Best happy hours in Banff

There are many reasons why Banff National Park is an amazing place, one of the reasons being all the happy hours in Banff! This touristy ski resort town has tons of deals to help locals and visitors discover new places to eat and drink.

From tacos to sushi to cheese fondue Banffs list of restaurants will have you spoilt for choice!

After living here for 10 months, I have compiled a list of the best happy hours around Banff. As a big foodie who loves to eat out, I have tried the majority of restaurants and cafes around town. 

I have categorised each section into days of the week, with the first section being my favourite happy hours that run every day. 

I am warning you now: by the end of this guide, you will be hungry!

Best Happy Hours in Banff National Park

Just because you are on a budget doesn’t mean you don’t want to go to good quality places. I love how many of the local businesses have jumped on the bandwagon to create affordable portions of time. 

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Happy Hours that run every day in Banff National Park 

Anejos 

• Restaurant type: Mexican
• Happy hour is from 3pm to 5pm and 9pm until close everyday.
• What is on offer: $3 tacos and $6 margaritas 
• Where is the restaurant? 111 Banff Avenue
• Google Rating: 4.5*

Anejos Happy Hour is probably my favourite and most frequented. 

With ten margarita flavours to choose from and six taco options, it’s the perfect place for an afternoon catch-up session. 

Between 3pm and 5pm and 9pm until close, Anejos has a happy hour offering $3 tacos and $6 margaritas. I highly recommend the chorizo and the fish tacos (make sure you add the special spicy mayo) and the mango and guava margaritas. 

The decor is a mix of traditional Mexican elements and modern design, featuring colourful murals, handcrafted wooden furnishings, and warm, earthy tones. 

Anejos has over 200 tequilas to choose from, making it the largest collection in Canada.

The staff are knowledgeable, welcoming, and happy to help. 

Hello Sunshine 

• Restaurant type: Japanese sushi 
• Happy hour is from 4pm to 5pm every day.
• What is on offer: half-priced sushi, $15 ramen, $6.50 pints, discounted sake, and cocktails. 
• Where is the restaurant? 208 Wolf Street 
• Google Rating: 4.4*

Hello Sunshine in Banff offers a bright, cheerful dining experience with a distinct modern, laid-back vibe. However, don’t be fooled because there is a karaoke room where you can sing your heart out. I am not sure how both these worlds meet, but they do. 

This Japanese restaurant has a diverse menu with high-quality locally sourced ingredients. 

I highly recommend grabbing some friends together and ordering a ton of sushi. 

There are five half-priced sushi dishes to choose from, each with eight pieces. I always get the crispy avocado as I am not a big fish person, and it is always so good. 

They also have chicken, vegetable, seaweed, and pickled ginger ramen bowls for $15. Along with a variety of sake and cocktails. You NEED to order the watermelon crush cocktail. It is the best. 

Hello Sunshine also offers free private rooms for a minimum of eight friends to enjoy cocktails, sushi, and a karaoke machine all to yourselves. 

BlueBird Woodfired Steakhouse

• Restaurant type: wood-fired steakhouse
• Happy hour is from 4pm to 5pm every day.
• What is on offer: 50% off cheese fondue and cocktails
• Where is the restaurant? 214 Lynx Street 
• Google Rating: 4.5*

If you love cheese, then you are going to want to add the Bluebird to your Banff food itinerary.

Between 4pm and 5pm, the Bluebird puts on 50% cheese fondue, taking the price to $27.50, and as you will be sharing it with a friend, it’s even more affordable at $13.75 (girl math!). 

The fondue comes with sourdough bread, potatoes, and pickles. We also shared fries between four of us to add to the dipping experience. 

The cocktails are also delightful, with seven discounted drinks to choose from the happy hour menu. 

The Bluebird woodfire steakhouse offers a charming and contemporary dining experience. It manages to balance casual dining with friends and fine dining for couples. 

I also highly recommend it for breakfast, as they do the best hash browns in town.  

Shoku Izakaya 

• Restaurant type: Japanese cuisine
• Happy hour is from: 4pm to 5pm
• What is on offer: half-priced sharing plates
• Where is the restaurant? 304 Caribou Street
• Google Rating: 4.3*

Shoku Izakaya is all about sharing and bringing people together. 

The happy hour sharing menu has twelve dishes to choose from and is on every day from 4pm to 5pm. 

This cosy Japanese style pub is the perfect place for casual dining. The tables are first come, first served and have a good amount of seating. 

I highly recommend the Tokyo fries ($9), the pork belly bao bun ($6), and the Korean fried chicken ($9). 

They also have a selection of cocktails and beers on offer. 

Shoku does have a sister company called Block, which is a few streets away, but that is more upmarket dining still with the theme of sharing. 

Lupo Italian Ristorante

• Happy Hour is from 3pm to 5pm every day.
• What is on offer: $16 pizza and pastas and cocktails from $7. 
• Where is the restaurant? 208 Wolf Street 
• Google Rating: 4.5* 

Lupo restaurant is the Italian on Wolf Street (see what they did there!?). The venue is large but still creates that warm and inviting atmosphere.

If you are lucky enough to dine on the second floor patio, you will be wowed by the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. 

Everyday Lupos puts on a happy hour between 3pm to 5pm for its tasty pizzas, pastas, and cocktails. 

I recommend the “Uncle Morty’s Pizza,” which is white sauce, pork mortadella, pistachios, fontina, and truffle honey. That might sound wrong on a pizza, but do not knock it until you have tried it. 

Three Bears Brewery

• Happy Hour is from 3pm to 5pm every day. 
• What is on offer: $6.75 pints, discounted cocktails, and food.
• Where is the restaurant? 205 Bear Street
• Google Rating: 4.5*

The Three Bears Brewery is a working brewery that creates six beers in the heart of Banff National Park. 

Treat yourself and try them all with their beer flight of six 5 oz pours for $25. Or wait until happy hour between 3pm and 5pm to get $6.75 pints.

Their delicious food menu was created to pair well with their beer brewed on site. 

The Three Bears is a large venue with two floors, making it an easier restaurant to get a table at. Although it is a big venue, their rustic decor and warm lighting still give it that welcoming feeling. 

The Happy Hour cocktails also have locally sourced spirits from its neighbouring distillery, Parks. 

The chilli vodka has a kick to it! You have been warned!

The food specials are mac and cheese, pizza, and burgers, which all pair wonderfully with a pint of beer. 

Banffs best happy hours: Days of the week 

Mondays best happy hour deals in Banff 

Elk and Oarsman

• Monday Happy Hour: All Day
• What is on offer: $5.50 beers; $8 wines; $8-$12 cocktails; $14 flatbread; $14 wraps
• Where is the restaurant? 119 Banff Ave
• Google rating: 4.2*

The Elk and Oarsman is one of my favourite bars in town. This sports bar has all the good vibes, with reasonably priced food and drink, friendly staff, and all the different categories of sports. 

This bar is a bit of a hidden gem, as it can be easily missed. Sandwiched between Lululemon and Little Wild is a flight of stairs leading up to the Elk and Oarsman bar. 

This is probably the cosiest sports bar I have been to, with warm lighting and soft wooden features. This bar is far from rowdy. 

The food never disappoints, and there is always a beer special on regardless of the time. The food portions are a good size with good quality ingredients.

The Elk have happy hours Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays.

The Monday happy hour at the Elk and Oarsman runs all day and offers a mixture of flatbreads, wraps, and sliders. They also put on discounted beer, wine, and cocktails. 

Three Bears Brewery

• Monday Happy Hours: 9pm to close  
• What is on offer: $6.75 pints, discounted pizzas, and live music
• Where is the restaurant? 205 Bear Street
• Google Rating: 4.5*

A Banff late-night happy hour to try is the Monday Funday at The Three Bears Brewery. 

Every Monday the Three Bears team stokes the pizza oven, recruits a local musician, and has the kegs filled up for a night of relaxed fun with friends. 

Choose from Margarita, mushroom, Hawaiian, or pepperoni pizza for $15.99 and pair that with one of their in house brewed beers for $6.75.

The Three Bears is a large venue with two floors, making it an easier restaurant to get a table at. Although it is a big venue, their rustic decor and warm lighting still give it that welcoming feeling.

Bear Street Tavern (Winter only special) 

• Monday Happy Hours: 5pm to close 
• What is on offer: $12 pizzas (half price).
• Where is the restaurant? 211 Bear Street 
• Google Rating: 4.5* 

The Bear Street Taverns pizza deal every Monday is a winter special every local in Banff looks forward to. 

Make sure you book a table ahead of time, as this venue gets busy. 

Choose from Margarita, pepperoni, mushroom, or chicken for $12, and make sure to buy a side of sweet aioli. 

The wait staff will also introduce you to an amazing taste sensation of honey and chilli oil that pairs so well with the pizza and sweet aioli. 

The tavern’s atmosphere is lively and energetic, as it is a popular spot between locals and visitors.

Best happy hour deals in Banff on a Tuesday

Banff Ave Brewing Co. (Brew Pub for short)

• Tuesday Happy Hours: All day
• What is on offer: $12.99 Chicken Parmy 
• Where is the restaurant? 110 Banff Ave
• Google Rating: 4.2*

As 80% of the Banff population is Australian, it seems only fitting to have a day dedicated to a chicken parm. 

The chicken parmy is delicious and served all day on a Tuesday for $12.99. 

The Brew Pub is a big venue that puts on specials all throughout the week. 

With a selection of eleven beers brewed in-house, it is the perfect venue to get together with friends. 

Their menu features a rotating selection of house beers, including IPAs, stouts, lagers, and pale ales.

Bear Street Tavern (Winter only special) 

• Tuesday Happy Hours: 5pm to close 
• What is on offer: $12 calzones and $7 margaritas.
• Where is the restaurant? 211 Bear Street 
• Google Rating: 4.5*

The winter special that every local in Banff gets excited about. The Bear Street Tavern has $12 calzones and $7 margaritas. 

Personally, even though it is just a folded pizza, I think it tastes better than the regular pizza. 

I highly recommend the double double (pepperoni) and the tropical margarita. 

On the table there will be a bottle of honey and a bottle of chilli oil. Pour both on your plate, mix together, and thank me later! 

I also pay for a sweet aioli, as I love garlic. 

As this is probably the busiest happy hour in Banff, I highly recommend you book a table in advance to save disappointment. 

Elk and Oarsman

• Tuesday Happy Hour: All Day
• What is on offer: $12 steak sandwiches
• Where is it? 119 Banff Ave
• Google rating: 4.2*

The Elk and Oarsman is one of my favourite bars in town. This sports bar has all the good vibes, with reasonably priced food and drink, friendly staff, and all the different categories of sports. 

Every Tuesday, the Elk cook up their famous steak sandwich for $12. This is a local favourite and sometimes isn’t advertised on the menu. 

The steak sanga is a 6 oz AAA sirloin served on an open garlic focaccia topped with sautéed mushrooms and onion frizzles.

In the summertime, you will want to be spending your evenings on their rooftop patio that offers 360° views of rocky mountains. Unfortunately, no specials are allowed on the patio.

Best happy hour deals in Banff on a Wednesday

Rose and Crown

• Wednesday Happy Hour: 12pm to 2am
• What is on offer: Wine Wednesday 50% off bottles of wine. 
• Where is it? 202 Banff Ave
• Google rating: 4.2*

Wine Wednesday is probably the biggest night of the week for the Banff locals. Every Wednesday, the Rose and Crown offers bottles of wine for 50% off. 

The bottles get reduced to $13, and it can get messy. However, Wine Wednesday is always a fun night of socialising and meeting new people. A lot of relationships also start on Wine Wednesday. 

The Rose and Crown is the oldest pub in Banff National Park, established in 1985. The pub sees over 250,000 people a year and is a popular local hot spot. They put on live music every night and have a rooftop terrace, which is perfect for summer. 

To soak up the wine, they also put on $15 pizzas and have other drinks on offer like Corona, Makers Mark, and Jose Cuervo.

Moxy 

• Wednesday Happy Hour: 3pm to close 
• What is on offer: $10/lb wings and $7 pints 
• Where is it? 555 Banff Ave
• Google rating: 4.1*

This newly renovated hotel was Banff’s first commercial motor hotel, called The Voyager Inn, built in 1964. 

The Moxy hotel and bar is one of the coolest hotels in Banff with its retro ski vibes and modern contemporary twist. 

On check-in, you will get a complimentary cocktail and will be shown to the 24/7 Grab and Go VW food van parked right inside the hotel. 

The decor in The Moxy Bar is retro ski with its racetrack design and chairlift-inspired liquor baskets. 

Every Wednesday the Moxy Bar puts on a Wing Wednesday with $10 per lb wings and $7 pints.

High Rollers 

• Wednesday Happy Hour: 5pm to 2am 
• What is on offer: $10 32 oz Jugs $15 48 oz Jugs discounted pizzas, wings, and bowling. 
• Where is the restaurant? 110 Banff Ave 
• Google Rating: 4.5* 

High Rollers is an interesting place! It is a mixture of club meets bowling alley.

All week they have specials on and events sprinkled throughout the month. With 40 craft beers on tap, pool tables, bowling, and live music, it is a great place to socialise with friends.

Every Wednesday, they put on $10 32oz jugs and $15 48oz jugs between 5pm to 2am. This deal is coupled with their all day happy hour of $6.50 pints, $15 pizzas, $10 wings and 1/2 Price bowling. 

The venue is split into three parts: the one part is the chilled area with pool tables and is more lit up. The second part is the bowling alley, and the third part is the beer hall and dance floor.

Best happy hour deals in Banff on a Thursday

St James Gate 

• Thursday Happy Hour: 11.30am to 1.00am
• What is on offer: live music, $7 Guinness, $15 meals
• Where is the restaurant? 207 Wolf Street 
• Google rating: 4.4*

St James Gate is the place to be on a Thursday night with live music from 8pm to midnight. Expect to be hitting the dance floor with your best country dancing moves. If you want to be spun around the dance floor, look for Merino (the older gentleman who will have his cowboy hat on). 

St James Gate Irish Pub was founded in 1996 and has been serving the people of Banff Irish delicacies since the beginning. 

On Thursdays, the Guinness is $7 and is the best pour in town. There are food specials for $15 a meal. I highly recommend the poutine; for a side portion, it is $7, and it is delicious. 

The Elk and Oarsman 

• Thursday Happy Hour: All Day
• What is on offer: Half rack of baby back ribs $17, full rack $22, pints $5.50 
• Where is the restaurant? 119 Banff Ave
• Google rating: 4.2*

As I have mentioned several times throughout this blog post, The Elk and Oarsman is my favourite bar in town. With so many deals on good-quality food, it’s hard to go anywhere else. 

This is probably the cosiest sports bar I have been to, with warm lighting and soft wooden features.

Thursdays are for meat lovers. As the Elk cooks up discounted baby back ribs, a half rack is $17 and a full rack is $22, both portions come with a side of fries. Then wash that down with a $5.50 pint, and you are winning.

High Rollers

• Thursday Happy Hour: 3pm to 2am 
• What is on offer: 50% off pizzas and $10 fish bowls
• Where is the restaurant? 110 Banff Ave 
• Google Rating: 4.5* 

If you love country music and are visiting Banff at the end of the month, then you need to go to High Rollers Country Night. 

Country Night takes place on the last Thursday of every month and is one of my favourite events in Banff. 

Entry is free, with the night starting off with a live band and then ending with a DJ giving you all the country bangers. 

On Thursdays, High Rollers has a happy hour from 3pm to 2am with 50% off pizzas and $10 fish bowls. I highly recommend the hurricane fish bowl, but I change the mixer from soda to Sprite. 

Banff Ave Brewing Company 

• Thursday Happy Hours: 12pm to 12am
• What is on offer: $9 steins, $10 Junior Chicken Sammies
• Where is the restaurant? 110 Banff Ave
• Google Rating: 4.2*

If you love beer and a bargain, then look no further than the brew pub. 

Every Thursday, Banff Ave Brewing Co. puts on a $9 Stein night. There are 7 different beers to choose from, ranging from a stout to an IPA. 

This is probably one of the best happy hour deals to visit if you love beer. 

The Brew pub is a big venue with plenty of seating but does get busy on stein night. 

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Happy Hours 

The great thing about the everyday happy hours is that they run on the weekend too! 

There are still loads of deals to get on the weekend. Check out Taxi Mike or The Banff Advisor for all the happy hours and events going on around Banff. 

Where to stay during your time in Banff National Park

Samesun Hostel

The Samesun Hostel is one of the best hostels in Banff. This is due to its central location and its social environment. 

The Samesun has friendly staff that puts on group activities to help you get to know your fellow explorers. 

The Beaver bar that is linked to the hostel offers trivia nights and cheap food and drinks. There’s also a free breakfast.

International Hostel

The International Hostel is one of the fancier hostels with curtains and private plug sockets. It is the ideal hostel for digital nomads needing to get some work done. They have several little spots to sit and work, as well as a free breakfast. 

Hi Hostel Banff

Hi Hostel is further out of town and requires a bus to get into Banff Centre. The hostel does provide a free bus pass. The hostel is all about cosy cabin vibes with hammocks outside in summer and a bar on site to socialise.   

The Moose Hotel and Suites

If you are looking for an upgrade from a hostel, then I recommend The Moose Hotel and Suites.

This hotel has the rocky mountain charm, with the backdrop of Mount Norquay behind. The hotel is a short walk from the town centre and has a spa, two hot tub roof pools, and an indoor pool. This is the perfect place after a day of skiing to sit back and relax. 

The Fox Hotel and Suites 

The Fox Hotel and Suites is a little further out of town, but a 10-15 minute walk and you are in the centre. Everything in Banff is very close. This hotel has heated underground parking (which is a big deal in the Rockies), a pool, a sauna, and guests get a free roam bus pass to get around Banff. 

Things to do in Banff National Park 

Aside from checking out all the amazing happy hours around Banff, there are loads of things to do in this beautiful national park. 

Hike Tunnel Mountain 

If you are looking for an all-year easy hike in Banff National Park, then Tunnel Mountain needs to be number one on your list. 

Known to the indigenous people as the sleeping buffalo, this hike is a favourite amongst locals and tourists.

Tunnel Mountain is easy to access from Banff Town and can be completed within 2 hours.  

Even though it is the smallest mountain in Banff National Park, the views overlooking the town and the Bow River would make you think differently.

This hike is one of my favourites due to its accessibility and its easy to moderate level of difficulty. 

Visit and hike Lake Louise and Lake Moraine

Both Lake Louise and Lake Moraine claim the title of being the most visited lakes in Canada. And for good reason! 

Lake Louise is probably the most popular lake to visit due to its milky turquoise water, its stunning mountain backdrop, and its many hiking trails that give you incredible views from above.

Lake Moraine is the classic Canadian postcard picture. 

With its insanely blue water and the lake surrounded by the ten peaks, this iconic view has been attracting people to visit the Rockies since tourism began. 

Which is better? Compare the two here.

Rent eBikes in Summer 

A great way to explore Banff National Park is by renting ebikes. If you want a chilled ride with the potential to see wildlife, head to the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. This loop is an easy hour and a half with gorgeous scenery and elk, deer, coyotes, and sometimes even bears. 

If you want a longer ride, there is the Bow Valley Park Way track that takes you to Johnston Canyon or the Legacy Trail that takes you to Canmore. 

Go skiing or snowboarding in the winter.

Banff National Park is a ski resort town that has three epic mountains to explore.

Mount Norquay is the smallest of the three and the closest to town. With a five minute bus ride, you can be hitting the slopes. 

Sunshine Village is the second closest, with a twenty minute bus ride. When you arrive, it is another twenty-minute gondola ride up to the top. 

And the furthest but the one with the most impressive views is Lake Louise. The bus journey takes 45 minutes, but it is worth it when you get there. 

Take the Banff Gondola. 

If you want to be wowed at the beautiful views at the top of Sulphur Mountain, then head on the Banff Gondola. The ride takes 8 minutes and has a 700m elevation.

At the top there is a walkable viewing deck and an interpretive centre where you can learn about the history and wildlife of Banff National Park. 

There is also the Sky Bistro for fine dining and delicious cocktails, or a warm cafe to warm your bones with a coffee. 

You can also walk up Mount Sulphur, but due to the many switchbacks and the length of time in the woodland area, it isn’t as enjoyable as other Banff hikes. 

Final Thoughts

In summary, Banff has the best happy hours. As this is a touristy resort town that sees over 4 million people a year, it is amazing that most of the restaurants put on special deals to make dining and drinking with friends more affordable. 

As Always, Happy Exploring