The Definitive Guide to Austin's Oyster Happy Hours

It's often said that the first man to try an oyster was a brave one, which is absolutely true... because those delicious pearl factories can be expensive. Thankfully, you don't need to be that brave to order a dozen, as long as you know that the oyster happy hour exists, and that Austin has a ton of them. We've put together a list of the 19 best in town, so you can eat as many Gulf, East, and West Coast varieties as you please:


Apothecary Cafe & Wine Bar

Burnet Road

The cozy restaurant boasts wine and bites that are perfect for light dinners with friends or date night also has a fantastic oyster program. Everyday from 4pm-7pm, its happy hour deal allows you $3 off a half dozen or $6 off a dozen oysters. It has a nice selection of fresh East and West Coast offerings. Please, add this to your calendar: Apothecary does West Coast Wednesday with $2 West Coast oysters all night long. And, on Sundays and Mondays -- $10 off all bottles of wine all night. Saturday’s special is 50% off all bottle of bubbles, all night.

Foreign & Domestic

Foreign & Domestic

North Loop / Hyde Park

Every Monday, those in the know head over to Foreign & Domestic for Dollar Oyster Monday. Arrive early for a coveted spot at the bar and get down on its selection of East Coast oysters and drink specials. There is also an accompanying menu of poached shrimp, squid, and Southern-inspired sides to complement your raw oyster feast.

Parkside Austin

Parkside

Sixth Street

Happy Hour at Parkside is the best way to eat well and not break the bank. From 5pm-6:30pm, Monday through Friday guests get half off of the bar menu, beer, and cocktails. The Oyster Platter, regularly $32, is a steal at $16. We recommend pairing your mollusk meal with a side of Parkside fries and a few glasses of Prosecco.

Abel’s on the Lake

Abel’s

University of Texas (& other locations)

Sit lakeside or in the comfy North Austin location and take advantage of the ridiculous happy hour deals. Monday through Friday, 4pm-6pm (Abel’s on the Lake) and 4pm-7pm (Abel’s North) you get $1 Gulf Coast oysters along with $4 select beers and $3.50 Deep Eddy vodka drinks.

Eddie V's Prime Seafood

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

Arboretum (& Other Locations)

During its very generous happy hour (Monday and Sunday, ALL DAY! and Tuesday through Saturday from 4pm-7pm), Eddie V’s offers $1 Louisiana oysters served on ice with the bright mignonette sauce. Also included: live jazz and cocktail deals.

Brian Birzer

Truluck’s

Warehouse District (& other locations)

Another popular HH is Truluck’s elegantly-named “Cocktail Hour.” The featured East Coast oysters are $2.50, and we couldn’t help but notice the deep discounts also apply to selected appetizers, wines, and most importantly, cocktails. This mixed enthusiast has got her eye on the “Ipso Facto,” a martini made with artisanal St. George Terroir gin for only $6.

Lucy's Fried Chicken

Lucy’s Fried Chicken

South Congress (& other locations)

Although this isn’t a one-night-a-week deal or a happy hour, the prices at Lucy’s are impossible to ignore. A dozen raw Gulf oysters at Lucy’s will only set you back only $14. No meal at Lucy’s is complete without trying its wood fire-grilled oyster, Lucha-style. They come loaded with buffalo sauce, cilantro, Worcestershire, and bacon.

Blackbird & Henry

Blackbird and Henry

Campus

This under-the-radar, campus-area gem has a menu full of seasonal comfort food inspired by a multitude of cuisines, and great oyster deals to boot. On Sundays, East Coast oysters are half price after 5pm. And Sazerac is on tap, too.

Hillside Farmacy

Hillside Farmacy

East Eleventh

Hillside Farmacy is known for its hip, retro aesthetic, and as a gathering spot for Austin’s pretty people. It's are also known for its superb Monday night oyster deals -- that is, half price East Coast oysters and $5 bubbles from 5pm-10pm.

Shoal Creek Saloon

Shoal Creek Saloon

North Lamar

You’ve got to love the old school attitude of Shoal Creek Saloon, whose iconic sign still advertises “Color T.V.” You know what else we love? A dozen Gulf Oysters on the half shell that only costs $13.99. That’s just over a buck each, folks.

Liberty Kitchen

Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar

West Fifth

Liberty Kitchen is just west of Lamar, and in addition to a extensive Texas-inspired seafood menu, it has a totally decent happy hour. Everyday, from 3pm-6pm, Dallas-based Liberty Kitchen offers 50 cents off Gulf and East Coast oysters. This bustling restaurant’s happy hour also includes half off queso and select wines.

Casey Dunn

Clark’s Oyster Bar

Clarksville

Sunny, nautical Clark’s is highlight on this list -- here you find a large variety of oysters from East and West Coasts, including Washington, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island. Its happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3pm-6pm, and its selection of fresh oysters are 50 cents off. Pro tip: eat the fantastic sourdough bread, and then ask for seconds.

Flickr/TQT

Perla’s

South Congress

On South Congress, Austin’s own version of Disneyland, Perla’s is taking care of tourists and locals alike. We love its happy hour which boasts 50¢ off oysters, $2 off beverages from 3pm-6pm, Monday through Friday. And, as you know, Perla’s doesn’t mess around. This includes the freshest East and West Coast oyster selection you can get.

Mongers Market + Kitchen

East Cesar Chavez

New-ish Eastside spot, Mongers is now hosting a Wednesday Afternoon Oyster Social from 2pm-6pm with half-off oysters, $5 select wines, $1 off drafts, and $5 sangria.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods

The Domain

Everyday from 3pm-5pm the Draft Shack inside Whole Foods offers char-grilled oysters for $1.75 in addition to 40+ beers on tap. Whole Foods hack: we’ve heard of people ordering the oysters at the store’s actual seafood counter (where they will shuck them to you), and then just casually walking over to the Draft Shack and enjoying those with a cold beer. We don’t think it’s rude considering you just spent your entire paycheck on groceries.

dine Raddisson

dine

Downtown

dine is located in the Radisson Hotel on the corner of Cesar Chavez and Congress. The deals on oysters are almost too good to believe. Ahem, get this: Monday through Friday from 4pm-6pm the oysters are half off. And then there’s $1 Buck Shucks Happy Hour -- $1 oysters on Sundays & Mondays from 4pm-close. Don't even get us started on the insane beer and spirits selection that is also heavily discounted. Just go.

Courtesy of Alcomar

Alcomar

South First

Bright and beachy Alcomar offers its half-dozen Gulf oysters for only $9 during its happy hour which runs from 3pm-6pm everyday. The orange habanero mignonette is the perfect accompaniment to the plump, briny oysters. Pair that with one of Alcomar’s $4 HH cheladas -- Pacifico beer, lime, Cholula, Worcestershire, and El Chile rim.

Quality Seafood Market

Quality Seafood Market

Airport Blvd

Quality Seafood has been around for a long time providing wholesale seafood to Austin’s restaurants and running a little eatery as well. Enjoy its classic vibe every Thursday from 6pm-9pm, for Texas Gulf oysters on the half shell for just $1 each with a cold Lone Star.

Pacific Rim Sushi & Yakitori Lounge

Burnet Road

North Austinites rejoice, Pacific Rim now has a Tuesday Night Dollar Menu. In addition to highlights like freshly prepared sushi, yakitori skewers, Sake Bombs, and coconut shrimp, Pacific Rim also has, wait for it... raw and Panko-fried oysters for just a buck. The lounge also houses large-screen televisions which are always airing “the game.” Don’t miss the Polynesian cocktails while you’re there.

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Anastacia Uriegas is a writer in Austin who thinks that any hour spent eating oysters is a happy one. Follow her at @AnaUrie.