Best happy hours in the Financial District

• Happy Hour Weekdays 4-7pm

Fraunces Tavern has an interesting claim to fame. In operation since 1762, this where George Washington bid an emotional farewell to his troops in 1783 after the Revolutionary War, shortly before assuming the office of President.

The pub was also frequented by the likes of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr (who both attended an event at the tavern a week before their infamous duel). Needless to say, enjoying a pint (or cocktail) at the most historic bar in the Financial District is a must-do while exploring the neighborhood, if not for the history alone.

As one of the oldest restaurants in NYC, it’s surprising that locals frequent this place more than visitors. There’s a small museum upstairs ($10) depicting the room where Washington gave his farewell speech, it’s pretty cool to check out.

Good to know My husband is a whiskey enthusiast. Having visited most of the city’s top watering holes, he bills Fraunces Tavern one of the best Scotch whisky bars in New York City.

• Happy Hour Daily 4pm-5pm & 10pm-11pm

Home to handsome bartenders sporting iconic red coats, Harry’s is the quintessential Financial District bar for an step up night on the town. Allegedly the birthplace of the martini, this iconic bar has been around since 1972. An extension of the original, Harry’s Side Bar is a European-inspired cocktail and wine bar serving small bites.

Libations are offered for $5-12 during happy hour, pair a cocktail with the restaurant’s signature lamb meatballs or smoky papas bravas and settle in for the hour.

• Happy Hour Weekdays 3-5pm

Visiting Trinity Place is an experience. To access the bar you’ll walk through a vault that was once owned by Andrew Carnegie. Once inside you’ll find yourself rubbing elbows with locals trying to score an open bar stool for the night.

If libations are top of mind, Trinity Place is one of the best bars in the Financial District for happy hour. Running weekdays from 3-5pm, you can score a bucket of four beers for $20, select cocktails for $10 and a bottle of wine for $26. Food is limited to two appetizers, burrata and $7 spinach and mushroom empanadas.

• Happy Hour Daily 4-8pm

Offering $4 drafts, Fresh Salt serves one of the most affordable happy hour deals in the in the Financial District. Heck, even outside of happy hour, draft beer goes for $8, comparable to most discounted beer prices in NYC.

Based on my experience, the service can be hit-or-miss but the cocktails make up for it. The place gets packed after work hours, so arrive early or plan to spend the evening probing seats. The bites are great too, perfect for sharing.

• Happy Hour Monday – Thursday 2:30-6:30pm (at the bar)

If you have a mild margarita obsession, Mad Dog’s Financial District happy hour deals should fit the bill. Despite the cantina’s popularity, the service. The happy hour menu is headlined by the house margarita (on the rocks) and frozen margarita, both under $10.

If you’re not big on margaritas, house wine goes for $7 a glass and select Mexican beers are $6 a pop. As for food, there’s guacamole and hot wings, both $10. Happy hour or not, you’re bound to see 100 ounce margarita towers gracing a few tables, at $120 a pop. These bad boys aren’t for the faint of heart (equivalent to 10 cocktails, they’re available for groups of four or more).

• Happy Hour Weekdays 4-6pm

The Malt House is known for a put together selection of 250 American whiskies and impressive lineup of drafts, this one of the more polished options on our list of the best happy hour in the Financial District.

Offering more than eight draft beers for $8 a pop, there’s also a handful of $9 cocktails to boot. Likewise, the food menu is one. I’m partial to the fried bites (surprise, surprise) like panko fried cheese curds and buttermilk fried chicken. The pork sliders and wings are great too though.

• Happy Hour Daily 4-7pm

Warm and inviting, Ryan Maguire’s is a laid-back Irish pub popular with the post-work crowd. The draw? $7 happy hour cocktails, $4 Miller drafts and $8 wine. Food doesn’t grace the happy hour menu, but the full-priced menu is worth a gander. With $8 soups and $14 calamari, this Financial District happy hour haunt won’t break the bank after 7pm either.

• Happy Hour Monday-Sunday 12pm-6pm

With large communal tables and a great outdoor patio full of games (cornhole!), Clinton Hall is great for a chill hangout with coworkers after the workday ends. The happy hour menu is limited to drinks, but with $6 beer, $8 well drinks and $8 wine, it deserves a mention our list.

My advice