Whatever your call it—beer o’clock, the magical moment, or the time of joy—we all love happy hour. And especially the appetizers that accompany the daily drink special experience. If you want to elevate your snack game at the next happy hour, check out these best bets for Chandler happy hour at restaurants and bars that offer appetizers with a twist.

Mediterranean Tapas, hummus, pita bread and schwarma displayed on a table

Pita Jungle

Pita Jungle’s Mezze Board is the small plate you want to pass at happy hour. The assortment of tapas, based on the Mediterranean diet, includes hummus and chicken with pine nuts, fresh mozzarella and tomato, baked pita chips, kafta mini pockets, feta, pickles and cucumbers. Vegetarian? Choose the hummus and garbanzo confit, fresh mozzarella and tomato, baked pita chips, falafel mini pockets, feta, pickles and cucumbers.  The Arizona restaurant has two locations in Chandler.

Central Chandler location with lakefront patio at Anderson Springs:

Map: 1949 W. Ray Road, Chandler AZ 85224 or (480) 855-3232

South Chandler location at The Steelyard:

Map: 5025 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler AZ 85249 or (480) 219-0747
 

The Sicilian Butcher - Bucket of Balls

The Sicilian Butcher

You expect an Italian eatery to deliver meatballs its own way, but the Bucket of Balls at The Sicilian Butcher restaurant by Chandler Fashion Center mall, part of the Maggiore Group of restaurants that includes Tomaso’s, makes an appetizer statement. The bucket features Tomaso’s famous meatballs made with ground veal, prime beef and pork, pine nuts, raisins, pecorino cheese, garlic and fresh herbs, with Sunday sugo sauce and toast points. Now that’s amoré!

Map: 3151 W. Frye Road, Chandler AZ 85226 or (480) 573-8550
 

Woman Serving Beer At Hop Social Grill In Chandler, AZ

Hop Social Tavern

Located by Chandler Fashion Center mall, the local tavern features indoor/outdoor dining, 50+ craft brews on tap and...

Hop Social Tavern

You had us at 52 craft beers…but the relationship was sealed with the Smoked Gouda and Roasted Jalapeño Fondue. The eclectic food and brew spot focuses on American grub, but tips its hat to the Swiss-inspired melted cheese tradition for happy hour with a dash of Southwest flavor. Expect to share the velvety fondue concoction, which is made with roasted jalapeño and 8th Street Pale Ale smoked gouda and served with pretzels.

Map: 3405 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226 or (480) 485-4677

Murphy’s Law Irish Pub

The folks from the Emerald Isle didn’t invent the concept of nachos but leave it to this Irish pub to reimagine the standard happy hour appetizer—in a pleasing way at this Downtown Chandler happy hour hot spot. No need to ask for salsa as a topping for the drinking hole’s Nachos for One, which includes Murphy’s Law pub chips loaded with Murphy’s cheese sauce and corned beef with a sprinkle of green onions served in a skillet. Slainte!

Map: 58 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler AZ 85225 or (480) 812-1588

Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill

Rest assured the Spicy Fried Cauliflower at the Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill doesn’t resemble grandmother’s social hour crudité platter. In fact, the blossoming cruciferous vegetable is taken up a few notches in this modern-day appetizer interpretation that is fried with sesame tempura, spicy black bean hoisin sauce, toasted cashew, scallions, cilantro and Sriracha aioli.

Map: 3077 W. Frye Road, Chandler AZ 85226 or (480) 786-5799
 

Z'Tejas Yuca Fries

Z’Tejas

Fries are a universal happy hour food—the perfect accompaniment to a late afternoon beverage deal—but at Z’Tejas, the Yuca Fries deviate a bit from the normal appetizer script. With a flair for the zesty, this version of tubular golden fries are packed with tons of Southwest Mexican attitude and heat—and infused with chili oil, sriracha aioli, cotija, tajin and cilantro.

Map: 7221 W. Ray Road, Chandler AZ 85226 or (480) 893-7550