My Favorite Happy Hour Haunts

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Come On, Get Happy!

Happy hour is a wonderful invention! And luckily, many fabulous places in Colorado Springs offer this aptly named hour or two of discounted beverages and bites. Taking advantage of this time can definitely save money. The other benefit is that most happy hours occur early in the evening so you can spend quality time with your partner or friends, and then return home to spend some fun time with children, or to be there to tuck your little ones in.

My husband and I are fortunate enough to have a weekly date night and we love finding all of the great spots around here. I wanted to share our favorite places. Who knows? They might become some of your favorites, too.

Happy Hunting!

North Side

Bar Louie

  • 3255 Cinema Point
  • Happy Hour- Monday- Friday, 4-7 pm
  • $3.50 draft beer, $4.50 wines by the glass and $5.50 select signature martinis. Also select flatbreads and appetizers are half price.

Located in the First and Main Shopping Center, this bar has a fun atmosphere with a great patio to enjoy the warmer weather. The bartenders are always helpful with drink selections and I really enjoy both the Effin Good and the Main Squeeze Martini. The appetizers and flatbreads here are delicious and a great deal. Plus, they have a wide variety of other tasty morsels.

Wobbly Olive

  • Two Locations: 3317 Cinema Point and 2611 W Colorado Ave
  • Happy Hour- Monday-Friday, 4-6 pm
  • $6 specialty martinis, half off bottled beer, house wine $5, $2 off all food

This place definitely lives up to its name with plenty of savory, spicy, and sweet martinis that pack a punch. I like spicy things, so I truly enjoyed both the Dragon and the Jalepeno Passion Fruit. For those with a sweeter side, the Blood Orange or Salted Caramel, may be calling your name. We also enjoy the calamari and the fried artichokes here. The wide variety of gourmet menu items is sure to please every palate.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

  • Three Locations: 3111 N. Chestnut; 5915 Dublin Blvd. #100; and 1375 Interquest Parkway
  • Happy Hour- Monday-Friday, 4-7 pm and Saturday, Sunday- All Day
  • 18 0z. House Margarita $4.00
  • 18 oz. Draft Beer 75 cents off
  • Special discount on Tacos on Tuesday

This popular national franchise is a wonderful place to get affordable, scrumptious, Mexican cuisine fast. I really like all of the tacos that I have tried and the drinks are amazing. Definitely want to have a designated driver to enjoy these babies. Several of the iced and frozen margaritas are then topped off with a small bottle of beer or champagne and they make you want to shout “Ole!” The patio area is great and most of the restaurant is family friendly. This place can be packed, so come early to grab your table.

Downtown

Mackenzies Chop House

  • 128 S. Tejon Street
  • Happy Hour- Monday through Thursday, 4-7 pm and Fridays, 3-7 pm 
  • Late Night Happy Hour- 9.p.m. to close, and open to close on Sunday nights
  • $7 select appetizers. $7 select martinis. $2 off all glasses of wine, and $4 wells and drafts.
  • Happy hour specials in bar area or patio area

This restaurant located in the historic Alamo Building since 1997, is one of our regular hang outs. We love the atmosphere and the generously poured martinis are hard to beat. My favorites here are the Mackenzie’s Own Dirty Gin Martini and the Lemon Drop Martini. The Kobe Beef Nachos, featured as one of their $7 appetizers, are heaped with yummy toppings and are large enough to share. If you want to splurge, the steak is terrific and melts in your mouth. The heated patio is also a great place to relax and during the summer they often have live music. This is one of the area’s most popular places, so again be sure to arrive early to get a seat in the bar or on the patio. 

Bonny and Read Fresh Steak and Seafood

  • 101 North Tejon Street, Suite 102
  • Happy Hour- Monday-Friday 3-6 pm
  • $4 house wine, select draft beer, and well drinks.
  • $7 select appetizers

This place has some of the freshest seafood in Colorado Springs and they know what they are doing. The house wines go perfectly with our go-to appetizers of the Blue Crab Dip, Beer Battered Fish and Chips, and Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche. This is a great date night out if you are craving artfully prepared, mouthwatering seafood dishes or steak. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with original artwork scattered throughout and a jellyfish wall. 

T Byrd’s Tacos and Tequila

  • 26 E. Kiowa St.
  • Happy Hour- Monday-Friday, 3-6 pm and Monday-Thursday, 10 pm to close.
  • $5 House margaritas and sangria swirl, $3 Tecate, Midelo, and Dos Equis beers, $3 select srafts
  • $1 off tacos and $5 for select appetizers including chips and guacamole and the pork wontons.

Voted “Best New Restaurant in 2017” by Gazette Readers, this casual, street-style taco bar never disappoints. I love the natural margaritas and the sangria swirl margaritas. They have a huge selection of tacos with lots of different sauces to choose from. The pork wantons are delicious, too. I also enjoy the Siracha Chicken Taco, Trout Taco, Grilled Shrimp Taco and Fried Avocado Taco.

Cork and Cask

  • 60 E. Moreno Ave.
  • Happy Hour- Monday-Friday, 3-6 pm
  • $1.00 of wells, house wines, draft beers and 50 percent off small plates

This unique new bar is one of my new choices for a perfect hangout place with my hubby or for a girl’s night out. The posh interior is filled with plenty of comfortable seating arrangements, impressive chandeliers and has a touch of a morbid vibe. This contradiction in styles makes it cool and you will definitely love looking around. This place features a large variety of cocktails, whiskey, and wine. I enjoyed the Vanilla Mouth Hug Martini. How can you go wrong with Godiva liquer, vanilla vodka, and a chocolate pretzel graham cracker rim? The food is also great if you want small bites. My friends and I enjoyed the Bacon and Brie Stuffed Figs, the Deviled Egg Flight and the Charcuterie Board. Additionally, this place has a large outdoor patio in the front with large fire pits.

Brass Brewing Co.

  • 318 E. Colorado Ave
  • Happy Hour- daily, 4-6 pm
  • $1 off beers

This central downtown craft brewery offers a low-key vibe and a good selection of changing beer choices. I fell in love with the Woobie, a spiced Winter Ale that reminded me of Hot Buttered Rum in a beer. While food is not offered on site, there is a simple mouthwatering solution within walking distance. You can place your order from El Taco Rey by phone, go grab it, and then return to Brass to enjoy some of the best authentic Mexican food the Springs offers. My husband I adore the chimichangas and burritos smothered in green chili. There is also live music or comedy night featured at the brewery on most weekend nights.

The Principal’s Office

  • 1604 South Cascade Ave.
  • Happy Hour- Monday- all night long, Tuesday-Friday 3-6 pm
  • $7 specialty cocktails, $2 off wine and beer

This is one of the most interesting bars on this list because it is located in the Ivy Wild School, originally built in 1916. It is a wonderful atmosphere with a chalk bar and don’t you love the name of the bar? I’ve tried several of the impressive cocktails and the food from their sister company, Ivywild Kitchen, is fabulous. They offer many options of salads, sandwiches, burgers, and fresh baked, mouthwatering baked goods. They also serve breakfast or lunch. Plus, Ivy Wild School is the home of Bristol Brewing Company, so you can enjoy a freshly brewed local beer here. This is a fun place to meet. Bring your children—they have large tables and a fantastic patio. Even the restrooms are  entertaining and worth the trip!

West Side

N3 Tap House

  • 817 Colorado Ave
  • Happy Hour-Daily, 3-6 pm
  • $6 tacos
  • $9 pizza of the day
  • $3 select beer, wells & house wines

This sister restaurant of Johnny Navaho Hogan is located East of Old Colorado City. One of my favortite drinks here is the Dulce and Feugo, a combo of sweet and spicy. They also offer a large selection of Colorado craft beers and local spirits. The gourmet menu using local ingredients is well conceptualized and very tasty. I enjoy the Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps, the Urban Tacos and the N3 Alarm Slopper. They also offer brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11-2, which I am eagerly waiting to check out. 

Front Range Barbeque

  • 2330 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
  • Happy Hour- Friday only, 3-6 pm
  • Buy one, get one free on select wines and draft beers
  • $5 select small plates
  • Monday-Thursday 3-6 pm
  • $1 off select beers

Hands down, this is my favorite barbeque place in the Springs and it was featured on Food Network’s, “Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.” Located in Old Colorado City, you will taste the love that goes into their food. The smoked artichoke hearts are yummy and don’t even get me started on how scrumptious the barbeque ribs and brisket are. The portions are huge, so it’s easy to share. This is a chill place to hang and you can enjoy live, local bands here on most Wednesday and Friday evenings.

South Side

The Public House

  • 445 Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.
  • Happy Hour- Monday-Friday 3-6 pm
  • $1 off drafts, wines, and well drinks.
  • $3 off pizza, dine in only

Voted “Best of the South Neighborhood Bar,” this place hosts many events such as Tuesday Pint Night, featuring a local brewery. Thursday is trivia with Geeks Who Drink. And most Saturday nights offer live music. I treasure the hamburgers here. They are my favorite in the Springs—especially the Mountain Burger. It is a smaller bar, so it can be tricky to find a space sometimes. But if you can, the food and the wide selection of craft beers makes it worth it. 

Wild Wings ‘N Things

  • 6504 S. Academy Blvd.
  • Happy Hour
  • $1 PBR daily from 5-7 pm (Maximum 3)
  • $2 drafts of Bud and Coors Light and well drinks

$3 (Friday only, all day,) select Bristol Brewing Company draft beers

This is my “Cheers.” There is always friendly, helpful service here and they know my drink order. The fried appetizers and wings are super flavorful. I love the fried zucchini, Bomber Wings, and Mile High Thai wings. The sliders and burgers are also delish. This restaurant is family friendly and has patio games outside. Another thing I appreciate about this place is they offer a 10 percent discount for military on Mondays.

Where are your favorite happy hour places? I’m always excited to try somewhere new!

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Adrienne, Senior Writer
Adrienne is a Colorado native and would not want to live anywhere else! She spends her days juggling the many demands of three sons, and her school-age daughter. When she is not busy deciphering the perplexing young boy brain, or trying to please her diva daughter, you will most likely find her nose in a book, or writing. She loves encouraging her fellow parents in their journey. Recently she has begun a new career as a Real Estate Broker with Colorado Home Finder Realty and is definitely enjoying the roller coaster ride. She also loves finding great happy hour places with her husband, Shawn, and acting young and sometimes crazy with friends! She does not spend enough time outdoors (unless forced to) and comes up with any excuse to put off cleaning her chaotic house. She is very grateful for her completely imperfect life.