SB NOTE: Happy hour can be the light at the end of your day, beckoning you to take advantage of good drinks and good food at low prices, but is it really worth it? If you are not fresh out of school, is the Happy Hour thing one to check out? We asked our intern, and recent college graduate, Alex to help us answer this question and we have to say that yes, we are convinced: we are not too old to catch one of Nashville Happy Hours every now and then, and the deals are pretty darn good. We sent Alex out with $50 for each Happy Hour so that she could eat and drink and cover the tab for herself and her friends.
Nashville Happy Hours
Alex:
Nashville is crawling with opportunities to enjoy discounted beverages with friends. I narrowed down the choices to Virago, Zumi, Mafiaoza’s, Holland House and South, to give lots of neighborhood variety. Whether you are on the hunt for a good deal on food, drinks, or both, these are the places to hit. Grab some friends and try these out!
Monday: Virago (The Gulch)
My constant craving for sushi has sent me on the hunt for some of the best deals in Nashville, and Virago’s Maki Sake Monday is the answer. Virago’s Monday Happy Hour offers half price sushi and 2-for-1 cocktails and sake all night, so I corralled a few friends and we set out to explore this trendy restaurant in The Gulch. After two Lychee cocktails, two Metropolitans, a Yellow Jacket Roll, an Igloo Roll and a Dynamite Roll, we left feeling satisfied. The cocktails were elegantly concocted and we did not meet a roll we did not like. The Monday special lasts all night, but between 5-7 p.m. you can also take advantage of the daily “Raw Deal” which offers $6 cocktails, wines and raw bar selections. Virago’s Happy Hour allows you to beat the high prices and enjoy the hip ambiance. To take in the full Nashville experience, grab a seat on the upper deck for a complete view of downtown.
Total: $46.56
http://www.mstreetnashville.com/virago/
Sushi at Virago for a nice twist to a Nashville Happy Hour
Tuesday: MAFIAoZA’s (12th South)
If you want to feel appreciated, then be sure to hit MAFIAoZA’S Two-for-One Tuesday, “Customer Appreciation” Day. They serve 2-for-1 draft and bottle beers all day and night, double pours of liquor until 10 p.m., and 2-for-1 slices of pizza until 9 p.m. Be sure to plan ahead and go early because you will most definitely have to wait in line (do not underestimate Nashvillians’ love for good pizza and a good deal). The great news is that you can sip on 2-for-1 beers in the outdoor bar to pass the time, like my friends and I did on our recent visit. After about a 45 minutes, we were seated towards the back of the room with a clear view of the pizza making process and we realized it was well worth the wait. Between our beers while we waited, some wine, our appetizer and the eight pieces of loaded pizza that we managed to consume, we still spent less than $50! Pizza night is always perfect for a night out with friends or dinner with the family.
Total: $36.65
Um, the random cigarette butt is NOT mine. Just sayin’.
Pizza love at MAFIAoZA’s hits the spot for a Nashville Happy Hour
Wednesday: South (Demonbreun)
I could not create a list of happy hours without throwing in a good ole Ladies Night. On weekend nights, South becomes a hot spot for young 20 somethings to get their groove on to a rocking DJ. Having experienced this, it seemed like an unlikely spot for a low-key after work get-together, but that is exactly what we got. The atmosphere of the outdoor patio coupled with the half price menu made for an evening of fun. We had a selection of drinks, including a few Blackberry Sweet Teas, two Southern Mules, a South Lemonade, and a Field Desk (with the Blackberry Sweet Teas being the crowd favorite). The drinks are the main attraction here, but be sure to snack on some 1/2 price munchies, such as the Pimento cheese dip and fried pickles. While South offers a plethora of deals throughout the week, I suggest you leave the men at home and make it your Wednesday night go-to with the girls.
Total: $43.50
south-nashville.com
Blackberry Sweet Tea at South
Thursday: Holland House Bar and Refuge (East Nashville)
The thought of driving all the way to East Nashville for dinner is daunting at times, especially as I’m new to Nashville and get lost easily, but I am always quickly reminded how full of life the East Nashville scene is, which became even more apparent during Happy Hour at Holland House. On weekdays they offer wine, beer, cocktails and small plates for under $5 from 5-7 p.m. and late night from 10 p.m – midnight. But the magic day, when the deals last all day, is Thursday. While the promise of a $5 Meester Burger reeled me in, the cocktails are what made me fall in love. We sipped on Moscow Mules, Pimms Cups, a Chelsea Sidecar and a glass of Pinot Noir and simultaneously scarfed down the Truffle Fries appetizer and the complementary Truffle Popcorn. Snag a seat at the bar and watch the bartenders, clad in suspenders and bow ties, turn the drink-making process into a work of art. Trust me, it is well worth the extra 10 minute drive across town to take advantage of the intriguing atmosphere and delicious deals.
Total: $40.93
www.hollandhousebarandrefuge.com
Holland House
Friday: Zumi (Hillsboro Village)
Throughout my sushi search I have remained loyal to Zumi, a StyleBlueprint favorite. Monday to Friday 3 – 6 p.m. they offer 2-for-1 select beers, double well drinks, $4 house wines, and a free Happy Hour roll with purchase of a specialty roll. The inviting porch of Zumi is an ideal place to end a long week of work and unwind for the weekend. So that is just what we did. With the Happy Hour deals, we were able to enjoy two specialty rolls, a traditional maki roll, and two avocado/cucumber rolls. Of course it would not be happy hour without the drinks, so we also had two glasses of wine and two cocktails. I must recommend the Liberty Bell roll and the Pacific Queen roll, and if you are looking to bypass the $5 cocktail special, go for the Ginger Punch! Leave work a little early, beat the dinner crowd, snack on some sushi, and let the weekend begin.
Total: $39.30
www.zumisushi.com
Ginger Punch at Zumi Sushi
Thanks, Alex! We’ll take your Nashville Happy Hours tour any day!
If you missed Alex’s video debut earlier this summer, here she is again showing us a fun up-do hairstyle that’s great for this hot weather: www.styleblueprint.com
