When Mexican-themed restaurant Tin Tin announced its new free margarita refill happy hour recently, we were intrigued but cautious.
For one thing, the term “happy hour,” normally suggesting a stretch of two to three hours, was taken all too literally in this case. Refills on margaritas or beer would be free every day, but only from 6pm to 7pm. Happy 60 Minutes.
Would there be enough time? Or would the sounds of the advancing clock turn normal people into margarita-guzzling madmen? On a recent evening, we ventured out into the wilderness of Bogalay Zay Street to find out.
Unfortunately, we arrived a little late. It was already 6:10pm. Only 50 minutes minutes left!
Fortunately, there were no crowds. Speaking quickly, we quickly ordered.
By 6:25, the first round was finished. Another was ordered by 6:30 … ish. Drinking margaritas under the eye of the clock is not very satisfying, but drinking margaritas in general is satisfying. There was a passion fruit flavor that was exquisite. We soldiered on.
Each margarita costs 7,000 kyats (the beer deal is a little less), or about $5. Which raises an existential question. How many do you have to drink to truly get your money’s worth? Two? 10? For three, math informs us that the price per drink is 2,333 kyats, or $1.86.
We made that third lap. 7pm was minutes away. We were running out of time.
Suddenly, the waiter appeared and asked if we wanted to squeeze in one more round. It was around 6:55. Additional math shows that the price per margarita if four are ordered is 1,750 kyats, or $1.4. It would be fiscally irresponsible to miss out on those savings.
Finally, the bill arrived. With tax included, it was around 16,000 kyats (almost $13 split between two people).
Was it worth it? Financially, are you kidding me? Of course it was worth it! But it was a Monday evening, and it was only 7pm, and we had had four margaritas, and just as suddenly, the world was expensive again.
Tin Tin is located on Bogalay Zay Street between Mahabandoolah and Merchant streets. The daily happy hour deal ostensibly continues until the end of the month.
