Fort Wayne, Indiana: Noteworthy Happy Hours (2023)

Fort Wayne is home to some great new and old restaurants. Why not give them a try during their less busy times. Here are a few of our favorite noteworthy happy hours. NOTE: The State of Indiana has strict laws about liquor. Liquor is not allowed to be discounted for a “few hours”. Therefore, these Happy Hours are either food related or all day specials on drinks! Because of this, it is tough to find many happy hour specials in Fort Wayne. So, even though I like to keep my local happy hours to strictly local with no chains, I’ve included a couple small regional chain options for more options.

Conner’s Kitchen & Bar

Located downtown inside Courtyard by Marriott and right next to the city’s Minor League Baseball team, Fort Wayne Tincaps Home Stadium, Parkview Field, this restaurant is casual but sleek. The servers are attentive and the food is good. We recommend checking it out for a casual weekday Happy Hour! The Lump Crab Hushpuppies and Pulled Pork Nachos are worth noting here.

• Happy Hours: 4pm-6pm Monday-Thursday
• Where: 1150 S. Harrison St., Fort Wayne, IN, 46802
• Drink Specials: $5 House Wines and “Drink of the Day”
  • Monday: Blackberry Bees Knees
  • Tuesday: Classic Margarita
  • Wednesday: Signature Old Fashioned
  • Thursday: Seasonal Mule
• Food Specials: $5 appetizers

If happy hour ends and you still are looking for a few drinks, hop on the elevator and visit the rooftop bar, Conner’s Rooftop, overlooking the next door baseball field. Its small but always busy during games! NOTE: Parking is available in the parking garage next door FREE of charge, 1210 Harrison St. Bring your parking ticket in with you to have it validated. Minimum purchase $10, 3 Hour parking maximum.

Copper Spoon

Just down the street from Conner’s, you’ll find a hip bar & restaurant called “Copper Spoon“. Known for its urban eclectic vibe and locally sourced ingredients, you can’t go wrong here! The Copper Spoon puts an innovative spin on classic Midwest dishes and has a incredible stocked bar with a drink menu over 75 pages! That’s Selection Ladies & Gentlemen! Now, in the spirit of Indiana Law (See section 8) they have more of what I would call “Happy Days” but here are all the details!

• Happy Hours: 5pm-10pm Monday-Thursday
• Where: 301 W. Jefferson Blvd. Ste. 100 , Fort Wayne, IN, 46802
• Drink &/or Food Specials:
  • Monday: “The Triple B”. (Enjoy a Baron Burger, a Beer, and a Bourbon all for $20)
  • Tuesday: 2 for $20 special. (Any 2 original cocktails for $20)
  • Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesday. (Any whiskey in the library for 1/2 off)
  • Thursday: 1/2 off Glasses of Wine or 20% off bottles under $100

This restaurant and its team have a lot of pride in its service and food quality! Bonus: If you happen to come during the right time of the year, you’ll find their bonus themed “pop-up” bar right next door with a great festive atmosphere!

Bagger Dave’s Burger Tavern

This restaurant on Fort Wayne’s north side is right off of I-69 at the Parkview/Dupont Hospital exit. Bagger Dave’s is a very casual restaurant (which may be obvious from its name) but also a comfortable, casual environment with great happy hour food prices.

• Happy Days: All Day Tuesdays & Thursdays
• Where: 2886 E. Dupont Rd. , Fort Wayne, IN, 46802
• Food & Drink Specials:
  • Tuesdays Only: $9.95 Cheeseburger & Fries
  • Thursdays Only: $4 any appetizer & $4 draft beers
  • Sundays Only: $2.95 Lil’ Bagger Meals (Kids 12 and Under Only) Dine-In only

With the proximity of Parkview North Hospital, Dupont Hospital and a large amount of medical offices nearby, the crowd can be somewhat unpredictable. They do have multiple TV’s to watch sporting events and even have a train circling above that kids seem to love. This restaurant does have other locations throughout the Midwest.

Trolley Steaks and Seafood

In the plaza next to Bagger Dave’s, you’ll find Trolley Steaks and Seafood. This is a contemporary atmosphere restaurant focusing on American Seafood and Steak Dishes. Unfortunately, they have no notable food specials but they do have a couple drink specials throughout the week that deserve an honorable mention.

• Happy Days: All Day Tuesdays & Thursdays
• Where: 2898 E. Dupont Rd. , Fort Wayne, IN, 46802
• Drink Specials:
  • Tuesdays: $8 for a 12oz pour (a standard wine pour is ~5oz so this is a big pour)
  • Sundays: $5 Mimosas (Strawberry, Raspberry, Melon or Peach) and they have a “Build Your Own” Bloody Mary Bar for $11
• Food Specials: NONE (Hopefully they’ll rethink that soon!)

On Tuesday, you could technically combine Bagger Daves $9.95 burger and fries, you could grab a Dave’s special and walk over to Trolley to end the night with some heavy pours! Or you could order anything off their menu! Trolley Bar’s food is excellent and they have a nice salad bar too!

Eddie Merlot’s

Eddie Merlot’s defines themselves as “Premium steakhouse serving aged steaks, seafood & a lengthy wine list in plush surroundings”. They have several locations throughout the midwest and a couple random locations elsewhere but I will refer to them as a multi-location midwestern restaurant. The atmosphere in the lounge is the best but it of course is 21+ (this is still Indiana). They often have live music and a great local business crowd that frequents the lounge side. For this happy hour, you’ll have to have a seat in the lounge because it is unavailable in the main restaurant.

• Happy Hour: 4pm-6:30pm Monday-Thursday
• Where: 1502 Illinois Rd South, Fort Wayne, IN. 46804
• Drink Specials: None (Hopefully they’ll rethink that soon)
• Food Specials: $8 Small Plates (Ahi Tuna Wontons & Filet Mignon Sliders are among the selection)

Somehow, this is the only restaurant that made the list on the west side of town. Eddie Merlots sits next to Jefferson Pointe Shopping Center (an outdoor style town center) anchored by an amazing family owned department store, Von Maur. Although they carry upscale brands and can be pricey, their sale racks can be hidden gems and it is my go to store for gifts! They are one of the only stores remaining that still offer free professional gift wrapping while you shop (or eat at happy hour next door)! Now I feel like I’m giving out all my secrets!

One random thing to note about Indiana. Because of the same law that discourages happy hour at Indiana restaurant, it also requires discount stores (think Costco, Sams Club, etc) to sell their alcohol in the State of Indiana to any customer with no membership card required! Since Costco seem to have some of the best off label liquors available on the market at great prices, you can win here when trying to prep for your own home happy hour!