bar, order a sake flight, and let the bartender walk you through what's good.

When to Hit It

Weekdays from 3-6pm give you the full three-hour window. Get there around 4pm if you want to avoid the just-got-off-work rush but still have time to settle in. The earlier you go, the quieter it is, but honestly, the crowd is part of the fun at happy hour.

If you're strategic, order heavy during happy hour and then coast into dinner without paying full-price appetizer costs. The transition from happy hour to regular menu is seamless, so you can stretch your budget by frontloading the cheap stuff.

The Verdict

RA Sushi's happy hour is one of the better chain deals in Vegas. $3 sake and $3 edamame alone make it worth stopping by, and the discounted rolls and cocktails sweeten the deal. It's not authentic Japanese cuisine, but it's consistent, affordable, and widely available, which has real value when you're trying to eat and drink well without blowing your Vegas budget.

The quality is dependable (it's a chain, that's the whole point), the atmosphere is pleasant, and the happy hour pricing is aggressive enough to compete with independent spots. If you're near any RA location on a weekday between 3-6pm, it's a no-brainer.

Not the best sushi in Vegas, but probably the best sushi happy hour. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need.