Best Happy Hour locations in the Triangle? (Raleigh, Wake Forest: live, price)

[CaliBoy]

Having enjoyed a few months out in the west along with visiting a number of great happy hours on the coast and in Palm Desert, I was wondering where all the great Happy Hour locations are set here in the Triangle. Many places I visited had food at half price and the drinks were that way as well or more.

Any suggestions? Include any or all of the following:

1. Name of Establishment
2. Location (or approximate location)
3. Happy Hour Hours
4. What's the Happy Hour Discount (i.e. food = half off, etc.)

[sergeisnotmyname]

Originally Posted by CaliBoy

Having enjoyed a few months out in the west along with visiting a number of great happy hours on the coast and in Palm Desert, I was wondering where all the great Happy Hour locations are set here in the Triangle. Many places I visited had food at half price and the drinks were that way as well or more.

Any suggestions? Include any or all of the following:

1. Name of Establishment
2. Location (or approximate location)
3. Happy Hour Hours
4. What's the Happy Hour Discount (i.e. food = half off, etc.)

You will find some food specials, but Happy Hours specials on drinks are illegal in NC. Most places offer cheap apps and other specials.

"Drink specials must be offered from the time the business opens to the time it closes to not be in violation of ABC laws. Free drinks or reduced price drinks cannot be offered during limited hours. NCGS Rule. 2S.0232"

FAQ from the ABC (http://www.ncabc.com/education/permittee/faq.aspx - broken link)

[CaliBoy]

Originally Posted by sergeisnotmyname

"Drink specials must be offered from the time the business opens to the time it closes to not be in violation of ABC laws. Free drinks or reduced price drinks cannot be offered during limited hours. NCGS Rule. 2S.0232"

FAQ from the ABC (http://www.ncabc.com/education/permittee/faq.aspx - broken link)

That's a bummer especially for a responsible yet frugal drinker like myself. I don't drink much, but hate spending tons of cash on alcohol. It is what it is, I guess.

Okay, who knows of watering holes on the cheap?

[sergeisnotmyname]

Originally Posted by CaliBoy

That's a bummer especially for a responsible yet frugal drinker like myself. I don't drink much, but hate spending tons of cash on alcohol. It is what it is, I guess.

Okay, who knows of watering holes on the cheap?

Now, the upside is that several place do have drink specials by the day. Those are allowed, they just must be offered for the entire time an establishment is open. You just don't have a 'happy hour'.

For example, there is a place in Wake Forest that offers $2 drafts every Thursday....and we are talking the good stuff (Guiness, Stella, Seasonals, Highland, other Micro-brews) as well as the cheap Bud/Miller/Coors products.

[Strongasabear]

Sonic!! Happy hour everyday from 2-4. All slushies and drinks half price!

[CaliBoy]

Originally Posted by sergeisnotmyname

For example, there is a place in Wake Forest that offers $2 drafts every Thursday....and we are talking the good stuff (Guiness, Stella, Seasonals, Highland, other Micro-brews) as well as the cheap Bud/Miller/Coors products.

What is the name of this place you speak of, wise one?

Originally Posted by dinalkulp

Sonic!! Happy hour everyday from 2-4. All slushies and drinks half price!

Good tip!

[Lori1961]

TGIFridays offers daily specials as well. I dont remember what day has what drink but one day we stopped in and got margaritas for something like $2.50 and they were decent drinks.

[miamiblue]

• Flying Saucer
  Downtown Raleigh (Harrington and Morgan)
  Monday is Pint Nite: most drafts $2.75.
  Wednesday is Brewery Night: A brewery is featured and you get to keep the glass.
  Thursday: $4 Belgian Beers.
  Sunday: Brunch Buffet and $2.75 local pints.
  Every day: A beer is on "Fire Sale" for $2.75 - sometimes they're really good ones, sometimes not.

• The Borough
  Downtown Raleigh (Daswon and Morgan)
  Every day 4-7pm: Half-price appetizers.

• Tir Na Nog
  Downtown Raleigh (Blount St across from Moore Square)
  Monday: 20 oz. drafts for $3 (sometimes just domestics, sometimes just microbrews).
  Tuesday: $3 US pints.
  Wednesday: Wine and whiskey on special.
  Thursday: Live local band and local pint specials.

• Blue Martini
  Glenwood South (West St across from the power station)
  Sunday: $3.00 Drafts $5.00 Fruit Named Martinis.
  Monday: Signature Martinis or bottles of Wine or Champagne for Half Price.
  Tuesday: $2.00 Bud Select Bottles $5.00 Black Cherry Drinks.
  Wednesday: $5.00 Cosmopolitans FREE Appetizer for Ladies.
  Thursday: $3.00 Drafts & $5.00 Champagne Cocktails.
  Friday: $5.00 Bombs.
  Saturday: $5.00 Bull-Zwack $5.00 Tattooed Bulls (whatever all that means).

There are others, these are just a small sampling.

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by CaliBoy

That's a bummer especially for a responsible yet frugal drinker like myself. I don't drink much, but hate spending tons of cash on alcohol. It is what it is, I guess.

Okay, who knows of watering holes on the cheap?

Really, so that means no ladies night where ladies drink free or reduced? I don't really drink, but that's really common here in FL.

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by beckycat

Really, so that means no ladies night where ladies drink free or reduced? I don't really drink, but that's really common here in FL.

See Wednesday at Blue Martini in my post above. There are Ladies' Night specials around, they just have to have the drink special be an all day thing and then appetizer special can be during a certain time.

Honestly, not being able to do "Happy Hour" in NC is not a big deal. They just have to have the drink special all day long, which is actually better for anyone who can't make it out during traditional happy hour times.