Whether you're in a happy hour rut or you've got craft beer taste on a Lone Star budget, these notable happy hour specials not only include deals on libations, but bargain fare as well. From downtown to The Woodlands and from after work to late evening, we’ve got the scoop on new happy hours around town that save on drinking and dining.

Samba Grille

Drop by the lounge at Samba Grille, downtown’s upscale South American eatery, for happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Choose from a variety of small plates all for under $8, like the tuna sashimi tiradito and trio of blue corn cakes featuring pork belly tingas, duck carnitas, and huitlacoche with fried corn and oxaca cheese.

The well-crafted South American cocktails start at $4: Indulge in a pineapple martini infused with vanilla or a traditional Caipirinha (also available in blackberry, strawberry, and pineapple mint). The rest of the drink list is a deal too, with $2 domestic drafts and several Peruvian, Brazilian and Spanish beers and wines for under $8.

Uchi

At still-sizzling-hot Uchi, on lower Westheimer's restaurant row, happy hour is the best way to sample the menu without breaking the bank. Available daily from 5 to 6:30 p.m., enjoy a crunchy spicy tuna roll, Walu Walu oak grilled escolar or the kakiage sweet potato-onion fritter, plus a sampling of other hot and cold items for $7 and under.

Gekkeikan hot and Kirin Ichiban Sakes are just $3 each.

Teala's

Teala’s Mexican Bar & Restaurant, near Midtown, is now offering $6 nachos, $6 quesadillas and $7 fish taco plates during happy hour, Monday through Friday between 4 and 7 p.m. These bites are perfect for soaking up the $5 house rocks/frozen margaritas and $5.50 fruit margaritas — think mango, guava, passion fruit, raspberry, and more.

Coppa

At Coppa Ristorante on Washington Avenue the daily bargains at the bar and on the patio start at 4 p.m. and run until 7 p.m. Come hungry as the eats include Italian Sausage Pizza for $11 and meatballs al forno for $9. Wash it all down with a $5 Bellini, $5 glass of Pinot Grigio or Cabernet, $5 Texas Deep Eddy Vodka, or $3 Saint Arnolds Amber.

Down House

Down House in the Heights offers $2 off all small plates Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Happy hour specials on drinks include $1 off draft beers, $2 off wines by the glass, and $3 off cocktails, including hot-weather-friendly choices like the classic Pimm’s Cup and the Mai Tai, a mix of bourbon with the Italian amaro Ramazotti and Orgeat for hints of nuts and chocolate.

Latin Bites

Weeknights from 3 to 6 p.m., Latin Bites Cebiche & Pisco Bar in west Houston offers bargains on Peruvian style tapas at the bar and on the patio. The conchita a la parmesana is $4.50 and and a snack-sized version of the cebiche mixto made with white seasonal fish, shrimp, squid, and octopus sells for $6. Save room for the selection of sandwiches, salads, and sweets all starting at $3.

Pair your fare with $3 Peruvian beers, $5 house wines by the glass, or Pisco cocktails for $6.

Straits

Upscale Singaporean bar bites at Straits in City Centre is available at the bar, lounge, or patio weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. Priced at $5, standouts include chicken “lollipops” with a Kung Pao sweet chili glaze and roti prata, a crisp grilled Indian flatbread served with a cool curry dip. The lemongrass mojito, lychee martini and other specialty cocktails are priced at $6, beers start at $3 and the carafe of white pineapple sangria for $20 will cover your whole clique.

On Thursdays happy hour lasts until close for the ladies, and reverse happy hour on Sundays starts at 6 p.m.

Rattan Bistro

Happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at Rattan Bistro, in Houston's Energy Corridor, where for $5 you can get an order of sweet & spicy wings or crispy tempura chicken. No matter how you prefer to wet your whistle, choose from $5 wines by the glass, $7 top shelf specialty cocktails, $2.50 hot sake, and $2 off all other liquor drinks.

The Counter

Weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m., two bucks will get you an order of mini-burgers, crispy onion strings or parmesan fries at The Counter, with locations on Washington Avenue and in The Woodlands. Also enjoy $2 off beer and wine by the glass. Bonus: Thursdays after 4 p.m. pair four mini-burgers with a flight of four beers for $13.

Do you know of other great happy hour deals? Let us know!