Feeling the workplace blues? That's not a surprise. The weather has been crappy. Traffic never seems to get better.
Even the weird fried food at the Rodeo seems kind of ho-hum.
Time to shake things up. Gather a few coworkers and head to happy hour. Bond over small bites while basking in the satisfaction of a good deal.
Of course, Houston’s bars and restaurants are always offering tempting new deals to entice patrons to give them a try. If restaurants wants to feed people inexpensively, the least people can do it take them up on it.
One Fifth Romance Languages
In keeping with its theme of serving food inspired by France, Italy, and Spain, Chris Shepherd recently rolled out a menu of tapas-style small plates and cocktails. Priced between $6 and $12, the current options include mushroom arancini with marscapone and pickled shallots, 44 Farms beef carpaccio, and a wood-fired flatbread. Catalan fans take note: Shepherd has brought back that restaurant's popular garlic shrimp. Three cocktails are available for $7. (Daily, 5 to 6:30 pm)
1658 Westheimer; 713-955-1024
Ambrosia
This pan-Asian hidden gem has new energy in the kitchen courtesy of chef Micah Rideout (Tarakaan, Reef, Main Kitchen). The happy hour menu offers a diverse array of dishes priced at $5 and $6, including wasabi shu mai, Yusheng salmon crudo, and karaage with orange curry sauce. Pair them with $7 glasses of wine and $8 cocktails. Don’t miss daily specials such as $5 martinis on Wednesdays and half-price bottles of wine on Thursday. (Sunday through Friday 5 to 7pm; 5 to 9 pm on Monday; 9 to close Friday and Saturday)
2003 Lexington; 832-649-4636
High & Dry Rum Bar
Located above Moving Sidewalk, downtown’s new rum bar has a generous happy hour. Take $2 off specialty cocktails or choose from $5 wines by-the-glass, $5 wells, and $4 draft beers. (Daily, 4 to 7 pm)
306 Main Suite 200
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations
The Galleria-area bar and restaurant recently launched happy hour with a simple format of $6 bar bites — pulled pork tacos, a mini burger, Dr Pepper wings, and grilled cheese — paired with $5 Texas draft beers, well drinks, and house wines. (Weekdays, 3 to 6 pm)
4310 Westheimer; 281-501-1187
Night Heron
Agricole Hospitality’s new Montrose spot already features well-priced small plates, but the restaurant's drinks get a little cheaper during happy hour. Enjoy three $5 cocktails (Salty Dog, margarita, or old fashioned) along with three $6 glasses of wine, and three $3 beers, including Eureka Heights’ refreshing Buckle Bunny cream ale. (Weekdays from 2 to 6 pm)
1601 W. Main St.; 713-527-8010
La Calle Tacos y Cantina
To celebrate the opening of its cantina, the downtown taco joint recently launched happy hour that starts with $1 pastor tacos. Pair them with $2 select can beers, $3 select draft beers, $4 house margaritas, $5 premium wells (Bacardi, Bombay Saphhire, Jack Daniels, or Tito’s), $6 Corona caguamas (32-ounce bottle), $8 caguama micheladsa, or $13 buckets of beer. (Weekdays 3 to 7 pm)
909 Franklin; 832-735-8226
Third Coast
The Medical Center’s only fine dining restaurant is offering a special Rodeo-themed happy hour menu until March 17. Considering its proximity to a light rail stop, it’s a solid option for pre-gaming. Choose from small plates priced from $6 to $14 like a bowl of Texas chili, pulled pork slider, and the pizza of the day. Fair food fans can save room for the funnel cake cupcake and deep fried cheesecake. Pair it with a choice of $4 beers, an $8 Texas mule, or a glass of McPherson Cellars Texas sparkling wine ($8). (Weekdays 3 to 7 pm)
6550 Bertner; 713-749-0400
Bayou & Bottle
This lobby bar in downtown’s Four Seasons Hotel is one of Houston’s most luxurious watering holes, but the happy hour is eminently reasonable. Choose from the Old Fashioned or Moscow Mule, well spirits, and or house wines for $8 (or $5 draft beers). Food options include snackable items like a carnitas quesadilla and Korean bbq wings (both $7) or heartier fare like slow cooked salmon ($15) and shrimp and grits ($17). (Daily 7 to 9 pm)
1300 Lamar; 713-276-4715
Chama Gaúcha
The prospect of eating lightly at a Brazilian steakhouse is almost unfathomable, but Chama Gaúcha’s affordable happy hour options are undeniably tempting. Available only in the bar and on the outdoor patio, the menu includes six grilled shrimp ($7.50), two pieces of garlic beef ($8), and two lamb chops ($11); best of all, each entree comes with Pão de Queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) and a choice of mashed potatoes or fried polenta sticks. (Monday and Tuesday all day; Wednesday through Friday 4:30 to 7 pm and 9 to 11 pm)
5865 Westheimer; 713-244-9500
Grotto Downtown
The downtown location of the popular Italian restaurant offers a wide range of intriguing shareable plates, but the happy hour deals are all about the drinks. Choose from $4 draft beers, $6 wines by-the-glass, and $7 select cocktails. (Weekdays 3 to 7 pm)
1001 Avenida de las Americas, Suite A; 713-658-0752
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Need even more happy hour suggestions? Check out our picks from October and December.
Texas Chili at Third Coast.
