Happy hour is nothing if not an excellent excuse to cut out of the office early, particularly this time of the year when the weather is so beautiful, and score delectable bites and delicious sips for a bargain. Speaking of which, we’ve got a serious hankering to try out some of the newest happy hour deals in town. From a chic new Montrose eatery to a fave established sushi spot, here's where we're headed for happy hour.
Riel
During happy hour (Monday-Thursday; 5 pm-7 pm) at new fast-favorite Riel restaurant, sink your teeth into seriously-good eats, from the MTL smoked meat sando (with brisket, pickled mustard seeds, and French's mustard; $8) to tempura cauliflower (covered with shaved daikon and drizzled with spicy kimchi sauce; $8). What’s more, you’ll also save on drinks, including wines by the glass ($7), beer ($4) and classic cocktails ($8). 1927 Fairview St.; 832-831-9109
Tony's
Tony’s has been serving up luxe spins on American and Italian dishes to the city's socialite set for decades. Now, the Greenway Plaza spot offers a new happy hour special (Monday-Friday; 4 pm-6:30 pm) complete with wines by the glass, specialty cocktails, and a handful of fancy bites (think mini Wagyu cheeseburgers and baked gnocchi), all for just $5 each. 3755 Richmond Ave.; 713-622-6778
Arlo's Ballroom
East side dance club Arlo's Ballroom's take on happy hour features killer drink deals (Tuesday-Saturday; 8 pm-10 pm). It’s down the hatch with $3 well drinks, $1 off all beers, and $4 (bartender’s choice) mixed shots. Leeland St.; 713-489-1899
Agu Ramen
Items on the happy hour menu (Monday-Sunday; 3:30 pm-6:30 pm) at casual Hawaii-based newcomer Agu Ramen include sake ($4), a roster of global beers ($2.50-$4), and creative cocktails ($6) from the Yuzu Gimlet (with sparkling sake, vodka, mint leaves) to the Tiger Lilly (vodka, raspberry liqueur, pineapple juice). Sink your teeth into ahi poke ($6), Agu Gyoza (Japanese-style dumplings with ground pork, cabbage and chives; $3.50), Kurobuta pork sausage ($5), and more. Multiple locations
The General Public
An extensive roster of whiskeys is a big yes in our book, but The General Public at CityCentre ups the ante by offering them up for 50 percent off during happy hour (Monday-Friday; 4 pm-6 pm and 9 pm-11 pm). A duo of half-price burgers round out the menu. Choose between a hearty bacon burger and the Aristocrat (topped with arugula, glazed shallots, and muenster cheese). 797 Sorella Ct., Suite 118; 832-690-4450
Relish
Make the most of your afternoon with the specials (Monday-Friday; 3 pm-5:30 pm) at Upper Kirby restaurant Relish, where you can score discounted craft beers ($5) and classic cocktails ($6), along with $1 deviled eggs and a hamburger with fries combo for $10. 2810 Westheimer Rd.; 713-599-1960
Kata Robata
At popular hotspot Kata Robata, regulars routinely stop in for the standout sushi, Japanese specialties, and a can’t-miss, recently-revamped happy hour (Monday-Saturday from 5 pm-6:30 pm; Sunday from noon-5 pm). Our picks are the yuzu salmon carpaccio ($8), fresh catch ceviche ($6), and Longhorn roll (fried shrimp and fresh water eel with avocado, spicy mayo, three kinds of fish roe, and unagi sauce; $9). Pair your fare with hot sake ($4), Japanese beers ($3-$5), wines by the glass ($6), or a specialty cocktail like the spring caipirinha (Brazilian white rum, lime, and muddled strawberries and peaches; $6).
But the drink deals keep on going. Daily drink specials include half-off glasses of wine on Mondays, half-off sake flights on Tuesdays, and on Wednesdays, the special is the bartender’s choice. Knock off 50 percent on Asahi drafts on Thursdays and Saturdays, on Fridays the Ashi 1,000-ml cans are half-price, and mimosas are $3 on Sundays. 3600 Kirby Dr.; 713-526-8858
Good Dog
Good Dog knocks it out of the park during happy hour (Tuesday-Wednesday from 11 am-11 pm; Thursday-Friday; 3-6 pm) with $4 mini gourmet hot dogs, and daily specials including 50 percent off Texas beers and wines on Tuesdays and half-off wines by the bottle, glass and draft on Wednesdays. Get the weekend started with half-price Texas wines and beer (by the bottle and the can) on Thursdays and Fridays. 903 Studewood St.; 832-800-3647 and 1312 W. Alabama St.; 346-800-3647
Fusion Taco
Bring your appetite for happy hour (Monday-Sunday; 4 pm-7 pm) at casual taco joint, Fusion Taco in the Heights, and load up on your choice of lamb keema, fried oyster, and tempura shrimp tacos ($3 each). Draft beers ($3) and frozen margaritas ($3) are also a steal. 4706 N. Main St.; 713-422-2992
Lucille's
Save on select wines by the glass and beers ($5), mocktails ($7-$9), and cocktails from classic ($10) to creative like the Swift Kick Fiz (with whiskey, Italian liqueur, lemon juice, ginger, turbinado sugar, and frothy egg white; $12) during happy hour (Tuesday-Friday; 3 pm-7 pm) at Lucille’s in the Museum District. Also on the menu are snacks from fried oyster sliders ($2 each) to fried green tomatoes (five for $4). On Fridays, Lucille’s goes big with a reverse happy hour (7 pm-9 pm) and live music via local bands and DJ's (6 pm-9 pm). 5512 La Branch St.; 713-568-2505
Ramen Tatsu-ya
Sip while you slurp at Ramen Tatsu-ya in Montrose. Happy hour here (Monday-Friday; 2 pm-6 pm) includes $1 off draft beer, $2 hot or cold sake, and $3 house cocktails (we recommend the Kimchelada made with spicy kimchi Bloody Mary mix, Japanese spice mix, and Sapporo beer). 1722 California St.; 512-893-5561
Third Coast
During social hour (Monday-Friday; 3 pm-7 pm) at Med Center eatery Third Coast, imbibe well drinks ($6), house wines by the glass ($6), and select beers ($4) and dig into eats like margherita pizza ($10), glazed pork belly bao ($9), and poutine fries (fries topped with cheese curds and green onion, and drenched in savory truffle brown gravy; $6). 6550 Bertner Ave.; 713-749-0400
The bacon burger at The General Public.
