Did you read the title of this article and think, “Lady, isn’t Happy Hour for wild and free 20-somethings with no kids and time to spare?”
No way! (Okay, maybe.)
But I’m here to say Happy Hour is for parents who need a few hours of relaxation and a fun date night. It’s for moms and dads who want to have a nice sit-down meal with a couple of adult beverages and STILL have money left over for diapers and your kid’s seventh pair of new pants this year because he put a hole in the knee AGAIN.
Now that it gets dark at 4 pm, what better way to add a little excitement to a dreary, cold night than to treat yourself to a Happy Hour!
So make this list of the best happy hours in Cedar Rapids as your excuse to bring the kids to your friends’ or parents’ house, and get OUT ON THE TOWN!
(You can even be home before bedtime).
10. Bo Mac’s
Address: 219 16th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Website: https://bo-macs.business.site/
Tues-Sun (closed Mondays) 3-6 PM, Buy One Drink, Get The Second for $1
Wait, did you say Happy Hour even on the weekends?! Huge bonus for those of you who work until 5-6 PM on weeknights and have daycare pickup afterward to boot. And when your second drink is only $1, it’s pretty easy to stay awhile. We tried their calamari and WOULD RECOMMEND. Bon appetit!
9. Sacred Cow Tavern
Address: 1000 7th St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sacred-Cow-Tavern/100082251694418/
3-6 pm EVERY DAY, 2 for 1’s beer and basic mixed drinks, $2 off wine and other cans (seltzers)
This cool little spot is the newest addition to the Cedar Rapids Happy Hour list as it just opened at the end of 2022. Here’s how I would describe it: eclectic, fun, delicious. And Happy Hour on the weekends = YES, PLEASE!
We tried a chicken sandwich and the Floyd Pepper burger and both lived up to their sacred monikers. I had no idea what “Sidewinder Fries” were but I am so happy we tried them as our side. They were the perfect crispy addition to a mouthwatering entree. I didn’t leave enough room for dessert but I’ve got my eye on that Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll next time we go back!
8. Brick’s Bar & Grill
Address: 320 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Website: https://brickspubcr.com/
Weekdays 3-7 PM, 2 for 1 Tallboys, Mixed Drinks, Domestics.
I’m a big fan of places that extend Happy Hour until 7 PM, so Brick’s gets a gold star right away. Situated right in the middle of the downtown area, it’s a wonderful option if you’re looking for a mini pub crawl as Pub 217 and White Star Ale House are located within a city block and have great HH specials as well! Brick’s is the place to go if you’re a meat-lover and enjoy a wide selection of craft beer. Three words: TRY THE WINGS!
7. Mulligan’s Pub
Address: 1060 Old Marion Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Website: https://mulliganspubiowa.com/
3-6 pm Weekdays, 2 for 1’s Most Drinks, Daily Food Specials, Bucket of Beer Specials on the Weekend
If you’re looking for good food and good company in a sports bar setting, make Mulligan’s your next stop. Now I am NOT a beef stroganoff person, but when I saw their weekly special arrive at the table next to us, I begged my husband to split one with me. My only regret? Giving him half of it!
Some local Happy Hours don’t include wine, but Mulligan’s does, so I was a happy gal. Their Irish nachos were *chef’s kiss* and I can’t wait to go back on my birthday because…. FREE PUDDING SHOT! Dreams do come true, folks.
6. Tornado’s Grub & Pub
Address: 1600 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Website: https://tornadosgrubandpub.com/
Mondays-Thursdays 3-7 PM, $3 Domestics, Tallboys, Wells Drinks, $4 mini pitchers, $7 large pitchers
Tornados gets a bump in the rankings because HH continues until 7 PM, which offers a bit more flexibility after work hours. They have generous serving sizes on food (hello, take-home container and tomorrow’s lunch!) and their cheese curds made my stomach smile. Full disclosure: a large serving of fried cheese curds is the number one way to my heart. My pants disagree with me on this but that’s what leggings are for!
5. Granite City Food & Brewery
Address: 4755 1st Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Website: https://www.gcfb.com/
Weekdays 3-6 PM, 2 for 1 Pints and Wells Drinks. $5 wine and specialty cocktails. $5 select appetizers and $8 flatbreads, along with daily food specials.
Only a few places in town offer the 2 For 1 drink special, so GCFB was off to the races early. My husband opted for a pint of beer (it is a brewery after all), while I enjoyed a $5 Moscow Mule. The $5 appetizer was the perfect thing to munch on as my husband and I talked about kids, work, and kids again.
To top it off, we went on their Burger Special night and decided to go with $6 burgers for our meals (fries included!!) with options to add extra toppings for a small fee. So all in all, we didn’t break the bank, left completely full with leftovers for an entire other meal, and the service was exceptional. Consider me satisfied!
4. Czech Town Station
Address: 69 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Website: https://www.facebook.com/czechtownstation/
Weekdays 7-10AM & 3-6 PM, 2 for 1’s on Cans, Bottles, Draft Beer, Seltzers, Plus Daily Specials
Czech Village is truly a magical little part of Cedar Rapids, with so many wonderful options all within a few blocks. Czech Town Station means business with 2 for 1’s during the week, live music, face painting & 1/2 price kids meals on Mondays 5-8pm, along with other Daily Specials.
We ordered wontons and brussels sprouts for starters, and I kid you not, the brussels were so good that I forced everyone with me to try them. People who had disliked brussels for life had their minds changed that day (okay, I have a flair for the dramatic but they are AMAZING). Oh, and did I mention they serve breakfast ALL DAY?! You’re just gonna have to trust me on this one and Czech it out soon!
3. Quinton’s Bar & Deli
Website: https://quintonsbaranddeli.com
Weekdays 3-6 PM, 1/2 Price Drinks, $1 off Appetizers
Quinton’s secures a Top Three spot because not only do they offer half-price Happy Hour drinks, but they have TWO locations. We’ve tried both and can personally vouch for the excellent service. Add $1 off appetizers and daily food specials and you’ve got yourself a good time.
I can honestly say that Quinton’s has my favorite food selection in all of Cedar Rapids. I’ve been there a number of times and it’s still always hard for me to choose just one thing! You have to try their poutine and their Loaded Grilled Cheese Burger. And PLEASE get the homemade chips as your side. Your scale won’t thank me but your taste buds will!
2. Zeppelin’s
Address: 5300 Edgewood Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52411
Website: https://www.zeppelinscr.com/
Happy Hour 3-6 PM EVERY DAY, 2 for 1 Drinks
It’s pretty hard to beat a 2 for 1 drink special. Add WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS included, and Zeppelin’s easily makes the Top Two for a Best Happy Hour ranking. Additionally, their Voodoo Chicken Sandwich IS something to write home about. Or write about on your blog. Either way.
1. LP Street Food
Address: 302 3rd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Website: https://www.lpstreetfood.com/
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 3-6PM, 2 for 1 on All Draft Beer, Canned Beer, Draft Wine, And Single Liquor/Mixer Cocktails
Where do I even start? Outdoor patio: check. Wide selection of gluten free/vegan/vegetarian options: check. Daily food specials: check. 2 for 1’s every single day: check. This restaurant is newer to Cedar Rapids and has made quite a splash!
Plus, as winter settles in, you can take advantage of their seasonal heated igloo experience. A perfect situation for when you want to be outdoorsy and indoorsy at the same time… with some delicious food and drink in tow.
We tried the LPSF Gyro, the Walking Taco, and the Bulgogi Pork Shanks, and every single item was divine. Pro Tip: Get LP Tots as your side. Plus, ask for the “Happy Hour Snack”; you won’t regret it!
So how did I do? Are there are any Happy Hour deals in town I missed or egregiously left off the list?! Let me know in the comments!
