We don’t need to sell you on happy hour. It’s the best way to end any stressful work day and kick off any fun-filled weekend. Maybe you already have a favorite spot that you hit every Thursday and Friday (and every other Wednesday for good measure). But here are some newer options to make every day of the week feel like that Pharrell song.
Barter
Winner of the 2014 Tastemaker Award for Best New Restaurant, Barter has some unbeatable specials Monday through Friday from 3-6 pm. It is called “3-5-7 Happy Hour,” with $3 draft beers, $5 cocktails, and $7 wines by the glass. (We recommend cashing in on the the normally priced $30 Piper-Heidsieck rosé.) You can pair your pour with sliders (two for $3) or your choice of fish, pork or steak street tacos (three for $3).
Blind Butcher
We welcomed Blind Butcher into the fold this past winter. Now that the meat-and-beer mecca has hit its stride, the bar-restaurant is offering $2 off drafts, specialty cocktails and wine, as well as $5 off wine bottles seven days a week from 4-6 pm. We think the Lower Greenville hot spot is worth its 24 craft beers on tap – liquid courage to try those pig ears.
Chino Chinatown
If you’re a little adventurous with your happy hour plans (and open to uncertainty), check out Chino Chinatown any Tuesday when the bartender mixes an ever-changing trio of cocktails for $5 each. Recent concoctions have included Montelobos Mezcal and Bruichladdich whiskey. Dealer’s choice can be a win-win.
Gas Monkey Bar n Grill
The Gas Monkey engine has been burning strong for the past two years. (See Fast N’ Loud on the Discovery Channel to catch our drift.) But the culinary side of the all-American experience is just getting up to speed. Weekdays from 3-7 pm, deals include $1 off tall drafts and well drinks, $3.99 queso and $3.99 artichoke hearts. Stick around and you might catch some live music.
Ivy Tavern
Brand spankin’ new to Lemmon Avenue — and claiming the best patio experience in Dallas — Ivy Tavern keeps it simple when it comes to happy hour. All drinks are $1 off until 8 pm every day of the week. Take it or leave it.
Mutts Cantina
At Mutts, four-legged friends can join in on the fun every weekday from 4-6 pm, where “Yappy Hour” deals mean $3 drinks — beer, wine and all kinds of flavored margaritas. You can saddle up to a yellow picnic table and booze for a couple of hours or bring your refreshments into the off-leash area where Fido can frolic.
Peak & Elm Cocina Y Bar
You can’t go wrong with complimentary margaritas (Fridays, 5-9 pm) and mimosas (Sundays, 10 am-2 pm) at Peak & Elm as you chow down on tamales and contemporary Mexican dishes. If you like to graze, go on a Tuesday (5-10 pm) when appetizers are 50 percent off. And you can BYOB any day or night of the week.
So & So’s
Because it replaced Primo’s, So & So’s has inherited the best patio in Uptown. To celebrate, the restaurant-bar is doing us all a solid with half-priced pizza and $1 off cocktails Monday through Friday from 4-6 pm. Enjoy it all with a side of excellent people-watching.
Twilite Lounge
This New Orleans-inspired venue opened last summer and breathed a bit of the Big Easy into Deep Ellum. Every day is happy hour from 4-8 pm. That means $3 domestics and wells, $5 wines, and $1 off everything else.
Vagabond
Lower Greenville is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, and Vagabond is doing its part with bocce ball tournaments, weekly live performances and craft beer. But if cheap thrills is the name of your game, stop by any Tuesday through Friday from 4-7 pm, when the watering hole cracks open $1.50 PBRs. Or grab a $2 Lone Star, $2 glass of champagne, $3 well drink, $5 Moscow Mule or old fashioned, or $6 glass of wine. In other words, go thirsty.
Mutts Cantina does a "Yappy Hour" from 4-6 pm every weekday.
Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog. Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas 