Hot Happy Hours

Where to drink right now: Houston's 9 hottest happy hour deals for December

We think it's high time to shake up your week — by adding a new deal to your happy hour rotation. From downtown to The Woodlands, we've rounded up nine new after-work specials that'll help end your day on a high note.

Moxie’s Grill and Bar
Chill out with frosty sip, the G.T. made with gin, muddled fresh lime, tonic, and frozen citrus, at bustling new hot spot, Moxie’s, located near the Galleria. Alongside several more handcrafted cocktails, plus house wines by the glass, local drafts, frosé — it’s all yours for $5.50 apiece during happy hour. Also on the menu: Delicious bites from smashed guacamole ($6) to an order of eight chicken wings ($9). (Weekdays from 3 to 6 pm.)

5000 Westheimer Rd.; 346- 571-6164

Bardot at Hotel Alessandra
Bardot, the sophisticated second-floor bar at downtown’s Hotel Alessandra, gets it right with its social hour menu, loaded with deals on drinks like $7 house wines by the glass and $6 well drinks. What’s more, eats, from hummus and ceviche, are $5 each, making it a deal we can’t refuse. (Weekdays from 3 to 7 pm; weekends from 3 to 6 pm.)

1070 Dallas St.; 844-204-5851

FM Kitchen and Bar
Those in-the-know routinely head to FM Kitchen and Bar near Washington Avenue for the killer FM burger, comfort dishes, decadent milkshakes, and game day viewing via several flat screen TVs. As though that’s not enough to grab your attention, the revamped happy hour menu should do the trick.

Well drinks, wines by the glass, and a duo of tap-tails: a house margarita and watermelon mule, are just $5 each. You’ll also score $1 off all beers and cocktails, including the FM Old Fashioned, mixed with apple-infused whiskey and walnut-vanilla bitters. (Monday to Saturday, from 11 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 6 pm to midnight.)

But that’s not all. On Mondays, enjoy Monday Night Football with $0.50 wings (4 pm to midnight). Tuesdays, take advantage of $1 Topo Chicos, $5 house margaritas, and $3.50 tacos (4 pm to midnight). Wednesdays, wines by the glass are $5 and live music begins at 7:30 pm. Dig into a $16 steak and potato special on Thursdays (4 pm to midnight). And on Fridays, the chef’s choice lunch plate can be yours for $15 — go big and add a beer pairing for an extra $4. (11 am to 4 pm.)

1112 Shepherd Dr.; 832-804-6006

The Hay Merchant
Happy hour gets a spirited boost thanks to a new liquor license at casual Montrose joint The Hay Merchant. While you can still choose from a rotating list of brews for $3 each (daily from 3 to 6:30 pm, and again Saturday to Sunday from 11 am to 12 pm), you can now get a boozy combo of a Firestone Walker 805 and a shot of whiskey for $5 (daily from 3 to 6:30 pm, and again from 11 pm to 2 am).

Looking for a late-night deal? The Hay Merchant’s got you covered here, too. The cook’s special ($15), comes complete with a Firestone Walker 805, a shot of whiskey, and an uber-delicious Cease and Desist Burger with fries. (Daily; 11 pm to 1 am.)

1100 Westheimer Rd.; 713-528-9805

Fielding’s Rooster
Reimagined comfort classics with a modern spin are the focus at Fielding’s Rooster in The Woodlands. During happy hour, dig into any — or all of six — featured dishes from a karaage chicken taco to chicken corn dogs. (Weekdays; 3 to 7 pm.)

House wines by the glass, select beers, and seven creative cocktails are also yours for the taking. We recommend the pumpkin-cinnamon mule (weekdays from 3 to 7 pm, and during NFL games).

4223 Research Forest Dr., The Woodlands; 281-364-6699

Damian's Cucina Italiana
Midtown staple Damian's rounds out its Italian menu with its first-ever happy hour special, featuring an alluring list of signature and classic cocktails, not the least of which is the The Nutella ($7). Hazelnut liqueur is joined by espresso vodka and chocolate liqueur for an addictive drink that has us coming back for more.

Also on special are well drinks ($6), beers ($3.50), Italian wines by the glass ($5 to $9), and fare including complimentary house-made chips; Calamari Tartufato ($8); Gamberetti di Pistachio with Gulf shrimp, pistachio crust, and lemon garlic vinaigrette ($9); and Flatbread di Polpette made with meatballs, marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, and homemade flatbread ($7). (Weekdays from 4 to 6:30 pm.)

3011 Smith St.; 713-522-0439

Alice Blue
At Alice Blue in the Heights, the $6 cocktail menu includes the Airmail, a riff on a traditional daiquiri stirred with rum, housemade honey syrup, fresh lime juice, and cava. A 25 percent discount on all wine; $3 brews from Live Oak to Lone Star; and food including a cheeseburger ($11), squash fritters ($7), and a wedge salad ($7) are also a draw. (Daily, 3 to 6 pm.)

250 W 19th St.; 713-864-2050

Toulouse Cafe and Bar
If you find yourself at Toulouse in River Oaks District during happy hour, get your hands on select wines by the glass ($7) and the salmon gravlax with cured salmon, wasabi, and Dijon mustard. Other dishes include scallop carpaccio with pesto, aged balsamic, and red pepper flakes, and croque monsieur. (Weekdays, 4 to 7 pm.)

4444 Westheimer Rd.; 713-871-0768

Third Coast
A fried oyster tostada ($12), Charcuterie and cheese plate ($14 to $18), and pizza of the day ($12), alongside $8 thirst quenchers like the Winter is Here cider hot toddy, make happy hour at Third Coast near the Medical Center a no-brainer. (Weekdays, 3 to 7 pm.)

6550 Bertner Ave.; 713-749-0400

During happy hour at FM Kitchen and Bar, get $1 off cocktails like the FM Old Fashioned made with apple-infused whiskey.

Courtesy photo

During happy hour at FM Kitchen and Bar, get $1 off cocktails like the FM Old Fashioned made with apple-infused whiskey.

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cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

whiskey bourbon distilleries awards lists