Best Happy Hour On Hilton Head Island

Wondering who has the best Happy Hour in Hilton Head? Check out our updated list of the best places on Hilton Head to enjoy Happy Hour!

Today, the term “happy hour” is entrenched in public cocktail perception, but its origins (like much in the food and beverage world) are unclear. Although a few facts are at hand, it’s fairly difficult to narrow down a conclusive history of how these two words came together. In the 1920’s, the phrase happy hour was used by the Navy for a period of scheduled athletic creativity or other entertainment during long stints at sea.

Yet, also in the 1920’s, thanks to a failed social experiment called Prohibition, daring citizens gathered during pre-dinner hours specifically for imbibing illegal cocktails at a speakeasy or home. In due course, both ideas merged and people began using the phrase regularly referring to a happy time when drinking with friends during the late afternoon and early evening hours.

Happy Hours are important. Yes, they really are! They serve multiple purposes. Comfort after working a long day. Stress relief if you’ve been at home all day. Meeting friends. Pre-dinner drinks. A less-expensive way to relax and release yourself from the burdens of the day. Today, the happy hour has become a staple of our culture.

That being said, not all happy hours are created equal. Many restaurants and bars go through the motions. I’m sure we all have experienced frozen pizza bites, pigs in a blanket, shriveled mozzarella sticks and limited drink options. 

The Black Marlin Bayside Grill

When: 4-7 daily

The Deal: $2 off all liquor drinks, house wines and appetizers. $1 off all beers. 

Highlights: The Hurricane – tropical fruit and Cruzan 151 rum. Tito’s Lemonade handmade vodka, fresh squeezed lemonade. Chicken livers in a sweet, sour chili sauce. Sushi Nachos – seared tuna, sashimi vinaigrette, avocado, wasabi aioli, crispy wontons.

Comments: water views, located on Broad Creek overlooking Cross island Parkway bridge. Multiple bars. Can come by boat. This is what a happy hour should be.

The Black Marlin Bayside Grill
86 Helmsman Way
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 785- 4950
https://www.blackmarlinhhi.com/ 

Old Oyster Factory

When: 4-6 pm daily

The Deal: They pay you to drink! Any liquor, beer or wine (at regular price) earns a $1 cash back. $.75 peel ‘n eat shrimp, half off oysters, special happy hour menu from $5-$9.

Highlights: May River Oysters, Beer-battered Cod bites. Shrimp taco – local shrimp, flour taco, napa cabbage, garlic chili sauce, pico de gallo.

Comments: Waterside, spectacular views, private pier for dining. A respite from the day. Don’t miss it.

Old Oyster Factory
101 Marshland Road
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 681-6040
https://www.oldoysterfactory.com/ 

Catch 22

When: 5-6.30 pm Monday – Friday

The Deal: $3.25 domestic bottled beer. $5.25 well liquor. $4.50 house chardonnay or cabernet. Crab cluster $11. $2 off of dinner menu appetizers.

Highlights: Diver Scallops – parmesan pepper encrusted scallops, grilled tomato, mozzarella, balsamic reduction, fresh basil, arugula, crusty bread.

Comments: Casual, walls adorned with vibrant art. Happy hour food is not an afterthought, appetizers are from the main menu. Expect to pay $8-$12 per app, but well worth it.

Catch 22
37 New Orleans Road
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 785-6261
https://www.catch22hhi.com/ 

Poseidon Rooftop Bar

When: 4-7 pm daily

The Deal: $4 House wines. $2.50 Drafts. $3 Shocktop. $2.50 Bud Lite cans. $3 Belgian Dayblazer. $3.50 Narragansett 16oz. $4 Admiral Nelson Rum. $5 Tito’s Vodka. $5 Lumaqul Blanco Tequila. $4 Burnett’s Gin. Special food menu from $3.50-$14 (half dozen Blue Point oysters).

Highlights: Spicy Bacon Deviled Eggs. Margherita Flatbread. House Chips with French Onion Dip.

Comments: A phrase was coined during the 1920’s, the so-called “Jazz Age,” (which also is the birth of the happy hour): “Living well is the best revenge.” This phrase could easily describe the happy hour at Poseidon. A singular experience. Sunsets – yes!!

Poseidon Rooftop Bar
38 Shelter Cove Lane #120
Hilton Head Island,SC
(843) 341-3838
https://www.therooftophhi.com/

Captain Woody’s Bar and Grill

When: 4-7 pm daily

The Deal: $2.50 Domestic beer. $3.50 Imported beer. $4 Well drinks. $4 House wine. $15 Domestic bucket. Well-constructed, reasonable food options from $4-$8.

Highlights: Kickin’ Camerones. ½ lb steamed shrimp. Shrimp taco.

Comments: Seafood place with palm trees and nautical accents. If you’re looking for reasonable prices and high quality then put this on your calendar. A mainstay since 1982.

Captain Woody’s Bar and Grill
6 Target Road
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 785-2400
https://www.captainwoodys.com/

Hinchey’s Chicago Bar & Grill

When: 4-7 pm daily

The Deal: $2.50 pints of selected beers. $3.25 house wines and well drinks. $.75 off bottles. Buy one appetizer and get the second one half off.

Highlights: Irish potato skins – cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, side of sour cream. Onion rings – battered and deep fried. Tale of Taylor Street – meatball and sausage on a skewer with mozzarella and drizzled marinara.

Comments: Family run over 20 years, Chicago sports bar atmosphere. Friendly. Pays to have a partner so you can order 2 apps and save.

Hinchey’s Chicago Bar & Grill
70 Pope Avenue
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 686-5959
https://hincheys.com/ 

The Crazy Crab (Jarvis Creek Location)

When: 4-6 pm daily

The Deal: $2.50 domestic bottled beer. $3 domestic drafts. $3.50 well drinks. $4.50 house wines. $5 specialty drinks: Bulrush Collins, Crab Punch, Deep Eddy Vodkas. Happy Hour food menu from $5-$8

Highlights: Crab Punch – Maker’s Mark, blood orange bitters, simple syrup, club soda, maraschino cherries, orange slice. Bulrush Collins – Bullrush gin, fresh lemon, simple syrup, club soda. Fried pickles, Baby back ribs, Pork Pot Stickers.

Comments: Huge bar, deck, sunsets. Always a plus when a place cares about its happy hour…and Crazy Crab does. Thank you!

Crazy Crab
104 William Hilton Parkway
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 681-5021
https://thecrazycrab.com/ 

The Sandbar

When: 4-6 pm daily

The Deal: $3 house margaritas. $3 well drinks. $1 off all wine. $3-$4 shots. $2 Landsharks. $2 Bud Light 16oz. $2 off all beach snacks from $3-$11.

Highlights: Rajun Cajuns – bite size beef tenderloin marinated and blackened. Loaded hush puppies – Southern fried, topped with warm beer cheese, sauteed onions, drizzled ranch dressing.

Comments: Spacious, large patio, nice vibe, “Under the Boardwalk” feel. Brings back memories of the Sandbar in Manasquan, NJ, a summer haunt while in college.

The Sandbar
101 Pope Avenue
Hilton Head Island
(843) 342-7263
https://www.sandbarhhi.com/ 

Skull Creek Dockside

When: 4-7 pm daily

The Deal: $1 off wine, beer, cocktails. $2 off appetizers.

Highlights: Crispy fried shrimp & calamari in a Korean chili aioli. Pan roasted mussels in white wine & garlic tomato sauce. Bacon hush puppies with maple butter. Lobster deviled eggs – brown butter breadcrumbs, Espelette pepper, microgreens. Skull Creek Sangria – Svedka Mango Pineapple Vodka, Moscato, Cranberry, Seasoned Fruit.

Comments: Panoramic waterfront view. Gorgeous sunsets. A quintessential Lowcountry happy hour.

Skull Creek Dockside
2 Hudson Road
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 785-3625
https://www.docksidehhi.com/

Reilley’s North End Pub

When: 4-7 pm daily

The Deal: ½ off all alcoholic beverages. Special happy hour food menu from $6-$8.

Highlights: Fish tacos. Cheeseburger sliders. Cheese sticks. BBQ chicken nachos.

Comments: Reminiscent of a Boston style pub. (Remember Cheers was located in Boston.) Visitors and locals create a lively happy hour scene. Elementary happy hour, but this is the kind of place that makes you feel like it’s always happy hour.

Reilley’s North End Bar
95 Mathews Drive # 3734
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 681-4153
https://reilleysnorth.com/

Rock Fish Seafood & Steaks at Bomboras

When: 4-6 pm Monday-Friday

The Deal: $4 Oyster Shooters. $4 House liquors. $4 House wines. $3.50 Bottoms Up Beer. $6 Craft beer. Special happy hour menu from $4-$12.

Highlights: Soft pretzel with spicy mustard. Chicken Wings, sweet Thai BBQ. Flatbread pesto pizza. Oyster shooter – infused with B12 and caffeine.

Comments: Funky vibe – just what you need at happy hour. Want to really relax? Try the CBD infused drinks.

Rockfish Seafood & Steaks
5 Lagoon Road
Hilton Head Island, SC
(843) 689-2662
https://www.rockfishhhi.com/ 

As King Henry proclaims in Act One of King Henry V by Wlliam Shakespeare, “Therefore, my lords, omit no happy hour.” And we at Lowcountry Style & Living heartily agree! We should never omit a happy hour! Enjoy!