The Ten Bells.

Anybody who’s lived in New York City has learned to read between the lines, and when a place is described as “cozy” it usually means it’s microscopic. However, believe me when I tell you The Ten Bells really is cozy. Meant to be an intimate wine and tapas bar, The Ten Bells has candle-lit tables waiting to host your date.

As one of the best oyster happy hours in the Lower East Side, you’ll find them for $1.50 a pop. This enables you to knock them back like tic-tacs. There are also $20 carafes of wine that hold about 16 ounces. Most wine pours are typically five ounces, so you’re essentially getting three drinks for the price of one.

A Lower East Side staple for more than a decade, Ten Bells is casual NYC wine bar focusing on natural wines produced in France. There’s more than 30 options available by the glass, but it’s the bar’s generous $1.50 oyster happy hour (daily until 7pm) that keeps me coming back.

Don’t overlook the signature dish here.