Getting to happy hour can be tricky, especially if you’re an intern and you work long hours. Sure, you’re down to stay late to finish your work and (hopefully) impress your boss. But on the off chance that you can get away at a decent time (aka your boss leaves early), get the other interns together and head out to happy hour. Here’s a list of chain restaurant happy hours that have deals on both drinks and food, and will have you counting down the minutes until 5 pm.
1. Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse likes to call its happy hour the “No Worries Happy Hour”. Stop in from 5-7 pm any day of the week to make all your problems go away! Kidding, of course, but you’ll be able to get any mixed drink or a signature cocktail for $5.
2. Olive Garden
You might be thinking that Olive Garden is a very unconventional place to have a happy hour, but who cares? You do you. Stop in Monday through Friday from 3-6 pm to have your pick of any glass of wine or cocktail for only $5. If you’re more of a beer person, don’t stress, you can enjoy a glass for $4. Not to mention, some of your favorite Olive Garden dishes are offered for only $5.
3. P.F. Chang’s
You won’t want to miss this happy hour, because some of your favorite starters and drinks are under $6. Choose from options like lettuce wraps, sushi plates, and dumplings, plus any cocktail, wine or beer. Stop by Monday through Friday from 3-6 pm to see for yourself.
4. Cheesecake Factory
If you want to drink or get an appetizer for under $6, then the Cheesecake Factory’s happy hour is one that you’re not gonna want to miss. Pick anything from a Long Island to a Mojito for $6, and pair it with chips and guac or nachos for another $6. All of this is offered Monday through Friday from 4-6 pm.
5. Buffalo Wild Wings
Whether you get out of work at 2 pm or 5 pm, you’ll be able to enjoy this chain restaurant’s happy hour. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the mood for mozzarella sticks, beer, or a cocktail —you’ll be able to get any one of those for only $3. Sounds like a plan!
6. Texas Roadhouse
If you’re looking for a happy hour where you can get food and a drink for under $11, then Texas Roadhouse is the place to go. Stop in any day between 4-6 pm and you can get any beer or margarita for just $2.50 with select food items for only $8. There’s not much more you need to make your hours much happier.
7. Red Robin
If you can’t make one happy hour, don’t worry because Red Robin has two. Whether you’re free from 3-6 pm or 8-10 pm, you can help yourself to half price appetizers, $2 domestic beers, and $3 margaritas.
8. T.G.I. Friday’s
Make sure you mark this happy hour in your calendar because the time switches depending on what day of the week you’re looking to go out. Stop in Monday through Friday from 5-7 pm or on the weekends from 9-11 pm for half off appetizers and $2 beers.
9. Chili’s
You’re going to have to start thinking about Chili’s as more than just a restaurant after you hear about these crazy happy hour deals. Stop in between 8-10 pm Monday through Thursday to take advantage of a variety of drinks ranging from $3 to $6. Sundays are the days for food deals though—$4 guacamole and $3 chips and salsa are definitely calling your name.
10. Applebee’s
Applebee’s really wants to accommodate its customers with two happy hours. Whether you’re a 3-6 pm kind of person or the 9 pm-close type, you’ll get the exact same deals—half price appetizers, $3.25 domestic tap beers, $3.50 house wine, and $4 Long Island Iced Teas and margaritas. Also, Applebee’s tends to have a monthly drink deal that’s updated each month. You can generally find those posted all over their social media accounts.
11. Mad Mex
There’s nothing happier than Happy Hora at Mad Mex from 4:30-6:30 pm every weekday. The big deal of this chain restaurant happy hour is their killer prices on margaritas. You can get a “Big Azz” margarita for only $7. And if you’re getting that kind of deal on your margs, you might as well treat yourself and order chips, guac, and salsa—you’re gonna need it.
Happy hours are a time to eat and drink on the cheap. And when you’re an intern, that’s really all you can ask for. So take advantage of your favorite chain restaurant’s happy hour or try some more of these unbeatable deals.