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Top Places To Go For Happy Hour

City O' City
Happy Hour at City O. City (credit: Sarah Carpenter)

After a long day at work, meet up with your friends and treat yourself to an afternoon of some of Denver's finest food and drink selections at any of the following fav' happy hour spots. For happy hour is, after all, not just about getting a discount on drinks to calm your mind. It's about reconnecting with your friends all throughout the week, not just on the weekends. It's about eating good, healthy food while sipping your worries away. It's about ending the day, even if it didn't start this way, in a fun-filled sunset of refreshments with your Denver community.

Root Down
(credit: Jesse Sarles)

Root Down

1600 West 33rd Avenue
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 993-4200
rootdowndenver.com
Happy Hour Monday-Friday, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Located in the eastern tip of the Highlands, Root Down combines raw food, veggie, diverse meats, organic and farm-friendly treats, for the purpose of nourishing and nurturing the community. Whether you enjoy the gas station-hinting patio or dine along the awesomely artsy and retro inside, you will enjoy your time there. Happy Hour includes a Rosemary-Lavender Vodka Lemonade, Blood Orange Caipirinha or House wine for $5; Classic Mojito for $4; and Margaritas and Selected Draft beers for $3. Happy Hour appetizers include Duck Confit, Lamb or Veggie Burger Sliders for $3.50 to $5; Seared Arepa or Sweet Potato Fries for $4; Steamed Mussels for $6 and Sweet Potato Falafel for $5.50.

Kona Grill
Kona Grill (credit: Andy McDonnell)

Kona Grill

Cherry Creek Mall
3000 East 1st Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(720) 974-1300
konagrill.com
Happy Hour Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Late Night Happy Hour Monday-Thursday, 9 p.m.-11 p.m.

Just outside of Cherry Creek Mall along 1st, you'll find the infamous happy hour spot for Downtown locals and DTC'ers alike, Kona Grill. With the Asian and Polynesian flare, and a fabulous fire-pit patio, you'll enjoy tropical martinis, sake, sushi, noodle dishes, including flatbread pizza and more! Happy hour cocktails and appetizers start at $3, which include a little something for everyone. Be sure to try their avocado eggrolls, with sun-dried tomato, red onion and cilantro-honey dipping sauce—lightly fried deliciousness!

Mezcal
(credit: Sarah Carpenter)

Mezcal

3230 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 322-5219
mezcalcolorado.com
Happy Hour 7 days a week, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., 10 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Maybe it's all the Luche Libre paintings and flower-lined Day of the Dead skulls that draw me in to the hip Mexican bar and restaurant. Or maybe it's the perfect little street-style tacos and spicy and melty queso fundido. Then again, the easy-going clientele and staff alike make for a good visit too. I suppose it's all these things and more that make east Colfax's Mezcal such a prime spot for happy hour and dining. Every day, from 4 to 6 p.m., you can kick back with $2 PBR, $3 Tecate, $5 Blanco Margaritas, $4.50 Mojitos and $3 well drinks.

City O' City
(credit: hapasushi.com)

Hapa Sushi

Four Colorado Locations
hapasushi.com
Denver Happy Hour, Monday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Late Night Happy Hour, 10 p.m. to midnight
Though every local probably has their unique and favorite sushi spot by now, I would gladly argue any day that Hapa Sushi is the best! Sushi rolls adorned with fresh strawberries and sweet soy glaze, sushi fillings that emulate sexual experiences (okay, maybe just in their names, but close), brothy and oniony Agadeshi Tofu, Banana Tempura Split—seriously, like nowhere else. On happy hour, you can choose from 10 different sushi rolls, two for $7; eight types of sides for $2.95; Hapa Beer for $3; bottles of Hot Sake, Sake Cocktails, and Fresh Fruit Infused Sake for $3.50. It's hard to have just one hot Vanilla Sake!

City O' City
(credit: Sarah Carpenter)

City O' City

206 East 13th Avenue
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 831-6443
cityocitydenver.com
Happy Hour 7 days a week, 2 - 6 p.m., 11 p.m. to close
In the old spot of same owner Watercourse Foods, City O' City has taken over as an all-inclusive bakery, café, restaurant and bar. Both restaurants are notable for basically the top vegetarian food in town; City O' City provides the same with more of a café/bar emphasis. On the surface, you'll notice many hipsters and artist types flocking the popular bar, but certainly business professionals, students and many others enjoy the diverse community that makes up City O' City as well. Any time is a good time to come here, but happy hour is 2 to 6 p.m. every day, including $2 Cinco Lager and $2 off everything else behind the bar! Late night happy hour includes the same $2 Cinco Lager, as well as $2 well drinks and $3 house wines. Do try the it-doesn't-even-need-to-be-meat seitan buffalo wings, as well as the La Chagall pizza—apricot sauce, green olives, roasted garlic, fresh tarragon and brie—crazy, healthily, intoxicating. And also be sure to inquire more about the 9 Imperial gallon cask-condition keg that sits on the bar—Firkins beer, from different brewers all around Colorado, to be paired with food in great upcoming events!

- Sarah Carpenter lives in Littleton, where she was born and raised. She spent a decade in Downtown Denver, and its surrounding neighborhoods, going to school for writing, working in the service industry, and getting to know Denver's diverse culture. She has a passion for travel writing, local and afar, focusing the story on its people, culture and region.

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