3 Places to Unwind for Happy Hour in Tucson, AZ

Sometimes after a long day of work, it’s nice to unwind for happy hour with friends. I always enjoy this more casual setting since it allows me to take advantage of great prices at some of my favorite restaurants.

This summer, I found myself enjoying happy hour at these three restaurants in Tucson, AZ:

Maynards

Located at the historic train depot in Downtown Tucson, Maynards is my all-time favorite restaurant in Tucson. It’s also a must for me to visit before or after a Tucson Symphony performance at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall (previously the Tucson Music Hall). In moments where I didn’t make a reservation, I will enjoy one of their craft cocktails.

The reason why Maynards is a must for me is because they have an exceptional wine list and creative bar program. Much like the food menu, the cocktail menu is constantly evolving with exquisite and innovative options. One of my favorite cocktails to-date featured a pineapple sage-infused spirit that used herbs from the restaurant’s garden.

While I haven’t recently tried any of the plates offered on the happy hour menu, I can say it’s always been an enjoyable experience. But that’s only because I greatly love Maynards’ dinner service. So my recommendation would be to enjoy drinks during happy hour, then stay for dinner.

Things to know:

• Happy Hour: Wednesday – Sunday from 4 – 6pm
• The bar menu runs from 4 – 6pm, and full menu items cannot be ordered until 5pm.
• $2 off any cocktail, beer, wine
• Happy hour food is less than $10 a plate

Maynards | 520-622-8848 | 400 N. Toole Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701

Agustin Kitchen

Agustin Kitchen is beautiful in every way. Through the bar’s wide windows that open into the courtyard, you can watch the summer monsoons. The decor is elevated but welcoming, and one of the finer details is the 500-year-old tile that originated from an Argentinian estate.

During my visit this month, I learned that the bar menu was just updated. I ordered two cocktails: Kissed by a Rosé ($12) and Solaris ($12). Both options were wonderful– whether you’re looking for a citrus-driven cocktail like Kiss by a Rosé, or something unique like the strawberry-infused Aperol in Solaris. While these aren’t listed on the happy hour menu, they’re absolutely worth it. From the listed $6 happy hour cocktails, I’d recommend the Sangria.

As far as the food goes, here’s what I would order again from happy hour: Garlic Frites ($4), Calamari ($15) and Fresh Oysters ($27 for 6). The Garlic Frites was my most-favorite plate out of everything we ordered! Even as we dived into the rest of our meal, I found myself taking bites of the frites. The Calamari was a close second. The lightly-battered calamari was perfectly cooked, not rubbery, then drizzled with a sweet chili drizzle. As an oyster lover, it’s nice to know I can count on Agustin for not only quality oysters, but also a rotating variety of oysters.

Things to know:

• Happy Hour: Everyday from 3 – 5pm
• $1 off draught beers, $7 house red or house white wines, $7 select cocktails
• Plates ranged from $4 – 27

Agustin Kitchen | 520-398-5382 | 100 South Avenida del Convento, Tucson, AZ 85745

Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink (North)

In case you somehow missed it, Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink opened their second location on the northwest side of Tucson around this time last year! As someone who loved visiting Reilly’s original location in Downtown Tucson, I was delighted to have a closer location.

Being more settled into their second location, Reilly North recently implemented a lunch and happy hour offering to their dining services. Earlier this month, I took advantage of the 8-inch signature pizza and simple salad lunch special ($14). And I even found myself back to experience their happy hour!

From the happy hour, I absolutely recommend ordering the house-baked bread and house-cultured butter ($4) and the Brussels Sprouts ($8). The way the cultured butter melts in your mouth with the warmed bread is positively delectable. Aside from the bread, you can never go wrong with their famous Brussels Sprouts. The pecan brittle is one of my favorite details about this plate.

Things to know:

• Happy Hour: Tuesday – Sunday from 4:30 – 6:00pm (closed Monday)
• The restaurant is closed from 2:30 – 4:30pm to prepare for dinner service
• $8 rotating classic cocktails like Bee’s Knees, Rye Manhattans, Moscow Mules, etc.
• Discounted snacks and fan-favorites

Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink | 520-447-5759 | 7262 North Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85704

If you’d like another opportunity to experience these restaurants, I would also recommend stopping by for Sonoran Restaurant Week from September 9-18! All three will be participating with curated prix-fixe menus.