On the rocks, neat, dirty, frozen, or zero proof — we’re spilling the Long Island iced tea on the best happy hours in Madison.
Get ready to drink up at these local establishments that lift spirits with their sip-worthy specials.
Late-night gem
Canteen | Everyday, 2-5 p.m. + 9 p.m.-close | Time is just a construct with a drink in your hand. Grab half-priced signature margaritas + half-off tacos during your post-work hangout or while kicking off a night on the square.
Hungry for meal deals
Sardine | Weekdays, 4-6 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 4:30-6 p.m. (bar area only) | Imbibe during this dollar-off oyster happy hour with a glass of $6 wine or an $8 featured cocktail.
Heritage Tavern | Tuesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | If your lunch just didn’t quite do it for you, this happy includes a $6 “old fashioned” ham sandwich, $2 spicy tuna deviled eggs, and a $10 sausage that comes with a beer back.
Rare Steakhouse | Tuesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | Chow down on a half-price bar menu and wash back those burgers with a selection of drink deals.
Beer lovers
Vintage Brewing Company | Weekdays, 4-7 p.m. | Stop in at the brewery for a dollar off select beers and rail mixers, plus nightly specials like Tequila Tuesdays ($5 margaritas) and Whiskey Wednesdays ($3 shots and single mixers of a few whiskey brands).
Keeping spirits up
Lucille | Daily, 3-6 p.m. | While the 50% off mojitos, margaritas, daquiris, and tap beer is enough to turn your head, this restaurant also offers a “happiest hour” on Fridays at 3 p.m. and a “Cheap Date Night” deal on Wednesdays that includes an appetizer, pizza, dessert, and a bottle of wine for $50-60.
Madison’s | Tuesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | A strawbarb spritzer is even more refreshing when it costs only $7, but there are also deals on old fashioneds and beer if you want something a little heavier.
Biggest bargains
State Street Brats | Monday-Thursday, 3-5 p.m. | We’ve got two words for you: half-off apps. Plus, check out the specials.
Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace | Daily, 2-5 p.m. | With half off the prices of margaritas, tacos, draft beer, and wine, it’d be fiscally irresponsible not to stop by.
nfabgrlnq — oops, sorry. We had to wipe the drool off our keyboard that came from looking at this pic of Tempest Oyster Bar’s $3 shrimp cocktail deal.
Photo by @glutenfreemadison
Off the vine
Eno Vino | Monday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. + all day Sunday | Add some sophistication to the happy hour occasion and take advantage of $2 off wine by the glass + signature hand-crafted cocktails.
Tempest Oyster Bar | Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | Make the most of this happy hour with $7 house wines and snacks like $3 shrimp cocktail.
Off the vine
Cafe Hollander | Monday-Thursday, 3-5 p.m. | Spend an afternoon at Hilldale sipping on half-priced wine, specialty mules, sangria + Lowlands Brewing Collaboratives and the Bier of the Month. Later, stick around at Hilldale and play oversized board games to crown the king or queen of happy hour.
Fun in the sun
bartaco | Weekdays, 3-6 p.m. | Soak up the sun on the patio while watching lawn games and enjoying deals on chips + salsa, cheese quesadillas, and select beverages.
Genna’s Cocktail Lounge | Monday-Friday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Take in the energy of the downtown area sitting on the patio with some solidly priced snacks. Pro tip: Try to plan your happy hour around one of Genna’s open mic nights or beer events.
Host at home
Shop our favorite happy hour essentials to host friends for a drink at your place:
- Craft delicious drinks at home with syrups and mixers made from fresh ingredients.
- No clue how to put together a charcuterie board for your next event? No worries, here’s a helpful road map that you can use for everyday hosting!
- Try these alcohol-free sparkling beverages available in six organic flavors and made with nourishing, regenerative ingredients that help you tap into your inner power.
- The Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker promises no more leaks and has a built-in measuring system.
- This set of six colored wine glasses reminds us of Estelle stemware — only more affordable.
- Pair your colorful wine glasses with a colorful decanter that’s an Anthropologie best-seller.
- Keep wine and champagne cold in a marble wine chiller.
- An electric wine opener makes opening bottles smooth and stress-free.
- Don’t forget the best drinkware made by small, local businesses — we’re big fans of the Pirani Life tumbler, an eco-friendly version of a Solo Cup, and these Kanga Coolers koozies that keep drinks cold.
