When CultureMap moved our offices downtown, we were stoked. There was the excitement of being in all the action, and, of course, a beautiful new view. But the main reason we were excited is that some of Austin’s best happy hours were mere steps away. From the new food hall to one of the town’s most celebrated bars, the heart of the city is full of great deals on food and drink. Believe us, we’ve been more than happy to do the legwork.

Fareground
Downtown’s denizens flock to Fareground during lunch, but few know about its banging happy hour. From 3-6 pm on weekdays, every vendor in the bustling food hall has deals including $5 select cocktails at the bar, $5 cheddar cheese curds at Antonelli’s, $2 off kolache at Henbit, $2 off wings at Contigo, $2 off roll combos at Ni-Kome, $1 off wild boar carnitas tacos at Dai Due Taqueria, and $3 sausage links at Easy Tiger. There are even more ... but we’ll let you make a few discoveries.

Fixe
This graceful Southern eatery is perfect for a folks who like a little food with their booze. From 4:30-7 pm Monday-Saturday and 2 pm-close on Sunday, enjoy $8 plates from a vast happy hour menu that includes blue crab fingers, deviled eggs, corn and crab hushpuppies, and a juicy Fixe burger. Oh, and there’s drink specials, too, including a discounted price on the punchy Honey Badger cocktail.

Irene’s
Every day has a happy hour at this charming respite from the hubbub of West Sixth Street. Bargains like $1 off draft beers and $4 house spiritsare available from 3:30-6:30 pm Monday-Saturday. Then, turn a happy hour into a happy day on Sunday. Did we mention the snacks? Nibbles like chili dog sliders, Irish nachos, stuffed mushrooms, and jalapeño poppers are all $2 off and popcorn with cultured butter is free.

Le Politique
As close as you can get to a French apéro in Austin, this brasserie’s weekday happy hour from 3-6 pm includes half off all drinks and 25 percent off all seafood. The biggest deal of all, however, is the bubbly and oysters combo for $35. The perfect pairing for the patio includes a half bottle and a dozen delicious bivalves.

Parkside
Shawn Cirkiel’s downtown eatery takes its daily happy hour literally, so rush to get there right at 5 pm. But you’ll feel #blessed for the entire 60 minutes as you feast on half off the entire menu — that’s food like crispy calamari, cocktails like the gin-based Martinez, beer, wine, and bubbles by the glass.

Péché
If you’ve had a rough day at work, hide out at this Fourth Street’s absinthe bar social where you can down $5 cocktails while scrolling for a new job on Indeed. Just got a promotion? Celebrate with half off select French-inflected bites. Happy hour is 4-7 pm Tuesday-Friday and all day Sunday and Monday.

Searsucker
Although this Warehouse District restaurant has happy hour every day but Sunday, Monday is the day to go. Only Garfield would hate all-day deals like $3 beers, $5 house wines, $6 house infusions, and budget-minded bites like duck fat fries, short rib tacos blistered shishito peppers, and pimento queso.