It’s that odd time of day. It’s too early to eat dinner, but lunch is a distant memory. Alcohol is singing its sweet song of promise, but there’s no parties tonight. So what’s there to do?
Happy hour, of course.
With great deals on food and drinks at an array of places around town, happy hour is a great way to experience Tucson’s diverse and delectable bar/restaurant scene without breaking the bank.
Illegal Pete’s is a great place to start. With a happy hour that runs from 3-8 p.m. every single day, at Pete’s there’s an energized, college atmosphere bursting with pop music and high-fiving bros.
House margaritas are only $4, and chips and salsa are free with a drink purchase. Is Pete’s Chipotle’s alcoholic cousin who’s in a frat? Yes, but to some people, that’s heaven.
For a quieter soiree, check out Sushi Ten. With a ridiculously long happy hour from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., make a day out of it. All sushi rolls are half priced, sake bombs are $4 and free miso soup and soy beans are provided. Just remember, it’s a marathon and not a sprint.
“Price is my sixth sense,” said optical science senior and Sushi Ten frequenter Feibien Cheah. “And you just can’t beat half-priced sushi.”
Venture downtown to indulge in some of Tucson’s local breweries. From 3-7 p.m., both Barrio and Thunder Canyon breweries offer drink specials and half-priced appetizers, an affordable way to sample these restaurants’ seriously tasty menus.
For a little taste of Mexico, visit Boca Tacos y Tequila, where from 3-6 p.m. you can score $2 tequila shots and $1 mini chicken tacos. The tacos are accompanied by a palette of unique salsas that come in as many different colors as they do flavors. As a plus, the $5 margaritas are some of the best in Tucson. Slow service and limited seating are the only drawbacks to this happy hour haven.
Looking for a bougie place to lounge and sip wine? Try Ermanos. From open to 6 p.m. every day, come in, sit on the wide leather couches and attempt to see your friends across the table in the near-dark. There’s an eclectic menu of discounted food items including a Hawaiian black sea salt ceviche and a mushroom and onion grilled cheese. Any one of their 27 fabulous wines is just $6 a glass and all 34 draft beers are $1 off.
Plant science senior Jackie Mendelson finds her favorite happy hour order at this laid-back bar.
“The fries are only $3, which rocks because they’re extra delicious,” Mendelson said.
No matter your sensibilities, there is a happy hour spot that fits your specific tastes and budget. So get up, go out and get tipsy in the middle of the afternoon.
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