TAO Happy Hour – Menu, Times & Specials
TAO sells one-dollar dumplings at happy hour, and that changes everything. Its Lucky Hour runs 5 to 7 PM Monday through Thursday, plus a shorter Friday session. Dumplings cost $1 each, bites start at $9, and specialty cocktails drop to $11. TAO Happy Hour runs in the bar and lounge only, with no takeout. This guide covers the full TAO happy hour menu with 2026 prices, real hours by city, and what varies by location.
TAO Happy Hour
TAO runs a later window than most chains, starting at dinner time on weekdays. Friday gets a single hour, so the weekday session is the real play.
What Time Is TAO Happy Hour?
TAO Happy Hour runs 5 to 7 PM Monday through Thursday and 5 to 6 PM on Friday, in the bar and lounge only. There is no weekend happy hour. These are typical reported schedules, so confirm locally before you go.
| City | Lucky Hour (reported) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 5-7 PM, Mon-Thu; 5-6 PM Fri | Bar and lounge only |
| Los Angeles, CA | 5-7 PM, Mon-Thu; 5-6 PM Fri | Bar and lounge only |
| Las Vegas, NV | 5-7 PM, Mon-Thu; 5-6 PM Fri | Plus Social Hour nights |
| Chicago, IL | 5-7 PM, Mon-Thu; 5-6 PM Fri | Bar and lounge only |
| Denver, CO | 5-7 PM, Mon-Thu; 5-6 PM Fri | Bar and lounge only |
Walk-ins are welcome. TAO Las Vegas adds a separate late-night Social Hour with $10 iconic dishes and cocktails.
TAO Happy Hour Menu 2026
The TAO happy hour menu is built around the dollar dumpling. Everything else prices in tidy tiers from $4 to $15. An 18% gratuity applies at lounge tables.
$1 Dumplings (minimum 7 per order)
| Dumpling | Happy Hour Price |
|---|---|
| Bamboo Steamed Vegetable Dumpling | $1 each |
| Chicken Gyoza (steamed or pan fried) | $1 each |
| Pork Potsticker | $1 each |
$9 and $15 Bites
| Bite | Happy Hour Price |
|---|---|
| Chili Edamame | $9 |
| Spicy Tuna Tartare on Crispy Rice | $9 |
| Crispy Thai Calamari | $9 |
| Chili Crunch Guacamole | $9 |
| Salmon Katsu Slider | $15 |
| Wagyu Menchi Katsu Sando | $15 |
Drinks and Sweets
| Item | Happy Hour Price |
|---|---|
| Specialty Cocktails (Taotini, Mango Chili Martini, Fire and Fortune) | $11 |
| Sake Bomb | $10 |
| Beer (Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin, Bud Light) | $6 |
| Seltzers (Hello Soju, White Claw) | $5 |
| Banana Pudding / Hazelnut Brownie | $4 |
Price note: based on TAO’s published Lucky Hour card. Prices vary by location, so ask your server for the current card.
The $1 Dumpling Playbook
The dollar dumpling is the best 2026 value on the TAO happy hour menu. The seven-piece minimum shapes how you order. Four moves get the most from it:
- Commit to seven dumplings (~$7). The minimum order turns one cheap bite into a real snack. Seven gyoza for $7 beats any $9 plate on per-piece value. Mix the vegetable, chicken, and pork types in one order.
- Add the $9 calamari. Crispy Thai calamari at $9 is the strongest $9 bite. Pair it with dumplings for a $16 spread that feeds two.
- Drink the $11 Taotini. The signature mango cocktail at $11 is the drink deal of the card. Regular cocktail prices run several dollars higher.
- Sit in the lounge, not the dining room. Lucky Hour prices apply in the bar and lounge only. Dining room tables pay regular menu prices, and lounge tables add 18% gratuity.
How to Find Your TAO
Confirming your local venue takes two minutes:
- Open the official TAO Group venues page and find your city and venue.
- Call the venue to confirm the Lucky Hour window and bar seating rules.
- Ask about the 18% lounge gratuity. Lounge tables add it automatically.
FAQs
What time is TAO happy hour?
TAO happy hour, called Lucky Hour, typically runs 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday through Thursday. Friday’s session runs 5:00 to 6:00 PM. It runs in the bar and lounge only.
Why is there a 7-dumpling minimum?
The seven-piece minimum keeps the $1 price workable for the kitchen. Seven dumplings cost $7 total, which still beats any $9 plate on per-piece value. You can mix the three dumpling types in one order.
Can you get TAO happy hour prices on takeout?
Lucky Hour is bar and lounge only, with no takeout allowed. The deals are built for guests seated at the bar or lounge tables.
What is the TAO Vegas Social Hour?
The Social Hour is a separate late-night program at TAO Las Vegas. Ten iconic dishes and cocktails cost $10 each. It runs Sunday through Wednesday from 8:30 to 10 PM and Thursday through Saturday from 9:30 to 11 PM.
Is there a gratuity added during Lucky Hour?
Lounge tables add an 18% gratuity automatically. Bar counter seats typically do not. Ask your server which rule applies to your seat before you order.
More Happy Hour Guides
Compare these Asian-inspired deals with more afternoon specials.
