Enjoy Social Happy Hour >> Council Oak, Tampa

Council Oak’s Social Happy Hour is super impressive!

I may work from home now and be self-employed, but I remember the importance of happy hours after work when I went to a more traditional office. It was a fantastic, and somewhat necessary, part of the workday. The unwinding after the meetings and the tasks and the corporate jargon was so nice, plus getting to connect with friends and coworkers in a different setting does wonders for your personal and working relationship.

Now that I don’t really interact with adults during the day (#momlife, #selfemployedlife), perhaps it’s even MORE necessary to make sure to get out of the house for a little happy hour action. The other week Mike and I had my mom come over to watch the kiddos and we headed to Council Oak Steaks & Seafood for their Social Happy Hour. 

We work together on some items in the house so it’s like an after-work happy hour for real, but also we rarely get a date night so Council Oak doubled as that too! Their Social Happy Hour is available seven days a week — yes, SEVEN — from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm in their Council Oak Lounge. It’s the bar area with live music and really cozy wall booths.

On this specific menu, there are nine different food options, plus specialty cocktails, wine selections and beer choices. Here is what we enjoyed:

Council Oak Bacon with Frisee & Green Apple Salad and Balsamic Reduction

House Salad with salami, prosciutto, bacon, tomatoes, egg, mozzarella, house dressing

Council Oak Prime Burger: 8 oz dry-aged prime beef, fried egg, truffle parmesan steak fries

NY Strip Steak Sandwich with sauteed mushrooms and onions, brioche bun, truffle parmesan steak fries

Council Oak Rum Runner: monkey spiced rum, monkey coconut rum, banana liqueur, guava nectar, pineapple juice, house-made sour

Vanilla Paloma: Camarena tequila, velvet falernum, vanilla, lime juice, grapefruit juice

Other food options are:

• Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail (I came thisclose to ordering it, but Mike is allergic soooo next time for a girls’ night!)
• American Waygu Carpaccio – black peppercorn-champagne vinaigrette, grated manchego, maldon salt
• Tuna Tartare – avocado, lemon, cucumber-radish salad, grilled ciabatta
• Caesar Salad – caesar dressing, shredded parmesan, white anchovies, croutons
• Beef Tenderloin – 8 oz, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus

Other cocktails:

• Improved Manhattan – Bulleit Rye, sweet vermouth, tawny port, walnut and chocolate bitters
• Red Sangria – orange vodka, orange liqueur, guava and peach nectar, pineapple and lime juices

Wines:

• Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc
• Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay
• Meiomi Pinot Noir
• Vina Cobos Felino Melbec
• J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

Draft beers:

• Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai IPA
• Stella Artois

Here is what you should know. The meat is super high quality, dry-aged and delicious. Plus, cooked perfectly. The cocktails are generously poured. The ambiance and service are some of the best.

This was seriously the best way to unwind. I can’t wait to go back again and this time, play some slots because why not, right? 

I received a free meal in exchange for this post, but as always, all opinions are 100% my own and not influenced by a blogger/brand relationship.