A guide to local happy hours

Sometimes there’s no better way to unwind at the end of a long day than to gather with friends at Happy Hour. There are several restaurants in Redlands and San Bernardino that offer great deals for both drinks and appetizers, with many serving up specials late into the night. This week, we’re focusing on happy hours at chain restaurants, and will feature independent restaurants in the future.

Chili’s is known for its margaritas, and classics are just $4.50 during happy hour. Premium margaritas (Top Shelf, Tropical Sunrise and Blue Pacific) are $5.99. Additional drinks are $3.75 (well), $3.99 (large domestic drafts) and $2.99 (small domestic drafts). Many of Chili’s regular appetizers are on the menu at lower prices: burger bites and french fries are $4.99, fried cheese is $2.99, skillet queso is $2.99 and a half order of Texas cheese fries is $2.99. In the bar only. 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 p.m. to closing Sunday through Thursday, and during all professional football games. 10020 Alabama St., Redlands. 909-307-2913.; 475 E. Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino. 909-885-6167

Macaroni Grill recently unveiled its new Happy Hour special, with Italian tapas (including mac and cheese bites, goat cheese peppadew peppers and spicy ricotta meatballs) ranging from $4 to $6, crafted cocktails for $5 (regularly up to $8.50), draft beer and house wine for $3 and pizzas for $5. Served in the bar area, patrons are also given loaves of Macaroni Grill’s famous hot bread with “Italian salsa” - olive oil, balsamic vinegar and freshly cracked pepper. The Redlands location has ample seating inside the bar, with booths, tables and a long bar. In the bar only. 5 to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to closing. 27490 Lugonia Ave., Redlands. 909-798-4142

Red Robin also has a relatively new happy hour, with appetizers like onion rings and spinach and artichoke dip starting at $3 and drinks at $2.50. Red Robin also has a loyalty card, which allows members to rack up points for free appetizers, entrees and other goodies. In the bar only. 3 to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to close Monday through Friday. 27476 Lugonia Ave., Redlands. 909-792-5641

Claim Jumper provides complimentary popcorn for patrons, as well as several appetizer deals starting at $2: bottomless chips and salsa and soft pretzel sticks for $2, onion rings and lemon pepper zucchini for $3. small pizzas, Irish nachos and oven roasted flatbread for $4, Buffalo chicken wings, sliders and mini tri-tip dips for $5 and chicken tenders and calamari for $6. The cocktail list is vast, with mojitos, Long Island iced tea and strawberry margaritas for $5, lava flow, gold margaritas and several martinis for $6, and draft beer for $3.25 to $4.25. Well drinks are $4.25. The large saloon inside the San Bernardino Claim Jumper has multiple big screen televisions around the room, often showing professional sporting events. In the bar only. Monday through Friday 3 to 7 p.m. 1906 S. Commercenter E., San Bernardino. 909-383-1818

Black Angus has $3, $4 and $5 specials. All bottled and 16 oz. draft beer, well drinks, onion rings and three-cheese garlic bread are just $3, with classic martinis, chicken tenders, loaded potato skins and select wines $4 and prawn cocktails, steak quesadillas and select wines by the glass $5. All appetizers are full sized, and the Wagon Wheel Sampler Platters are $5 off. In the bar only. Monday through Friday, 4 to 7 p.m. 290 E. Hospitality Lane 909-885-7551