Happy National Happy Hour Day! And in honor of the happiest hour of the year, we're rerunning this piece on happy hours that'll satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst – all while keeping your wallet happy as well. Get happy, Milwaukee! (And stay warm! Alcohol's good for that, right?)
It seems as though nearly every bar in Milwaukee has some sort of happy hour. Chances are any random bar you stumble upon will have deals for the taking. There are times, however, when drink discounts are not enough to sate your appetite. You're looking for food – and not just any food, but good food.
When you're in the market for quality grub during the happiest hours of the day, these are eight bars and restaurants to be.
1. AJ Bombers
This Water Street staple has happy hour every Monday-Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. In addition to $2 tall boys, $4 draft beers and $5 double tall mixers, there are $4 deals on burgers, cheese curds and pretzels. Of course, the rest of the menu is there for the eating, as well, along with the endless peanuts delivered by the P-12 bomber.
2. Camino
From 3 to 5 p.m., you can get two-for-one rail drinks and wine, $2 PBR taps and, most importantly, free pierogi when you purchase a craft beer. Those drinks pair wonderfully with some of the best burgers and fries in Milwaukee – not to mention an outstanding beer garden space. But really, who can say no to free pierogi?
3. Comet Cafe
It's $1 off taps and bottles, as well as $1 Old Styles, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Comet. In addition to these deals, this East Side establishment features nearly any comfort food that you could want, from meatloaf (wrapped in bacon) to pork chops (with bacon mashed potatoes) and a variety of sandwiches (featuring bacon). Don't worry, there are plenty of salads and vegan options, too.
4. Fuel
If you're looking for some breakfast food to go along with your beer, Fuel in Walker's Point has got you covered, as it serves breakfast all day – in addition to $3 taps and $5 apps on weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Because nothing says happy hour like biscuits and gravy and a Spotted Cow.
5. Maxie's
For a happy hour with no strings attached, Maxie's is the place for you. From 4 to 6 p.m. everyday, you get $1 off whatever you're drinking, along with $1 off oysters. Whether you're drinking a PBR tall boy or a $70 merlot, the deal still applies. It also doesn't hurt that Maxie's has some of the best Southern food north of the Mason-Dixon line, either.
6. Pizza Man
With $2 off taps and $5 rail mixers, Pizza Man is the perfect place to go if you're looking for some of the best pizza in town. A Milwaukee staple since 1970 with three locations around town, Pizza Man has everything you need to satisfy your cheesy (or pepperoni-y) cravings. The happy hour runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays at all Pizza Man locations in Milwaukee.
7. Safe House
Shhhh! Don't tell anyone, but Safe House's Undercover Hour runs every weekday from 4 to 7 p.m. With $3 domestic beers, $4 well drinks, $5 house wines and deals on appetizers, this is the perfect place to seek cover if you're being chased by spies – or merely your boss trying to ask about that assignment you're supposed to be working on. SafeHouse's also features Wai Lin's Ahi Salad, which is one of the tastiest salads in town, so put on your spy disguise and seek shelter at this happy hour.
8. Red Lion Pub
If you're looking for a little slice of home – and that home happens to hail from across the pond – Red Lion Pub's happy hour is the one for you. And if you've never even been to Britain, much less flipped on the BBC, it's the perfect place to get an authentic British fish and chips without having to book a flight. As for its happy hour, there are $4 select taps and several other deals every weekday from 4 to 6 p.m., not to mention an "Appy Hour" from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays with app deals and other drink specials.
