Phoenix might be known for its scorching summers, but the real heat is in its happy hour scene. With over 12,000 restaurants and bars offering daily deals across the Valley, you could theoretically drink and eat at discount prices for the next 32 years without hitting the same place twice… though your liver might file a formal complaint.
Most spots run their specials Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., but the savvy among us know the secret extended hours and all-day deals that make Phoenix one of the most budget-friendly drinking cities in America. We're talking $2.25 oysters at places where the valet alone usually costs more than your grocery bill, and $3 street tacos that'll make you question why you ever paid full price for anything.
Downtown Phoenix: From dive bars to date night
Downtown Phoenix has shaken off its reputation as a ghost town after 5 p.m., and the happy hour offerings prove it. The area now buzzes with everything from converted hardware stores to Irish pubs that pour with a heavy hand.
Roosevelt Row and CityScape essentials
Let's start with BARCOA Agaveria, housed in a 1928 hardware store at 829 N 1st Ave. The upstairs cantina slings $7 margaritas and Palomas Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., while the basement lounge goes rogue every Wednesday with 20% off craft cocktails all night. It's like having two different bars in one building, which is perfect for when you can't decide between casual and classy.
For those with champagne taste on a beer budget, Buck & Rider delivers $2.25 raw oysters during their 3 to 7 p.m. daily happy hour. Yes, daily. Including weekends. The catches are flown in fresh each day, so you're basically getting the same quality seafood as the full-price suckers… I mean, valued evening customers.
The Irish have blessed us with Seamus McCaffrey's (18 W Monroe St), where $1 off all drafts runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. It's not the fanciest deal in town, but when you're three pints in, that saved $3 feels like found money. Cornish Pasty Co. nearby keeps things simple with $3 drafts and $4 cocktails from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays.
Midtown and Uptown neighborhood gems
Postino Central (5144 N Central Ave) has achieved legendary status with their $6 wine and beer pitchers available until 5 p.m. daily. But here's the real insider move: hit them up Monday or Tuesday after 8 p.m. for their $25 bottle and bruschetta board special. It's basically dinner and drinks for the price of a mediocre movie ticket.
The Greedy Hamster (4750 N Central Ave) lives up to its name every Thursday with all-day happy hour featuring $2 off all drinks. Meanwhile, Hula's Modern Tiki Uptown extends their Wednesday happy hour from 3:30 p.m. all the way to 10 p.m., saving you $4 on their tropical concoctions that taste like vacation in a glass.
Scottsdale: Where fancy meets frugal
Scottsdale has a reputation for being bougie, and while that's not entirely unfair, their happy hour scene proves even the beautiful people appreciate a good deal.
Old Town's sophisticated sips
Citizen Public House (7111 E 5th Ave) classes things up with their "Social Hour" daily from 4 to 6 p.m., featuring $10 housemade draft cocktails and $4 bacon fat popcorn. Yes, bacon fat popcorn. It's as gloriously excessive as it sounds.
Maple & Ash (7135 E Camelback Rd) takes the cake… or rather, the tower… with their Monday through Friday "Tower Hour" from 5 to 6 p.m. Score $2 oysters and their Instagram-famous $40 fire-roasted seafood tower. Sure, $40 sounds steep for happy hour, but considering it normally runs $65 and feeds multiple people, it's basically the deal of the century.
Top Mexican happy hour spots in Old Town:
- Barrio Queen ($5 margaritas, $4 tacos)
- Cien Agaves ($7 Cien-A-Ritas, $3 Tinga Tacos)
- Hula's Modern Tiki (Wednesday until 10 p.m.)
- Diego Pops ($6 margaritas, daily specials)
- The Mission (unique modern Mexican)
North Scottsdale and Kierland luxury for less
The Kierland Commons area Buck & Rider location throws in complimentary valet parking with their $2.50 oyster special, because nothing says "I've made it" like free parking in Scottsdale. Culinary Dropout at Scottsdale Quarter pours $5 16-ounce draft beers and serves their famous soft pretzels with provolone fondue for $11.
North Italia (15024 N Scottsdale Rd) keeps it simple with $5.50 beers and $9 zucca chips in their bar area. Pro tip: those zucca chips are basically fried zucchini that'll ruin all other appetizers for you.
The rooftop scene deserves its own mention. Outrider Rooftop Lounge atop the Canopy Hotel offers 180-degree views of Camelback Mountain, while the W Scottsdale's Cottontail Lounge features a see-through pool bottom visible from the lobby. Because apparently regular pools are so last year.
Tempe and Mesa: College budgets, adult flavors
The ASU crowd keeps Tempe's happy hour scene thriving, but don't let the college reputation fool you… these deals attract everyone from students to professors to parents visiting for the weekend.
Mill Avenue's evolving scene
The newest kid on the block, Devil's Hideaway & Idle Hands (401 S Mill Ave), opened in the former Rula Bula space with $5 tequila pineapple cocktails Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. They've also got a hidden speakeasy offering 90-minute cocktail experiences, though you'll need to discover the entrance yourself. Hint: it's not through the front door.
Fat Tuesday lives up to its name with all-day Tuesday specials, plus reverse happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 9 to 11 p.m. for the night owls. Pedal Haus Brewery (730 S Mill Ave) validates parking at the West Sixth Garage and claims to have "Tempe's largest patio," which matters when it's actually nice enough to sit outside.
Must-visit Tempe classics:
- Four Peaks Brewing (Arizona's original craft brewery)
- Casey Moore's Oyster House (established 1959)
- C.A.S.A. Tempe (famous for "buckets of booze")
- Twin Peaks (2050 E Rio Salado Parkway)
- Monkey Pants Bar & Grill
- Devil's Advocate Bar
Downtown Mesa's brewery boom
Mesa has quietly become a craft beer destination, with Pedal Haus opening a massive 5,000-square-foot dog-friendly location at 201 W Main St in September 2024. Their happy hour runs standard times with solid beer discounts, but the real draw is being able to bring your furry drinking buddy.
The OG craft spot, 12 West Brewing, offers $1 off all draft beers Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. With 31 total happy hour spots in Mesa according to local guides, you could bar hop for a month straight. Not that we're recommending that. Your Uber driver would start recognizing you.
Chandler and Gilbert: Suburban surprises
Don't sleep on the East Valley… some of the best happy hour deals hide in strip malls and downtown districts where parking is actually free and abundant.
Downtown Chandler's hidden gems
The Brickyard Downtown (85 W Boston St) earned Phoenix New Times' "Best Bar Food 2023" award, and their from-scratch tapas during Tuesday through Thursday 3 to 10 p.m. happy hour prove why. This isn't your typical reheated appetizer situation.
SanTan Brewing Company (8 S San Marcos Pl) holds the title of Arizona's largest craft brewery, producing over 100 different brews yearly. Their family-friendly vibe means you can bring the kids and still enjoy discounted pints… parenting win.
Gilbert's Heritage District boom
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. was named "best new brewery in the world" in 2013, and they're still riding that high with Monday through Friday 3 to 6 p.m. and all-day Sunday specials. They use Arizona-grown ingredients, so you can feel vaguely virtuous about supporting local agriculture while downing your third beer.
Top Gilbert happy hour crawl route:
- Start at Garage East (wine focus)
- Walk to Arizona Wilderness (craft beer)
- Hit Peacock Wine Bar (Wednesday fondue special)
- End at The Brass Tap (extensive selection)
The best happy hour for every day of the week
Planning your week around happy hour deals isn't alcoholism, it's fiscal responsibility. Here's your guide to maximum savings, minimum effort.
Monday kicks off with Postino's legendary $25 bottle and bruschetta board deal after 8 p.m. The Market by Jennifer's also runs a $19 pizza and wine special that'll make you forget tomorrow is Tuesday.
Tuesday belongs to tacos, obviously. Joyride Taco House extends $5 margaritas from 2 p.m. to close, while Le Taco Bar offers $2.50 street tacos with $5 house margaritas from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. It's basically a city-wide celebration of Mexico's greatest culinary gift to humanity.
Wine Wednesday sees BARCOA offering 20% off agave flights all night, because apparently wine is so last decade. The Sicilian Butcher, Olive & Ivy, and North Italia all do half-price bottles if you're sticking with grape tradition.
Thursday through Sunday each have their own personalities. The Greedy Hamster goes all-day Thursday, Pa'La does half-price tapas and $7 wine all day Sunday, and about 20 spots around town offer "reverse happy hours" after 9 p.m. for those of us who don't understand the concept of "school nights."
Transportation tips and practical stuff
Here's where being practical saves you from a DUI and a depleted bank account. Valley Metro Light Rail costs $2 for 85 minutes of travel, hitting major bar districts from downtown Phoenix through Tempe and Mesa. Key stations include Mill Avenue/3rd Street for Tempe's bar scene and multiple stops along Mesa's Main Street.
Downtown Phoenix offers various parking garages and street spots, with CityScape being the most convenient for bar hopping. Old Town Scottsdale is wonderfully walkable once you park, and most suburban spots have free strip mall parking. Fancy places like Buck & Rider, Maple & Ash, and Mastro's Ocean Club offer valet, because nothing kills a buzz like circling for parking.
Pro tip: Download apps like HappyHopper, King of Happy Hour, or Ultimate Happy Hours before heading out. They'll show you real-time deals based on your location, saving you from that awkward "wait, when does happy hour end here?" moment.
The trends shaping Phoenix's happy hour future
Phoenix's bar scene is evolving faster than you can say "another round." Mocktails have gone from afterthought to art form, with places like Bitter & Twisted and Ghost Donkey charging $6 to $8 for sophisticated non-alcoholic options. January might be Dry January, but these drinks are good enough to order year-round.
Extended happy hours have become the norm rather than the exception. Technology is changing the game too, with a 291% increase in self-service ordering and QR code menus becoming standard. Some might miss the human interaction, but when you're three drinks in, successfully ordering via iPad feels like a major accomplishment.
New spots to watch in 2024 and 2025:
- Filthy Animal (Tempe)
- Title 9 Sports Grill (women's sports focus)
- George & Gather (Chandler, seed oil-free)
- Formation Brewing (from Colorado)
- Catch seafood (Scottsdale Fashion Square)
Final thoughts from a professional happy hour enthusiast
After extensive research (someone had to do it), Phoenix's happy hour scene offers something for everyone. Budget seekers can find $3 beers and $4 apps at neighborhood joints. Those wanting to impress a date can score $2.25 oysters at places with actual tablecloths. Families can hit SanTan Brewing without judgment, and cocktail snobs can explore craft programs at spots like BARCOA and Little Rituals.
The secret to Phoenix happy hour success? Tuesday through Thursday offers the best combination of strong deals and manageable crowds. Arrive right when happy hour starts for the best selection. Sign up for restaurant newsletters if you're into that sort of thing… they often include exclusive deals that make you feel like a VIP without the VIP prices.
Most importantly, remember that with 12,000 options across the Valley, FOMO is impossible. There's always another happy hour, another deal, another chance to discover your new favorite spot. The Phoenix restaurant scene generates $23 billion annually, and honestly, after tallying up these deals, we're surprised it's not more. Whether you're after $2.50 tacos on Mill Avenue or craft cocktails in a converted church, Phoenix delivers exceptional value seven days a week.
Now if you'll excuse me, it's 3 p.m. somewhere, and these deals aren't going to research themselves.
