Happy hour is a magical time of day when bars and restaurants feature a special menu with reduced prices for food and, for those who are 21 and up, alcoholic beverages. It’s the ideal window for drinking and eating as frugally as possible.

Although happy hour specials are offered Monday through Saturday, most people don’t have time to unwind until Thursday nights, a college student’s saving grace. This is when most students’ school week comes to an end and it’s a great time to browse local happy hours. Luckily for UTSA students, there are prime happy hour locations right up the street from campus.

If the typical 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. happy hour is not convenient, fear not. When God created the Sabbath, he also conjured up reverse happy hour, which is just as glorious as happy hour, only it’s from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Kona Grill

Many students frequent nearby restaurant Kona Grill (15900 La Cantera Pkwy) for happy hour Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and reverse happy hour Monday through Saturday from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. Kona is great because they offer a variety of foods and drinks. A crowd favorite is their margarita, perfectly priced at $5.25, and their food can range from half off the original price to as low as $6. Visit their website KonaGrill.com to check out their menu for yourself, or just stop by La Cantera and enjoy one of their happy hours first hand!

Bar Mosaico

If you are looking to dance, have a good time and not spend a lot of cash, then check out Bar Mosaico located inside of Lisa’s Mexican Restaurant (815 Bandera Rd.) Bar Mosaico’s happy hour is Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. On Fridays, they offer music from a live DJ and they have dancing. They serve domestic beers for as low as $1.75, mixed drinks as low as $4 and appetizers for $5. Visit their website at lisasmexican.com/bar-Mosaico to see what they offer.

54th Street Bar and Grill

Another great happy hour and favorite of students is 54th Street Bar and Grill located in The Rim (17122 West Interstate 10). Their happy hour is Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. They have appetizers from $4.99 with a $2 drink minimum purchase per appetizer. Check out 54th Street bar and Grill to enjoy their happy hour selection!

Pericos

Pericos also offers tasty and cheap drinks. There are two locations that are ideal for UTSA students. Pericos’ discounts take place Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m – 7 p.m. for regular happy hour and Monday through Saturday from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. for reverse happy hour. Their Bandera location (10820 Bandera Rd), offers a live band on Fridays from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Karaoke on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. The Huebner Oaks location (11075 IH-10 W) has over 22 televisions throughout their restaurant, which is perfect for game night. Although both locations offer different entertainment, their prices are the same. Their beers start at $2, house margaritas at $3 and appetizers range from $3 to $6. Both locations have a lot to offer, so check out either location for a good time.

Chuy’s

Another great choice for Mexican food and a wide selection of drinks is Chuy’s (15639 W Interstate 10). Chuy’s chips and salsa are delicious and pair perfectly with a beverage of your choice. Their happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. –7 p.m. The margaritas start at $7.50, beer at $2.75 and food as low as $4. They have a bar area with televisions on the wall, which is perfect for enjoying a drink while watching a game. Most Chuy’s locations even offer a free appetizer in exchange for a framed picture of your dog. Look around next time you’re at Chuy’s; the walls are covered in dog photos. Gather some friends and canine photos, and head out to Chuy’s happy hour.

After a long week of work and school, reward yourself by checking out one of these restaurants’ specials. Afterall, it’s called happy hour for a reason. Just be careful not to order too many $4 margaritas; the bill can add up before you know it.