Craft Cocktail Carrie ~ Best Extended Happy Hours

By: Carrie Rhoads

Happy Hour–The quintessential activity to either celebrate a good day or drown your sorrows after a bad one. An inexpensive alternative to costly dinners, and a great way to spend time with family, friends and coworkers. Happy hours are a dime a dozen, and have been around forever, so why are we spending time on them now? Because happy hours are no longer just about cheap draft beer in dark, windowless bars (although there is a time and place for that as well); happy hours are a great excuse to explore the trendiest spots in town without breaking the bank.

As a self-proclaimed craft cocktail connoisseur, my personal mission is to always find happy hours that encompass a wide range of delicious drinks. Join me this year as we check out some of the best places Arizona has to offer! This week we’re focusing on haunts with great Extended happy hours. As a 30-something professional with career-minded friends, I have made it a goal to find the best locales that offer happy hour specials beyond the typical 3-6 pm window. Why should those of us that have to work later hours or fight rush hour traffic suffer by spending more on their libations?

Cheers!
Craft Cocktail Carrie

Carrie’s Extended Happy Hour Picks (Check back often for new additions, and if you have a place to suggest, feel free to add it in the comments and see if it makes the cut!)

Paul Martin’s American Grill
Location: 6186 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Hours: Daily, 3 pm to 7 pm
Maybe I’m biased because this is walking distance from my house, or maybe I keep going back because of their generous 7 oz wine pours. Happy hour specials include seasonal cocktails, wine, beer and a nice selection of table snacks. Good luck getting a spot at the bar. Instead belly up to the communal high tops where you can still get happy hour deals.
paulmartinsamericangrill.com

GWIN Wine + Beer
Location: 7342 East Shea Boulevard, Suite 109, Scottsdale Arizona
Hours: Daily, 3 pm to 7pm
Tucked away in a strip mall, this newer wine bar on the block comes with a promising selection of snacks and week day specials (Cornish Pasty and a pint on Thursdays!) in addition to daily happy hour.
gwinaz.com

The Salt Cellar Restaurant
Location: 550 N. Hayden Rd, Scottsdale
Hours: Twin Happy Hours Daily from 4 pm to 7 pm and from 10 pm to 12 am
Want to escape the heat and take happy hour literally underground? Check out this old school 70’s seafood haunt and you won’t be disappointed.Enjoy discounted liquor, wine and seafood specials! Draft beer is always $5.
Saltcellarrestaurant.com

Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila
Location: 7228 E. First Avenue, Scottsdale
Hours: Daily from 3 pm to 7 pm, plus additional deals all day on Monday and Tuesday for Margarita Madness and Taco Tuesday
While there are no shortage of Mexican restaurants in the Scottsdale area, Cien Agaves is understated and one of the few of its type with extended happy hour specials. Don’t miss the half off appetizers as well, an amazing deal !
cienagaves.com

Bevvy Uptown
Location: 5600 N. 7th Street, Phoenix
Hours: Monday-Friday from 3 pm to 7 pm
A refreshing escape from the Old Town location of Bevvy. Enjoy a more mixed crowd and a large open air patio. Say hello to our friend Liza who is a mastermind behind the bar! With a group, check out the Mega Moscow Mule-while not on happy hour it was a steal at $30. (Check out @craftcocktailcarrie’s post to see the behemoth cocktail)
bevvyuptown.com

The Womack
Location: 5749 N. 7th Street, Phoenix
Hours: Tuesday-Friday from 4 pm to 7 pm
Paying homage to what once was a classic Phoenix cocktail establishment, enjoy cocktail, liquor, wine and beer discounts, as well as a small selection of nibbles; also worth staying past happy hour to hear the live music
thewomack.us

Seasons 52
Location: 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix (Biltmore Fashion Park)
Hours: Monday-Friday from 3 pm to 7 pm
$5 small plates, $15 flight & flatbread, and wine, beer and cocktail specials
seasons52.com

Linger Longer Lounge
Location: 6522 N. 16th Street, Suite 6, Phoenix
Hours: Monday-Friday 4 pm to 7 pm
Another knockout from Genuine Concepts, expect good food, bevvies and games; additional all night specials include half off wine bottles on Thursday and happy hour all day Sunday
Lingerlongeraz.com

Donovan’s
Location: 3101 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix
Hours: Monday-Friday, 4 pm to 7 pm
Craving a different scene for happy hour? Check out this classy steak house and enjoy select appetizers and drinks, including wines, signature cocktails and martinis
Donovanssteakhouse.com

Sonata’s Restaurant
Location: 10050 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 127, Scottsdale
Hours: Daily, 4 pm to 7 pm
Modern European cuisine in the heart of Scottsdale. Large selection of wines and cocktails as well as beer. Don’t miss the food specials! (Tell the bar director, Will, that Rosé Rhoads says ‘Hi’)
Sonatasrestaurant.com

Ra Sushi
Multiple locations throughout the Valley (and one in Tucson)
Hours: Monday-Friday, 3 pm to 7 pm
Large selection of beer, wine, cocktails and sushi. Drink specials and hours vary by market. Also reverse happy hour on Sundays
Rasushi.com

ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho
Location: 6850 E. Main Street, Scottsdale
Hours: Monday-Friday, 4 pm to 7 pm
Mod hotel in the heart of Old town Scottsdale which is worth a visit even for locals. Wine, specialty cocktails and beer deals. If you can play hooky on a Friday afternoon check out their rosé specials by the pool.
Hotelvalleyho.com

Lil Woody
Location: 4228 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix
Hours: Daily, 4 pm to 7 pm
The OG from Genuine Concepts (see Womack and Linger Longer). Still a hoot for a night out, but why not check out the early crowd?
Littlewoodyaz.com

The Whining Pig
Location: 4 (soon to be 5) locations Valley-wide
Hours: Daily, 3 pm to 8 pm (earlier at some locations)
Local vibe with throw back games to pass the time while you sip on craft beers and a wide array of wine (no booze)
Whining Pig

EVO
Location: 4175 N. Goldwater Blvd, Scottsdale
Hours: Daily, 4 pm to 7 pm
A Craft Cocktail Carrie favorite, tucked away in the heart of old town with beer, wine, daily cocktail and food specials. Don’t miss the half-price bottles of wine on Sundays, and the entertaining bartenders. (You will likely see me in the corner of the bar on Sunday chatting them up!)
EVO Scottsdale

Bitter & Twisted
Location: 1 W. Jefferson, Phoenix
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 4 pm to 7 pm
Downtown for an event? Check out this spectacular cocktail bar that has one of the largest drink menus I have ever seen. Beware, very limited seating and no standing at bar (Tip: download the No Wait app to peep the wait)
Bitter and Twisted

Sushiholic
Location: 3957 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix
Hours: Monday-Saturday 2 pm to 8 pm
For the sushi loving crowd who also love a great happy hour deals
Sushiholic

Craft 64
Location: 6922 E. Main Street, Scottsdale
Hours: Daily, 4 pm to 7 pm
You can’t go wrong with wood fired pizza, craft beer and wine specials
Craft 64

Roaring Fork
Location: 4800 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 1700, Scottsdale
Hours: Sunday-Monday 4 pm to 10 pm, Tuesday–Saturday 4 pm to 7 pm
Extensive wine, cocktail and food specials (beer too, if you ask). Happy hour gets packed so prepare to stalk those who may be finishing their meals or margaritas to nab a seat
Roaring Fork

*Honorable Mention*

Camp Social
Location: 6107 N. 7th Street, Phoenix
Hours: Offers a grace period for happy hour until 6:15 in case you get stuck at work
Check out the kitschy camping decor, cocktails, beer, wine and a clever menu
Camp Social

Kelly’s at South Bridge
Location: 7117 E. 6th Avenue, Scottsdale
Hours: Monday-Saturday 3 pm to 6 pm, Sunday 2 pm to 6 pm
Though their happy hour only goes till 6 pm, Kelly’s, located in the heart of Old Town, is an institution favored by the night life crowd and has some of the best deals in town on an amazing patio. Cocktails, beer and wine specials.
Kelly’s at South Bridge