Center'd Things to Do Blog

Houston is huge. And being situated in the largest American state, it should be. Its metropolitan area is larger than the state of Rhode Island, and it is one of the largest ports in the United States. It is also home to prestigious universities, Howard Hughes and NASA.

Such a large city means there are lots of places to wind down at the end of the day, which means lots of Happy Hours to choose from. If you are looking for some great deals in Houston, here is a selection of some of the best bars and pubs to check out as you enjoy your evenings in this beautiful city:

$2.50 Domestic Beers and Unlimited Chips from Chuy’s: Yes, you read correctly - unlimited chips. Chuy’s famous “Cadillac Bar” is exactly what it sounds like - a nacho bar inside a Cadillac. Every weekday you can come by for free chips and toppings that range from spicy salsas to the signature Boom Boom Sauce, made with cheese, lime, cilantro and roasted peppers. Fresh tortillas are also available. From 4-7 p.m., all domestic beers are $2.50 and house margaritas are $3. The Texas martinis as as big as they sound and sell for $6. they come with their own shaker as well so you can pour at your own pace. Located in the Upper Kirby neighborhood, Chuy’s is a fun place to bring people to. Its outdoor seating and funky decorations add to its appeal, and it fills up quickly, so come on time.

$2.50 Lone Star Bottles, $3 Miller Lite & Bud Light Draughts at Maple Leaf Pub: If you have never experienced a Canadian bar before, now is the chance to do so. Filled with assorted beer signs, free wi-fi, and five large plasma-screen television sets, this place is a great sports pub. It is casual and laid back, but the bartender remains efficient. From 3-7 p.m., Lone Star bottles are $2.50; Labatt Blue, Miller Lite, and Bud Light draughts are $3; well drinks are $3; shots are $3; and nearly everything else on the menu is $0.50 off. You can follow the pub’s Twitter account for the latest Happy Hour specials. In case you get hungry, you can snack on Chex mix, which is free and unlimited. In true Canadian fashion, Maple Leaf is constantly showing hockey games on its televisions, so be prepared and don’t worry; if you are new to the sport or don’t enjoy watching it, simply sip your drink while you play all the different board games in house; there are even darts.

$2 Pints, $0.35 Wings Every Monday at The Tavern: This bar has the largest patio seating in Houston, which means that not only do you get to enjoy your drinks outside, but there is always lots of parking available, even if you come late. There is at least one Ladie’s Night every week that features $4 Smirnoff vodka and $5 Grey Goose specials all night. For Happy Hour from 3-8 p.m., pints of beer are $2; pitchers are $6 and frozen margaritas and bellinis are $3. There are over 20 beers on tap so you will never get bored. There are other theme nights as well. Mondays are usually poker nights, which means $0.35 wings. Every Tuesday is karaoke, and if you’re lucky, you might wander in during Steak Night. Be sure to check the Web site for the latest specials. The Tavern has a slew of games to choose from as well, such as pool, ping pong and foosball.

$1 Off Bottled Beers, $2 Bud Light Lime at The Red Lion: In lieu of all these ethnic pubs, Red Lion is no exception. Modeled after traditional British bars, the standard food includes dishes like chicken tikka masala, chicken tandoori quesadillas and fish and chips, for which it is famous. There is a different special nearly every night: $7 for mini-cheeseburgers and fries on Mondays; $10 Moules Marinere on Tuesdays; $18 for curry dishes and a pint on Curry Night Wednesdays; $20 filet mignon dinner and $5 champagne glasses on Steak Night Thursdays; $12 fish n’ chips on Fridays; and $2 Bud Light limes on Saturdays. Most bottled wines and beers are $1 off during the week from 3-7 p.m., and pints are usually $4; longnecks are $2. Situated in the River Oaks neighborhood, parking is pretty difficult to find, but if you keep an ear out for cheesy 80s music, you will soon find your way here.