Best Happy Hour in ABQ
ALBUQUERQUE
The Artichoke Cafe
EDO · Mon–Fri · 2:30–5:30 PM · $5 plates · 424 Central SE
Pat and Terry Keene's New American restaurant. 30+ years in EDO. Happy hour is small versions of the dinner menu at $5 a plate. Loyal regulars and an actual cocktail program. The closest thing to fine dining at a happy hour price.
DWTNR Cocktail Bar & LoungeDowntown · Daily · 3–6 PM · 717 Central NW · Inside the Arrive Hotel
Cocktail bar inside the Arrive Hotel. 1970s-meets-Bond-villain interior, gold trim, low lighting. Order the green chile smash burger. Local consensus is it's the best burger in town. Cocktails lean Japanese-Mexican.
Sidetrack BrewingDowntown · Daily · 12–4 PM · Earliest start in town
Happy hour at noon. Brewery on 2nd Street SW. If you've gone to dinner and want a drink first, this is the one that's already open. Sidetrack runs something every night, so you might as well stay.
Artichoke for the $5 plates from a fine dining kitchen. DWTNR for the smash burger and the cocktails. Sidetrack if it's still lunch.