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My guide · updated September 2026

Best happy hours in the East Village, 2026.

The East Village is the ideal neighborhood for endearing dive bars, swanky cocktails (some of the best in the city) and charming pubs. Most weekdays, the area swarms with savvy locals in search of the best happy hour in the East Village. If you’re in the same boat, this guide is for you.

Antonina Pattiz
Antonina PattizI went myself · 11 places I went to · 0 reader questions answered
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The list, in my order

8 I’d go back to and 3 only if it suits you. My verdict on every one, and the ones nearby from my other lists.

1

Drop Off Service

BarEast Village2 min from the subway
Worth it
Drop Off Service
  • Cost$3-$5
  • SubwayL to 1 Av, 2 min
  • Address211 Avenue A, New York
  • Health gradeA, city inspection
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Named after a laundromat that used to occupy the space, Before Drop Off is a dive bar serving the most affordable happy hour deals in the East Village. Offering $3 craft beers and $5 well drinks, you wouldn’t know about the deal without being told because the bar doesn’t have an online presence (the closest thing you’ll find is an instagram page).

From the ambiance and friendly staff to the great beer selection, this feels like a local’s joint through and through. We try to time our visit before the happy hour rush (which is usually after 5pm when people get off work), because the bar gets packed quickly (the happy hour prices are unbeatable).

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
2

A10 Kitchen

RestaurantEast Village4 min from the subway
Worth it
A10 Kitchen
  • Cost$7-9
  • SubwayL to 1 Av, 4 min
  • Address162 Avenue A, New York
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

From $13 burgers to $9 chicken wings, A10 is a prime destination for happy hour in the East Village for anyone eager to score a deal on a meal. Catering to the crowd, the restaurant serves great pub fare (the mac and cheese deserves a shout-out), which is half the draw, the drinks are equally impressive.

Libations include pitchers of margarita ($21), mojito ($23) and sangria ($30), or, if you’d prefer to shake things up, there’s a good selection of happy hour cocktails for $7-9. It’s rare to find a place that offers deals on food and drinks, don’t sleep on this spot.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
3

Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar

BarEast Village5 min from the subway
Worth it
Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar
  • Cost$12
  • SubwayF to 2 Av, 5 min
  • Address95 1st Ave, New York
  • Health gradeA, city inspection
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Seating less than 20 people at a time, Upstate Craft & Oyster Bar is one of my favorite spots for happy hour in the East Village. Sourcing everything from local producers, you won’t find a single freezer in the place (if it’s not fresh, it’s not on the menu).

The only constant at Upstate is great service and an impressive lineup of oysters. There’s more than a dozen options to choose from (east and west coast varieties). During happy hour, you can score half a dozen oysters and a beer for $12 (not a typo, just a super generous deal).

While the oysters are the draw, don’t sleep on the other menu items like the beer-steamed mussels and tantalizing fettuccine with clams. I’ve enjoyed several meals at Upstate and have yet to be disappointed, the seafood prices are some of the fairest in the city. This one of my favorite spots in the neighborhood, highly recommend.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
4

Bibi Wine Bar

BarEast Village
Worth it
  • Cost$8 glasses
  • Address211 E 4th St, New York
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Bibi is one of the most charming wine bars in New York City. A popular neighborhood haunt, the intimate wine bar teems with locals, especially during happy hour when $8 glasses and $28 bottles make it a prime destination for inexpensive date nights.

Pair your bottle (or glass) with a charcuterie board and linger for a little while. Bibi has a way of making the evening hours slip by without notice, which is perfect for those pesky first-date jitters. Visit on Mondays for $18 wine flights because there’s always something interesting to try.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
5

Tile Bar

BarEast Village7 min from the subway
Worth it
Tile Bar
  • Cost$5 drinks
  • SubwayF to 2 Av, 7 min
  • Address115 1st Ave, New York
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Self-dubbed the best dive bar in the East Village, Tile Bar couldn’t be cozier, especially during the evening hours when it swells with locals. Charming the neighborhood forty years, don’t expect instagram-worthy wallpaper or trendy cocktails, this the place to go for cold beer, great vibes and some of the best happy hour in the East Village.

Offering $5 drinks (well cocktails and beer), Tile Bar is a great destination to pregame before embarking on your East Village jaunt. Visit often enough and you’ll be on a first-name basis with the bartender, it’s that kind of joint.

Unpopular opinion. I’ll say it. Happy Hour Deals in the East Village (Table of Contents) deserves way more recognition than it gets.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
6

Ama Raw Bar

BarEast Village5 min from the subway
Only if
Ama Raw Bar
  • Cost$1.25 oysters
  • SubwayL to 1 Av, 5 min
  • Address190 Avenue B, New York
  • Health gradeA, city inspection
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Ama Raw Bar is an Asian-inspired raw bar serving some of the best happy hour oyster deals in the East Village ($1.25 a pop!). As far as drinks go, you’ll find $11 cocktails (don’t sleep on the lychee martini) and a handful of beers and wine. There’s also $11 champagne, which is the perfect accompaniment to oysters in my book.

The vibe here is warm and unpretentious, the kind of place where you can settle in and lose track of time. Don’t overlook the signature dish here. I’ve brought friends from out of town here and the reaction is always the same, they can’t believe they hadn’t heard of it.

Only if, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
7

The Winslow

BarEast Village1 min from the subway
Worth it
The Winslow
  • Cost$8 gin & tonic
  • SubwayL to 3 Av, 1 min
  • Address243 E 14th St, New York
  • Health gradeB, city inspection
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Specializing in expertly-crafted gin cocktails, The Winslow is one of the few proper gin bars in New York City. Don’t just take my word for. This a great place to get your feet wet if you’re curious about the spirit.

As for happy hour, you’ll find a daily gin and tonic for $8, otherwise, opt for the tried-and-true $20 beer bucket (tecate or miller light) or $6 draught beer. Gin fanatic or not, there’s no denying The Winslow deserves a mention this list of the best East Village happy hour deals.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
8

The Belfry

BarEast Village2 min from the subway
Only if
The Belfry
  • Cost$10 cocktails
  • Subway1, 2, 3, F, L, M to 14 St, 2 min
  • Address222 E 14th St, New York
  • Health gradeA, city inspection
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

The Belfry attracts locals with a subtle charm inherit to old places with brick-lined walls and well-worn wooden floors. The fact they host one of the East Village’s best happy hour deals is mere icing on the cake, with $2 off beer and wine alongside $10 espresso martinis and margaritas.

More impressive, bottles of wine are half-off during happy hour, making this a popular destination for groups. The Belfry is also known for their variety of pickleback shots, which aren’t part of the happy hour promo but are less than $10 a piece. Opt for the pickle martini if shooting back pickle juice instinctively tempts you to clutch your pearls.

Only if, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
9

Bar Veloce

BarEast Village3 min from the subway
Worth it
Bar Veloce
  • Cost$7 glass
  • SubwayL to 3 Av, 3 min
  • Address175 2nd Ave, New York
  • Health gradeA, city inspection
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Inspired by the popular wine bars in Italy, Bar Veloce is an ideal East Village happy hour spot to enjoy prosecco, rosato or red wine for $7 a glass before your dinner reservations kick in. Food doesn’t make an appearance on the happy hour menu, but the regular menu is full of tantalizing Italian appetizers.

Happy hour aside, Bar Veloce’s wine selection is stunning. Featuring reasonably-priced bottles of wine from Italy, the variety spans the gamut. My husband I enjoy splitting a bottle with a group of friends while catching up over bruschetta and cheese boards, it’s always a great time.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
10

Cooper's Craft & Cocktails

BarEast Village
Only if
  • Cost$7
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

The skilled mixologists at Cooper’s Craft & Cocktails are dedicated to delivering a memorable drinking experience, ensuring each cocktail is crafted with precision and attention to detail. Every weekday from 12 to 7pm folks can enjoy select cocktails and beer for a fraction of the cost (as little as $7!).

The fun doesn’t stop with happy hour, every day brings a new special. Here’s what you’ll find.

Only if, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
11

Jose Luis

RestaurantEast Village5 min from the subway
Worth it
  • Cost$5 drinks
  • SubwayL to 1 Av, 5 min
  • Address186 Avenue B, New York
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Specializing in knock-out tapas every day of the week, Jose Luis’s generous East Village happy hour menu takes things a step further with $5 drinks and half-priced tapas. I’m partial to the grilled octopus and patatas bravas. Ask to be seated in the outdoor patio for the liveliest vibes.

I love the energy in here, especially on weekday mornings when it’s mostly locals grabbing their usual orders. I’ve brought friends from out of town here and the reaction is always the same, they can’t believe they hadn’t heard of it.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
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