Weekend warriors
7 great Austin spots for weekend happy hour deals

We all know that happy hours are the best ways to decompress after a long day staring at spreadsheets. But why should they just be confined to the weekday grind? From the Herculean task of trying to finish Game of Thrones to the drudgery of trying to fold our fitted sheets, there are plenty of reasons to drink during the weekend. Here are seven of our favorite places to keep the buzz going.
Alcomar
Daily, 3-6 pm
We see you, Austin restaurants. Far too often, we have made up a lame excuse to leave work early only to have the server inform us that, sorry, happy hour only lasts between 4-4:15 pm. Blessedly, Alcomar devotes three hours daily to deals like a $7 premium margarita, $5 mini shrimp tortas, and $4 carnitas tostadas — because let’s face it, you can't keep sneaking out of the office.
Bonhomie
Daily, 3-6 pm
No time is the Burnet Road restaurant’s name more apt than on weekends when Bonhomie’s daily happy hour extends to the leisurely weekend. It’s damn near impossible to be anything less than genial when we are downing $6 burgers and $5 select cocktails. And the bubbles and fries special — $10 with a choice of a crémant or a rosé — never fails to bring out our happy dance.
Clark’s Oyster Bar
Saturdays & Sundays, 3-6 pm
From time to time, we like to pretend we’re Ina Garten wandering through the mean streets of East Hampton. That illusion is easier to maintain on weekends when we can head over to Clark’s Oyster Bar to enjoy discounted oysters, $5 oyster shooters, and half-priced bottles of wines. After an hour or so, we may not be any closer to becoming a contessa, but —rest assured — we will certainly be barefoot.
Gourmand’s
Saturdays and Sundays, all day
They don’t really call this a happy hour, but we would be remiss if we didn’t tell you about the weekend specials at this East Austin dive. Our favorite is the bartender breakfast, a two meat or vegetarian breakfast sandwich and a whiskey-spiked coffee for $10. But we also dig the $6 Bloody Mary’s, $2.50 Lone Star pint, and $9 mimosa pitchers — all of which will make your weekend chores much more pleasant.
The Hightower
Daily, 5-7 pm
There are some things you should do everyday, like watching Golden Girls reruns or flossing. Add going to happy hour to that list, especially when you can order from one of the most thorough menus in town. The Hightower has something for most palates, but we suggest you order the restaurant’s famous peanut butter and sambal Brussels sprouts or fried smoked Gulf oysters. Both are only $6 (so are the happy hour cocktails) and both are better than cheesecake.
L’Oca d’Oro
Daily, 5-6:30 pm
The Mueller Italian restaurant has always been one of our favorites for their thoughtful approach to everything they do. So it makes sense that the happy hour would be equally thoughtful. For 90 minutes daily, draft beer, tap wine, and sangria are all half off. So are snacks like cranberry bean puree with crispy pancetta served on semolina crackers and pimento cheese with whipped lardo.
Salt & Time
Saturday, 3-6 pm; Sunday, all day
While there are a few wine specials for those who don’t like the sudsy stuff, Salt & Time’s happy hour will especially please beer lovers. It’s hard to beat $2 off drafts and $3 local craft cans — especially when served beside a salumi board from the in-house butcher shop. We like to take care of all the major food groups in one order with the “Dog and Pony” special — a Miller High Life pony and a house-made hot dog for only $5.