I have three priorities when it comes to evaluating and picking a happy hour. 1. There’s gotta be food on the menu. Yes, I love drinks and the drink-only happy hour works at some already cheap bars and restaurants, but wherever I go, it’s gotta have something for me to nibble on. 2. It has to AT LEAST go until 6 p.m. I work until 5 — sometimes later! So, I need a place I can get to by 5:30 or 5:45, even if I have to order everything the minute I get there (this happens a lot). Finally, 3. It’s gotta be cheap. I usually treat happy hours as my dinner, and there’s no better dinner deal than a couple $5 plates and drinks.

A little over a year ago, I shared my fave five-buck happy hours, with Americas STILL being a go-to for me (their prices have slightly risen, but oh well). However, a year of happy hours later, I have 5 more (plus a bonus) for ya.

Don’t worry about money; be happy at these happy hours.

 

Star Fish. 191 Heights Blvd. Billed as a martini and oyster happy hour, Star Fish’s menu is pretty limited. There are 5 $5 martinis to choose from (they are small but boozy), plus $5 wine and $5 old fashioned. For food, get the $1 gulf oysters or the $2 atlantic oysters, plus a smattering of $5 and $7 plates, like gumbo, fries, fried zucchini, etc. Happy hour runs until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Cane Rosso. 1835 North Shepherd and 4306 Yoakum. In addition to having a sweet new menu, Cane Rosso has a sweet happy hour at both locations. Although only running Monday through Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m., happy hour is a great deal at this pizzeria. $5 margherita or marinara pies and $7 for a sausage or soppressata pizza. Thirsty? $5 house cocktails plus $5 wine and $3 Peroni beer.

Nobie’s. 2048 Colquitt Street. Happy Hour at Nobie’s runs from 5 to 7 p.m. from Tuesdays to Thursdays. There’s $5 wine and $5 beer + a shot. Bonus: Get 1/2 off oysters.

Punk’s. 5212 Morningside Dr. Seven different snacks $5 or under, plus $5 frozen margs. Wino? Glasses are just $6. Spring for a specialty cocktail and you get $2 off. Food options are a plenty: $5 frito pie, $5 pimento cheese balls, $3 pickle chips, $2.50 burger slider, $2 cheese straws, and more. Full HH menu here. Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday AND 9 to 11 p.m. from Friday to Saturday (bar only).

Bovine and Barley. 416 Main St. $3 beers, $4 wines and $5 wells. Best part: Get the deal every day from 3 to 7 p.m. There are four $5 plates too: B&B poutine, buffalo wings, chicken cracklings and beef ribeye rolls.

Bonus: Beer Market Co. 920 Studemont St #900 and 3304 Milam St. While not everything is $5 or less, there’s something different every day at Beer Market. Happy hour (Monday to Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.) gets you $1 off all beers and $2 off all signature cocktails, but that’s in addition to the daily specials that run until 11 p.m.

• Monday: $3 local draft beers + 50 cent wings
• Tuesdays: $2 tacos +3 Texas draft beers
• Wednesdays: $14 steak night (+beer tastings, etc.)
• Thursdays: $4 all canned domestic beers
• Saturdays and Sundays: $19 Karbach buckets + brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with $10 mimosa carafes and $13 sangria carafes.

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