25 metro Detroit restaurants with tasty happy hour deals, discounts - Detroit Free Press

Half off oysters. Chilled and seasoned peel and eat shrimp. Plates full of tater tots loaded with melted cheese and topped with bacon, sour cream and green onion. Sliders and much, much more. 

These are just a few of the items spotted while searching for restaurants that have happy hours across metro Detroit.

Happy hour has been around forever.

According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, "happy hour" is a "period of time during which the price of drinks (as at a bar) is reduced or hors d'oeuvres are served free."

Free hors d'oeuvres? Probably a thing of the past. But there are lots and lots of deals. 

Anyone who remembers Roasts' happy hour knows how popular it was. Upscale Roast had a terrific following for its happy hour offering of a Roast burger served on an English muffin topped with a runny egg and perfectly seasoned rosemary fries among other items.

And it was a great deal when it first started. On the happy hour menu, the burger and fries were $3 each.

Roast's dynamite happy hour didn't return during the pandemic and the beloved upscale steakhouse shuttered last January.

Now, as food inflation is running roaring hot both at home and dining out, everyone is talking about how to score a bargain. Happy hours are a way to do that while still dining out and patronizing restaurants without blowing your budget. 

Around metro Detroit, there are plenty of restaurants and bars with significant offers that are budget-friendly. 

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Yes, happy hours are typically limited and usually offered only before evening hours, so you'll need to be able to eat early. And some are limited to certain areas like the bar seating.

While some happy hours are limited to certain days and hours, many run all week or at least Monday through Thursday. 

On Thursdays, the five metro Detroit Bobcat Bonnie's locations in metro Detroit offer happy hour from open to close as well as selected hours during the week.

Upscale Besa on Woodward Ave., downtown, has 30% off appetizers. 

Màre Mediterranean, a high-end seafood-centric spot in Birmingham launched a new $11 food and $8 wine menu for happy hour.

In compiling this list we randomly searched for familiar places that had some unique food options, not just drink specials. 

And if we missed a favorite spot, please send tell us about it and send the info to food@freepress.com so we can update this list.

Andiamo

At the Italian eateries locations in Bloomfield, Detroit, Fenton, Livonia and Warren happy hour is 3-6 p.m. in the bar areas. There are specials on drinks and appetizers. Prices and offerings vary by location. For example, the Fenton location offers 20% off pizzas and Livonia has select appetizers are $5-$9.

For menus go to andiamoitalia.com. 

Aqua

Happy hour is 4-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close daily in the bar. On Tuesday, happy hour drinks specials run all day throughout the restaurant. Draft beer and wine by the glass are half off. Specialty cocktails are $7 and select martinis are $9. Happy bar bites include Bang Bang shrimp, a selection of sliders from chicken to lamb to salmon and M-80 chicken and pork belly bites.

413 N. Main St., Plymouth, 734-335-7474 or aquaplymouth.com.

Bath City Bistro

In the bar area only, happy hour is 3-6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday. and 4-6 p.m. Saturday. The menu offers four appetizers that are $7 each. Items are mozzarella stix with marinara or ranch, potato skins |with cheese, bacon, scallions with a side of sour cream, bruschetta with ammoglio and Buffalo mozzarella over crostini with basil chiffonade and balsamic drizzle, crispy fried Brussels sprouts tossed with garlic, fingerling potatoes, bacon, and roasted pearl onions in a balsamic glaze. Drink specials include domestic bottled beer, drafts, house wine, and several cocktails.

75 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens; 586-469-0917 or bathcitybistro.com.

Besa

At Besa, the menu focus is based on the European side of the Adriatic sea. Happy hour food and drink specials are offered only at the bar from 4-6:30 p.m. Monday toFriday. Appetizers and salads are 30% off. Wine is $6, cocktails are $7 and beer on tap is $4. Besa's appetizers include seared octopus, roasted eggplant toast, pulled lamb shoulder, and roasted olives. Four salads are offered including, melon, village salad, arugula salad and a mixed greens salad.

600 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3000 or besadetroit.com.

Bobcat Bonnie's

Happy hour is 3-6 p.m. Monday to Friday but on Thursday. the hours are extended to closing time. On the menu are $3 off its shareable items and specialty "tots." There's everything from fried Brussels sprouts with almonds, garlic, and honey-sriracha sauce to Capt'n Crunch chicken fingers and fried goat cheese. Bobcat Bonnie's selection of tater tots includes black truffle seasoned tots topped with Parmesan and parsley and tots loaded with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green onions. There are also specials on beer, cocktails and wine.

For locations go to bobcatbonnies.com.

Bronze Door

Offered at the bar and patio areas, happy hour is 4-6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Specially priced appetizers include a tri-blend of sliders, shrimp tacos, pork rinds and old-world pepperoni flatbread, $5-$14. Select wines by the glass are half off, specialty cocktails, draft beer and bottled beer are discounted. 

123 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-886-8101 or bronzedoorgp.com.

D'Amato's

Offered in the bar area only 5-6 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday. A selection of appetizers is $6-$7. On the menu are Arancini di Riso, Bruchetta, Brussels sprouts, housemade meatballs with marinara sauce and a fried Caprese. Happy hour drinks include several bottled beers for $3 and Stella Artois or Frankenmuth Old Detroit Amber on draft for $4. Wine, martinis and mules are $6-$8. 

222 Sherman Drive, Royal Oak; 248-584-7400 or damtos.com.

Goodnite Gracie

Offered 4-6 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday. A selection of appetizers is $6-$7. On the menu are Arancini di Riso, Bruchetta, Brussels sprouts, housemade meatballs with marinara sauce and a fried Caprese. Happy hour drinks include several bottled beers for $3 and Stella Artois or Frankenmuth Old Detroit Amber on draft for $4. Wine, martinis, and mules are $6-$8. 

224 Sherman Dr., Royal Oak; 248-584-3852 or damatos.com. 

Hazel's

This Birmingham spot is transformed into its seasonal Lobster Pound. Happy hour is 4-6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Specials include $7 snacks including peel and eat shrimp, chicken wings, whitefish pate, clam strip, red curry mussels and chips and dip. Oysters are also half-off and there are several drink specials.

1 Peabody St., Birmingham; 248-671-1714 or eatathazels.com.

Iron Horse

Served 4-6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. On the menu are housemade tortilla chips and salsa, tostadas, tacos with beef (hard shell only), or tofu (flour or corn shell) with various toppings. There's also a mini Mexican pizza with refried beans and ground beef topped with enchilada sauce, Mexican cheese, tomato, and cilantro. Food specials are $3-$4. Drinks ($3-$4) range from bottled Tecate, Miller lite, Cerveza Delray and Negra Modelo. The cocktail menu features traditional, strawberry or Jalapeno margaritas, bourbon or tequila mules and wine.

316 W. 4th Street, Royal Oak; 248-291-6313 or ironhorseroyaloak.com.

Ivy Kitchen & Cocktails

Located in Detroit's East Village neighborhood, Ivy Kitchen & Cocktails is home to the $8 happy hour. Included in the happy hour are all their small plates and appetizers offered along with craft cocktails wine and beer. Food highlights include Buffalo cauliflower with spicy buffalo sauce and charred Blue cheese and wonton tacos with an option of short rib, veggie, or shrimp. 

9215 E, Jefferson, Detroit; 313-332-0607 or ivykc.com. 

Maiz Mexican Cantina  

Half off a selection of nearly a dozen appetizers such as baked avocados, queso fundido, and mini carnitas tostadas. Draft beers and grande margaritas are half-off. Happy hour is 2-5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 9-11 p.m Tuesday to Thursday, and 9 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

36 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-340-6010 or maizmexican.com 

Màre Mediterranean

This Birmingham spot features a seafood-centric menu with a focus on the fare from the Mediterranean. Happy hour, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, highlights include salmon tartare with Fresno chili, cilantro, lime, shallot and lemon oil. There's a saganaki shrimp, mussels, bruschetta caponata, calamari and a beef carpaccio. Food items are $11 each. A selection of red, sparkling, and white wines is $8.

115 Willits St., Birmingham; 248-940-5525 or maremediterranean.com.

The Morrie

With locations in Birmingham and Royal Oak, this spot has several happy hour options. There's a selection of appetizers and buy-one-get-one Detroit-style pan pizza. Appetizers include brisket nachos, Kung Pao cauliflower, and Southwest egg rolls. There's wine by the glass, Michigan draft beer and call drinks. At the Morrie in Birmingham, happy hour is 5-7 p.m Wednesday. and Friday, and 5-11 p.m. Thursday. The Royal Oak location has a happy hour 5-9 p.m. Thursday. and 5-7 p.m. Friday. 

511 S. Main St., Royal Oak and 260 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham; themorrie.com.

Park Place Gastropub

One of the specials on the happy hour menu served from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday., are the Park fries with truffle oil, sea salt, shredded Parmesan and parsley for $6. There's also the Bavarian pretzel ($5.50) served with mustard, cheese, and salted caramel butter. Its "Angry Chicken" is served on a brioche bun with buffalo sauce, cheddar, onion straws, lettuce, and tomato. There's also a house-grind beef "Old School Slider" on a brioche bun with sauteed onions, pickles, American cheese, mustard, and ketchup. Sliders are $3.25-$3.50. Drink specials include pints, cocktails, and wine specials. 

336 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-454-6500 or parkplacegastropub.com.

Portofino

This longtime downriver restaurant has beautiful views of the Detroit river and the downtown Detroit skyline. Happy hour is 2-5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. Available in the bar and bar area, domestic bottles of beer are $2, house wines are $5 and cosmopolitans are $5. Appetizers and small plates such as Portofino's coconut shrimp, beef tips, and blackened chicken quesadilla. 

3455 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-281-6700 or portofinoontheriver.com.

Sedona Taphouse

This Troy spot happy hour is noon to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Select "bites" are $5 and include edamame, southwest steak tacos, Italiano, Margherita, BBQ chicken or Devils Canyon flatbread, and Kobe beef sliders. Specials on craft beers (cans and draft), wine and well cocktails, mules and margaritas. 

198 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy; 248-422-6167 or sedonataphouse.com. 

Sardine Room

Depending on availability and market pricing, this downtown Plymouth spot is known for its "buck-a-shuck oyster" special. Pricing can range from $1 to $1.25 for oysters. Happy hour is 4-6 p.m. Monday to Sunday. Also on the menu are shishito peppers, blackened fish tacos, peel and eat shrimp, mussels, and salads. Prices vary. There's also Pabst Blue Ribbon on draft, house wine or cocktail of the day specials. 

340 S. Main Street, Plymouth; 734-416-0261 or thesardineroom.com.

Slice Pizza Kitchen

Available daily from 3-6 p.m., happy hour includes select shareables, pizza by the slice, beer, classic cocktails, and wine. Shareable menu items are $6 and feature items such as Brussels sprouts with balsamic reduction, Bleu cheese and bacon, servings of cheese-filled pierogi with caramelized onions, bacon, and spicy sour cream, a house blend beef and Italian sauce meatballs with marinara and Parmesan. 117 Willits St., Birmingham; 248-792-3475 or slicepizzakitchen.com

Testa Barra Kitchen and Cocktails

The happy hour is 3-6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and all day Sunday at the bar and bar area only. There's a variety of cocktails ($5-$9) including to a classic martini and a top-shelf Long Island is offered. On the menu is a selection of appetizers from Gochujang Brussels sprouts to Cajun brown butter fries and the Testa Dura Burger. Manga Meatballs.

48824 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb Township; 586-434-0100 or testabarra.com.

The Rattlesnake Club

Served only at the bar and patio 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, this longtime Detroit restaurant features beautiful Detroit River views. A selection of "bites" are offered, including the B.L.T. Slider, chile braised short rib quesadilla, and a rick shrimp mini caesar. There's also a selection of wines, beers, and well drinks. Prices vary. 

300 River Place, Detroit; 313-567-4400 or rattlesnakedetroit.com. 

The Statler

Happy hour at this French-inspired American bistro near downtown Grand Circus Park is 4-6 p.m. Monday to Friday at the bar. Select wines and house mixed drinks are half off. On the menu are lobster mac and cheese, short rib sliders, oysters with sturgeon caviar ($5 each), mussels provencal, pomme frites, and a three-cheese grilled cheese.

313 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-463-7111 or statlerdetroit.com.

The Block

This Midtown eatery is known as a neighborhood bar and grill and for its Woodward chicken wings. It's one of three spots operated by the Byrd family. The spot is also known for its happy hour which runs 4-7 p.m. Specials include $3 PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) and Miller LIte, $4 house wine, and $6 Tito's or Bulleit Bourbon. Food offerings include chicken wings for $9, crispy bacon Brussels sprouts, spinach dip, and quesadilla are $7. 

3919 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-0892 or theblockdet.com. 

The Vault on First

Available at the bar only 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Draft beer, house wine, and well drinks are half off. There's also a wagyu burger for $10. The burger is normally $16 on the lunch and dinner menu. Wine Wednesdays are 6-9 p.m. in the restaurants and bar. Wine is half off by the bottle or glass. Weather permitting the bar area has garage doors that open to the sidewalk and patio. This restaurant is billed as fine dining in Wyandotte. It's named the Vault because the building was once a bank. The Vault on First, 3058 1st Street, Wyandotte; 734-888-2858 or thevaultonfirst.com.

Chandra Fleming, Navya Gupta and Layla McMurtrie contributed to this report. 

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.

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