There’s nothing like Happy Hour after a long day at the office or at school. Not only does Happy Hour give you an opportunity to blow off some steam, but it also performs a productive role in business. A new study shows that moderate amounts of alcohol increase social bonding between individuals and stimulate longer conversations.
The study, conducted by the University of Pittsburgh, enlisted 720 participants to look at the effect of Happy Hour by providing them three drinks over 36 minutes. They discovered that participants who received a moderate amount of alcohol:
- Increased the frequency of “true smiles.”
- Increased the coordination of smiling between participants
- Increased “social bonding” among participants.
- Kept all tablemates in the discussion longer.
- Enhanced positive emotions.
- Relieved negative emotions.
So, if you’re looking to make connections and build your network in your MBA program, maybe it’s time you start looking at having Happy Hour more often. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of places to enjoy Happy Hour in each of our metros. Keep your eye out for rest of this three-part series.
Atlanta is known for its southern food. From fried chicken to fried green tomatoes and grits, Atlanta is all about down-home cooking. So, when it comes to Happy Hour, you want something that reflects the city, with good prices and options to boot.
Watershed in Atlanta
- 521 Kitchen & Que: As long as you’re dining in from 4-6pm from Tuesday-Thursday, you can enjoy a daily selection of beer for just $2, plus appetizers like boiled peanuts, crispy pickled okra, and fried jalapenos at half-off.
- The Pinewood: Known for whiskey and cocktails, Pinewood offers sweet Happy Hour deals. On Wednesday night all whiskey cocktails cost just $5 and bottles of wine are half-price on Thursdays.
- Watershed: If you’re looking for delicious Southern fare, come to Watershed early for food and drinks. Tuesday – Friday between 5-7pm you’ll find an assortment of martinis for just $5 a piece.
If you’re looking for crab cakes, pit beef, and Berge cookies, then you’ll love Baltimore. The city has so much to offer, and the dining scene is burgeoning with new restaurants and all sorts of options. As for Happy Hour:
Brewer’s Art in Baltimore
- The Brewer’s Art: A Mount Vernon gem, The Brewer’s Art offers an excellent discount on their draft beers every day of the week. You can get their drafts for just $3.75 each (normally $6).
- Bond Street Social: Many of Bond Street’s drinks typically cost more than $10 a piece, so their $4 – $6 happy hour drink specials are a great deal. You can also find an excellent selection of small plates for just $6 each.
- Sticky Rice: If you’re looking for a relaxed and affordable location, Sticky Rice takes the bucket. Monday – Friday, a bucket of tater tots is just $5, and you’ll get $1 off your beer and $3 rail cocktails too.
Boston is all about New England cuisine. They place a large emphasis on seafood and dairy, and they’re best known for their New England clam chowder, fish and chips, baked beans, lobsters, steamed clams, and fried clams.
Salmon from McCormicks and Schmicks
- Clarke’s: After a long, hard day at the office or school, Clarke’s has a great atmosphere. Their Happy Hour includes live bands and $3 beer specials.
- Whiskey’s: Whiskey’s is a Boston hot spot, and Monday-Friday from 4-7pm, diners enjoy $3 bar bites. Plus Sunday – Thursday 11:30am – 9:00pm, wings are just $0.25 each.
- McCormick & Schmick’s: Their aptly-named Social Hour Menu (3:30 – 6:30pm Monday-Friday) offers $2.95 local oyster shooters, $4.95 calamari, and discounts on handcrafted cocktails, beers, and select wines.
Chicago is famous for its food. It’s a gourmet-dining center with local culinary classics such as deep-dish pizza, the Chicago-style hot dog, and Italian Beef. For happy hour, there are endless opportunities in the city:
Beef Tenderloin from Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
- Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar: This two-story sushi house has one of the best Happy Hour deals in the city. They offer $1 oysters, $2 beef fillet skewers, and $4 shrimp tempura rolls. Plus you can tack on a glass of sake, all for less than $20 Monday-Saturday from 5-6:30pm.
- Cafe Ba-ba-reeba: If you’re looking for bacon-wrapped-dates, $1 pinchos, and $3 for small plates, then head to the Café Monday – Thursday from 4-6pm. You can also enjoy half-priced signature cocktails on Monday and bottles of Spanish wine on Tuesdays.
- Taco Joint: If you’re in the mood for a late lunch Happy Hour, between 2-5pm Monday-Fridays, you can get two tacos, a side of rice and beans, plus a drink all for just $12.
There’s nothing that Texans love more than Tex-Mex, barbecue, and authentic Mexican cuisine. The area is home to a variety of restaurants from all over the world and the famous frozen margarita.
The Quarter Bar in Dallas
- The Quarter Bar: Known for $2 wells and domestics and $4 on select wine, The Quarter Bar is a great place to munch out. Head on over Monday-Friday between 4-7pm for your perfect New Orleans inspired meal.
- Matt’s Rancho Martinez: Known for cheap house margaritas Monday-Friday from 2-6pm. You can enjoy $3 for a small, $4 for a large, or $1.50 off drafts and half-off all appetizers.
- Joyce & Gigi’s: Happy Hour here is Monday-Thursday from 5-7pm and Wednesdays until 10pm. You can enjoy half-off cocktails and half-price appetizers. It’s a must hit!
Keep an eye out for our continued Happy Hour series to find out where you can enjoy Happy Hour in Houston, London, San Diego, Washington D.C., and more.