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The Best of New York · Drink · Happy hour

The best happy hours on the Upper East Side

Updated November 2026. 9 places.

One of my lifelong best friends has lived in the Upper East Side (UES) for the past ten years, so I’ve made quite the dent in the best happy hours on the Upper East Side. As a New Yorker who takes happy hour on the Upper East Side seriously, I’ve made it my mission to find the very best. In fact, if there’s a good (or even decent) happy hour on the Upper East Side that I don’t know about by this point I’d be surprised.

Antonina PattizWriter and photographer · how I decide
Best of New York 2026, New York Dearest

Best happy hours on the Upper East Side, 2026

  1. Pil PilRestaurant · Upper East SidePil Pil is a great happy hour spot on the Upper East Side if you’re searching for a casual spot with a nice ambiance.
  2. The Jeffrey Craft Beer & BitesBar · Upper East SideIf you’re on the hunt for the best happy hour on the Upper East Side for beer and seafood, I’ve got just the spot.
  3. The PenroseBar · Upper East SideThis bar checks all the right boxes – beautiful, vibey, and affordable.
  4. The SeftonBar · Upper East SideThe Sefton is a cozy Irish pub serving proper pours of Guinness.
  5. The Stumble InnBar · Upper East SideA reliable neighborhood dive bar known for it’s lively atmosphere and inexpensive drinks, The Stumble Inn is my friend’s go-to Upper East Side happy hour spot.
  6. Canyon RoadRestaurant · Upper East SideCanyon Road has been around since 1985 and while I can’t speak as to how it was back then, I do know that it’s currently serves up one of the best happy hours on the Upper East Side.
  7. Festival CafeBar · Upper East SideAs one of the best bars on the Upper East Side it also doubles as one of the best happy hour spots.
  8. The Five LampsBar · Upper East SideThe Five Lamps is one of the best Upper East Side happy hour spots if you’re looking to score a deal.
  9. The Pony BarBar · Upper East SideOozing saloon vibes, The Pony Bar brings the spirit of the wild west to the posh Upper East Side.

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Where they are

All in Upper East Side.

Upper East Side

Best of New York 2026, New York Dearest

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The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 13 Satisfying Happy Hour Spots on the Upper East Side.