Just because vegans forego animals doesn’t mean they’re not looking for a good time, good food, and a good deal. So many times, happy hour menus are flooded with chicken wings, sliders, and cheese-laden nachos. Fortunately, there are some Boulder hot spots that offer vegan-friendly delicacies for your after work delights.
Zeal
Happy hour times: Monday through Friday 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Food options: Cauliflower wings with diavolo or barbecue sauce ($5); hummus plate with garlic confit, beets, peas, and quinoa crackers ($5); carrot falafel with lemon tahini sauce ($5); a grilled Caesar with Brazil nut “parm” ($5) Or get 3 for $13
Drinks: Local microbrews on tap ($3.5); wine on tap ($6); $2 off cocktails
Zeal, 1710 Pearl St., 720-708-6309
Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant
Happy hour times: Everyday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Food options: “Crab” cake slider with a tempeh-tofu-wakame patty ($3.50); smoked sundried tomato pate with chia seed crackers ($6); grilled flatbread with beet humus (request vegan)($7.50); buffalo cauliflower tacos with vegan “bleu cheese” ($3); mushroom burger slider ($3.50); crispy harissa tofu ($4); bowl of sweet potatoes and Yukon fries ($3)
Drinks: Tap beers ($4-$5); well cocktails ($4.50); wine ($5), cocktails ($7-$8)
Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, 2010 16th Street, 303-442-1485
Attic Bar & Bistro
Happy hour times: Monday through Saturday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 9 p.m. to close
Food options: Fresh cut fries or tater tots ($2.95), house-made tortilla chips and salsa ($2.95), house-made hummus topped with roasted red pepper and served with pita chips ($3.95), sweet potato fries ($3.95)
Drinks: $3 wells and drafts, $3.75 wines
Attic Bar & Bistro, 949 Walnut Street, 303-415-1300
Centro Mexican Kitchen
Happy hour times: All night Monday; Tuesday and Wednesday 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday to Sunday 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Food options: Salsa sampler with avocado, serrano-pepita, and citrus habanero salsas ($6), baja-style roasted squash tacos ($3) Note: Chefs are happy to accommodate vegans, so just let them know.
Drinks: Draft beer ($4); can beer ($3); house wine ($5), mojitos ($6)
Centro Mexican Kitchen, 950 Pearl Street, 303-442-771
The Mediterranean
Happy hour times: Monday through Saturday 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close; Sundays 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to close
Food options: Patatas bravas ($4.95); olives de Provence Marinees ($3.50); baba ghanouj ($3.75); tabbouleh ($2.50); hummus with toasted pine nuts ($4.25);
Drinks: $1.00 off draft beers; red or white sangria ($5), house wine ($5); well cocktails ($5); house margarita ($6.50); well martini ($6.50)
The Mediterranean, 1002 Walnut Street, 303-444-5335
T/ACO
Happy hour times: daily 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Food options: avocado street taco with cabbage and roasted verde salsa ($2); tomato and avocado bowl ($4); vegan black beans ($4)
Drinks: draft beer ($3); house margarita ($4); silver shot ($5); juicy margarita ($6)
T/ACO, 1175 Walnut Street, 303-443-9468
Note: As menus change often, always double check with your server that an item is vegan. Try asking what other vegan options are available that aren’t on the menu. You might be surprised how often chefs are willing to make simple substitutions or try something new.
