Summer House

Summer House in The Charles, over by Summerlin, is that California-cool aesthetic transplanted to Vegas with surprisingly good execution. It's bright, it's airy, it's full of plants and natural light, and it feels like someone took a Santa Monica brunch spot and just... moved it. The happy hour makes this laid-back energy accessible without the usual pretension markup.

The Sunny Happy Hour Hours

Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 3pm to 6pm in the bar area, and they've committed to the theme. Wine is $7 a glass, which for Summerlin in a place this Instagrammable is basically a gift. Draft beers run $5-6, and cocktails drop to $10-12—fancy cocktails, the kind with fresh juices and herbs and all that California wellness-adjacent stuff. Small plates drop to $8-12, and these aren't throwaway discounts—they're genuinely good eats at genuinely good prices.

The Food Is Shockingly Decent

I went in expecting pretty food that tastes like nothing, and I was wrong. The Cauliflower Tacos have actual flavor—char, proper seasoning, good salsa. The Ahi Tuna Crudo is fresh and thoughtfully plated. Smash Burgers hit that crispy-edges-juicy-center zone that matters. The whole menu leans light and fresh without being boring, which in Vegas is practically revolutionary. Vegetables taste like they grew in actual dirt, and the seafood tastes like it wasn't frozen in 2019.

Why The Vibe Works

Summer House nails that breezy, beach-house energy without tipping into parody. It's relaxed but not sloppy, designed but not sterile. The staff is friendly without the fake perkiness that plagues similar concepts. The crowd skews local and professional, so you can have a conversation at normal volume. It's the kind of place you bring your parents when they visit and you want to show them Vegas has nice things without the Strip chaos.

How To Do This

Get there early-ish—right at 3pm if you want the full happy hour window and the best bar seating. The patio is prime real estate on nice days, which Vegas has plenty of. This is a great spot for work-adjacent drinks without the "are we networking or funning" confusion. Order multiple small plates and share—it's the intended experience and keeps costs reasonable.

The Verdict

Summer House proves that Summerlin has actual dining options worth the drive. The happy hour is legitimately good value in a neighborhood that can get spendy, and the whole experience is pleasant without trying too hard. It's not the most exciting spot in Vegas, but sometimes pleasant is exactly what you need.