We don’t always cover a new happy hour, but this deal is so good we felt we had to share it with our readers because – this economy, right? Local barbecue titan Sugarfire Smokehouse has launched its first-ever happy hour, and it’s a seriously good deal. Beginning this week, participating locations will debut Saucy Hour, a weekday special offering buy-one, get-one pulled pork or turkey sandwiches and 25-cent draft beers. The promotion runs Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. and has no limit per customer, making it a budget-friendly option for both post-work hangouts and family-friendly afternoons.
Inspired by chef Mike Johnson’s early years cooking in New Orleans under chef Emeril Lagasse, Saucy Hour draws from the spirit of Commander’s Palace’s famous 25-cent martini lunch. In Sugarfire’s signature style, the concept trades fine dining for sauced-up sandwiches, cheap beer and a laid-back atmosphere. “We’ve always been about delicious barbecue and not taking ourselves too seriously,” Johnson said. “So we thought, why not give folks a reason to sneak away for a killer sandwich and cheap beer? It’s our way of saying afternoons don’t have to suck.”
For your quarter beer, you can choose from Sugarfire Pilsner from Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. or a Busch draft for just 25 cents. “After over a decade crafting crazy specials, we realized we’ve never done happy hour,” said Executive Corporate Chef Kat Wallace. “Smoked meat, cold beer and unlimited barbecue sauce; it’s basically the holy trinity of happy hour.”
Saucy Hour will be offered at select Sugarfire locations in Illinois and Missouri, including O’Fallon, Olivette, downtown St. Louis, St. Charles, Dardenne Prairie, Washington, Wentzville, Florissant and Arnold. The Valley Park will offer discounted domestic 16-ounce cans instead of draft beer.
This article appears in August 2025.