Happy Hour is one of those things that you either are down with or not. People usually go after work to get some drinks and calm down from a stressful day at work. Some people just want to get home as quickly as possible and don’t want to spend any time in a crowded bar. The food is usually fried and just something to go with the drinks. But, I for one, like to have good food also.

I’m one of those people that’s not usually a Happy Hour person so it had to be special to get me to forgo heading straight home when I worked in an office. Now it’s even more imperative because I work from home, so you really have to be on point to get me out of the house. No more cheap and mediocre finger foods that aren’t even on their menu; and luckily restaurants are really getting creative with their Happy Hour food or are giving really good discounts on their exceptional menu items.

I’ve listed just a few Happy Hours that I really enjoy and would definitely get me out of my leisure clothes and out of mi casa.

Agave

Happy Hour ~ Monday – Friday  4:00 – 6:00 pm

This restaurant’s happy hour is one of my favorites because of the delicious Southwestern food which is in my top 3 cuisines. Agave opens at 4:00pm and you’ll usually find a line waiting outside for the staff to open the doors. It’s because the food and drinks are that good and also because you only get the specials at the bar and there’s limited seating. If you can snag a seat though, you will not be sorry. There are no drink specials. Yes I said that. The appetizers are two for one, which makes you forget that there’s no special on the drinks. From a spicy fried lobster to roasted stuffed poblanos, to grilled street corn; it’s all just so damn delicious. There’s also an Agave chopped salad that is fantastic. The drinks are top notch also and I highly recommend the spicy jalapeno margarita. If you’re not into spice, there are seven non-spicy margaritas to choose from. Wine and Beer are available, but I feel like you almost have to order a margarita, right? So please go to Agave and I know you’ll go again and again.

O-Ku

Happy Hour ~ Monday – Thursday 5:00 – 6:00 pm

O-Ku is an award winning sushi bar that you wouldn’t think would have a great Happy Hour, but you’d be sadly mistaken. Located in the Westside Ironworks, the interior is very industrial chic and has a rooftop with skyline views. The idea behind their menu is Japanese cuisine with local southern ingredients. The seafood is flown in from Japan and Hawaii. There’s a Happy Hour menu consisting of small plates and sushi rolls with the standout being the Salmon Usuzukuri and the RockShrimp Tempura. Also, try the truffle edamame and you can’t go wrong with any of the sushi.  

Ecco Midtown

Happy Hour ~ Monday – Friday 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Ecco was named one of the best new restaurants in America, after it opened, by Esquire Magazine. Owned by the same people who own South City Kitchen and La Travola, the small plates consist of mixed olives, marcona almonds, charcuterie boards and more. My personal favorite is the Ricotta Arancini with a truffle aioli. It’s a very European experience and would be perfect for a date night. The food is wonderful and the drinks are strong. What more could you ask for?

Marcus Bar & Grille

Happy Hour ~ Tuesday – Thursday 4:00 – 7:00 pm

This is the great Marcus Samuelson’s restaurant. From The Food Network to Bravo’s Top Chef appearances, he’s one of the world’s most celebrated Chefs. Located on Edgewood Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward, he’s been open less than a year and has already created so much buzz. There are only 4 things on their Happy Hour menu but they are all stellar. Cornbread, Deviled Eggs, Wings and a Burger. For a more in-depth critique of his restaurant, see my blog post here.

Whiskey Bird

Happy Hour ~ Tuesday – Thursday 4:00 – 6:30 pm and Friday – Sunday 3:00 – 5:30 pm

Located in the North Highlands, Whiskey Bird was named one of the best neighborhood bars from 2017 to 2022 by Nextdoor and will probably be named the same in 2023. A fusion of Asian and American dishes, they specialize in Yakitori, which is basically Japanese skewered chicken. They’re perfect for sharing and the sliders and tacos are perfect for Happy Hour too.

Establishment

Happy Hour ~ Monday – Friday 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Establishment is located in Colony Square with its new (within the last two years) food hall, restaurants and movie theater. It’s a very cool place with lots of reclaimed wood and a very hipster vibe. They provide a Happy Hour menu of food and drinks. There’s all of the usual suspects like deviled eggs, sliders, truffle fries and dips. Delicious finger foods

Gypsy Kitchen

Happy Hour ~ Monday – Friday 4:00 – 6:00 pm

On the second floor of Buckhead Village, there is this gem with cuisine from Spain, Greece, Lebanon and Moroccan. So if you’re a fan of all things Mediterranean, you’re sure to love this place. Their special happy hour menu consists of four different kinds of flatbreads and two small plates. I love to “graze”, so I would get everything so you could share. The specialized drinks go well with the menu and the atmosphere of Moorish tiles, woven rugs, tapestries and cushions, this place is a vibe. Go sit on the rooftop patio and enjoy.

Grana

Happy Hour ~ Monday – Friday 4:00 – 6:00 pm

I don’t know about you, but I love the taste of Italian food from Southern Italy. It’s a little heavier with robust tomato sauces and a kind of rustic presentation. Things like lasagna, meatballs and pizza. So this restaurant was right up my alley. Appetizers are on special during happy and there’s a whole menu of meatballs people! Six different kinds plus you can even order a tasting of every one of these. If this doesn’t excite you like it does me, then I don’t know what to tell you. I went to the location in Buckhead on Piedmont, but there’s also one in Dunwoody.

Kimball House

Happy Hour ~ Tuesday – Sunday 5:00 pm

Located in a former railroad depot in Decatur, Kimball House is known for its oysters and craft cocktails, which makes it the perfect place for Happy Hour. They used to have an oyster happy hour before the pandemic, but now it’s discontinued. The oysters are so reasonable, so I thought I’d still include this famous restaurant. The raw bar has a multitude of oysters from every part of the United States, including hard to find varieties which makes them one of the best oyster purveyors in the Atlanta area. They even have their own oyster farm called Shiny Dimes in Florida.

Well, that’s my list and I’m sticking to it. I know there are a lot more fantastic Happy Hour places in Atlanta, but it’s hard to narrow it down and I could go on forever. So, here are just a few and let me know if you’ve gone to them or please recommend other ones with good food.

See you on the flip side.