Annnnd we’re back with the second installment of our Collin County Readers’ Choice Series, where YOU weigh in with your favorites. Last time we did local movie theaters, and this month you shared your go-to happy hour spots. Let’s get right to the results, because y’all had a lot of recommendations.
By the way, if you aren’t following CCM on Facebook or Instagram, that’s where we conduct these informal polls. Be sure to share your faves next time! And if there’s anything you’d like to see us do a poll on, give Whitney Reed a shout with your topic.
TEX-MEX HAPPY HOUR SPOTS
You knew there were going to be a lot of Tex-Mex-type offerings on the list. Queso and margaritas really lend themselves to happy hour. Side note: my five-year-old calls Mexican restaurants “chip restaurants,” and I have yet to correct him because he‘s not wrong.
Blue Goose is super laid-back and has locations in Plano, Frisco, and McKinney. Happy hour is weekdays from 2:30-6:30pm, plus they have additional specials every day, to-go drinks, and all-day happy hour on Monday. Our own Amanda Krahel likes to go for the $2 frozen margaritas on Tuesday, which is the best cocktail price on our list.
Chuy’s does their happy hour from 3-6pm, Monday-Friday. Take advantage of $5.50 house ‘ritas, $10 house Texas Martinis, and $3.50 domestic beers.
Happy Hour all day at Mesa’s Mexican Grill [in Allen]. It’s right by the new Play Street!
-Natalie Cochran
Mesa’s Mexican Grill has all-day happy hour on Monday-Thursday from 11am-6pm, and Friday from 11am-5pm. Hot tip from reader Natalie Cochran: the Allen location is in the same shopping center as Play Street Museum. That’s some next-level parenting. The McKinney Mesa’s is actually super close to a Play Street, too. Treat the kids, then treat yo’ self.
Papa Lopez in Allen has happy hour everyday from 3-7pm. Reader Chrissie Jones recommends their “cheap (and delicious)” margaritas made with all-fresh ingredients for just $2.50 ($3 for a made-in-house sangria swirl). ALSO, kids eat free every Monday & Tuesday. Very relevant to my interests.
Gloria’s is a perennial fave, with locations in Addison, Frisco, McKinney, Fairview, Prosper, and all over Dallas. I keep trying to recreate that delicious black bean dip at home to no avail. What’s the secret!?! Happy hour is Monday & Tuesday: 11am-10pm, Wednesday & Thursday: 3-7pm, Friday: 11am-6pm. Drink specials include $3 domestics, $4 mojitos, $5 margaritas, and $6 sangria. Salsa dancing Saturdays in Addison!
MOST POPULAR HAPPY HOUR SPOTS
A few places popped up more than once, and given the sheer number of dining options in Collin County, that feels significant. Here’s a few of the happy hour places y’all especially like.
Earl’s Kitchen + Bar at Legacy West is a favorite happy hour spot of CCM owner/founder Krystal Hurst and reader Sarah Shiplett. Krystal likes how easy it is to make a full meal out of their happy hour menu, which is by far the biggest menu on our list. Earl’s happy hour deals are available Sunday through Friday from 2-5pm and 9-11pm.
Haywire has happy hour Monday-Friday from 2-6pm, and Editorial Director Whitney and reader Julie Janes both recommend it. Get $1 off draft beers, $6-$8 wine and cocktails, and $5 bites on any floor of this cool, multi-level restaurant.
Sixty Vines in Plano makes food with seasonal, thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Their happy hour is Monday-Friday from 3-6pm with half-price Vine Hugger wine on tap (Tappy Hour) and $5 Bar Bites. They also do half-price rosé on tap all day every Tuesday, FYI.
J. Theodore’s in Frisco does happy hour six days a week from 3-6pm. Drink specials include $7-$11 specialty cocktails.
Watters Creek in Allen came up a bunch and is home to several of your favorites:
- Lion & Crown Pub has drink specials every day of the week. Pick a table outside!
My husband and I can sit at Lion & Crown, have drinks and snacks, and our three girls can run all over the “yard” and play area with other kids!! We have met so many other families there; it’s our happy place.
-Emily Britt
- The Blue Fish happy hour is Monday-Friday, 5-7pm; weekends 3-7pm and includes a bunch of $5 eats and cocktails, plus other beverage deals.
- CRÚ Food & Wine Bar has happy hour Monday-Friday from 4-6:30pm and includes small plate specials and $3 off glasses or flights of wine. I have been ordering flights everywhere lately; they’re so much more fun, I think.
- Bonnie Ruth’s Plano branch gets a thumbs up for happy hour with $5 house martinis and margaritas on Tuesdays and happy hour all night on Wednesdays.
UNIQUE HAPPY HOUR SPOTS
These last locations didn’t fit neatly into any category, but I couldn’t leave them out. If you like a place enough to post about it online, I’m taking that as a serious recommendation. Who knows, your next favorite spot could be in here!
Whiskey Cake in Plano hosts Social Hour Monday-Friday from 3-6pm and again from 9-11pm. Get a couple dollars off a whole bunch of well-chosen beers and creative craft cocktails, plus $5 bar bites.
Katy Trail Icehouse Outpost in Plano is all about the patio. Reader Stephanie Gallina loves their happy hour, which is Monday-Friday from 4-7pm; $1 off draft beer and well liquors. FYI, they have big fans out on the patio and are kid- and dog-friendly, so you can bring the whole family.
The Pie Tap From 4-6pm on weekdays, it’s $2 off all wine, tap beer, and cocktails. Go on Tuesday for $12 pizzas starting at 4pm.
Cane Rosso at The Star in Frisco has $5-$7 pizza, plus $2 off apps and house cocktails and $5 house wins Monday-Friday from 3-6pm. That’s a great deal on their pizza. P.S. This will never overlap with happy hour, but kids 12 and under eat free at this location during Cowboys games. Something to keep in mind in the fall!
Where’s your favorite happy hour spot in Collin County?
