Happy hour is probably the most celebrated time of day in the working world. There are few things better than sipping your choice of bevy after a long day at work with the people who make you happy. But where does this tradition come from? While the exact origin is unknown – we have even seen it quoted in Shakespeare’s plays – it can be traced back to the navy.
The US Navy Created Happy Hour
In the early 20th century, a weekly entertainment event called “Happy Hour” was created on the USS Arkansas to ease boredom at sea. Various activities took place during this time, including boxing, wrestling, music, and dancing.
- These activities grew in popularity, and by the end of World War I, “happy hours” were held throughout the Navy. Over the years, the term has become more about drinking than entertainment.
- According to a 1959 Saturday Evening Post article, Happy Hour was used to describe afternoon drinks in bars and was adopted by many military personnel in the Caribbean. The term later evolved to include “Cocktail Hour”.
Then The Prohibition Happened
- The concept of happy hour evolved during Prohibition. When alcohol became illegal nationwide, people began holding secret “cocktail hours” at local pubs and friends’ homes. When the Prohibition finally ended in 1933, “happy hour” prevailed. As a marketing strategy to expand their business, restaurants and bars began holding happy hours with discounted food and drinks to encourage restaurants to develop different happy hour strategies to attract more people to visit.
Happy Hour Today
- It is no longer an hour-long event. Pubs now have longer happy hours and weekend happy hours, often accompanied with nibbles to entice visitors.
Host Your Own Happy Hour
- Invite your friends around after work and host your own happy hour! Choose to celebrate the end of the working day or week with some ice-cold brewskies, maybe rustle up some jugs or
cocktails or do a combination of both paired with some snacks.
- Whatever you need drinks-wise, Market Liquors has you covered, be sure to check out their weekly specials.
