When the work whistle blows, what better way to cap off your day with refreshing après-office happy hour drinks at discounted prices? Preferably, there's also a deal on some delectable bites. The restaurants and bars below, all new to the Houston scene or established favorites with recently revamped menus, hit the spot. Read on for 10 must-hit happy hour specials in Houston.
Chapman and Kirby
Showing Houston pride, the roster of delicious house cocktails at east downtown’s Chapman and Kirby, $7 each during happy hour (Wednesday-Friday; 4-7 pm), features several thirst-quenchers named in honor of the Bayou City, including the Allen Parkway, Inside the Loop, Clutch City, Kirby Drive, and H-Town throwback, The Summit, a mix of whiskey, orange-flavored liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup. But the deal doesn't end here. You’ll also save on $4 beers by the bottle, $5 beers by the draft, and $6 wines by the glass.
2118 Lamar St.; 713-636-9615
Better Luck Tomorrow
What more could you ask for than every cocktail in the house, including the must-try Lucky Daiquiri flavored with key lime and raspberry and spiked with rum, for half-price (Monday-Friday; 3:30-5 pm)? How about 25 percent off all bottles of wine, a $6-$8 rotating chicken special (think fried wings and tenders), and a Sunday-only Break-Even Program (Sunday; 3:30-5 pm) with 3-ounce pours of a weekly-changing high-end bottle of wine priced at cost. Cozy Heights neighborhood bar Better Luck Tomorrow makes it all happen.
544 Yale St.
Milano Bar
So many options, so little time. Happy hour (Monday-Saturday from 4-7 pm; Thursday-Saturday from 9 pm-midnight; and Sunday from 3-10 pm) at Milano Bar, located on the first floor of Radio Milano restaurant at City Centre, boasts beers by the bottle for just $3, plus glasses of red, white, or bubbly for $5 apiece and a featured bottle of wine for $20. Should we keep going? There's also a whiskey and beer $20 dram and draft special featuring Angels Envy Bourbon and Maredsous Tripel beer. What's more, cocktails lovers can toast to $6-$7 sips, from an Old Fashioned to a Vesper stirred with gin, vodka, and a wine-based aperitif. Pair your libation with $10 eats like a margherita pizza and top-grade cheeseburger with fries.
800 Sorella Ct.; 713- 973-1600
La Table
Start the party early at La Table near The Galleria, a multilevel French-American restaurant with a bar and bakery. From noon to 7 pm, at first floor eatery Marché and the adjacent patio, linger over $7 glasses or $29 bottles of wine and sparkling wine, $9 specialty drinks like the La Provence stirred with gin, lemon juice, and lavender bitters, $6 wells, and $4 draft and $3.50 bottled beers. Live entertainment on the patio (Thursday from 6:30-9:30 pm; Friday-Saturday from 6:30-10:30 pm) is one more reason to say oui.
1800 Post Oak Blvd.; 713-439-1000
The Del
The happy hour menu (daily from 3-6:30 pm; and again Friday-Saturday from 9-11 pm) at casual Memorial neighborhood joint The Del features both fare and drinks. Eat up: Dishes include calamari and gnocchi tots with cheddar fondue. Drink up: Beers by the bottle and draft are $3-$6, wells and wines by the glass are $5 each, and cocktails, from classic to signature, are $5-$10. We recommend the Orange Blossom made with prosecco with orange Italian apéritif, and elderflower liqueur. And if that's not enough to peak your interest, you can also get a cheese board and bottle of wine combo for $20.
6521 Del Monte Dr.; 713-750-9259
Cafe Azur
Head from the office to casually chic Cafe Azur in Montrose where the special (Tuesday-Friday; 5-7 pm) applies to $6 small plates of French fare, including a bite-sized croque-monsieur and duck confit tacos. Also on special: $5 glasses of house wine and $5 cocktails (think French 75 and Kir Royale).
4315 Montrose; 713-524-0070
SaltAir Seafood Kitchen
Upper Kirby’s SaltAir Seafood Kitchen, known for seafood dishes with a global influence, appeals to happy hour (Monday- Saturday; 3 -7 pm) enthusiasts with $1 Gulf and $2 East coast oysters, $6 mini tuna tacos, $6 grilled pork ribs, and the likes. Wash it all down with $5 glasses of wine and reduced priced cocktails such as a grapefruit tequila spritzer for $7.
3029 Kirby Dr.; 713-521-3333
Roka Akor
The menu at sleek Japanese eatery Roka Akor boasts items from a robata grill along with sushi offerings. During happy hour (daily; 4:30-6 pm), fill up on $4-$8 eats, from wagyu beef and kimchi dumplings to fried chicken aioli, and say cheers to $3 draft Sapporos, $5 sake by the glass, $7 wines by the glass, and $8 cocktails including a gin martini.
2929 Weslayan St.; 713-622-1777
Yauatcha
Located in the Jewel Box building at The Galleria, contemporary dim sum teahouse Yauatcha recently launched a happy hour deal, deemed Flow and Prosper (Monday-Friday; 4-6 pm). Choose from six different $8 cocktails such as the Ginger Smash with whiskey, ginger, cardamom, vanilla, lemon, and ginger beer, and eight dim sum dishes, $6 per order, like can't-misses, the shrimp and Chinese chive and the roasted duck pumpkin puff.
5045 Westheimer Rd.; 713-357-7588
Helen in the Heights
Casual taverna Helen in the Heights not only offers 50 percent off all cocktails and beer (Tuesday-Friday; 3-5:30 pm), but also $9 wines by the glass, $25 bottles of wine, and $4-$7 bites including feta brined wings and bourbon baklava soft serve.
1111 Studewood; 832-582-7146
Don't skip the Lucky Daiquiri at Better Luck Tomorrow, flavored with key lime and raspberry and spiked with rum.
