When State Question 792 passed in 2016, thereby reforming Oklahoma’s alcohol laws, one of the most popular changes to the law concerned happy hours. Prior to 792, establishments could only offer happy hour specials if they ran for seven consecutive days, and the “happy hour” price had to be available all day, which meant customers who were aware of the law could simply demand happy hour pricing during peak hours and the restaurant or bar had to comply. The law at that point made it easier to simply say no to offering happy hour specials.
With 792, the gate has been flung wide, so to speak, and restaurants and bars can offer nearly anything they want at almost any time of day. The Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission general counsel and deputy director Steven Barker says, “The main rules now are that they have to sell at least 6 percent above cost – that rule applies to retail, too – and the special has to be available to everyone in the establishment.” By everyone, he means everyone of legal drinking age; establishments can’t create a special only for specific demographics or organizations.
It’s impossible to list all the available happy hours in the metro, but we collected some of the more popular (and best deals) for your consideration. While most places that do offer happy hour specials tend to offer them for all categories, a few worth noting excel in different areas, be it beer, booze, food or wine, and some even feature a late happy hour. Enjoy!
R&J Lounge and Supper Club (320 NW 10th St.) does specials all day Monday, and 2 to 6 p.m. the rest of the week. $5 Old Fashioneds, $3.75 well drinks, $10 carafes of sangria and $1.55 Coors banquet. They also have seven appetizers at various discounts, including the uber-popular cheesy crab toast.
Empire Slice House (2 locations, empireslicehouse.com) has $12 pepperoni pies and cheese pies Monday through Thursday 2 to 5 p.m., takeout or delivery only.
Also in 84 Hospitality, Burger Punk (3012 N Walker Ave.) offers $5 OG Punk burgers and $3 draft beers from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Revolucion (916 NW 6th St.) has $5 margaritas, and Goro (3000 Paseo) has $5 whisky highballs on the same days and times.
Northeast OKC’s new cocktail destination Kindred Spirits (1726 NE 23rd St.) offers $3 draft beers (all local brews), $4 Eastpoint Teas and $5 D’Usse Cognac Thursday through Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.
Trapper’s Fishcamp & Grill (4300 W Reno Ave.) has more than 350 whiskey options, and from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, you can get half-price flights – that’s two pours per flight – of any bourbons you choose.
The Other Room in the Paseo Arts District (3009 Paseo) features half-priced appetizers, beer and wine from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails in Norman (132 W Main St.) has an early (3 to 6 p.m. daily) and a late (9 p.m. to close daily) happy hour. Happy hour is all day Tuesday and Thursday, and there is a list of select $6 cocktails available all day, every day. Regular happy hour is half off select appetizers and domestic beers, and $5 glasses of wine.
The Hamilton Lounge and Supper Club (12232 N May) also has two happy hours: Monday through Friday 4 to 6 p.m. and again Thursday 8 to 11 p.m. for live music. Features include $6 house wines (two red and two white), $3 domestic beers, $6 shot (any well spirit) and beer (any domestic or White Claw). The well booze includes a few bottled-in-bond options like Evan Williams and Mellow Corn. Select appetizers are $10.
Bar Arbolada’s (637 W Main St.) locally famous $4 burgers are available daily, including during happy hour from opening to 7 p.m. In addition, owner Riley Marshall offers $1 off draft beers and $6 pours of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines.
Jimmy B’s in Automobile Alley (1225 N Broadway Ave.) calls its happy hour “Raising the Bar,” and it’s daily 3 to 5:30 p.m. and begins again one hour before close. It features $8 draft wine, $3 off cocktails, $3 off draft beer, $7 beer and shot specials and $9 “bar bites.”
