Austin austin

Our Favorite Happy Hours

Excellent small plates at ½ price + yummy drinks at ½ price= one of my favorite ways to wind down the day! We have discovered enough quality happy hours in Austin that we can practically avoid paying for dinner all together! The South African term for happy hour is appropriately coined “sun downer.” The best Austin happy hours can be found in unexpected places.

Here are some of our favorite spots to enjoy them:

Paggi House (www.paggihouse.com)
Where to go if you want to be reminded why you live in one of the most sought after cities in the country. They recently ended their over the top happy hour, but they still have their specialty drinks at half off and some wines by the glass. My favorite is the cucumber margarita with cayenne. Perfect in August.  5-7, every day

Blue Star Café (www.bluestarcafeteria.com)
My favorite apps are the crab cakes and sinful grilled cheese (but it is a small plate, right?)  Not tons of ½ price drinks but enough for happy hour.  Monday-Friday 3-7.

Fino (www.finoaustin.com)
Sit outside on the couch, drink their sangria, and feast on the pork pinchitos. I confess I am not a huge fan of their signature mixed drinks because I am not crazy about floral essence. But if you are, you will love them!  5-7  Mon-Fri. Saturday 5-7, more cocktails at reduced prices.

El Chile (www.elchilecafe.com)
Back by popular demand! El Chile had a fabulous happy hour when they opened several years ago. They have recently reinstated it. ½ price apps and $1 off some drinks. Love the ceviche and salad with tilapia bursts with crunch and flavor (and it isn’t really fried if it is tortilla encrusted, right?).  4-7 Mon-Fri.

Red House Pizzeria (www.redhouselounge.com)
Some of the best pizza in town at half off! Feta and artichoke can’t be missed! One pizza will easily feed 3-4 people. ½ off pizzas every day 5-7.

Fonda San Miguel (www.fondasanmiguel.com)
Love this happy hour because I can’t stand paying $30 for Mexican food (even though I can argue their entrees are worth it. It still feels painful). Get their botanas for the variety and presentation. Their margaritas are the real deal. Go when you are truly homesick for Mexico, which is quite often for me. Monday and Tuesday 5-7.30. $1 off margaritas and ½ off selected apps.

South Congress Café (www.southcongresscafe.com)
The most scrumptious small plates in town. Mojitos are a must.  No food specials, but a plethora of small plates to choose from. 2-7 Monday through Friday.

Roaring Fork (www.eddiev.com)
I unexpectedly ate some of the best guacamole I have ever eaten here. 4-7 Tues- Saturday in the lounge, Sun and Monday 4-close. ½ off various apps and drinks.

Malaga wine and tapas bar (www.malagatapasbar.com)
Spanish tapas couldn’t be more perfect for an Austin happy hour. Mon-Sat, 5-7. discounted wines or wine with tapas pairing (choose from about 6) for $8. No Austin happy hour guide would be complete without mentioning Malaga!

Dog & Duck (www.dogandduckpub.com)
If you spent any portion of your college career in London, then this may bring back some memories. The closest you will get to a pub in Austin (besides the true neighborhood bar the Draught Haus). 4-7 every day. No food specials  $4.25 on tap.

Woodland (www.woodlandaustin.com)
They have their very own Neighborhood night on Sundays where bottles of wine are ½ off. Otherwise, 3-6 during week, 4-7 Mondays. $1 off cocktails and $1 beers. ½ off glasses of wine. No food specials.

Wink (www.winkrestaurant.com)
This is a special occasion restaurant: (unless you don’t mind spending $200 on a typical week night), but enjoy the happy hour at their chic and friendly bar. No wine specials but an amazing selection and helpful bartender. They will happily tell you that it is the lowest markup in town though I haven’t done the research to verify. ½ price bar appetizers 5-7 every day

Four Seasons/Trio (www.fourseasons.com)
The best place in Austin to watch the sun go down (and maybe even a Hollywood star but we try to stay low key about that in this town).. Mon-Sat, 5-8. Free valet parking! 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Mon-Sat, 1/2 price appetizers and wine personally selected by award-winning sommelier Mark Sayre.

Manuel’s (www.manuels.com)
Their North strip mall location gets packed, but you would never know you are in a strip mall. Water gardens, burgeoning vines, and great food deals abound.