Happy Hour at Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar

Considering how brutal Minnesota winters can be, the joy of spending time out and about in the summer sun is as valuable as the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Whether you love the chance to take a leisurely stroll to your favorite Shakopee bars or you want to kick back on a patio, the summer is a great time to get out for a happy hour.

There are a lot of Shakopee happy hour options. Luckily, summer is long enough that you can try them all until you find one that you want to return to again and again. From special, reduced prices to immaculate outdoor vibes to a chance to make new friends and become part of a community, there's nothing quite like a great happy hour.

With great deals and amazing ambience in mind, let's look at some of the best places to go for an incredible night on the town. Not sure where to go after work in Shakopee? Don't worry. After reading this, you'll have plenty of ideas.

Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar

Probably the newest spot on this list, Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar has rapidly established itself as a place where you can get some of the best drinks in Shakopee. The menu is primarily themed around harbor-style American cuisine — the fresh oysters and Maryland-style crab cakes are especially great.

Something that makes Boardwalk an outstanding Shakopee happy hour destination is its 18,000 square foot patio. The patio features communal tables, fire pits, game areas, an unbeatable view of the races at Canterbury Park right next door, and a live performance venue called The Stable that hosts regular DJ and live music nights..

Happy hour brings specials on food and signature cocktails that will rival anything you've seen at comparable summer patio bars. The variety and quality of the consumables and activities offered at Boardwalk are second to none.

O'Brien's Public House

The charm of a rustic pub is hard to beat. O'Brien's has a great atmosphere. You'll find yourself surrounded by warm wood tones as you look over a menu full of comfort food favorites like cod and chips, corned beef and cabbage, and an incredible shepherd's pie.

Sunday through Thursday, O'Brien's has dedicated happy hour specials. From two until six, you can get big happy hour food deals on everything from appetizers to flatbreads alongside daily drink specials.

There are also special deals on drinks that vary from day to day. And in the summer, O'Brien's offers the opportunity to soak in the glory of Shakopee on their wonderfully shady patio. You can also come in for pub trivia night to share some fun with your friends.

Shakopee Brewhall

Brewpubs have become very popular in both large cities and small towns. When it comes to breweries in Shakopee, you can't do much better than Shakopee Brewhall. Because they don't just brew up great beer, they have great coffee, too!

Shakopee Brewhall is perfect for relaxed get-togethers with your friends. They have as many as 14 drinks available (including beers, seltzers, and non-alcoholic options) that you literally cannot get anywhere else. And their happy hour deals let you get those unique drinks at a great price.

When it comes to food, the Brewhall does not have its own kitchen. In an effort to share success with their neighbors, you can find available menus for other local businesses that will deliver to the Brewhall so that you can get a bite alongside your summer beer flight.

Pablo's Mexican Restaurant

Pablo's is one of the best places to get authentic Mexican flavors in Shakopee. The food is top-notch, the atmosphere is bright and colorful, and the margaritas are second-to-none. This is the place to go to get a nice meal and a flavorful, colorful drink throughout the summer.

Pablo's margarita specials are available during their happy hours on Monday - Saturday from 11 to 5. You can also get discounts on mules and house wines at those times. There are also All-Day Happy Hour deals on beer and some cocktails. 

But it isn't just the specials that make Pablo's great. It's an excellent Shakopee happy hour spot because you can get great Mexican food alongside a range of tequilas and great flavor profiles like a cilantro jalapeno margarita or a fresh pineapple margarita. 

Dangerfield's Restaurant

Arguably the classiest part of Shakopee nightlife, Dangerfield's gives an upscale experience at reasonable prices. Their signature cocktails and robust menu ensure that there is something to delight every member of your group, whether you bring a date or a meet up with friends.

Dangerfield's lounge specials can be found as part of a late night happy hour. From 3 - close, 7 days a week, you can get discounts on appetizers that pair nicely with cocktails like the vanilla cold brew martini and patio punch.

The Sunday Brunch gives you a great reason to head over to Dangerfield's to kick off a great day of fun and relaxation with incredible food before enjoying the summer weather for the rest of the afternoon. Or maybe you want to be sure to be there at sunset to see one of the most incredible views Shakopee has to offer.

Honorable Mentions

There is no shortage of Shakopee happy hour options for you and your crew. We've looked at some of the best choices, but here are a few establishments that just barely missed out on the top spots.

Turtle's Bar & Grill

Turtle's has a classic sports bar feel with affordable drinks and classic pub fare like fried pickles and tater tots. When you want to catch a game and enjoy everything from craft beer to some Minnesota Walleye Fingers, Turtle's is the place for you.

Pullman Club

Do you love that dive bar atmosphere? The Pullman Club has you covered. Swing in, shoot some pool. Have a drink that may not be fancy but is definitely delicious. This place has the kind of old-school charm that can be hard to find these days.

Mr. Pig Stuff Patio

What's better on a summer day than hot BBQ and chill vibes on a sweet patio? Nothing. The atmosphere and the food make Mr. Pig Stuff a must-try destination. Grab a beer and put some sauce on some perfectly prepared meat and see how great a visit to this patio can be.

Back Channel Brewing

Even though this joint is a bit out of town, a craft beer happy hour with a lakeside view is hard to beat. They have a limited food menu, but an extensive drink list that includes non-alcoholic choices, tap beers, and cans and bottles that you can take home with you. 

There is Nothing Like a Shakopee Happy Hour

The best summer happy hours have some things in common. Good drink and food specials, great atmosphere, options to sit outside, special events like trivia or live music events (which are plentiful in Shakopee during the summer), and a bit of walkability.

Shakopee is a great town for strolling around. You can walk to a bar for happy hour and then get an ice cream cone for the walk home. You'll find yourself becoming part of a community while having the kind of fun that only a Minnesota summer can provide.

No Shortage of Choices

Shakopee has no shortage of great bars and restaurants. Dangerfield's has decades of history, Pablo's brings Mexican food and top shelf tequila to the table, O'Brien's gives you that Irish comfort, Shakopee Brewhall has great craft beer and encourages support for other local businesses, and Boardwalk brings something you don't see everyday in Minnesota.

There aren't a lot of places in Minnesota that really know how to handle fresh oysters and crab the way they do at Boardwalk. And when you add the wood-fired steaks and signature cocktails, it becomes clear why Boardwalk landed at the top of this list.

That's the fun of Shakopee, though. You can get comfort food or traditional pub menus made with care and served with great drinks or you can try something you've never had before. You can look out over lakes and rivers or even watch a horse race while enjoying cool atmospheres under the hot sun.

When you start exploring Shakopee happy hour options, you find that trivia nights are available, karaoke, DJ sets or live music acts roll through The Stable, you can play lawn games at Boardwalk, or find a dive to shoot pool or maybe indulge in some pulltabs.

Shakopee is known around the state as the home of big attractions — think Valleyfair or Canterbury Park or the Renaissance Festival. But what makes it truly special are all the little spots that add to the character and pulse of the city.

Next time a Shakopee happy hour rolls around, try popping in to Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar. Have a crab cake. Play some games with your friends. Enjoy the views from the patio. And before you know it, you'll find yourself smiling because you've found a place you belong.