Happy Hour Past and Present

Once you head out of the office after a long hard day you may want to unwind a little.  This is usually done by getting together with a couple of friends for some cocktails.  If you work normal hours you can usually take advantage of what some have labeled the best time of day “Happy Hour”.  The cocktail specials may be different from one pub to the next but the reason “Happy Hour” has come to be hasn't.

The term “Happy Hour” is at least 400 years old.  It's first written reference was in about 1599 when William Shakespeare penned the words in Act I, Scene 2 of King Henry V. The reference to the term “Happy Hour” by Shakespeare was about not celebration while still being at war with France.  Our Society first started using the term “Happy Hour” about 100 years ago with the onset of Prohibition and through US Navy social gatherings.

The US Navy has done a lot of first's but who would of thought they would coin the name “Happy Hour”.  On the USS Arkansas in 1913 a groups of sailors had social smoking events that they started calling “Happy Hours”.  These events occurred regularly and included multiple forms of entertainment including movies, music, dancing, boxing and refreshments.  Sailors on other ships started holding similar events and the term “Happy Hour” spread across the US Navy by the end of WWI.

Prohibition in 1920 brought with it, illegal drinking establishments called "Speakeasy's".  These speakeasy's offered “Cocktail Hours” or “Happy Hours” before dinner time.  The idea was that people would stop into there illegal establish for a few cocktails before going to dinner were they could have any alcohol.  This activity caught on and the term “Happy Hour” spread across the country.

“Happy Hour” has changed over the years.  Now we think of “Happy Hour” as a time of day where we can get discounts on alcohol and food.  The two most common times of day “Happy Hours” are offer is between 4:00pm and 6:00pm and later in the evening between 10:00pm and 12:00am.  As a savvy individual I am always on the prowl for a good bargain and “Happy Hour” fits right in.  I especially like Late Night Happy Hour in Philly. Unfortunately, some politicians don't agree.  Today there are 23 U.S. States that have restrictions on pubs or restaurants discounting alcoholic beverages for a fixed period of time.