Everyone loves a good deal on food and drinks after a long day. Chain restaurants across America offer some seriously impressive happy hour specials that can save you big bucks while enjoying quality meals and beverages.
From discounted appetizers to half-price drinks, these deals provide the perfect excuse to gather with friends without emptying your wallet.
1. Applebee’s Neighborhood Happy Hour
Half-price appetizers and discounted drinks await at Applebee’s popular happy hour. Most locations offer this wallet-friendly special every day from 3-6 PM and again late night from 9 PM until closing.
The selection includes fan favorites like mozzarella sticks, spinach artichoke dip, and boneless wings at prices that’ll make you do a double-take. Wash it all down with $3-$5 draft beers, wine, and cocktails.
Pro tip: Download the Applebee’s app for exclusive happy hour notifications and additional deals that vary by location. Some restaurants even extend happy hour all day on Mondays!
2. Chili’s Margarita Magic Hour
Margarita lovers rejoice! Chili’s happy hour features their famous margaritas at prices that’ll make you smile. Available weekdays from 3-7 PM at most locations, their $5 Presidente Margaritas are legendary crowd-pleasers.
Beyond drinks, Chili’s offers $5 select appetizers like their signature chips and salsa, southwestern eggrolls, and fried pickles. The casual atmosphere makes it perfect for after-work unwinding or pre-dinner snacking.
Many locations also feature additional drink specials on well drinks and draft beers. Check with your local Chili’s, as some even extend these deals all day on certain weekdays!
3. Buffalo Wild Wings Happier Hours
Sports fans have found their happy place at Buffalo Wild Wings’ daily happy hour. Typically running Monday through Friday from 3-6 PM, this wing paradise offers half-price select appetizers and discounted drinks.
The star attractions include $3-$4 domestic drafts and $5 specialty drafts from their extensive beer selection. Food specials often feature discounted traditional and boneless wings with your choice of their famous sauces.
Many locations also run late-night happy hours starting at 9 PM. The combination of wall-to-wall sports on massive screens and budget-friendly prices makes this a perfect spot for game day gatherings without breaking the bank.
4. The Cheesecake Factory’s Secret Steal
Most people don’t realize The Cheesecake Factory offers one of the best-kept happy hour secrets around. Available Monday through Friday from 4-6 PM in the bar area, their specials will make your jaw drop.
Select appetizers like avocado egg rolls, stuffed mushrooms, and fried macaroni and cheese are nearly half off regular menu prices. The drink specials are equally impressive with $6.50 specialty cocktails, $5 well drinks, and $5 wine selections.
Some locations even offer $5 small plates that aren’t available on the regular menu. With the restaurant’s famously enormous portions, these discounted appetizers can easily substitute for a full meal!
5. TGI Fridays’ All-Day Happy Hour
TGI Fridays takes happy hour to the extreme with all-day specials at many locations. Their legendary $5 appetizers include mozzarella sticks, loaded potato skins, and their famous Jack Daniel’s sesame chicken strips.
The drink menu doesn’t disappoint either, featuring $5 signature cocktails, $4 wines, and $3 beers. What makes Fridays stand out is that many locations offer these specials seven days a week, not just during limited hours.
For the ultimate value, visit during their “Endless Apps” promotion when you can get unlimited refills on select appetizers for one fixed price. Their app also frequently offers buy-one-get-one drink coupons to stretch your dollar even further.
6. Outback Steakhouse’s Aussie Hour
G’day to great savings! Outback Steakhouse offers their “Aussie Hour” daily from 4-7 PM in the bar area. Their famous Bloomin’ Onion appetizer headlines the food specials, often available at half-price alongside other popular starters.
Drink specials typically include $4 draft beers, $5 wines, and $6 signature cocktails like their New South Wales Sangria. The bar area provides a cozy atmosphere for enjoying these deals without committing to a full steak dinner.
Many locations extend these specials to include discounted mini versions of their popular entrées. Just be aware that Aussie Hour is only available in the bar or high-top section, not the main dining room.
7. Yard House’s Daily Happy Hour Feast
Beer enthusiasts flock to Yard House for their impressive happy hour featuring over 100 taps. Monday through Friday from 3-6 PM, this beer paradise offers select pints at prices that’ll make craft brew lovers swoon.
The food specials are equally impressive, with half-price select appetizers including their famous poke nachos, chicken nachos, and onion ring tower. Pizza lovers can score pizzas at $5 off regular prices during these golden hours.
Yard House also offers a late-night happy hour Sunday through Wednesday from 10 PM until closing. The modern atmosphere with rock music playing throughout creates an energetic vibe perfect for after-work gatherings or pre-game meetups.
8. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse Half-Price Pint Night
BJ’s takes happy hour to new heights with their half-price handcrafted beer specials. Monday through Friday from 3-7 PM and again from 10 PM until closing, their award-winning brews are available at prices that’ll make any beer lover smile.
The food deals complement the drinks perfectly with $6 appetizers including their famous Pizookies (cookie-pizza desserts), loaded nachos, and spinach artichoke dip. Some locations even offer $3 off BJ’s signature deep-dish pizzas during these times.
For maximum value, visit on Brewhouse Mondays when they feature $3 pints all day long. Their spacious bars with multiple TVs make this an ideal spot for watching sports while enjoying craft brews at bargain prices.
9. Red Lobster’s Weekday Wind Down
Seafood lovers can dive into savings during Red Lobster’s happy hour, typically available Monday through Friday from 3-6 PM. Their bar menu features $5 select wines and $4 draft beers that pair perfectly with discounted appetizers.
The food specials are the real catch, with $6-$8 bar bites including coconut shrimp, seafood-stuffed mushrooms, and their famous Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp. And yes, those addictive Cheddar Bay Biscuits still come complimentary!
Some locations offer additional daily specials like Taco Tuesday with $2 seafood tacos. The nautical-themed bar area provides a relaxed atmosphere for enjoying ocean treasures without the full dinner price commitment.
10. P.F. Chang’s Happy Hour Dynasty
P.F. Chang’s transforms their bar into an Asian fusion paradise during happy hour. Available Monday through Friday from 3-6 PM, their specials include $6 handcrafted cocktails, $5 wines, and $4 beer selections.
The food deals are equally impressive with dim sum and street fare priced $6-$8. Fan favorites include dumplings, spring rolls, and their famous dynamite shrimp at nearly half the regular price. Many locations also offer a reverse happy hour from 9 PM until closing.
The sophisticated yet casual atmosphere with Asian-inspired décor makes this perfect for date nights or gatherings with friends who appreciate Asian cuisine without the usual price tag.
11. Bonefish Grill’s Angler’s Hour
Seafood enthusiasts rejoice at Bonefish Grill’s “Angler’s Hour” available daily from 4-6:30 PM in the bar area. Their signature Bang Bang Shrimp—crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce—is available for just $7 during these magical hours.
The drink specials are equally enticing with $5 house wines, $6 select cocktails, and $4 draft beers. For maximum value, visit on Bang Wednesday when the famous Bang Bang Shrimp is available all day at happy hour pricing throughout the entire restaurant.
The upscale yet comfortable atmosphere with warm lighting makes this perfect for business casual meetups or date nights. Their bar area typically offers both high-top tables and comfortable booths for different happy hour experiences.
12. Benihana’s Sunset Specials
Benihana offers a unique twist on happy hour with their Sunset Specials available Monday through Friday from 4-7 PM in the bar and lounge area. Sushi lovers can enjoy discounted specialty rolls starting at just $7, alongside $5 hot appetizers like edamame and gyoza dumplings.
The drink menu features $5 hot sake, $5 wine selections, and $4 imported beers. Their signature cocktails, including the Benihana Splash and Dragon Punch, are available for just $7 during these hours.
Unlike most chain restaurant happy hours, Benihana’s offers a sophisticated Japanese steakhouse experience at bar prices. The combination of skilled sushi chefs preparing food at the bar and the exotic cocktail selection creates an upscale happy hour experience without the premium price.
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