At still-sizzling-hot Uchi, on lower Westheimer's restaurant row, happy hour is the best way to sample the menu without breaking the bank. Available daily from 5 to 6:30 p.m., enjoy a crunchy spicy tuna roll, Walu Walu oak grilled escolar or the kakiage sweet potato-onion fritter, plus a sampling of other hot and cold items for $7 and under.

Gekkeikan hot and Kirin Ichiban Sakes are just $3 each.

benjy's Upper Washington boasts two large patios that are the perfect spots to bask in the sun while sipping on signature cocktails and house wine priced at $5. In addition, benjy's offers a select number of menu items for $6, daily from 4 to 7 p.m.

From 5 to 7 p.m. daily and throughout the dining room — not just at the bar — you can get domestic beers for $2, well drinks for $3.50, wine $5 a glass or for selected bottles  of wine, the happy hour rate is $15. Carafes of sangria, white or red, are offered at $15.

Be sure to check out happy hour at Bistro Alex’s downstairs counterpart, Bistro Bar, located in Hotel Sorella at CityCentre. Available Monday through Thursday from 4 until 7 p.m., enjoy $1 off well drinks and bottled beer, $8 wines by the glass, and select appetizers for $5. Wednesdays, take advantage of the 1/2 priced bottles of wine.

7 days a week from 2 to 7 p.m., Brennan's 7-7-7 menu offers seven appetizers, cocktails and wines for $7 each. The nosh includes a crispy oyster BLT, Saint Arnold's BBQ shrimp and grits, and blue cheese & olive onion rings.

From 5 to 7 p.m., experience the River Oaks scene on a shoestring with Fleming's $6 happy hour deal. As part of their "5 for 6 'til 7" offer, the abbreviated menu is comprised of five cocktails, five wines by the glass and five appetizers, including such steakhouse standbys as the prime burger, tenderloin carpaccio, and sweet chili calamari.  CultureMap loves the Bikinitini, made with clementine vodka, but the Vintage Vodka Martini tastes great with the seared ahi tuna small plate.

Down House in the Heights offers $2 off all small plates Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Happy hour specials on drinks include $1 off draft beers, $2 off wines by the glass, and $3 off cocktails, including hot-weather-friendly choices like the classic Pimm’s Cup and the Mai Tai, a mix of bourbon with the Italian amaro Ramazotti and Orgeat for hints of nuts and chocolate.

At Coppa Ristorante on Washington Avenue the daily bargains at the bar and on the patio start at 4 p.m. and run until 7 p.m. Come hungry as the eats include Italian Sausage Pizza for $11 and meatballs al forno for $9. Wash it all down with a $5 Bellini, $5 glass of Pinot Grigio or Cabernet, $5 Texas Deep Eddy Vodka, or $3 Saint Arnolds Amber.

Drop by the lounge at Samba Grille, downtown’s upscale South American eatery, for happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for small plates under $8, like the tuna sashimi tiradito and trio of blue corn cakes featuring pork belly tingas and duck carnitas.

The well-crafted South American cocktails start at $4: Indulge in a pineapple martini infused with vanilla or a traditional Caipirinha. The rest of the drink list is a deal too, with $2 domestic drafts and several Peruvian, Brazilian and Spanish beers and wines for under $8.

RA Sushi's happy hour menu is offered Monday through Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. and during Sunday’s Flying Fish Lounge from 8 p.m. until midnight.  During these special times, a wide variety of sushi, appetizers, tapas, beer, wine and signature cocktails range from $2 to $7.  Choose from a list of popular appetizer items such as maki, sashimi, and the Spicy Salmon Roll.  Cocktail selections include the Dragon Bite, Samurai Cowboy, and Red Lotus.