Spring is fast approaching, and nothing goes better with fresh flowers and sun than a drink on a patio. Edmonton is well known for its eateries, but, this time, we want to celebrate libations. Here’s a countdown of the city’s top happy hour locations that you’re sure to leave with a smile on your face.
This eclectic hub, tucked away from the bright lights of Whyte Ave – but far from living in the shadows – is almost always filled to the brim and usually has a short waitlist. But, when you check out its extensive drink menu, you’ll know why. The wait is worth it! Come down between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (even on weekends!) and pick from a few classic brews on special for Happy Hour. A couple of my favourites are Delerium Tremens and Erdinger Dunkel, just two beers out of the whopping 15 rotating taps and 160 bottles available here.
Looking for a touch of class but want to spare your wallet the burden of fine dining? Visit The Common! This restaurant-lounge, with its retro sparkle, has the perfect cocktail of deals available at Happy Hour, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. It features $2 off pints and wine, $1 off domestic cans and bottles of beer (including Alley Kat, Original 16 and Parallel 49 taps) and $1 off well highballs. Better yet, on Tuesdays you can enjoy Happy Hour at any time of the day.
When the disco ball isn’t flashing on a Saturday night, this watering hole is a nice laid-back pub to stop into for a drink. The Buck has a familiar neighbourhood feel that goes perfect with a $4 pint of PBR or Yellowhead, its two Happy Hour specials. Don’t worry if you can’t come until a little later; the magic hour run between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. here.
Kelly’s may actually be the happiest place on earth. Happy Hour runs between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., spilling into the happiest hour, which goes until 7 p.m. The first round includes premium and import pints, house wine, well highballs and domestic pints and bottles for as low as $5. The happiest hour features the same beers and highballs on special for even less, along with glasses of wine and handcrafted cocktails for as low as $4.75. Set in the heart of downtown, Kelly’s is also great for catching some sports.
If you’re a wine lover looking for good deals and a dark bar, the Rocky Mountain Icehouse is the place to be. Modern and urban with a touch of rustic, alpine warmth, this restaurant/bar’s Happy Hour features deals on glasses of house red and white wines. But, if wine isn’t your flavour, there’s also a few refreshing drafts – including Alley Kat Scona Gold and Mainsqueeze – offered at a good price. On Tuesdays, you can catch Happy Hour between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and even stay a little longer to hear some live music from The Icehouse Band.
It’s easy to lose track of time here; I’ve definitely spent a couple hours trying to up my game on The Denizen Hall’s pinball machines, one of several crowd-pleasers in its extensive retro arcade. The fun and games don’t stop here though. Come down for Happy Hour, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., when you can try your hand at a game of rock-paper-scissors to win half off your appetizer while you sip on a $4 PBR or Yellowhead lager. Or come between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. for $2.75 house highballs!