A good happy hour can serve several purposes: end a long and busy workday, kickstart an evening out, or provide a quick catchup opportunity with friends constantly on the run. But add in a not-so-commonplace scene (such as a museum, a skyscraper, or even a grocery store) or a hidden special (like free snacks with a drink), and happy hour just leveled up. Here are six under-the-radar happy hours in Fort Worth not to be missed right now.
Kimbell Art Museum
Perhaps one of the most sophisticated happy hours in town takes place every Friday at the world-renowned Kimbell Art Museum – home to the only Michelangelo in the Americas, as well as the popular Kimbell Café. It’s where patrons can listen to live musical performances (often by the Allegro Guitar Society and local jazz musicians) while enjoying beer, wine, and light bites. Prices range from $6 for bottled beer to $10 for wine by the glass and $28 to $32 for a bottle. (Museum members get 10 percent off.) The Kimbell Happy Hour runs from 5- 7 pm most Fridays.
Refinery 714
Take the elevator to the 24th floor to visit this sky-high bar that sits inside The Kimpton Harper Hotel downtown. It’s where every Sunday through Thursday, from 6-9 pm, patrons can get $2 off wines by the glass, specialty cocktails, and food items, and $1 off beer. There’s also a Whiskey Wednesday cocktail special. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide for far-away horizon views, and a telescope even affords close-up views of Sundance Square and the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Roy Pope Grocery
Happy hour at a boutique grocery store might not be top of mind, but Roy Pope Grocery is aiming to change that. The longtime Camp Bowie District destination for gourmet goods, wine, beer, and meals to-go hosts multiple weekday happy hour specials – and boasts a covered streetside patio that’s perfect for people-watching. On “Tap In Tuesdays” patrons can get $2 off beer on tap; the lineup rotates three local selections. On Wednesdays guests can sip $5 select wines by the glass. Pair with a hot Bola Pizza, also available only on Wednesdays. Fridays are for frose when the wine bar serves the frozen concoction for only $5 for a 12-ounce pour. There are also complimentary wine tastings on Fridays from 5-7 pm. All happy hour specials are available all day. Roy Pope Grocery is open from 7 am-9 pm Monday through Saturday and 8 am-8 pm on Sunday.
Si Tapas
New in Artisan Circle (formerly Crockett Row), this Dallas-based tapas and sangria concept comes from tapas pioneer Ildefonso Jimenez, who in 1990 opened the first tapas restaurant in Texas, Cafe Madrid. The Fort Worth rendition of Si Tapas is located in the the former Fireside Pies space. While the lengthy happy hour menu changes every week, its specials always include ample-portioned $7 Spanish tapas, $5 wines by the glass and well drinks, $5 Spanish and Texas beers, and $15 pitchers of house sangria. The happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4-6 pm.
Central Market
Even regular shoppers of the Texas-based gourmet grocer might not be aware of the lively scene that occurs there on Friday and Saturday evenings. From March through October, local bands take the outdoor patio stage for at least a three-hour set. Even more, wine by the glass and draft beer are only $5 from the outdoor bar. The tradition has been going on since the store’s first spring season in 2002, and band genres range from classic rock and country to ’90s pop and rhythm and blues. Times are 6-9 pm Fridays, 5:30-9 pm Saturdays, and 12-3:30 pm Sundays. Bonus for parents of little ones: There’s a small playground tucked away near the stage.
61 Osteria
While the Italian-inspired fine dining destination was recently crowned Restaurant of the Year at the 2024 CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards, its “Apertivo Hour” might fly under the radar of its elegant full menu. Available only in the bar or on the patio, the special includes one drink for $10 that comes paired with chef-prepared “snacks.” Drink options include a glass of bubbly, white or red wine, or the daily spritz or negroni. Apertivo Hour runs from 4:30-6:30 pm daily.
Photo courtesy of The Kimbell
Happy hour at the Kimbell Cafe.
