Let's be honest… finding a great happy hour deal shouldn't require a spreadsheet and three hours of research. Yet here we are in 2025, navigating paid parking downtown and construction chaos in Gruene, all while trying to score those elusive $3 margaritas. Consider this your cheat sheet to New Braunfels' surprisingly robust happy hour scene, where prices range from dirt-cheap $1.90 beers to fancy $5 craft cocktails that'll make you feel sophisticated.
What's changed in 2025 (spoiler: parking is weird now)
The biggest shake-up to New Braunfels' drinking landscape isn't a new brewery or taco joint. It's the paid parking system that launched downtown on July 7, 2025.
Here's what you need to know before you even think about that first margarita. About 238 of the 750 on-street parking spots now require payment from 10am to 10pm daily. The good news? Your first hour is free, which is perfect for a quick drink and appetizer. After that, it's $2 per hour with a $10 daily cap. The slightly annoying news? You'll need to scan QR codes with your phone to pay, so maybe download that parking app before you start drinking.
The Gruene situation is… complicated
Meanwhile, over in the Gruene Historic District, they're building an 800-space parking facility that won't be ready until late spring 2025. Translation: parking is currently a nightmare.
But wait, there's a free shuttle! It runs Friday through Sunday from Rockin' R River Rides at 1404 Gruene Road. The shuttle keeps going until midnight on Fridays and 1am on Saturdays, which is clutch if you're planning to hit multiple spots. Pro tip: factor in an extra 15 minutes for shuttle time, and maybe don't wear your most uncomfortable shoes.
Hidden gems where locals actually drink
Let's start with the places your touristy cousin from Dallas probably hasn't discovered yet.
Black Whale Pub: Where $2.15 beers still exist
Tucked away at 367 Main Plaza downtown, Black Whale Pub runs what might be the longest happy hour in Texas: 11am to 7pm Monday through Friday. We're talking $2.15 Shiner beers and $1.90 Miller drafts. That's not a typo from 1995… those are actual 2025 prices.
The pub specializes in Belgian beers (they have the proper glassware and everything) with 24 brews on tap. Their Bloody Mary is supposedly the best in town, loaded with enough garden vegetables to count as a salad. Plus beef stick and cheese, because Texas. Oh, and there's a free buffet during Sunday football games, which feels like cheating but isn't.
Riley's Tavern: A genuine piece of Texas history
Want to drink where your great-grandparents might have celebrated the end of Prohibition? Riley's Tavern claims the title of Texas's first tavern after Prohibition ended in 1933. Located at 8894 FM 1102 in Hunter (that weird stretch between New Braunfels and San Marcos), this place sits between two active railroad tracks.
Their "happy hour" runs from 1pm to midnight daily, which is basically just their regular hours with a marketing spin. The building dates to the mid-1800s and supposedly has ghosts, though after a few drinks, everyone sees ghosts. Live music happens nightly without a cover charge, and food trucks park outside to feed the masses. It's divey in the best possible way.
The new kids making waves
Freddy C's Bar & Patio opened in summer 2024 at 2031 Central Plaza, bringing a San Marcos favorite to New Braunfels. Their happy hour runs 3-8pm Monday through Friday, which is longer than most. The new rooftop patio offers views of Freiheit Village, and the owners specifically designed it to avoid the "busy downtown NB crowd." Translation: fewer bachelorette parties, more actual locals.
Sports bars that don't suck
Sometimes you just want cheap wings, multiple TVs, and beer specials that won't destroy your budget. New Braunfels delivers on all fronts.
Scores Sports Bar & Grill at 223 W San Antonio Street wins the endurance award with happy hour from 11:30am to 6pm every single day. That's 6.5 hours of discounted drinking, people. Weekday appetizers go half-price from 5-6pm, but the real winner is Wednesday wing night: $0.75 per wing for both bone-in and boneless options.
They've got two massive projection screens plus enough flat-screens to make Best Buy jealous. NFL Ticket, MLB Ticket, and basically every conference network you could want. It's sports bar nirvana without the pretension.
Double Schotts Sports Bar & Grill at 2055 Central Plaza takes a different approach with their 3:30-7:30pm daily happy hour. The deals are solid:
- $1 off all drafts
- $4 Deep Eddy vodkas
- $5 Jameson shots
- Tuesday "Texas Tuesday" with $4 local spirits
Their lollipop wings come with over 10 sauce options, and they've got 30+ TVs scattered everywhere. Families are welcome until 9pm, then it switches to 21+ only, which is actually pretty smart.
When sports bars get fancy
Downtown Social at 386 W San Antonio Street occupies a former Ford dealership and somehow makes bowling alley food seem upscale. Happy hour runs Wednesday through Friday from 4-7pm with $6 craft cocktails and $6 appetizers.
The cocktail list includes legit Old Fashioneds and Southside Fizzes, not just rail vodka with splashes of juice. Food options range from garlic knots to fried cheese curds, because this is still Texas and we fry everything. With space for 750 people, arcade games, and bowling lanes, it's basically an adult playground that happens to serve alcohol.
Date night spots that won't embarrass you
Sometimes you need to impress someone, or at least prove you know about places fancier than a sports bar.
Sidecar: An actual speakeasy in a basement
Hidden beneath the Prince Solms Inn at 295 East San Antonio Street, Sidecar runs happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 2-6pm. Note that early start time… they're banking on day drinkers and people who sneak out of work early.
During happy hour, everything costs $5. Everything. That includes sophisticated cocktails like Sazeracs and Old Fashioneds that would normally run $12-15. The basement location creates authentic speakeasy vibes with dim lighting, exposed brick, and jazz music. It's the kind of place where you instinctively whisper your drink order.
McAdoo's: Seafood in a former post office
McAdoo's Seafood Company occupies the 1915 former post office building at 196 N Castell Ave downtown. Their Treasury Bar happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3-6pm, featuring $9 Aperol Spritzes and $11 salmon nachos.
The star is their $12 Mini Fondoo, a smaller version of their famous seafood appetizer. The building's history shows in details like original brass fixtures and marble floors. It's fancy enough for a first date but relaxed enough that you won't feel weird in jeans.
Gruene's Last Call brings craft cocktails to the historic district
This father-daughter venture opened in 2024 as Gruene's first true craft cocktail bar. They describe drinks by taste rather than listing ingredients, which sounds pretentious but actually helps when you don't know your amaretto from your aperol.
The speakeasy vibe includes dark colors, exposed brick, vintage furniture, and gold accents. Each cocktail gets individual attention and artistic presentation. It's Instagram bait that actually tastes good.
Family-friendly spots (yes, they exist)
Taking kids to happy hour sounds like an oxymoron, but several spots make it work.
Dos Rios Mexican Bar & Grill near Landa Park runs the area's longest family-friendly happy hour from 11am to 6:30pm Tuesday through Friday. Their $5 house margaritas and $4 draft Micheladas pair nicely with $6.95 street tacos. Two outdoor patios give kids room to roam while parents decompress.
Gruene River Grill at 1975 Gruene Road capitalizes on its Guadalupe River location. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3-6pm with these wallet-friendly options:
- $6 house margaritas
- $3.25 domestic beers
- $5 mini cheese sticks
- $7 mini wontons
The river views keep kids entertained without screens, which feels like a parenting win.
The Villa at Gruene claims the title of Gruene's largest air-conditioned covered bar. With 12 TVs, pool tables, cornhole, and arcade games, it's basically a rec center that serves alcohol. Live music plays six nights weekly without cover charges. Monday karaoke starts at 7pm, Tuesday trivia at 7:30pm. They're even pet-friendly, so Fido can join the fun.
Strategic timing for maximum value
The sweet spot for New Braunfels happy hours hits weekday afternoons between 3-5pm. You'll dodge lunch crowds and dinner rushes while scoring the best deals.
Weekly specials worth planning around
Tuesdays and Thursdays at Wings & Rings: All-day specials include $3.50 margaritas and $0.89 boneless wings. Not a typo… that's less than a dollar per wing.
Wednesdays at Scores: Wing night features $0.75 wings all day. Dos Rios also runs Chicken Fajita Wednesday specials.
Weekends require more strategy, especially in Gruene where construction complicates access. Arrive before 4pm for prime seating, or embrace the chaos and make friends in line.
Seasonal considerations nobody mentions
Summer brings expanded patio seating and frozen drink specials everywhere. Cantina del Rio rolls out limited-time watermelon margaritas that pair perfectly with their 13-years-running "Best Margarita in New Braunfels" title. Their regular happy hour runs Monday-Friday 3-6pm with $4 classic margaritas.
Winter sees reduced patio action but increased indoor entertainment. More trivia nights, more live music, more reasons to stay inside and drink.
Your survival toolkit
Before you embark on your happy hour adventure, arm yourself with these practical tips that nobody tells you until it's too late.
Downtown navigation hacks
Download whatever parking app the city uses BEFORE you start drinking. Nothing kills a buzz faster than fumbling with QR codes and credit cards while standing in the Texas heat.
Keep cash backup for places with card minimums. Some older spots in Gruene still operate like it's 1999.
Must-know venue intel
Pour Haus Patio Bar at 386 W San Antonio Street earned "Best Bar in New Braunfels" honors by offering live music seven nights a week. Happy hour runs daily until 7pm with $3 domestic beers and $7 wine by the glass.
The Watering Hole Saloon at 1390 McQueeney Road has been New Braunfels' largest air-conditioned dance hall since 1986. Their 11am-7pm daily happy hour features $2 domestic longnecks and $2.75 well drinks.
Las Fontanas quietly offers some of the best value in town with $3 house margaritas and $10 for five street tacos during their Monday-Friday 3-6:30pm happy hour.
Making reservations (yes, for happy hour)
Upscale spots like McAdoo's and Sidecar fill up fast on Fridays. Make reservations or risk standing around looking sad while other people drink your cocktails.
Call ahead to verify current specials. Some places listed in older reviews have changed their programs or hours. Nothing worse than showing up for $3 margaritas to find they're now $8.
The bottom line on New Braunfels happy hours
Look, New Braunfels isn't Austin with its endless trendy spots, and it's not San Antonio with big-city variety. It's something better: a manageable scene where you can actually try everything without going broke or spending six months bar-hopping.
The paid parking downtown is annoying but manageable with that free first hour. Gruene construction is temporary pain for long-term gain. The variety of venues means whether you want $1.90 beers in a dive bar or $5 cocktails in a speakeasy, you're covered.
Your move? Pick a neighborhood (downtown or Gruene), grab some friends, and start exploring. Download those parking apps, keep some cash handy, and remember that the best happy hour is the one where you're actually happy. Even if that means paying for parking.
