The list in my order
10 I’d go back to. My verdict on every one, and the ones nearby from my other lists.
Mermaid Oyster Bar
- Cost$
Budget-savvy seafood lovers need to make a beeline for Mermaid Oyster Bar like it’s their job. Dishing out the most generous oyster happy hour in New York City, the menu is headlined by $1.25 oysters (minimum order of 6).
If you’re not into oysters, opt for the salmon tartar ($10) or mini fish tacos ($4) instead, assuming the fried calamari ($12) is already at the table, of course. Pair your bounty with $6 beer or $10 cocktails and wine. The $3 clam chowder can be skipped because it’s laughably small, you’ll get more bang for your buck with other bites.
Caffe Dante
- Cost$10
- Address551 Hudson St & 79-81 MacDougal St
Dante Caffe dates back to 1915 when it served as a staple for the community before slowly fading into oblivion. Thankfully in 2015, two Australians decided to breathe new life into the historic institution. The result was striking, Dante was named the best bar in the world in 2019 (4 years after re-opening!) and appeared on the list again 2020.
This NYC happy hour spot is just as amazing as it sounds. The menu is well put together with small fare but the drinks is where it truly shines.
Dante has two locations. Dante West Village and Caffe Dante. The two bars are located a few blocks apart. I haven’t had luck getting into Caffe Dante without a reservation, so I suggest booking in advance.
Dante offers the most generous happy hour in NYC. Both locations have a different drink. Dante West Village offers martinis for $10 and Caffe Dante offers negronis for $10. The price/quality ratio can’t be beat.
Roey’s
- Cost$
- Subway1 to Christopher St-Stonewall, 7 min
- Address1 Perry St, New York
Roey’s (casual sister restaurant to Rosemary’s) is a Neapolitan pizzeria with a killer happy hour. Weekdays from 4-5pm, you can score $5 spritzes, $4 beer and $7 margherita pizzas, which is unheard of in New York City.
The restaurant’s prime location gives you a change to enjoy some of the best happy hours in New York City while simultaneously people-watching in the city’s most charming neighborhood. If I lived in the area, this would be on constant rotation in my arsenal.
Time Out Market Rooftop
- Cost$
- Address55 Water St, Brooklyn
By bringing 20+ of the city’s best restaurants under one roof, Timeout Market makes choosing a place to eat so much easier. But the fun doesn’t start until you make it to the rooftop. During sunset the 5th-floor rooftop swells with tourists and locals alike and it’s not hard to see why.
Billed as one of the best rooftop bars in Brooklyn, the views of the Manhattan skyline are hard to beat. What’s more, if you visit during the week (between 4-7pm), you’ll be privy to one of the best happy hour deals in New York City. Beers start at $5 and cocktails at $8, which is a measly price to pay for the epic views.
Entwine
- Cost$
- Subway1 to Christopher St-Stonewall, 8 min
- Address765 Washington St, New York
Petite-sized Entwine holds a special place in my heart when it comes to New York City happy hours. I frequent this place often, especially. The cocktail bar has an adorable garden and snug fireplace, striking the perfect balance between intimate and alluring.
Don’t be deceived by the shoe-box size, Entwine defies expectations with a generous happy hour menu. There’s more than ten discounted cocktails on offer (plus an assortment of beer and wine), along with incredible snacks (priced under $10), it’d be a shame to miss this local spot.
A10 Kitchen
- Cost$
- SubwayL to 1 Av, 4 min
- Address162 Avenue A, New York, NY
From $13 burgers to $9 chicken wings, A10 is a prime destination for happy hour in New York City 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.
Cooper’s Craft & Cocktails
- Cost$7
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 $7!).
The fun doesn’t stop with happy hour, every day brings a new special. Here’s what you’ll find.
- Mezcal Mondays
- Taco & Tequila Tuesday
- Old-Fashioned Wednesdays
- Tiny Tini Thursdays
The Jeffrey Craft Beer & Bites
- Cost$
- Subway6, E, F to Lexington Av/53 St, 5 min
- Address311 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022
- Happy Hour Monday-Friday 4pm to 7pm
If you’re on the hunt for the best happy hour in New York City for beer and seafood, I’ve got just the spot. During the weekdays from 4-7 pm, The Jeffrey offers $1 oysters paired with $6 draft beers.
If cocktails are more your speed, you’ll find a handful on $10 options. Park yourself at a table on. Although food options are limited during happy hour, the full menu is available. I recommend the pho tacos (trust me on this) and barrio dip sandwiches.
Tile Bar
- Cost$5
- SubwayF to 2 Av, 7 min
- Address115 1st Ave, New York
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 New York City.
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.
Bar Belly
- Cost$1
- Address14 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Looking to indulge? Bar Belly offers $1 oysters (maximum 12 per person) during happy hour from 5-7pm daily. Reason alone for this popular neighborhood haunt to grace our list of the best bars in the Lower East Side. The generous happy hour, coupled with friendly service, makes Bar Belly one of the most popular watering holes in NYC.
I’d recommend ordering one thing you know you’ll love and one thing that sounds a little unfamiliar. That’s how I’ve found some of my all-time favorite dishes in this city.
Iconic Spots in NYC Everyone Needs to Try
It can get packed on weekends, especially around brunch time. Weekday evenings are my sweet spot.
Happy Hour By Neighborhood
Explore our neighborhood-specific guides.
