Happy hours aren't just for bars and restaurants. Here's how to enjoy one at home
Mind you, people have been gathering at the end of the working day to relax and socialise over a drink since the days of the ancient Romans and Greeks. It's a social ritual that helps separate the day from the night, and the work from the play, in a big, collective sigh of a wind-down.
Italy famously has its own aperitivo hour, which was given a big nudge in the late-18th century by the invention of vermouth and other pre-dinner drinks, predecessors of the Aperol Spritz, Campari and soda, Negroni and Sbagliato. France has its equivalent in the 'apéro', but it was the Americans, who'd been using the term 'happy hour' for social gatherings and events since the early-20th century, who made it synonymous with discounted drinks and bowls of peanuts.
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The Age
04-07-2025
- The Age
Happy hours aren't just for bars and restaurants. Here's how to enjoy one at home
The Happy Hour, as we know it, was created by bar and restaurant owners to entice more customers into their businesses. By reducing prices on a few popular cocktails and putting out a snack or two within a strictly defined time frame, they could fill their premises with customers for a happy hour or two. Mind you, people have been gathering at the end of the working day to relax and socialise over a drink since the days of the ancient Romans and Greeks. It's a social ritual that helps separate the day from the night, and the work from the play, in a big, collective sigh of a wind-down. Italy famously has its own aperitivo hour, which was given a big nudge in the late-18th century by the invention of vermouth and other pre-dinner drinks, predecessors of the Aperol Spritz, Campari and soda, Negroni and Sbagliato. France has its equivalent in the 'apéro', but it was the Americans, who'd been using the term 'happy hour' for social gatherings and events since the early-20th century, who made it synonymous with discounted drinks and bowls of peanuts.
Sydney Morning Herald
04-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Happy hours aren't just for bars and restaurants. Here's how to enjoy one at home
The Happy Hour, as we know it, was created by bar and restaurant owners to entice more customers into their businesses. By reducing prices on a few popular cocktails and putting out a snack or two within a strictly defined time frame, they could fill their premises with customers for a happy hour or two. Mind you, people have been gathering at the end of the working day to relax and socialise over a drink since the days of the ancient Romans and Greeks. It's a social ritual that helps separate the day from the night, and the work from the play, in a big, collective sigh of a wind-down. Italy famously has its own aperitivo hour, which was given a big nudge in the late-18th century by the invention of vermouth and other pre-dinner drinks, predecessors of the Aperol Spritz, Campari and soda, Negroni and Sbagliato. France has its equivalent in the 'apéro', but it was the Americans, who'd been using the term 'happy hour' for social gatherings and events since the early-20th century, who made it synonymous with discounted drinks and bowls of peanuts.
The Age
14-05-2025
- The Age
Trump put you off the US? United Airlines wants to woo you back with luxury
The food upgrade will include 'an amuse-bouche of Ossetra caviar paired with Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose', as well as mid-flight meal options of 'regionally influenced tapas'. The airline is also adding trendy drinks such as Aperol Spritz to the menu. Australian aviation economist Tony Webber said United's latest offering showed how a lot of the premium supply was simply 'catching up with demand'. 'That demand hasn't been met because the airlines haven't been putting premium ... on their services quickly enough,' he said. However, Webber warned that the Trumpian effects on travel bookings haven't yet 'fully worked their way through the system'. Any more notable falls in the equity markets could affect flight bookings, he warned. Equity markets were a 'big driver of Australian outbound travel', he said. Superannuation funds lost 4.5 per cent the week of April 2 after US President Donald Trump announced his sweeping tariffs. However, stocks have recouped their losses since then amid hopes for easing trade tensions. Loading The political chaos spurred by Trump has already dampened demand for US holidays from Australian travellers, figures show. Leisure travel bookings to the US have dipped as much as 10 per cent in the first quarter, compared with the same period last year, data from Flight Centre shows, as consumers chose Asia and Europe as a destination. Airlines have been marking down growth estimates amid the uncertainty generated by the Trump's global trade war. Last month, Delta Air Lines withdrew its profit forecasts because of the uncertainty in global trade. European carrier Air France-KLM indicated it would cut prices to keep its transatlantic economy cabins full. Cost of compensation Meanwhile, in comments likely to be watched closely by Qantas, United Airlines boss Scott Kirby said that new regulation in the US forcing airlines to promptly refund customers for flight delays and cancellations has had negligible effect on the cost of running the airline, undermining Australian carriers' arguments against such rules. A year after the Biden administration cemented into law speedy refunds for passengers hit by excessive cancellations, Kirby said the impact on profits had 'been minimal so far', citing the existing policies of the airline for passenger remedies. In 2024, United flew 700,000 passengers between the US and Australia. The cost of compensation for cancelled and delayed flights has become a hot-button issue for airlines in Australia as well after the country's Aviation White Paper in 2024 called for an Ombuds Scheme with the 'power to direct airlines and airports to provide remedies to consumers'. Qantas' retention of customer flight credits in the aftermath of COVID lockdowns and travel restrictions has further infuriated the public, putting pressure on the Albanese government to intervene. The US now requires airlines 'to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed'. The toughened rules come after a period of significant and costly flight delays for American travellers. Loading In one of them, the US government imposed a $US140 million ($216 million) penalty on Southwest Airlines for violating consumer protection laws over a system meltdown that stranded thousands at Christmas. That fine was in addition to the $US600 million in reimbursements Southwest paid to customers. Kirby said most situations forcing delays and cancellations for his airline today were driven by air traffic control problems. 'Even on days last year when it was clear, blue sky, days, 68 per cent of our delays were because of air traffic control,' he said. On April 28 and May 10, air traffic controllers at New York City-hub of Newark Liberty lost contact with planes for 30 to 90 seconds with approaching and departing planes.
