Happy hour is the term for a period of time during which restaurants and bars offer a discount on beer, wine, and cocktails. It may also include reduced rates on appetizers and entrees. Often taking place in the late afternoon or early evening, this promotion allows patrons to enjoy reasonably priced food and drinks while relaxing with friends and family after school or work. Here's more about the beginnings and evolution of this popular American pastime.

Origins 

Happy hour has roots in the United States Navy and dates back to 1914. The term was first used aboard the U.S.S. Arkansas and referred to a weekly social and entertainment program intended to relieve sailors of the boredom that can accompany life at sea. 

During these events, they would enjoy everything from live music and dancing to movie screenings and boxing matches. Initially, beer, wine, and cocktails were served during these happy hours. However, as of June 1914, the navy issued an order prohibiting alcohol consumption aboard vessels and within yards and stations. 

An alternate theory places the origin of happy hour in France. During the late 19th century, aristocrats in Paris began drinking absinthe in response to a wine shortage. They often enjoyed these spirits in bars and bistros around five o'clock in the afternoon, which became known as "l'heure verte," or "the green hour." 

Evolution

During Prohibition, which began in 1920, the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol was strictly prohibited in the U.S. Since people couldn't legally purchase beer, wine, or liquor in restaurants, they gathered in their homes or speakeasies to enjoy alcoholic beverages, made with their own secret stashes of booze, before going out to dinner. 

Once Prohibition ended in 1933, bars and restaurants started hosting happy hour before dinner service. They offered discounts on drinks to draw more customers through their doors and generate business. This likely marks the beginning of happy hour as it is known today.

Modern Popularity 

In the decades following Prohibition, happy hour became popular in bars and eateries throughout the U.S. and was practically ubiquitous by the 1980s. Many establishments began offering food at reduced prices and introduced specials, such as two-for-one drinks and half-price appetizers. Today, happy hour remains a widely beloved ritual Americans frequently partake in before dinner, especially on weekdays after school and work. 

Take advantage of happy hour specials by heading to Dogwood Social House. With locations in O'Fallon, Cape Girardeau, and Ellisville, MO, this restaurant and sports bar offers an impressive selection of beer, wine, and cocktails along with delicious food. They also provide a variety of games and activities, including bowling and axe throwing. To find out about their happy hour deals, call (636) 339-3170 for the O'Fallon location, (573) 837-1260 for Cape Girardeau, or (636) 323-4227 for Ellisville. Visit their website to browse their menu of beverages, starters, and main courses.