Applebee's Hours Today — Opening, Closing & Holiday Times 2026

Applebee's operates on a consistent daily schedule across its 1,600+ US locations, opening at 11AM every day for lunch service and closing between 11PM and 1AMdepending on the day and location. Each restaurant is independently owned and operated by a franchisee, which means hours can vary slightly by location. Use this guide to understand the standard Applebee's operating schedule, and check your specific location for exact hours before visiting.

Standard Applebee's Operating Hours

The table below shows the standard operating hours for most Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar locations across the United States in 2026. These are the hours you can expect at approximately 90% of locations nationwide:

Lunch Hours at Applebee's

Applebee's does not have a separate lunch menu or restricted lunch hours. The full menu is available from opening at 11AM until close every day.There is no transition from a breakfast or lunch menu to a dinner menu — every item on the Applebee's menu is available for the entire operating day. This means you can order a burger, steak, or pasta at 11AM just as easily as you can at 8PM.

For value-focused lunch options, the Really Big Meal Deal at $9.99 is available all day and includes a burger or chicken sandwich with endless fries and unlimited fountain drink refills. The Applebee's lunch menu guide highlights the best midday options including the lunch combos, lighter salads, and quick-service items that come out fastest during the lunch rush.

Late Night Hours

Applebee's late-night hours kick in after 9PM at select locations, primarily on Friday and Saturday nights. During late-night hours, many locations offer half-price appetizers and discounted drink specials at the bar. Some Applebee's locations in urban areas, college towns, and entertainment districts stay open as late as 2AM on weekends to serve the late-night crowd. The Broadway location in Nashville and the Times Square location in New York City are two well-known Applebee's with extended late-night hours until 2AM. Check our Applebee's late-night menu guide for the complete late-night specials, menus, and participating locations.

Bar Hours at Applebee's

The bar at Applebee's is open during all restaurant operating hours. There is no separate bar schedule — the full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails is available from 11AM until close. Happy hour drink specials run Monday through Friday from 3PM to 7PM at the bar at most locations. Some locations allow happy hour pricing throughout the restaurant while others limit it to the bar area only. The bar typically stays open until the restaurant closes, though some locations may stop serving alcohol 30 minutes before closing time. All bar service ends at the restaurant's closing time and last call is typically 15 to 30 minutes before close.

What Time Does Applebee's Stop Serving Food?

The Applebee's kitchen serves the full menu until the restaurant closes. There is no separate kitchen closing time. If the restaurant closes at 11PM, you can generally order food until 10:45PM — the kitchen typically stops taking new orders 15 minutes before closing to give the staff time to fulfill remaining orders and begin closing procedures. For Carside To Go, orders placed through the app may have a cutoff time of 15 to 30 minutes before closing. If you are planning a late-night food run, aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the listed closing time to ensure the kitchen is still accepting orders.

Applebee's Holiday Hours at a Glance

How to Find Your Local Applebee's Hours

There are four reliable ways to check the current hours for any Applebee's location:

1. The Applebee's Mobile App: Download the free Applebee's app on iOS or Android. The app shows real-time hours for your nearest locations and updates for holiday and seasonal schedule changes. You can also place Carside To Go orders directly through the app.
2. Google Maps: Search for “Applebee's near me” on Google Maps. Each Applebee's listing shows current operating hours including any holiday adjustments. Google Maps also shows popular times and live visit data so you can avoid peak crowds.
3. Call the Restaurant: Every Applebee's location has a direct phone number. Browse our Applebee's locations directory to find the phone number for your specific restaurant. Calling ahead is especially recommended on holidays, during severe weather, or if you are planning to visit near closing time.
4. Our Location Pages: Each location page on our site lists the standard hours of operation including any known variations. Visit the Applebee's near me page to find your closest location with hours and directions.

Holiday Hours: What to Expect

Applebee's is open on most major US holidays but with reduced hours on the biggest holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve are the two holidays with the most consistent reduced-hour policies — most locations close 2 to 3 hours earlier than usual. Christmas Day has the most variation with some locations closing entirely and others opening with very limited hours (typically 11AM to 6PM or similar). For a complete holiday-by-holiday breakdown including Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, Valentine's Day, Halloween, and all federal holidays, visit our dedicated Applebee's holiday hours page.

Hours May Vary by Location

Applebee's restaurants are independently owned and operated by franchisees under license from Applebee's International. Each franchise owner sets their own operating hours within general brand guidelines. This means the standard hours listed on this page apply to most locations but your specific Applebee's may have different hours. Factors that affect individual location hours include local demand, staffing availability, local regulations, proximity to entertainment venues, and the owner's business decisions. The Applebee's on Broadway in Nashville stays open until 2AM on weekends because it sits in a busy entertainment district, while an Applebee's in a smaller rural market may close at 10PM on weekdays. Always confirm with your specific restaurant before visiting, especially late at night, early in the morning, or on holidays.