10 Happy Hours to Catch in Houston

HOUSTON, TX - Celebrating cocktail culture and catalytic of workplace bonding, Happy Hour is commonly regarded as a time to relax, unwind and—most importantly—be happy. The Houston Patch has carefully crafted a list of locations where readers in the area can find high times and low-cost libations.

• Aka Sushi House supplies a Happy Hour menu of Japanese tapas, featuring spicy, basil wings, baked mussels, fire cracker shrimp, stuffed mushroom, basil beef and black pepper beef, each for less than $5. Happy Hour is 3-7 p.m. Monday to Friday and all day on Saturdays and Sundays, with reverse Happy Hour available throughout the week from 9 p.m. to closing time. Aka Sushi House is known for its crowds during peak times, so prospective customers are encouraged to visit early.

Address: 2390 West Alabama St.

• Benjy's Foursquare recommendations urge newcomers toward the restaurant's lounge during Happy Hour and praise its potstickers. The Happy Hour selection includes $6 cocktails (lychee fizzes, blood orange margaritas, peach spritzers), $5 wines by the glass and $3 beers. Happy Hour at Benjy's, be it the Dunstan or Washing location (5922 Washington Ave.), is Monday through Saturday from 4-7 p.m.

Address: 2424 Dunstan Rd.

• Yard House is conveniently located near Citycentre Mall and features two Happy Hours: Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to closing time, with food available after 11 p.m. Foursquare reviews boast Yard House's on-tap menu as "endless" and forewarn that Fridays are the place's busiest nights.

Address: 800 Sorella Ct.

• Brenner's on the Bayou's Happy Hour menu is available Monday through Friday, 5-7 p.m. Foursquare reviews commend the neo-American-seafood restaurant on its pear martini, Angus beef sliders and truffle fries. Blue Bar, a high-energy patio bar located at Brenner's, comes complete with two decks, fire pits and more than 200 wine options, with specialty cigars available upon request. Blue Bar also features specially prices cocktails and small plates during Happy Hour, with signature cocktails including the Cool Cucumber Martini and the Craft Beer of the Day.

Address: 1 Birdsall St.

• Truluck's Happy Hour is offered every day from 4-6 p.m. What does that mean for the drinking-age clientele? Live music, crab cakes, calamari and half-price cocktails that normally run the $12 mark, available in Truluck's Stone Crab Lounge.

Address: 5350 Westheimer Rd.

• Oporto Café's curry chicken empanadas are all the rage during Happy Hour, with specials abound Monday through Friday from 3-7 p.m., including $1 off wines by the glass and $3 off wines by the bottle. Yelp reviews note diverse crowds and a menu that includes classic Portuguese favorites, such as caldo verde and grilled chouriço.

Address: 3833 Richmond Ave.

• The Blue Fish maintains a Happy Hour that is open to customers every day of the week, including weekends, during prime, after-work hours from 5-7 p.m., and checking into Yelp during a visit guarantees a special treat. The Happy Hour menu boasts $5 treats, $5 eats, $3 sweets and $4 drinks that include house sake, well drinks and draft beer.

Address: 5820 Washington Ave.

• Uchi offers up a Happy Hour menu Monday through Sunday and features a selection of house favorites—such as machi cure with smoked yellowtail and skewers of pork belly (called bacon sen)— for reduced prices. Cooked and raw dishes are complemented by $3 Asahi beers.

Address: 904 Westheimer Rd.

• Vinoteca Poscol's Happy Hour invites patrons to sip on beer, wine and cocktails while indulging in Akaushi beef sliders and truffle mac-and-cheese within a Four Seasons setting. Offered Monday through Friday, 5-7 p.m., Happy Hour also features $2 for small glasses of wine and $1 for cicchetti, with reverse Happy Hour available Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Address: 608 Westheimer Rd.

• OKRA Charity Saloon donates 100 percent of its proceeds to a local non-profit on a monthly basis. Patrons are welcome to play Washers or strike a pose in the photo booth while helping themselves to OKRA's Happy Hour specials: $3 drafts, $4 wells, $3 Fernet shots and half-price wine for a good cause.

Address: 924 Congress St.

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