Happiness is a Cold Beer in the Early Evening

You spend all day toiling for the man, in front of a hot computer screen, just to pay the rent. (And also to afford your collection of mini-dogs and those designer dog-carrying bags to put them in, but I’m trying to be dramatic here). You’re tired, your arms ache from all the instant messaging, and your back is killing you because they won’t buy you that Aeron chair you so justly deserve. Then you hear that 5 p.m. ping on your online reminder system, and that can only mean one thing: It’s You Time.

Now, you could go straight home and wash last night’s dishes, or go do 50 sets of 90 reps on your tri-deltoids at the gym. But both of those options suck. Where can you go to shake off the stresses of the day? Where can you go to both wind down and also get the party started?

The bar, that’s where. And they don’t call it happy hour for nothing. From 5 to 9, or 4 to 6, or 6 to 8 depending on the place, bars provide incentives to get you to visit them. Financial incentives. Because they’re lonely and they want your company. And don’t you want a drink? Of course you do.

Read more about the Joy of Happy Hour