During these difficult economic times more restaurants and bars are turning to the tried-and-true happy hour to get customers in the door. But to cater not just to the value minded, but also to the customer who wants something different, or memorable, today’s happy hour has to be innovative. Here’s a sampling of happy hour strategies that go beyond the usual.
| The establishment | The gimmick | The hours | The deal | The extras |
| The Clarmont Columbus, Ohio | It’s the restaurant’s first happy hour promotion in 67 years | 5-7 p.m. weekdays, at the bar only | $5 appetizer specials, including prime rib sliders, fish tacos, mini meatloaf, steak pizza, grilled chicken pasta; and happy hour priced drinks: domestic beers $2.50, import beers $3.50, well drinks, $4.25, call drinks $5.25, martinis $5, house wine $4.25 | Had to open an area at end of bar to accommodate the crowd; going to knock down a wall for more space. |
| Von’s RoastHouseSeattle | Bartenders spin a wheel to determine 30-minute LTO drink specials, which are announced over loudspeaker | 11p.m. until closing | Various drinks: lemon drops, watermelon ’tinis, shots, house wine; priced $3.50-$4 | Additional regular happy hour from 5-6 p.m.; 50 percent off all appetizers. Customers love to give the wheel a spin. |
| Verlaine New York | Vintage ’01 Sundays & Mondays, rolls back happy hour prices to the restaurant’s opening in 2001 | Sunday, Monday; 5-10 p.m. | Lychee martinis, red and white Southeast Asian Sangria, Vietnamese Bloody Marys, house red and white wine are all $4; Yeungling beers two for $5 | Lychee martinis are $4 till midnight, which keeps customers at the bar after happy hour. Regular happy hour every day, 5-10 p.m., with $5 drinks. May extend Vintage ’01 beyond anniversary year. |
| Nodding Head Brewery & Restaurant Philadelphia | Late-night happy hour brings in restaurant industry crowd and second shifters | 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. | Beer, wine, and select cocktails and appetizers are each $4 | Same deal at regular happy hour, 5-7 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar Kansas City-based | Casual chain runs late-night happy hour | Every night from 9 p.m. to closing | Half-price appetizers and drink specials; varies on unit basis, but can include classic margaritas, Long Island Ice Teas, draft beer and appetizers such as Buffalo wings, onion rings and potato skins | |
| Tavern 17 in the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel Philadelphia | Happy 17:00 Hour; military time themed to restaurant’s 17th Street address | 17:00-19:00 (5-7 p.m.) Monday through Friday | Draft beer half off; daily wine specials; 5 appetizers for $5 each, including crab and avocado toast points, chicken tostadas, fried tomatoes with cheddar and primavera sauce, beer-battered onion rings with smoked chili mayo, and hummus with grilled pita | Additional happy hour on Sundays from 9-11p.m. (21:00-23:00) |
| Sonic Corp. Oklahoma City-based | Fast-food chain runs non-alcoholic happy hour | 2-4 p.m. every day | Half-price fountain and Real Fruit Slushes | Customers can choose from 398,929 fountain drink and slush combinations. |
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.