Happy hours can be so complicated. Beers cost this much, wines cost this and food costs this, this and this. Why can’t things be simple? Max’s Wine Dive to the rescue. Originally from Texas, this fried chicken joint has made all our lives easier by putting together Denver’s easiest happy hour. It happens to taste amazing too. We would expect no less from the place that put fried chicken and champagne together.

MWD’s “Six by Six” Happy Hour features a selection of the bar’s best glasses of whites, reds and bubbles with a selection six tasty appetizers for $6 each. You read that right. A glass of the bar’s best bubbly for $6 paired with a $6 small plate and you have happy hour heaven.

It all started when Beverage Manager Alex Johnson wanted to simplify the restaurant’s happy hour.

“People would call and ask about our Happy Hours specials and it was difficult for the servers to explain over the phone,” he says. “I wanted to simplify all that.” Boy, did he. The program, which Johnson started in the Denver location, proved so popular that all five of Max’s Texas locations adopted the program.

For happy hour, there are menus that display that week’s selection of wines. The wines will vary as Johnson works with different vintners and as the bottles last in the restaurant. However, there will always be a diversified collection of whites, reds and rose or bubbles to choose from. Current wines are from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Washington and California.

The Argam Cava Reserva is a light golden bubbly with a the scent and taste of pome fruits that plays well with the savory Truffle Parmesan Popcorn bowl. This lightly popped popcorn has a generous shaving of parm and white truffle in a bowl big enough for two. There is also a Popcorn of the Day bowl made with special ingredients from the kitchen. Today’s Popcorn is Bone Marrow. What will tomorrow’s be?

The most popular treat is Max’s Man Candy, two giant jalapenos stuffed with spicy cream cheese and wrapped with cayenne and brown sugar candied bacon. It’s the perfect touch of heat and sweet. The Brie En Croute is a delicate package of flaky pastry filled with triple cream brie, brown sugar and pecans. The berry jam adds to the sweetness. The Ahi Tuna Poke Cups are two leafy pockets of bibb lettuce topped with ahi tuna, soy, a hint of sriracha and topped with sesame and plenty of crunchy wonton slivers.

For those who love the grain as much as the grape, beers are available at happy hour pricing, but are not currently listed on the menu. Check with your server for details. Happy Hour at Max’s is from when the restaurant opens at 4 PM until 6 PM Monday through Friday.

Photos via Carrie Dow