Happy Hour: A Guide

When those chilling winter winds make hibernation a real temptation, being out among others helps to ease the loneliness of those long Michigan winters. Fortunately, Ann Arbor’s many pubs, sports bars, and restaurants offer an enticing spectrum of Happy Hour specials to keep those winter blues from creeping in through the cracks.

Ashley’s 

Quench your craving for hops at this boisterous Irish-style pub offering an extensive beer list, a variety of microbrews, and an awe-inspiring scotch list. Paired with food specials that include $4 half-orders of Boneless Buffalo Wings, $2.50 half-orders of fried Brussel Sprouts (vegetarian), $5 Fried Cheese Curds, $3 half-orders of Soft Pretzel Sticks, (vegetarian) and $4 half-orders of Korean BBQ Ribs, and a variety of gluten-free menu options, you won’t walk out with an empty stomach.

$4 select Michigan drafts, $4 pints of Michigan beer, and $1 off wine

Happy Hour: 3-6pm Monday-Friday, plus Tuesday late night special

338 S State St., Ann Arbor. 734-996-9191. ashleys.com. | Hours: 11:30am-Midnight Sunday-Wednesday and 11:30-2AM Thursday-Saturday.

Aventura

An oasis of Spanish culture in the heart of downtown, Aventura specializes in Old World wines and authentic cuisine. With a plethora of drink selections and tapas galore, there’s always a reason to return to this classy corner, where lingering is a way of life and new friends await. 

$5 sangrias, 50% off draft beer, $3 off wine by the glass and, $5 Amanti, $5 Manhattan, Martini, or Old Fashioned, 25% off select tapas with Happy Hour drink purchase, Pintxos a la carta Small Bites from 3-6pm.

Happy Hour: 3-6pm, Monday-Thursday; 3-5pm, Friday; and 10pm-Midnight, Sunday (at the bar only)

216 E Washington St., Ann Arbor. 734-369-3153. aventuraannarbor.com.
| Hours: 3pm-Midnight daily.

Beer Grotto

The Beer Grotto offers thirty-six rotating beer taps bring in brews from across the country and around the globe, with over 60 brands of premium spirits from vodka to bourbon scotch. The décor is industrial-chic, but the vibe is warm and inviting. 

Happy Hour prices for Military, First Responders, Teachers, and Industry all day Sun-Thur.

20% off wine, draft beer, cocktails, and spirits.

Happy Hour: 3-6pm Monday-Friday

303 S Ashley St., Ann Arbor. 734-369-4212. beergrotto.com. | Hours: 3-11pm, Monday-Thursday; 11am-Midnight, Friday-Saturday; and Noon-10pm, Sunday

Black Pearl

Dive into a delicious menu of fresh seafood favorites and sophisticated martinis at this Main Street anchor since 2008. Weekly specials like Wine and Oyster Mondays or Michigan and Taco Tuesdays offer plenty of reasons to return.  

Rotating food and drink specials. 

Happy Hour: 5-6pm Monday-Friday

302 S Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-222-0400. blackpearlannarbor.com. | Hours: 5-11pm, Sunday-Wednesday; 5pm-Midnight, Thursday; and 4pm-1am, Friday-Saturday.

Blue LLama Jazz Club

What’s better than listing to live jazz and eating delicious food? Well, how about both of these things and a happy hour! The Blue LLama Jazz Club offers some amazing food, music, and drinks to patrons looking to have a comfortable and lovely time.

Happy hour specials have their own menu. Happy hour specials are offered on Blue LLama’s bar or outdoor patio.

Happy Hour: 5-7pm, Monday-Thursday; 3-7pm, Friday-Sunday.

314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-372-3200. bluellamaclub.com. | Hours: 5-10pm, Monday-Thursday; 3-11pm, Friday; 11am-11pm, Saturday, 11am-9pm, Sunday.

Blue Tractor (see also Mash Bar)

Award-winning craft beers brewed on-site to please all palates. IPAs, pale ales, wheat ales, and dark ales await, along with barbecue that will make your toes curl. 

50% off draft beer

Happy Hour: 3-6pm, Monday-Friday; 10pm-Midnight, Sunday-Thursday

207 E Washington St., Ann Arbor. 734-222-4095. bluetractor.net. | Hours: 4-10pm, Monday-Friday; Noon-10pm, Saturday-Sunday.

The Brown Jug

If you haven’t smashed a Greek pizza at The Brown Jug — a University of Michigan tradition since 1936 — never fear, there’s still time for you. Named after the Michigan vs. Minnesota football trophy, the sports bar’s Greek-themed menu boasts delicious items playfully named after Wolverine alumni. 

$3 for 22 oz drafts of Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Labatt Blue. $4 Long Islands and premium draft pints. Daily drink and food specials change monthly. 

Happy Hour: 7-10pm daily

1204 S University Ave., Ann Arbor. 734-761-3355. brownjug-annarbor.com. | Hours: 11-2am, Monday-Saturday; Noon-2am, Sunday.

The Circ Bar

The Circ Bar offers a beautiful outdoor patio, mural, and roof-deck bar that is perfect for a night out. This venue offers the perfect place for the whole family to come enjoy. Guests can even bring their furry friends to enjoy the evening!

20% off all draft beer, cocktails on tap, all wine, and small bites.

Happy Hour: 5-8pm Thursday-Friday, 5-6pm Saturday.

210 S. 1st St., Ann Arbor. 734-277-3656. thecircbar.com. | Hours: 5pm-midnight, Thursday-Saturday.

The Earle

Make a great impression on that first date by ducking into this cozy, award-winning French and Italian eatery featuring live jazz five nights a week.  

20% off items on wine bar (food) menu, and most beverages by the glass

5-6:30pm mussels steamed in white wine, with garlic and tomatoes for $3.75 (dining room only)

Monday-Wednesday all draft beers $4, whitefish entrée for $13

Thursday featured martinis $6

Happy Hour: 5-8pm, Monday-Friday

121 W Washington St., Ann Arbor 734-994-0211. theearle.com. | Hours: 5-9pm, Tuesday-Thursday; 5-10pm, Friday-Saturday.

The Garage Bar

Sports, mingling, and merriment await at this Church Street watering hole with 32 craft beers on tap, a full Pizza House menu, and wall-to-wall flatscreens so you won’t miss a second of the game day action!

$5 Long Islands and Margaritas, $4-$5 select 22oz drafts

Happy Hour: 9pm-close daily (excluding game days)

618 Church St., Ann Arbor. 734-995-5095. garageannarbor.com | Hours: 3pm-2am, daily

Good Time Charley’s

The good times have been rolling since 1979 at this lively watering hole featuring Mug Club Mondays, Tuesday Karaoke, Wednesday Trivia, and $5 burgers on Thursdays. 

50% off all drinks and appetizers 3-4pm | 40% off 4-5pm | 30% off 5-6pm

Additional late-night deals.

Happy Hour: 3-6pm, Tuesday-Friday. Progressive deals 3-6pm, Monday-Friday.

1140 S University St., Ann Arbor. 734-668-8411. charleysannarbor.com | Hours: 3-11pm, Monday-Thursday; 3pm-Midnight, Friday-Saturday

Haymaker Public House

With 24 Michigan-centric brews on tap, enough screens to catch the game from every angle, trivia, and board games, Haymaker Public House is a sports fan’s dream come true. 

50% off all drinks, and 25% off all starters

Happy Hour: 3-6pm, Monday-Friday

203 E Washington St., Ann Arbor. 734-997-5399. haymakerpublichouse.com | Hours: 11:30am-11pm, Monday-Thursday; 11:30am-Midnight, Friday-Saturday.

Heidelberg Restaurant

Get your German fix at this charming pub that offers a hefty beer and drink selection. If you feel like dancing, head upstairs to the Club Above where DJs keep the music spinnin’.

$5 appetizers

$2 domestic bottles 

Rotating daily food and drink specials.

Happy Hour: 4-10pm, Sunday-Thursday

215 N Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-663-7758.  heidelbergannarbor.com. | Hours: 5pm-2am, Thursday-Saturday; 7pm-2am, Sunday.

Jim Brady’s Ann Arbor

The modern Jim Brady’s, an homage and tribute to the classic Detroit destination Diamond Jim Brady’s, offers a delightful variety of beers and Michigan craft cocktails. If you’re hungry, nosh on Brady’s selection of appetizers, like steamed mussels, chicken poppers, ahi tuna nachos, and roasted cauliflower, all of which are available for a steal of a price at happy hour every weekday afternoon — and also after 10pm, Sunday through Thursday, for all the night owls out there.

$4 draft beers, $6 cocktails, $6 appetizers

Happy Hour: 3-6pm, Monday-Friday. Late Night Happy Hour: 10pm-Close, Sunday-Thursday.

209 S Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-562-1954. jbdetroit.com. | Hours: 4-10pm, Monday-Wednesday; 4-11pm, Thursday-Friday; 11am-11pm, Saturday; and 11am-10pm, Sunday.

Knight’s Downtown 

Knight’s is the perfect place to stop by for a delicious drink and amazing food.

20% off all appetizers, $1 off all House Wine and Sangria, $2 Labatt Blue Drafts

Happy Hour: 3-6pm, Monday-Thursday.

600 E Liberty St., Ann Arbor. 734-887-6899.
knightsrestaurants.com. | Hours: Noon-10pm, Sunday-Thursday, Noon-11pm, Friday-Saturday.

Mani Osteria & Bar 

This Italian eatery focuses on local ingredients and small production wines. Quality beats quantity — can’t complain when you get it at an affordable price.

50% off house red and white wine, cocktail of the day, red sangria, and draft beers

Happy Hour: 4-6pm, Tuesday-Friday.

341 E Liberty St., Ann Arbor. 734-769-6700. maniosteria.com. | Hours: 4-9pm, Tuesday-Thursday; Noon-10pm, Friday-Saturday; Noon-9pm, Sunday.

Mash Bar (beneath Blue Tractor BBQ)

This speakeasy-style bar serves whiskey, bourbon, and craft beers with some great bar food. You can also sneak upstairs to Blue Tractor for the perfect BBQ night.

50% off Draft Beer, $5 Wells and Select Whiskey, $6 rotating Craft Cocktail. 

Thursday nights $10 Craft Beer Pitchers

Happy Hour: 10pm-Close, Sunday-Thursday.

207 E Washington St., Ann Arbor. 734-222-4095. mashbar.net. | Hours: 6pm-Midnight, Thursday-Saturday.

Nightcap

Step aside Tom Collins! This ain’t your old man’s cocktail bar. Contemporary cocktails made with fresh ingredients offer a slew of new sensations to spark your taste buds and your conversations.  

Monthly rotating drink specials. 

Happy Hour: 6-8pm, Sunday-Wednesday and 5-8pm, Thursday-Saturday.

220 S Main St., Ann Arbor 734-369-6070. nightcapbara2.com. | Hours: 6pm-1am, Sunday-Wednesday; 5pm-2am, Thursday-Saturday.

Oscar’s Sports & Grill

Oscar’s Sports Bar and Grill isn’t just a sports bar. There’s something perfect here for everyone in the family. Oscar’s Sports Bar and Grill isn’t just a sports bar. There’s something perfect here for everyone in the family. The menu has a variety of delicious foods, with burgers made with Knight’s mean to Fresh Baked Benny’s Bakery buns.

Specials will vary.

Happy Hour: 3-6:30pm, Monday-Friday

6877 S. State Rd., Saline. 734-429-7700. oscarssportsgrill.com. | Hours: 11:30am-9pm, Tuesday; 11:30am-10pm, Wednesday-Thursday; 11:30am-11pm, Friday; 11:30am-10pm, Saturday

Pretzel Bell

Over three decades after the original Pretzel Bell poured its last draft, the legendary U of M hangout returns! The specials are cheap, and the history lining the walls is priceless.  

$2 off all snacks, shares, beers, signature cocktails, and wine. 

Happy Hour: 3-6pm Sunday-Thursday; Late Night Happy Hour: 10pm-close Sunday-Thursday.

226 S Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-994-2773. thepretzelbell.com. | Hours: 4-10pm, Monday-Thursday; 4pm-Midnight, Friday; Noon-Midnight, Saturday; Noon-10pm, Sunday.

Red Hawk Bar & Grill

A campus mainstay beloved by townies and students alike, Red Hawk has been serving made-from-scratch food, craft cocktails, and decadent desserts since 1992. It’s location makes Red Hawk a prime meet-up spot, and you won’t find too many places in town with as consistently solid food and service. 

$1 off bottled and canned beer and cider, $2 off draft beer and wine, and $3 off all liquor drinks. $3 vegetarian, pescado, pollo, or carnita tacos. 

Happy Hour: 3-6pm & 8pm-Close, Sunday-Friday.

316 S State St., Ann Arbor. 734-994-4004. redhawkannarbor.com. | Hours: 11:30am-8pm, Monday-Thursday; 11:30am-9pm, Friday; 4-9pm, Saturday; 4-8pm, Sunday.

Sava’s

Class meets comfort at Sava’s, an ideal spot for fantastic deals on small plates and handcrafted cocktails. Feel relaxed and sophisticated here at their open and contemporary space.

50% off draft beer, 25% bottled beer, and $3 off cocktails and spirits, wine pours, mimosas, and bloody marys. 25% of small plates when paired with a happy hour beverage.

Happy Hour: 9-11am & 3-6pm, Monday-Friday; 10pm-Midnight Sunday.

216 S State St., Ann Arbor. 734-623-2233. savasrestaurant.com. | Hours: 9am-11pm, daily.

Scorekeepers

Grab a bite and a beer while watching the game on any of their 37 TVs. Students gather here throughout the week and all weekend long for great tunes, and even better food and drinks.

No Happy Hour. Rotating drink specials.

310 Maynard St., Ann Arbor. 734-995-0100. a2scorekeepers.com. | Hours: 5pm-2am, Tuesday-Saturday.

Tios Mexican Cafe

Once a Huron Street hole-in-the-wall, this second-generation family-owned favorite made the leap to Liberty Street in 2009, where the addition of a full bar and some authentic Mexican favorites make for a muy bueno Happy Hour. Quesadilla Mondays: $8 Quesadillas (sour cream included! Add $1 for beef, chicken or pork | Taco Tuesdays: Americano, Autentico, and Tinga tacos all $2 | Wet Burrito Wednesdays: All Wet Burritos $9 | Nacho Grande Thursdays: $9 Loaded Nachos with your choice of meat, because everything is better with nachos.  

50% off margaritas and $1 off draft beer.

Happy Hour: 3-6pm, Monday-Friday; 11pm-1am, Saturday.

401 E Liberty St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-6650. tiosmexicancafe.com. | Hours: 11am-10pm, Monday-Saturday.

Vinology

For a classy alternative to the sports bar scene, Vinology Wine Bar and Restaurant is the sophisticated experience you’re looking for. Wine aficionados will indulge at this bar, offering happy hour specials you can’t pass up. All day Monday boasts 50% off select bottles of wine.

50% off wine pours

50% off burgers

50% off pizzas

Happy Hour: 4-6pm, Monday-Friday.

110 S Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-222-9841. vinologya2.com. | Hours: 4-9pm Wednesday, 4-10pm, Thursday; 4-11pm, Friday-Saturday; 11am-8pm, Sunday.

Zingerman’s Roadhouse

Zingerman’s Roadhouse is an Ann Arbor staple, and anyone who lives here knows how great it is. The food is delicious, and the happy hour drinks are sure to lift even the heaviest of spirits. It’s the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat and a good drink with friends.

Happy Hour drink specials rotate daily.

Happy Hour: 4-6pm, Monday-Friday.

2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor. 734-663-3663. zingermansroadhouse.com | Hours: 7am-9pm, Daily

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