There's an admittedly seafood-heavy list of new happy hour options, but maybe that's appropriate. After all, these specials typically from late afternoon to early evening, and no one wants to eat something heavy when it's hot outside.
Unwind with any of the specials listed below. Just know that a cold beer or refreshing cocktail makes them taste even better.
The recently-relocated Mex-Mex restaurant has become Upper Kirby's newest hotspot. Check out what the fuss is all about during happy hour, when the restaurant's signature dishes and drinks are all available at a discount. Empanadas, taquitos and gorditas are all available for $5, with ceviche campechana, nachos and sauteed shrimp all coming in at $6.
The list of $6 cocktails includes the house margarita (rocks or frozen), daiquiris and an intriguing twist on milk punch built around house-made horchata and Fireball.
Happy hour is served Mondays through Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The upscale comfort food restaurant near the Heights just rolled out six new happy hour dishes. Choices include popcorn shrimp in chili-lime aioli ($7), fish sticks ($6) and a sloppy Joe biscuit slider ($6) that takes full advantage of the restaurant's in-house bread baking. Match them with any of the restaurant's cocktails or a craft beer.
Happy hour is available Mondays through Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The River Oaks hotspot has new happy hour offerings that will be available until the end of the summer. Choose from six dishes that include grilled oysters, grilled shrimp and blackened tuna salad. Prices run between $4 and $8 on the food, and each item has a corresponding wine pairing that's also under $10.
Happy hour is available at the bar Mondays through Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The underrated sandwich shop inside of Grand Prize recently rolled out a menu of substantial bar bites that only cost $5. Choose from a generous serving of beer mac and cheese, pulled pork tacos or a chicken quesadilla. Vegetarians will enjoy the black bean, avocado and rice-topped nachos. That's right, rice-topped nachos.
The underrated sandwich shop inside of Grand Prize recently rolled out a menu of substantial bar bites that only cost $5.
Pair with any of Grand Prize's discounted drinks, like $2 PBRs, $3 well drinks and $5 frozen cocktails. It'll start the night off right.
Happy hour is available everyday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This high-profile sushi spot in Gateway Memorial City has a variety of cooked options, sushi and drinks available. Choose from rolls like spider, California or snow crab for $6 each along with the house cured bacon appetizer for $7.
Cocktails run between $6 and $8 with hot sake going for $6, wine for $5 and Japanese beers for $4.
Happy hour is served Mondays through Fridays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Recently renamed Nara Sushi & Korean Kitchen to emphasize its diverse menu, Nara's social hour features $7 bites that include Korean-style chicken wings and bao buns (two per order). Take the edge off a day at the office with half-price specialty cocktails, $5 well drinks, $4 import beers and $5 for select glasses of wine.
Happy hour is served Mondays through Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Highland Village-area Indian restaurant has been a happy hour destination for years, but it recently rolled out a new menu for folks who may have forgotten how enjoyable chef/owner Kiran Verma's food is. The Veranda menu features a variety of snacks priced from $4 to $6 including stuffed naans and sliders.
The patio also features discounts on a limited cocktail menu, $6 glasses of wine and $3 beers. Downing Street refugees take note: Kiran's welcomes cigar smokers.
Happy hour is served Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m to 7 p.m.
The fancy-pants steakhouse gets casual at happy hour, when bar bites are 50 percent off (i.e., $6). Choices include lobster tempura, steak burger sliders and a basket of cottage fries available in three different flavors.
Feeling slightly more peckish? Jumbo shrimp cocktail, a full-size burger and shrimp corn dogs are available for about $20 each.
The fancy-pants steakhouse gets casual at happy hour, when bar bites are 50 percent off.
The bar bite discount runs Sundays through Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The downtown Gastrocantina keeps it simple at happy hour. Take $3 off all specialty cocktails and $1 off beer and wine. The discounts are also available during all World Cup matches.
Be sure to direct the savings towards any of recently-hired chef Jonathan Jones' new additions to the menu, including a new campechana and the signature Jalisco wings that haven't been seen since the El XX days.
Happy hour is available everyday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Midtown newcomer keeps things simple at happy hour. Take $2 off mixed drinks and wines by the glass. Selected appetizers and flatbreads are a generous half-off, meaning a person could have a couple drinks and a small dinner for under $20.
The special even runs on Saturdays, which makes it a nice start to a night of Midtown bar hopping.
Happy hour prices are available Mondays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
House-cured bacon and jalapeno is one of the dishes on the happy hour menu at Kuu.
Stella's wine director Julie Dalton hosts a giant ugly sweater party with fun holiday cocktails and chocolate fondue.
Courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment
Our Wine Guy will take his talents and knives to Rosie Cannonball for a special release party.
Photo by Julie Soefer
Our Wine Guy is especially thankful for Lindsey Brown, his lovely wife, travel partner, and better half.
Photo by Chris Shepherd