These are the places where you can drink well, on the cheap.
Happy hours in Houston aren’t just a time to decompress after work and catch up with friends. They’re also the best times to sample highpriced local fare on the cheap.
Some upscale establishments serving $25 dishes may have smaller portions for $5 during select times of the week.
With that in mind, here are a few happy-hour highlights worth investigating right now. 5 p.m. can’t come fast enough.
Star Fish
When: 4-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays
Where: 191 Heights Blvd. The Martini & Oyster Happy Hour features select Gulf oysters for $1 each and Atlantic oysters for $2 each. For drinks, locals can choose from five different $5 martinis, $5 wines and $5 craft beers. The signature Laurie’s Old Fashioned also is an option for $5.
Details: 832-831-9820; starfishhouston.com
Better Luck Tomorrow
When: 3:30-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays
Where: 544 Yale Houston bar owner Bobby Heugel and James Beard Award-winning chef Justin Yu have launched the Happy Hour and a Half, which merges happy-hour specials from two of their other establishments. The deal offers half-off cocktails and 25 percent off bottles of wine. There also are two discounted food combos, including one off the menu — Chicken Combo B.
Details: betterlucktomorrowhou.com
Pax Americana
When: 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays
Where: 4319 Montrose Executive chef Martha de Leon’s sampling of small plates and cocktails are available for a discount at this modern Montrose staple. Cocktails can be had for $5 each, and food is priced from $5 to $10 per plate. The smart dishes include the Marinated Labneh, a pita flatbread with purple mint and tomatoes.
Details: 713-239-0228; paxamericanahtx.com
Killen’s STQ
When: 4-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays
Where: 2231 S. Voss Featured bites and drinks are priced from $7 to $12. Dishes include the duck confit quesadilla ($12), short-rib tamales ($8), tandoori beef skewers ($8) and pork-belly burnt ends ($8). Drinks include an $8 French 75, $7 sangria and $8 Killen’s Cosmo.
Details: killensstq.com