The other day, I met up with a few of my girlfriends for happy hour at a local spot in downtown Long Beach. As I rode on the Passport to meet up with them, I thought to myself, who invented happy hour? Upon my arrival, I asked them that same question. However, no one really knew. So we spent a couple of hours unwinding from our day at work and catching up. We must have had about two drinks each with appetizers. I couldn’t stop thinking about the concept of Happy Hour so I went home and researched online, “happy hours.”
“Happy hours began in the United States Navy and entered the civilian use around the 1960s,” according to Wikipedia. Apparently in 1959, the Saturday Evening Post wrote an article about Happy Hours only to make them a tradition for many workers—white and blue collar alike. Ever since, there have been happy hours offered throughout the country. There is even a nationwide happy hour guide, so no matter where you are in the country, there is La Hora Feliz!
Wikipedia goes on to describe happy hour as a “magical period of time that takes place Monday-Thursday and sometimes Fridays between the hours of 4:00-7:00 pm. In most cities, this is rush hour for many workers and local restaurants and bars offer discounts for drinks and food.”
I must note that in 1984 the U.S. Military abolished happy hours at military base clubs. “Despite the controversy, happy hour still exists around the globe. Today in the United States, ‘Happy Hour’ culture consists largely of junior and mid-level professionals getting together for a drink to unwind after work.” Who could have guessed, that’s exactly what I do with my friends!
So, since the Long Beach Post has been on this kick of the “best” of the “best” in Long Beach, I have decided to seek your opinion regarding the top 5 Happy Hour spots in our city.
The criteria are simple:
• Must be in the city of Long Beach
• Must offer a happy hour
• Must serve drink and food specials
• Bonus would be friendly servers!
Once all nominations are posted, we will take it to a vote. You decide the best Happy Hour in Long Beach!
Send in submissions by Monday, June 16 to make your case!