As much as I adore our food scene, the city struggles in the happy-hour category. Blame it on strict liquor laws making it challenging to expand happy hours.
But alcohol isn’t the only thing that makes people happy… there’s also food!
What is more bothersome is that happy hours don’t seem to be promoted, and the extent of advertising is usually a sidewalk sandwich board or the random tweet or post on social media.
So here are a few happy hours that offer either good value or good food, or are simply off the radar.
Perhaps the most obvious and also one of the most well advertised is the popular Joe Fortes Happy Hour available from 4-6pm every day at the bar. There is a good selection of shared appetizers, most for under $10, and it’s excellent value at an upscale place. It’s always lively, and with “Buck-a-Shuck” Oysters and $5 pints, wine and highballs, it’s hard not to get happy quickly. The Oyster Rockefeller with spinach, Pernod, hollandaise is my “must have” on the happy hour menu and it brings instant happiness.
I’ve tried their “(H)Appy Hour” available 4-6pm daily on a few occasions, which offers $6 appies and half price oysters. The drinks are affordable too, with $4 beers, $5 cocktails, $6 wines, but the sophisticated yet unpretentious ambiance is what I enjoy.
I’d come here, happy hour or not. If you haven’t tried the Scotch eggs, chicken liver toasts, Devils on Horseback, or their iconic burger, where have you been?
Save those for lunch or dinner, because in between Pourhouse offers a happy hour from 2-6pm on weekdays, featuring a discount menu of about three or four small plates. I heard the house hot dog is a crowd pleaser and Negronis and Old Fashioneds are only $8 – which is good value for the area and ambiance.
Items vary depending on each of the three locations, but their “Appy Hour” is available every day between 4-6pm. A selection of eight appetizers are featured at $6 each, including some comforting dishes like truffled jumbo macaroni, beef short rib croquette, and Sriracha barbecue chicken drumstick with parmesan basil dip.
• Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @followmefoodie.
