When a happy hour menu reads like “$1 off all drinks” or “free popcorn from 5 to 6 p.m.,” the phrase “sad sip session” feels more appropriate. It’s fair to say Dallasites are on the hunt for happy hours that offer a great deal, food and drink specials, and sometimes the best chance to experience an otherwise out-of-reach restaurant without breaking the bank. And if you’re lucky, some that have such a great food-drink balance that you might be able to skip dinner altogether.
Because oftentimes, guests must be 21 or older to enjoy the perks of these little afternoon celebrations, here are the 21 must-try happy hours in Dallas for your dining and drinking pleasure.
Revelers Hall
New Orleans knows how to stage a great happy hour, and this Bishop Arts District favorite effortlessly captures the essence of the Big Easy. Enjoy half off all food, including flatbreads, wings, and boards; plus boozy drinks from $5-$7. Stick around afterward for live music. Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m., 412 N. Bishop Ave., Dallas, revelershall.com
The Hampton Social
The Hampton Social’s happy hour menu features half-off pizzas—including a sophisticated truffle-mushroom-Gouda number—which are a major draw, but there are additional food items starting at $9 that provide options to pair with $6 beers, $8 wines, and $12 signature cocktails. It’s a fun way to capture a Hamptons vibe without leaving Downtown Dallas. Monday-Friday 3-6 p.m., 1520 Main St., Dallas, thehamptonsocial.com
Rodeo Bar
The historic Adolphus Hotel in Downtown once welcomed Queen Elizabeth II, which is reason enough to check it out. But, head to the decidedly unpretentious Rodeo Bar for happy hour, where you’ll be treated like royalty. Order off the happy hour menu and you’ll be able to stuff yourself with $10 fish tacos, flatbreads, hot wings, and slider duos. Enjoy select $6 cocktails, $6 wines, $5 draft pints, and $18 draft pitchers while watching the Downtown hustle and bustle from the comfort of your barstool. Monday-Friday, 2-6 p.m., 1321 Commerce St., Dallas, adolphus.com
Harwood Arms
The Harwood District’s answer to a traditional UK-style neighborhood pub delivers on the deals each weekday with a special menu of treats, both edible and drinkable. Snack on $7 scotch eggs and Guiness-braised short rib sliders, while sipping on select $6 wines, $7 cocktails, and discounted draft pints. The best part is, you can start the weekend early with Friday’s extended happy hour that kicks off at 11 a.m. Monday-Thursday from 4-7 p.m.; Extended happy hour on Fridays from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., 2823 McKinnon St., Dallas, harwoodarmsdallas.com
Elm Street Cask & Kitchen
Nosh on a selection of hearty nibbles like fried pickles and spicy sweet potato fries starting at $5, or the happy-hour-only loaded chili cheese fries for $12 at this restaurant in the heart of downtown. Grab a seat on the patio with a glass of $4 house wine or a fancy craft cocktail for $9, nearly half off when you select from the happy hour menu. Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m., 1525 Elm St., Dallas, elmstreetcaskkitchen.com
José
Mexican fare and happy hour always pair well, and this Park Cities staple showcases the best of their symbiotic relationship with plenty of afternoon discounts. Try $3 bottled beer, $8 margaritas, and half-price featured wines, before getting your fill of $6 tacos, $12 fundido burgers, and other substantial snacks from $8-12. Monday-Friday, 3-5:30 p.m., 4931 W. Lovers Ln., Dallas, www.jose.mx
STK Steakhouse
The happy hour menu at this Uptown steakhouse reads like an introduction to all the fabulousness on the regular dinner menu, which means steak and seafood galore await at deep discounts. Find $3 oysters, $9 Japanese A5 Wagyu tacos, and $9 crispy calamari. There is even a 3-ounce filet and jumbo prawn, serving as a mini surf and turf for $19. Cocktails, large-format beer, and wines by the glass, clock in at $9, but you can also enjoy the rare opportunity to taste Dom Perignon by the glass for $49. Monday-Friday, 2:30-6:30 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 2:30-5:30 p.m.; Sunday-Thursday, 9 p.m. to close, 2000 McKinney Ave., Dallas, stksteakhouse.com
Happiest Hour
No happy hour list would be complete without including a place so devoted to the concept that it’s named after it. Work your way through more than a dozen “Happytizers” and 10 craft cocktails for half price, as well as $4 draft pints, and $7 wines by the glass. The Harwood District mainstay features two patios along with its indoor dining, with lots of room to settle in. Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m., 2616 Olive St., happiesthourdallas.com
Kessaku
For many, Kessaku represents a special-occasion dining experience. While its happy hour lasts only a literal 60 minutes, it’s quite the opportunity to get a taste of what makes the restaurant so special. Soak up the sweeping views of the city while sampling $2 Island Creek oysters, $6 nigiri, $10 sushi rolls, and $13 tuna tataki skewers, accompanied by wine or cocktails from $10-$14. Tuesday-Friday, 6-7 p.m., 1405 Elm St., 50th Floor, Dallas, kessakurestaurants.com
Tequila Social
For lots of people walking the Katy Trail, the end of their workout ends in a little reward at Tequila Social during happy hour. Two-for-$8 tacos (crispy, fish, or carne asada), $7 quesadillas, flautas, or guac, and $7 rocks margaritas or frozens, allow you to celebrate the workout on the patio overlooking the trail. Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m., 3100 McKinnon St. Ste. B100, Dallas, tequilasocialdal.com
Clifton Club
Escape the bumper-to-bumper Fitzhugh rush hour traffic, and reward yourself with $10-$14 cocktails and snacks from $5 during happy hour at Clifton Club. Or, indulge in full meals, including steak frites for $30. For a bit of playfulness, the $20 Happy Meal includes a smash burger, fries, any happy hour cocktail, and a cigarette. (No smoking inside, however.) Tuesday-Sunday, 4:30-6:30 p.m., 3333 N. Fitzhugh Ave., Dallas, cliftonclubdallas.com
Mercat Bistro
Here’s your chance to brag that you went to a Michelin-recommended restaurant without a significant financial commitment. Peruse the happy hour menu and soon you’ll be slurping $2 oysters, nibbling on $6-$7 bites like smoked salmon and beef tartare, and knocking back $3 beers or $6 martinis and wines by the glass. Schedule your visit for Champagne Tuesday between 4-6 p.m., and you can splurge on half-price bottles of bubbly, too. For all the money you save, you may want to stick around for the excellent $95, five-course Michelin Tasting Menu. Monday-Friday, 2:30-5 p.m., 2501 N. Harwood St., Ste. 225, Dallas, mercatbistro.com
Ida Claire
Drinking for free? That is entirely possible at this southern hospitality-infused favorite in North Dallas/Addison. Simply bring your favorite album during the Vinyl Happy Hour and they’ll spin your tunes while you cash in on a free happy hour cocktail from a select list that includes espresso martinis and mango-chile margaritas. If you don’t have vinyl, drinks will only set you back $5 for select beer and wine, or $8 for one of seven different cocktails. $8 bar bites include hot honey shrimp, seafood fondue, wings, or burger sliders. Monday–Friday, 3-6 p.m., 5001 Belt Line Rd., Dallas, ida-claire.com
Poco Fiasco
Go whole hog on meat and cheese, especially when a board only costs $12. That’s but one option on the happy hour menu at this quaint Italian spot. You’ll also discover $6 meatballs, $7 spinach-artichoke dip, $9 wings, and a variety of martini specials starting at $7. Customize your sips with the $10 build-your-own martini experience. Sunday-Friday from 3-6 p.m., 2823 McKinnon St., Dallas, pocofiasco.com
Columbian Country Club
You don’t need a membership to enjoy this country club. Simply by attending happy hour at this swanky East Dallas joint, you’ll be part of the elite-sounding Caviar Club. Small plates run $5-$7, including caviar bumps, chicken thighs, and Nonnie’s Doozie, a pastrami-and-marbled-rye sandwich creation. Meanwhile, vodka martinis will only set you back $7. Tuesday-Thursday, 5-7 p.m., 3314 Ross Ave., Ste. 150, Dallas, columbiancc.com
Nikki Greek Bistro & Lounge
Soak in the Mediterranean vibes at this impressive Park Cities bistro. Savor $5 bar-bite duos, including spanakopita, tiropita, meatballs, and dolmas, and pair with $5 drinks from a selection of house martinis, glasses of wine, or mixed drinks. Definitely try the Baklava Espresso Martini, which is half off at happy hour. Tuesday–Friday, 2-6 p.m., 5757 W Lovers Ln. #101, Dallas, nikkidallas.com
Brentwood
This North Dallas wood-fired grill offers an extended happy hour every day of the week as long as you’re seated in the bar or on the patio. Drink half-price martinis or wines by the glass alongside $10 cheeseburgers, spicy tuna crispy rice, or tempura-battered chicken tenders. Daily, 2-6 p.m., 5318 Belt Line Rd., Dallas, brentwooddallas.com
The Charlotte
Experience the “Best Happy Hour Ever” alongside a giant teddy bear or two at this chic two-story venue with a duet of indoor dining rooms and matching outdoor spaces. Partake in your choice of nine $9 cocktails, $7 beer, $8 wine, and $9 eats that include a Caesar salad, smashburger, Wagyu sandwich, spinach dip, and calamari. Monday–Friday, 4-7 p.m., 2822 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas, thecharlotterestaurant.com
Over Under Sports Bar + Rooftop
Bring a handful of dollar bills, and you will leave satisfied at this hangout, which features wings tossed in a choice of eight different sauces or rubs for $1 each during happy hour. Throw in $5 loaded fries or a housemade pretzel from the snack menu, wash it down with $2 discounted drafts and well drinks, and you have a late-afternoon to-do you won’t mind checking off your list. Monday–Friday, 4-7 p.m., 5625 Village Glen Dr, Ste. 170, Dallas, thevillagedallas.com
Even Coast
The only thing better than a fabulous happy hour is a daily fabulous happy hour! Fill up on $10 cheeseburgers, $3 oysters, $5 pints, and $7 margaritas any day that ends in “y” at this coastal North Dallas eatery. On Saturday and Sunday, special pricing is only offered in the bar and lounge, but it’s available anywhere from Sunday through Thursday. Anywhere you can find a seat, that is. Daily, 2-6 p.m., 5463 Belt Line Rd., Dallas, even-coast.com
Moxies
With locations in Uptown, Plano, and Southlake, you’ll likely be close enough to an outpost of this cheerful Canadian chain for some weekday shenanigans. Enjoy beer, wine, and handcrafted cocktails for $6, $9, and $11, respectively, on the curated happy hour menu, plus five different large-portion snacks for $11, including poutine, naturally. Monday-Friday, 3- 6 p.m., Multiple locations, moxies.com
