⏰ Typical Happy Hour Times
Standard: Monday-Friday, 3pm-7pm
Late Night: 9pm-Close (some locations)
Reverse Happy Hour: 9pm-11pm
All Day: Some places offer all-day specials on certain days
What's Usually on Special
🍺 Draft Beer
$3-5 for domestic, $4-7 for craft. Often the best happy hour value.
🍷 House Wine
$4-6 per glass for house red, white, or rosé selections.
🍹 Well Cocktails
$5-8 for margaritas, mojitos, and other house cocktails.
🍤 Appetizers
Half-price or special pricing on apps like wings, nachos, and sliders.
Popular Happy Hour Chains
Applebee's
$5 drinks, half apps
Chili's
$5 margs, $3 beers
TGI Friday's
$5 drinks, apps deals
Buffalo Wild Wings
Half-price wings days
Olive Garden
Bar specials only
Red Robin
$5 cocktails at bar
Happy Hour Etiquette
📍 Bar vs Dining Room
Many places only offer happy hour pricing at the bar or high-top tables, not in the main dining room.
⏱️ Timing
Arrive on time! Most places cut off orders at the end time sharp. Order your last round 15 minutes before.
💵 Tipping
Tip on the regular price, not the discounted price. Bartenders work just as hard during happy hour.
- Call ahead to confirm hours - they change seasonally
- Some states ban happy hour by law (check local regulations)
- Late night happy hours are often less crowded
- Make it a meal with appetizer specials
- Sign up for restaurant email lists for exclusive happy hour deals
- Hotel bars often have great happy hours