The Happiest Hours
Where to drink in Dallas right now: 10 best happy hours to kick off fall
As we mourn the closing of craft beer innovator Union Bear, we shall take comfort in a round at the following restaurants and bars, where happy hour brings cheap drinks and eats. And, in some cases, more beer.
Green Door Public House
Located in the historic (and somewhat controversial) Liberty Bank building is the newly opened Green Door Public House. Swing by from 4-7 pm any weekday and get $1 off all drinks (local beers, a small selection of wines and cocktails), which work nicely to wash down grass-fed burgers, steaks, salads and seafood.
Henderson Tap House
The casual crowd can visit this centrally located sports bar Monday through Thursday and delve into deals like $1 off calls and wells, $5 appetizers, and half-price pizza from 4-7 pm. Other daily specials, like $10 burger-beer-bourbon combos on Mondays and $5 Blood Marys on Sundays, provide more motivation to tap into this watering hole on a regular basis.
HG Sply Co.
Lower Greenville is hopping with trendy places to enjoy post-work drinks. If you prefer to imbibe with a view, then head to HG Sply Co. for $3 craft beers, $5 select wines by the glass and $1 off cocktails every weekday from 4-7 pm. And you can fill up on Paleo-inspired apps for $5 without the guilt that comes with most alcohol-fueled snacking.
Lark on the Park
Any excuse to hang out near Klyde Warren Park is a good one — but drinking on the cheap is by far the best one. Happy hour here means $4 select draft beers and $7 select wines (you can usually choose from two red and two white) every weekday from 4-7 pm. If you’re not watching your wallet, there’s a unique Living Liquids cocktail program every Wednesday, when bartenders mix fresh-from-the-garden ingredients with Botanist gin to create specialty drinks based on your requests ($13 each).
Palapas Seafood Bar
If you want to feel like you’re vacationing in Mexico throughout the work week, check out this seafood spot on Lower Greenville where you can down fresh fish and traditional Mexican dishes under a classic thatched roof hut. Happy hour takes place on weekdays, 2-7 pm, and includes $3 beers; $5 margaritas; and half-price appetizers like fried calamari, guacamole and queso.
Record Lounge
Longtime Dallas restaurateur Peter Tarantino is hoping to make his recently inherited nightlife spot in Exposition Park a draw for any musically inclined imbibers. Regular happy hour deals — $4 wells, $3 PBR and Schlitz cans, $4 housemade sangria shots, and $6 sangria martinis — are worth a spin any Monday-Friday, 4-7 pm.
San Salvaje
Chosen as one of Southern Living’s 100 best restaurants in the South, Stephan Pyles’ San Salvaje takes inspiration from a range of Latin influences. The restaurant’s Monday-Friday happy hour (4-6 pm) means bar diners can order $3 beers, half-priced specialty cocktails and $6 select wines to go with those flavorful small plates.
Scotch & Sausage
This community beer garden and grill specializes in its namesake indulgences, as well as Belgian fries and homemade dipping sauces. The brand-new happy hour — all day Monday and 3-7 pm other weekdays — includes $3 whiskey shots of the day, $3 off all wines, $4 wells, $5 drafts and daily sangria, $6 PBR steins, and $6 craft cocktails and select calls.
Stock & Barrel
Chef-owner Jon Stevens has been wooing foodies at his Bishop Arts restaurant with his “kitchen Americana” ethos since opening in May. During happy hour on Tuesday and Wednesday (5-7 pm), anyone sitting at the bar can snag a $3 bottle of beer, $5 glass of red or white wine, and complimentary house blue cheese potato chips.
303 Bar and Grill
The covered patio at this Bishop Arts joint is reason enough to gather a group for its generous happy hour. There’s something for everyone (and then some) during happy hour, which is Monday-Friday, 11 am-7 pm: $2.25 domestic bottles; $2.50 Bud Light and Miller drafts; $3 import bottles, drafts and wells; $3.50 margaritas and pina coladas; $4 wells, calls and house wine. There’s also a late-night happy hour, in case the first eight hours weren’t enough.