Applebees Labor Day: Hour-by-Hour Game Plan
Labor Day 2026 falls on Monday, September 7 — the latest possible date for the holiday, and the unofficial end of summer. Most Applebees locations stay open on Labor Day with regular hours (typically 11 AM–11 PM or later, though franchises set their own schedules, so call ahead). From my experience, holiday Mondays follow a predictable rhythm: a calm lunch, a slammed dinner rush, and a quiet late night. Plan around it with this schedule:
Last updated: October 2026 | Prices last checked: October 2026
Most applebees labor day hours follow the regular schedule, so applebees labor day hours are typically 11 AM to 11 PM.
Watch for applebees labor day deals on drinks and appetizers, since applebees labor day deals often match the weekend promotions. If you are asking is applebees open labor day, the answer is yes at most locations — is applebees open labor day with regular hours, not holiday-reduced ones. For other dates, check the applebees holiday hours listing, because applebees holiday hours vary by location on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
| Time slot | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Arrive for an early lunch | Shortest waits of the day; kitchen is fresh and lunch combos are available at many locations |
| 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Avoid walk-ins; order To Go instead | Peak lunch crowd from holiday shoppers and families; Carside To Go skips the line |
| 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Happy hour window | Half-price appetizers and $3–$5 drink specials at most locations — the best value hours of the day |
| 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Expect the dinner rush; have a backup plan | Heaviest crowds of the holiday; call ahead for seating or shift dinner earlier/later |
| 9:00 PM – close | Late-night happy hour round two | Second discount window (usually 9 PM–close) with thinner crowds — ideal for a relaxed end to the weekend |
Two timing tricks most people miss: first, the 3–6 PM happy hour overlaps the afternoon lull, so you get discount pricing and fast service — it is objectively the best value window on the menu. Second, if your group is flexible, a late lunch around 2 PM followed by happy-hour appetizers at 4 PM can cover the whole afternoon for less than a single dinner entrée per person.
Planning your Applebees Labor Day visit starts with checking holiday hours.
Applebees Labor Day Group Ordering Strategy for 4-6 People
Feeding a group at Applebees on Labor Day is a math problem, and the bundle deals are designed to win it. Here is the strategy I use for a party of 4–6, with approximate 2026 pricing:
The Applebees Labor Day crowd peaks between noon and 2 PM.
| Strategy | What you order | Approx. total | Per person (6 people) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 for $25 bundles × 3 | 3 shareable appetizers + 6 entrées | ~$75 | ~$12.50 |
| All You Can Eat × 6 | Unlimited riblets, wings, or shrimp + fries each | ~$96 (at ~$15.99 each) | ~$15.99 |
| Happy-hour appetizer spread | 6 half-price appetizers (~$5 each) + 6 happy-hour drinks (~$4 each) | ~$54 | ~$9.00 |
| Everyone orders solo entrées | 6 individual entrées (~$14 average) | ~$84 + drinks | ~$14.00+ |
The happy-hour appetizer spread is the clear winner on price: at roughly $9 per person for food and a drink, a group of six eats well for about the cost of two solo dinners. The 2 for $25 bundles come second and feel more like a “real meal” since everyone gets an entrée. A few execution tips: order appetizers in two waves so the second round arrives hot, ask for extra small plates up front for sharing, and put one person in charge of the drink order to keep the server’s trips efficient. For groups with kids, the kids menu (often with free or discounted kids deals around holidays at some locations — ask your server) can drop the per-person cost further.
Many locations extend happy hour for the Applebees Labor Day weekend.
Menu items, prices, and availability vary by location and franchise. Confirm details with your local Applebees before visiting. This site is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Applebees.
For the best Applebees Labor Day experience, arrive before the dinner rush.
The Applebees Labor Day menu features all the regular favorites plus seasonal specials.