In no way am I a food blogger, but, I do love food and I love a happy hour or local/winter special EVEN MORE. This post is something I’ve wanted to put together since I moved to Traverse City so that 1. When I can’t remember all of my favorite happy hours I can access them all in one place and 2. Others can hear about the awesome specials in our little town. You may be thinking well I can just go to their website and find out? Well, no you can’t, because, no offense Traverse City restaurants, but with an exception of a select few no one here updates their specials on their websites. Here is a list of some of my favorites listed in alphabetical order.
*What I’ve also learned while living in Traverse City is restaurants change their menus/happy hours/specials often so if you have your heart set on a specific special give them a call before you get there to make sure they are still offering them!
Brengman Brothers
This special is one I just learned about last year and I am so sad I didn’t know about it sooner because it is amazing!
- Every Saturday in the winter Brengman Brothers Winery offers their Oyster and Crab Cake Social. You have a choice between fried oysters, fresh oysters, crab cakes and it includes three glasses of wine (you choose when you get to the winery). Open reservation times are available from1:00 to 5:00 PM, Members $35 per person, $45 for non-members. Make sure you call ahead, they book up fast because it is SO SO YUM!
Bubba’s
I’m not here often because their food isn’t my favorite but the drink specials are amazing at happy hour and if I am craving fried pickles then ya, I head here!
- Happy Hour Monday-Friday 1/2 off all alcohol and all starters 3 pm-5:30 pm.
- Tuesday’s Bubba Burger and Beer for $8 4 pm-Close (1/2 lb. Burger Grilled to order with Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Bubba Sauce Served with an Ice Cold Draft)
- Late Night Happy Hour is Every Night 9 pm-Close $2 Well Drinks, $3 Craft Drafts, $1 Miller Light/PBR
Firefly
I am a huge fan of their truffle french fries, frat fries, and steak nachos!
- Happy hour 7 Days a week 3 pm-5:30 pm 1/2 off alcohol and small plates.
- 1/3 Off Sushi Every Tuesday, All Day.
Mama Lu’s Taco Shop
- $2 Tuesday Tacos! Oh, yea! This is my favorite winter deal offered in Traverse City. Each week Mama Lu’s offers a different $2 taco special that runs all day Tuesday! (this special runs the week after labor day-the week before Memorial day so I consider it a local deal)
- Happy hour 7 Days a week from 3 pm-6 pm. $5 munchies/apps. $7 Classic Margaritas. $7 Specialty cocktail. $1 off all beer. $4 house wine.
- Burrito Wednesday. Offered Wednesdays only, you can get a Burrito, Burrito Bowl, or even at CHIMICHANGA! They have GF options and also serve Street Corn Fries that day and they are TO DIE FOR.
PepeNero
- Happy hour Tuesday-Sunday 3 pm-6 pm (only offered in lounge) rotating small plates, $5 wine, $5 cocktails, $4 beer. Holidays excluded. Their happy hour changes quite often but here is an example of their menu.
Poppycocks
- This is another favorite sport of ours during the winter months, on Wednesdays, you can visit for Date Night and get 2 entrees and a bottle of wine for $50!
- Poppycocks also has a happy hour Monday-Friday from 5 pm-6 pm rotating small plates and drink specials. They may not be on the happy hour menu always but either way, you must try their banh mi dirty fries. SO.DAMN.GOOD.
Rare Bird
- Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3 pm-6 pm. $1 off Rare Bird Beers & Wine Pours and $4 Well Cocktails
- Thursday’s in the winter they offer Ramen for $7 and you can add pork belly to it for $1 add gyoza for $2.
Red Ginger
- Happy Hour Monday-Saturday 3 pm-6 pm rotating small plates, salads, limited sushi menu, beer, wine, and select cocktails.
The Parlor
The spinach and artichoke dip is served in a bread bowl. Do I need to say anything else? Oh, and they have truffle mac and cheese. In my opinion, The Parlor offers one of the best Traverse City happy hours. They always have a special going on!
- Happy Hour Every Day 4 pm- 7 pm 50% off All Adult Beverages 25% off Entire Kitchen Menu
- Every night 9 pm-Midnight pizzas are $9
- Sunday Funday- Half Off Happy Hour until 7 pm, 25% of signature whiskey drinks 7 pm until close
- All Night Happy Hour on Mondays 4 pm-Close.
- Half Off Mojitos All Night 4 pm-Close
- Wednesday 50% off ALL Wines all night 4 pm-Close
Towne Plaza
- Industry Night every Monday! 5 pm-9 pm 50% off food and 20% off drinks.
West End Tavern
- Happy Hour 3 pm-6 pm 7 Days a week $5 select happy hours, $4 off signature cocktails, $3 dollars off all wine, $2 off drafts and $1 off domestic bottles
I will constantly be updating this throughout the winter as I try new Traverse City happy hours and take new pictures but for now, I hope you have fun visiting them all before the tourist’s flood back in. Do you have a favorite happy hour or special in town that I missed? If so, please comment below. Looking for more Traverse City food tips? Click the link to read about my favorite Traverse City restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
