In our Where to Happy Hour series, we search Houston’s vast array of neighborhoods for the very best libations.
Named after St. Thomas Aquinas and founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers, the University of St. Thomas is the city’s only Catholic university. The charming campus is located in the Neartown District, and with vibrant hoods like Montrose, the Museum District, and Midtown all within reach, there are no shortage of excellent (and since this is college, budget-friendly) happy hour options.
Note: For the purposes of this list, the area near the University of St. Thomas is bound by Westheimer/Elgin to the north, Bissonnet to the south, Dunlavy to the west and Main to the east.
Where to Happy Hour Near the University of St. Thomas
- Cane Rosso – Though it’s a Dallas import, with Chef Jonathan Jones (formerly of spots like Beaver’s, Max’s Wine Dive, and El Big Bad,) behind the menu updates, Cane Rosso feels wholly Houston. Hit the Montrose location’s pup-friendly patio for one of the best happy hour deals in town, offering Neapolitan-style pies in flavors from Margherita and Marinara ($5) to the sausage-topped Emma and hot soppressata-dressed Ella ($7). Enjoy the pizza alongside $3 Peroni and $5 house cocktails and select red and whites. Monday through Friday 5pm to 7pm. Click here for directions.
- Good Dog Houston – This local hot dog joint offers daily specials, including Texas Tuesday with all day happy hour (half-off select Texas drafts and Texas wines, Lone Star tallboys); Wine Wednesday with all day happy hour (half-off three Texas wines in addition to select drafts); and 3pm to 6pm happy hour on Thursday and Friday (half-off select bottles and cans, half-off select Texas drafts and wine). The Short Bus Shorties (mini dogs) are available during happy hour every day. Click here for directions.
- Grand Prize Bar – With a billiards table, jukebox, and perfect dive bar vibe, Grand Prize Bar is a local treasure. Hit happy hour to sip rotating classic cocktails for $2 off, $4 Bulleit bourbon, $3 wells and $6 selected combos. Click here for directions.
- Griff’s – As luck (of the Irish) would have it, this neighborhood pub rocks a seriously wallet-friendly happy hour, featuring $2 domestics, $2.50 wells and $1-off call liquors. Tack on cheap bites like $4 chips and salsa, onion rings and fry baskets with ranch dressing or $7 half-pound burgers. Monday through Friday 3pm to 7pm. Click here for directions.
- Ramen Tatsu-ya – Try out slurpin’ hour at this cult favorite and get $1-off draft beers, $2 house sake, and $3 specialty cocktails alongside some slammin’ ramen filled with things like corn bombs, yuzu kosho bombs, and Thai chili and habanero “fire in a bowl.” Monday through Friday 2pm to 6pm. Click here for directions.
- Revelry on Richmond – Weekday happy hour means you can dig into $6 apps—think buffalo strips, freshly baked pretzels, and chips and queso—alongside $5 drinks, including house-made sangria, house wine, frozen vodka Redbull, Texas pints, and well drinks. And don’t miss the lineup of daily specials, from Thursday’s $12 Burger & Pint Night to Saturday and Sunday’s $15 to $20 buckets. Monday through Thursday 3pm to 7pm; Friday 3pm to 9pm. Click here for directions.
Other great options – Sip cheap suds at West Alabama Ice House alongside $1.50 to $2 tacos from neighborhood favorite Tacos Tierra Caliente; get half-off cocktails, wines and beers at Wooster’s Garden; check out Taco Tuesday and 50-cent wing Mondays at Beer Market Midtown, Monday Burger Night and Thursday Steak Night at The Maple Leaf Pub, half-price burgers (Monday) and $5 wing baskets (Thursday) at Doc’s Motorworks, and Monday Steak Night and $1 Taco Tuesday at Saint Dane’s Bar & Grille; get $2 mixed drinks and tacos from the truck at AvantGarden; smash cheap slices alongside drinks specials at Love Buzz; and choose from 30 beers for $3 each at The Hay Merchant.
