Most London bars run some kind of happy hour. Drinks are cheaper for a couple of hours in the early evening to get people through the door before the evening crowd arrives.
Stupid Hour is the version at Thirst in Soho and Oxford. It comes before Happy Hour and the prices are lower again. The bar sums it up as "Happy Hour, but better. Made for everyone."
Where the name comes from
Stupid Hour is a set window when award-winning cocktails are served at a stupidly low price. The name is the joke. In the bar's own words it is "more stupid than our Happy Hour (which is also pretty mad)."
It suits anyone starting the evening early. That might be after-work drinks or a catch-up with friends before a longer night out.
Stupid Hour times in Soho
Stupid Hour at Thirst Soho runs every day.
- Sunday to Friday: 4pm to 6pm
- Saturday: 4pm to 5pm
Happy Hour starts as soon as Stupid Hour ends.
- Sunday to Friday: 6pm to 8pm
- Saturday: 5pm to 6pm
From Sunday to Friday that is four hours of cheaper drinks in a row. Check the current times and the cocktail list on the Thirst Soho drinks menu before you go.
Stupid Hour in Oxford
Thirst Oxford on Park End Street runs both Stupid Hour and Happy Hour as well. The Oxford team describes them as award-winning cocktails at stupidly cheap prices. Times and drinks are on the Thirst Oxford drinks page.
Stupid Hour or Happy Hour?
Both bring prices down. Stupid Hour comes first and the bar calls it the more stupid of the two. Happy Hour follows with its own reduced prices.
If you can get there for 4pm you start on the bigger saving. Stay on and you roll straight into Happy Hour as the bar gets busier.
What to order
The cocktail list goes from alcohol-free drinks all the way to strong ones. If you can't decide, ask the bartenders. They will happily point you to something fruity or something with more of a kick.
There is also wine and bubbles plus beer and cider. The non-alcoholic list means nobody in the group gets left with a soft drink by default.
Getting the most out of it
Arrive at 4pm when Thirst Soho opens and you get the whole Stupid Hour window. Saturdays are shorter in Soho with just one hour between 4pm and 5pm so plan around that.
The heated pavement terrace on Greek Street is a good spot for an early drink.
Walk-ins are welcome but bigger groups should book, especially at the weekend. Bring ID if you look under 25 because the team will ask.
Who it suits
Stupid Hour lines up with the end of the working day so it works well for after-work drinks. It also fits friends meeting up before dinner or before a show in the West End.
It makes a good start to a birthday too. The group gets cheaper drinks early on and then the party can move downstairs.
What happens after
In Soho the night carries on across two floors. Upstairs stays relaxed and is a good spot for conversation. From 9pm the basement becomes a dance floor with DJs playing a feel-good mix of old and new. The bar is open until 3am.
Oxford also has DJs every night and stays open until 3am. There is a main bar and a chill-out lounge plus a covered and heated terrace with its own bar.
Stupid Hour questions
What time is Stupid Hour in Soho?
Sunday to Friday it runs from 4pm to 6pm. On Saturday it runs from 4pm to 5pm.
Is Stupid Hour the same as Happy Hour?
No. Stupid Hour comes first and the bar describes it as even more stupid than Happy Hour. Happy Hour follows straight after.
Do I need to book for Stupid Hour?
You can walk in. The bar gets very busy at weekends so booking is a good idea for groups.
Is there Stupid Hour at Thirst Oxford?
Yes. Thirst Oxford runs Stupid Hour and Happy Hour too. Check the Oxford drinks page for the current times.
Finding Thirst
Thirst Soho is at 53 Greek Street on the corner of Bateman Street. It is a six-minute walk from Leicester Square station and eight minutes from Piccadilly Circus. Thirst Oxford is on Park End Street in the city centre.
