When you’re trying to build relationships with potential clients, employers, and coworkers, nothing works better than getting out of the office. Meeting at a restaurant or bar is your best opportunity to get to know someone personally.
In a study conducted by the Harvard Business Review, 132 MBA students were asked to negotiate a complex joint venture agreement between two companies in three different environments: in a conference room without food, in a conference room with food, and at a restaurant. The study found that negotiating during a meal increased the value of the deal by $6.7 million (or 11% profits), and those that negotiated at a restaurant made the best deals.
There’s no doubt that doing business over a meal is a great idea. But where should you head? Last week we started our Best Happy Hours series by checking out where to eat and drink in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago and Dallas. Now, we’re taking a look at where you should head in Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York City, and Philadelphia.
Queso Fondo from Anejo
In 2005, Houston, Texas was known as the “dining-out capital of the US” according to USA Today. The city is packed with restaurants and popular cuisines like Tex-Mex, Louisiana Creole, and Vietnamese. So when it comes to Happy Hour, you’ve got a lot of options.
- Américas: Américas takes Happy Hour seriously with their $5 Social Hour, Monday-Saturday from 4-7 pm. They offer an assortment of wine, cocktails, and small plates (cevichés, lobster corn dogs, and wings) plus $2.50 a beer.
- Añejo: If you’re looking for Tex-Mex and cocktails, Añejo is the place to head on weekdays until 6 pm. They offer half-off cocktails as well as half-off selected wines by the glass.
- Dish Society: From 3:30 – 6:30 pm on weekdays, Dish Society offers $5 small plates along with house elixirs and wines. Or you can pay $3.50 for a local craft beer on draft.
The Roxy
The most populous city in the United Kingdom, London has it all. English cuisine encompasses a wide a variety of dishes with everything from fish and chips, English sandwiches, tea, and Sunday Roast. For Happy Hour, there are thousands of restaurants to choose from.
- The Roxy: The Roxy is a sleek new underground dance-den that’s in a great location with great prices. Every night 5 – 8:30 pm you can enjoy half-price cocktails and 2-for-1 beers.
- The Rum Kitchen: Located in Notting Hill, the Rum Kitchen has a great offering of rum-based cocktails which you can enjoy at 2-for-1 on weeknights from 6-7pm. Plus they have an extensive and affordable menu.
- Southsider: From 5 – 8 pm on weekdays, Southsider offers $6 cocktails when all you want are drinks and a nice place to sit
Cecconi’s
Los Angeles is known for local ingredients and health-conscious diets. LA boasts restaurants with every cuisine imaginable with lots of Latin influence, gourmet burgers, and pizza. As far as Happy Hour goes, a good deal is always welcome.
- Bar Bouchon : Easily one of the best Happy Hour deals, Bar Bouchon features glasses of wine at $5 and $7, along with $2 oysters, steak tartare, pork sliders, and truffle popcorn. Get the deals Monday-Friday from 4-7 pm.
- Cecconi’s: In upscale West Hollywood, Cecconi’s offers Tuesday – Saturday Happy Hours from 4 – 7 pm. Small plates start at just $7, and draft drinks are $4 – $7.
- EMC Seafood: One of the hottest Happy Hours in LA, EMC offers $1 oysters and $5 draft beer. If you’re looking for a weekday spot from 5-7pm, this is your place.
Verlaine
There’s nowhere else like New York. You can find any style and type of food you want in the city, it all depends on where you head to eat. There’s everything from pizza to every kind of ethnic cuisine, and Happy Hour works the same.
- Back Forty : Located in the East Village, Back Forty offers Happy Hour food and drinks with everything below $10. Happy Hour happens every day including all night on Monday, from 6-8 pm Tuesday – Thursday, and special times on Friday-Sunday.
- 67 Orange Street: Located in Harlem, this bar specializes in serious, old-school cocktails. Their Happy Hour menus include ten cocktails at $10 each. Enjoy their deal Monday – Friday from 5-7 pm.
- Verlaine: Located on the Lower East Side, this restaurant offers a slice of Southeast Asia weekdays from 5-10 pm. Enjoy $6 lychee martinis and $3 Yuenglings.
Palladino’s
Philadelphia’s large immigrant population has contributed to a wide mix of ethnic foods. The city is most well known for its cheesesteak and soft pretzels, and you’ll also find a large Irish and Italian presence.
- Abe Fisher: Abe Fisher is a great Happy Hour spot in the city. Every day from 5 – 7 pm you can enjoy anything off their regular cocktail menu for just $7. You can also enjoy wines by the glass for $7 and open-faced sandwiches for $5.
- Ela: Ela offers an interesting Happy Hour menu that changes regularly. You can find cocktails for just $4 to $6, or you can grab some snacks from the bar for cheap. Visit Sunday – Thursday from 5 – 7 pm.
- Palladino’s: Featuring a long list of good deals on food and drinks. Palladino’s offers signature cocktails for just $8, beer and wine from $3 to $5. Just head on in Monday – Friday from 5 – 7 pm.
Stay tuned for our final Happy Hour blog where we’ll cover San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, and Washington DC.