It seems like there is always a happy hour in the vicinity but when you compare the options… Another bar may have good beer on sale, but few food offers. Another restaurant could offer half price appetizers, but the happy hour is only in the afternoon for two hours.

And then there is the timing. Some locations have happy hour Monday through Friday, and some go so far as to offer Sunday or late night discounts. Sometimes Saturday can be more difficult to find. That’s purely dependent on the restaurant.

Therefore, when it comes to finding the best happy hour near me, pay attention to more than just the lowest-priced beer or drink. Timing, location, atmosphere, how crowded it is, and what they serve also play a role.

Find the Top Happy Hour Spots Around You

While the specific locations vary by city, there are some types of restaurants and bars to try first.

Type of Place Best For What to Check
Village Families with teenagers and older Crime and safety, parental guidance, and available activities for children over age 12
Casual restaurants Food and drink deals together Appetizer discounts and weekday hours
Food trucks Fast food, drinks, specials Food and drink stalls
Cocktail bars Mixed drinks and date nights Cocktail prices and seating
Mexican restaurants Margaritas, tacos, nachos Food specials and pitcher deals
Wells Drawing of well water Pint prices and food availability
Rooftop bars Drinks and atmosphere Happy hour days and reservation rules

If you are in the mood to eat, a casual restaurant may be a good place to start. Often these places will serve a variety of appetisers and drinks, which is ideal if you are meeting friends after work, but don’t want a full meal.

Yet another obvious choice are sports bars. Typical specials to watch for are beer specials, wings, sliders, and shareable food. The only hitch is that when a big game is happening, and when everyone feels like going to the happy hour, it can get very crowded.

Cocktail bars and rooftops are slightly different. While it may not be as affordable as a local bar, if the ambiance, outdoor space, or an even better place for a date is important to you, the slightly higher price tag may be worth it.

The Science Behind a Happy Hour!

While a happy hour drink is a great deal, it’s not necessarily a good time when it’s free or cheap.

One place lets you off $2 at the bar but doesn’t offer any discounts on food and parking is an ordeal. A different establishment charges a higher rate for alcoholic beverages, but appetizers are half the price and it is 5 minutes away. The second one could turn out to be the better option.

Here are a couple of tips to consider:

  • What is your real savings? A little discount isn’t a big happy hour.
  • Do they offer any food specials? This is important if you intend on drinking more than one beverage.
  • What is its duration? An extended happy hour provides you with more options.
  • Is it a bar only offer? Some restaurants have restricted seating areas for deals.
  • Is it typically a busy area? If you can’t get a table, it’s not as much fun.
  • How far away is it? Going out on the same car, just to save a few dollars, doesn’t make much sense.

The one that will fit with what you were going to do in the first place is the best option usually. When you’re thinking about dinner, think food! But if you’re out with some friends, with one or two drinks, the drink menu is more important.

Find a Happy Hour Based on Your Desires

Find a Happy Hour Based on What You Want

Best for Cheap Drinks

When you’re looking to cut costs on cocking out, the first places to try are neighborhood bars, sports bars, breweries, and casual restaurant chains. Check out the discounts on draft beer, house wine, well drinks or simple cocktails.

Don’t only see the headline offer, however. It sounds good to have a $5 cocktail, but not when you’re hungry and all the food items are $18.

The Best for Food and Appetizers

When food is as important as booze, a restaurant is typically the best option. Search for the happy hour offers of wings, nachos, sliders, tacos, pizza, flatbreads or other plates that can be split among friends.

Sometimes the half price food deal is a better deal than the drink deal, particularly if there are a number of people involved.

Best for Groups

Space is important for a group. A small cocktail bar can be a cinch for 6 and 8 persons, but be a nightmare for prices.

Sports bars, larger restaurants, breweries and locations with patios tend to be easier. Inquire if reservations are accepted during happy hour as some restaurants will only accept happy hour guests on a first-come, first-served basis.

Best for Date Night

I wouldn’t necessarily go for the cheapest option when dating. Even with the drinks being a few dollars more, it can be much better to choose a quieter cocktail bar, wine bar, rooftop or restaurant patio.

Check the menu, photo, seating and noise level. It may be worth more than saving a dollar on a beer!

Is It Happy Hour on Weekends or Late at Night?

Happy hour is still the easiest to find, on weekdays. It is typical for the day to be Monday through Friday and the time to be in the late afternoon or early evening, particularly with the after-work crowd.

Happy hour on the weekends is a bit more of a crap shoot. Some restaurants have specials on Sundays, brunch specials, or an afternoon happy hour, and Saturday may not be as robustly available as other days of the week due to the restaurant having been very busy.

There’s also a late-night happy hour to look for. A number of bars and restaurants return uneaten food and drinks later in the evening at a reduced price. This option may be suitable for people who can’t attend the regular 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. class.

Simply take a close look at the day! A restaurant can have a late night happy hour on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and none on Friday or Saturday.

The Simplest Way to Discover the Happy Hour Happening Near You Right Now!

This doesn’t have to be complicated. The quickest way is to do a search for nearby first and then do a deal check with the restaurant.

Step 1: Get Directions

On Google Maps or other local search applications, look for phrases such as “happy hour near me,” “bars near me,” or “restaurants with happy hour.”

Google Maps can display local restaurants and other business information, including their ratings, website and hours. The list may vary depending on location and is primarily determined by relevance, distance, and prominence of a place in the area.

Step 2: Check the Current Happy Hour Menu

When you locate a couple that seem to have a good place, open their website or menu.

Search for the true happy hour days, times, food discounts and drink prices. Don’t only use an old menu from a review. Change is quite frequent during happy hour.

Step 3: Before Going, Check Today’s Hours

This bit is often overlooked. A restaurant doesn’t need to be open for happy hour at that time.

Verify the day, start and end time before departing. However, it is not a bad idea to call the restaurant either, as this is the primary reason for going.

FAQs

At What Time Is Happy Hour?

There’s no universal time, but typically in the afternoon lots of restaurants begin happy hour and continue until early evening. This varies from restaurant to restaurant and depends on the location.

Are There Any Happy Hours at Restaurants on the Weekend?

Some do. Some places may have Sunday happy hours and brunch deals, but Saturday can be a bit trickier. Please consult the restaurant’s up-to-date schedule.

Does Happy Hour Have a Food Component?

In many places, but not all. Some offer a discount on both food and drinks, and some offer a discount on beer, wine and cocktails. But before leaving, if you’re seeking food, make sure to see what’s on the happy hour menu.

Where Can I Celebrate Happy Hour Now?

Look up nearby bars and restaurants and check their hours before examining their happy hour. But the regular restaurant hours don’t necessarily indicate whether the Happy Hour is active.

Final Thoughts

Cheap beer doesn’t necessarily mean best happy hour near you. Good deal should make sense with what you are looking for; whether it is cheap cocktails, average food, a place to get a group together or a casual date.

Visit local restaurants and bars, do a check of the menus and hours before you depart. It will take you a couple of minutes longer, but you will be more likely to get to a place that is worthwhile.