5 Unusual Happy Hours to Check Out Around the Valley
By: Brian Garrido
The Valley is deep in the triple digit heat. While the snowbirds have flown the temperature and the tourists are gone for the time being – we revel in the quiet. Our streets are less congested, as are the parking lots. We don’t have to share our pools – because they are empty except for us. Now that it’s low-key in our communities and roadways, it’s the perfect opportunity to venture out and discover happy hours that we might not normally visit when they’re overrun with visitors. It’s now our turn to give them a try.
Fez
A popular local spot for many years, this homage to Mediterranean food offers drink specials throughout the week beginning at 3:30 pm until 6:30 pm. Even more thoughtful is Happy hour starts up again at 11:00 pm until close, Monday – Friday. If you didn’t get your fill the first go-round, you can sleep it off come back and have a couple of more. Nice. And don’t forget to the order the Fez Fries with Feta. Say that three times fast on a margarita or two.
Fez Peach Margarita — Facebook Photo (FEZ Restaurant & Bar)
105 West Portland Street, Phoenix
Modern Margarita
Sort of like the old movie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Modern Margarita shows how to throw a swingy happy hour with $3.00 off all margaritas. Offering three different sizes including a 9 oz., a 16 oz., or a 60 oz. – seven days a week, from 3:00pm to 6:30pm. Personally, we are partial to the smaller size, which after a sampling of three different versions of their drinks, comes out to the fourth being free. (It took awhile to figure that one out.) Bar snacks include one of our Valley favorites, Duo Dips where libationers choose two dips from a selection of three house-made salsas, guacamole, a bean dip and a cheese dip with unlimited chips. Four drinks later however, you’ll probably forget how many chips you ate.
Bloody Maria at Modern Margarita — Facebook Photo (Modern Margarita)
5410 E. High Street, Phoenix
Hotel Valley Ho
One of the best places to begin a joyful weekend away from the air-conditioned office is the mid-century modern Hotel Valley Ho, which offers Happy Hour Fridays with drink and food specials – plus use of the pool. It’s a great gathering place where you can sip, drink, Instagram and Snapchat all while taking a summer plunge. Reserve a cabana with a couple of friends order up a platter of wraps and a pitcher of Reyka Vodka Lemonade or Bloody Mary’s, and get your dip on every Friday until September. Hours are 10am – 6pm for drinks. Food is served from 10am – 5:00pm only.
Facebook Photo (Hotel Valley Ho)
6850 East Main Street, Scottsdale
Macayo’s Depot Cantina
There’s something to be said about drinking in history. Literally, it’s what you are doing when you are at Macayo’s Depot Cantina in Tempe. First, the building itself is an old train depot with a train caboose for special occasions. But Macayo’s, created by a first generation Mexican using his mother’s recipes in 1946, is said to be the home of the much maligned chimichanga or deep-fried burrito. (We don’t judge anything that’s been deep-fried – because as kids, it was the only way we ate our vegetales – or smothered in queso). Happy hour is Monday – Friday, from 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm with $3.00 margaritas, well drinks and draft beers. Selection of food to soak up the drinks is $5.00.
Facebook Photo (Macayo’s Depot Cantina)
300 Ash Avenue, Tempe
Dos Gringos
At this mini-chain, it gets a little confusing trying to remember what’s different at which location. Suffice it say at the Chandler restaurant, it’s throwback pricing. When was the last time you had a $2 shot? Or a Corona stuffed with lime at $3.50? ‘Nuf said. Besides, you’re hanging with the homies. Happy hour is from 4:00 – 7:00pm, Monday – Friday. Food starts at $4.00 for tostadas up to $8 for a massive plate of gooey nachos. Kids under 12 eat free everyday, but make sure someone orders an entrée of $9.99 and up. Instead of the bar food, share an order of sizzling chicken fajitas ($15), feed the little one (and have a couple of drinks for yourself) – a fun family night out.
Facebook Photo (Dos Gringos)
1361 North Alma Road, Chandler
Please drink responsibly or hire an Uber or taxi to get you home.
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