Two words that can be music to the ears of anyone looking to obliterate the memory of a rough day for a couple bucks, or try that restaurant they’ve been unable to afford: “happy hour.” This list is full of budget-friendly eats and drinks, from 2-for-1’s at the local dive to affordable highlights from some of Minneapolis’ finest.
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Cut Out of Work Early with These Minneapolis Happy Hour Deals
The best post work plans involve drinks and snacks on the cheap

1. Hai Hai Restaurant
Minneapolis, MN 55418
Hai Hai’s Southeast Asian flavors are always exciting and affordable, but even better for the first hour it’s open starting at 3 pm. Cocktails made with fresh-juiced sugar cane pair with the limited happy hour menu that includes salt and pepper tofu or duck wontons priced at just a couple of bucks.
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2. The Sample Room
Minneapolis, MN 55418
Experiment with a variety of menu items during happy hour at this cozy Northeast gem. The Sample Room specializes in small plates, and happy hour is no exception. The restaurant offers $3.50 drinks and $4.50 tapas like blue cheese and bacon nachos and truffled bacon fat popcorn.
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3. The Blue Door Pub
Minneapolis, MN 55414
It’s hard to beat $3 tap beers and happy hour tots slathered in wing sauce. Blue Door Pub’s happy hour is wildly popular for good reason. Local craft beer and legendary burgers meet afternoon and late night specials. Three dollar craft beers make for a juicy deal when paired with the legendary Blucy (stuffed) burger.
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4. Nolo’s Kitchen & Bar
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Great happy hour prices and options, with multiple vibes to pick from: casual bar with TVs, intimate window-front couches with a view, informal high-top tables, plus a basement bar full of activities. NOLO’s happy hour is comfortable, chic, and boasts $3 Fulton Standards alongside a $6 happy hour burger — a steal in the high-end North Loop neighborhood.
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5. Red Rabbit Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN 55401
This pasta and pizza restaurant in the North Loop serves a fantastic selection of drinks and wine, making it an ideal post-work stop. Grab an order of smoky, tender wings or the ultra-crispy, gooey on the inside arancini. Red Rabbit has an early and late night happy hour.
6. HopCat Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Get $1.50 the impressive tap list for early and late night happy hour at HopCat in downtown Minneapolis. Plus, there are $5 burgers, an unheard of price in the heart of downtown.
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7. Republic
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Beer geeks already love Republic, but that appreciation goes even deeper during happy hour with $2 off all beers and ciders. Fries are just $3 and a burger runs $6.
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8. P.S. Steak
Minneapolis, MN 55403
This elegant bar and restaurant at the base of the 510 Groveland building just kicked off a new happy hour menu. In addition to drink, wine, and beer specials, the crispity chips and monster burger are discounted.
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9. Tracy's Saloon & Eatery
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Meet the proprietors of wooden nickel happy hour. What’s a wooden nickel? Good for buy one get one free drinks that can be redeemed anytime, any day. Save them up and drink free on a Friday, or use them to pair a beer with the 40 percent off burger on Monday. Come for the wooden nickel, stay for the totchos and warm tavern feel on a cold winter’s eve.
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10. Liquor Lyle's
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Feel right at home with Liquor Lyle’s eclectic mix of patrons, nostalgic jukebox jams, and down-to- earth servers. At this old-school saloon with 2-for-1s every day of the week and bar food that’s surprisingly good, there’s enough camaraderie and cheap drinks to turn anyone into a regular.
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11. Nightingale
Minneapolis, MN 55405
A spot beloved by industry insiders, Nightingale’s early and late night happy hour discounts include taps, wine, $3.50 rail drinks, and a rotating craft cocktail, plus a special food menu that includes a $10 burger.
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12. Barbette
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Between the rustic romance of the place and whimsical French decor, Barbette’s got an early and late night happy hour offering a petite but delicious menu of amusements, $5 share plates paired with $4 drinks.
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13. Hola Arepa
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Happy hour kicks off at 3 pm inside the always bustling Hola Arepa. Try $4 taps, $6 select cocktails filled with fresh juices and served just like the taste of the tropics that they are. Plus food specials include the signature arepas, cornmeal cakes stuffed with meats and cheeses.
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14. Grand Cafe
Minneapolis, MN 55409
Fans of Jamie Malone’s blushing bistro are thrilled with the snack attack hits. One of the best ways to luxuriate in the renowned fare is while sitting on the patio where happy hour prices are always available as the Snack Attack (plus, this fun way of dining is available from 7:45 to 10 pm in the dining room.) Snack Attack can go one of two ways, drop $50 for dinner for two served as an assortment of first courses that Malone say “hits your table like a parade.” It feels like baller dining on a budget. There are also $25 bottles of wine available to round out the experience. Or version 2 is $75 and builds upon the experience with a cheeseburger with a life-altering bacon mayo, spinach salad and onion rings.
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