Louis' Basque Corner

The Happy Hour Lowdown

Louis' Basque Corner runs happy hour Monday through Friday from 2:30-5:30 PM with $4 Picon Punch (normally $5), $2 domestic beers, and $2 glasses of wine. The prices are modest, but this is not about the discounts -- this is about drinking a Picon Punch at the place that made it world-famous, for four dollars, in a restaurant that was just named USA Today's 2024 Restaurant of the Year.

Why You Are Actually Here

The Picon Punch. This iconic Basque cocktail -- a mix of Amer Picon (or a substitute), grenadine, soda water, and a brandy float -- is practically the official drink of Northern Nevada, and Louis' Basque Corner has been serving it since 1967. Getting it for $4 during happy hour is a pilgrimage, not just a bar visit. And with $2 beers and $2 wine alongside it, the value is extraordinary for a nationally recognized restaurant.

The Vibe Check

Stepping into Louis' Basque Corner is stepping into Reno history. The family-style dining, the Basque murals, the communal tables -- this place has been the heart of Reno's Basque community for nearly six decades. The bar area during happy hour is where you will find locals who have been drinking Picon Punches here for decades alongside newcomers experiencing it for the first time. It is warm, welcoming, and deeply authentic.

Pro Tip

Have a Picon Punch at happy hour, then stay for the family-style dinner. The Basque dinner experience at Louis' is legendary -- massive portions of soup, salad, beans, bread, and your choice of entree served communal style. Happy hour is the perfect warmup for the main event.