As soon as the sun goes down in NYC, nothing beats relaxing with friends over drinks at one of the city’s many affordable happy hours.
On the Lower East Side is this rustic yet upscale bar offering $5 beer, $9 small bites, and $10 wine. Their fun jukebox will keep you coming back!
1. Mister Paradise
Mister Paradise in Brooklyn is one of the city’s best happy hour spots, boasting an extensive menu of food and beverage specials at discounted rates – coconut curry mussels, flatbreads, macaroni bites, and frozen rum punch are just $10 each! A favorite among locals alike, its drinks, such as Fredo’s 666 Hell Sauce Party Lobster Cougar Magnum, are sure to impress.
At their restaurant, locals love their house burgers and the service provided is exceptional. Indoor and outdoor seating are both available, as well as an excellent red room suitable for larger parties.
The bar staff here employ culinary practices like clarifying cocktails with teas and cooking drinks sous vide to craft unique and memorable drinks that stand out in any crowd. It is an engaging, welcoming place that is great for gatherings of friends or dates alike – offering beers and cocktails under $10 and wine from their extensive list. They also serve up tasty small bites and appetizers.
2. Bar Belly
This rustic shack with an outdoor patio resembles more of a New England fish house than an East Village bar, yet is beloved by locals. Known for their weekly happy hour, which offers oysters and little neck clams at $1.25 each (minimum order of six required), plus beers, wines, and cocktails starting at $6 – their menu may not be as extensive as other NYC happy hours, but should still satisfy most appetites: try their famous fried oysters topped with tartar sauce or salmon tartare before sipping cold draft beer or sweetly fruit–lychee martini being one of their best sellers!
Pieces Bar offers cocktails with a distinct flair. As the ultimate gay bar, expect rowdier than average happy hours due to its sizeable gay clientele and tasty snacks such as fried calamari and brisket sliders – plus there are drink pitchers, so it’s easy to share or ride solo.
3. Pierre Loti
Finding an amazing happy hour in New York City can be lifesaving. With drinks often costing more than $20 a pop, the ability to find discounted booze can make all the difference in saving money and having fun. Below are a few of NYC’s finest happy hours:
Pil Pil is a UES gem and an excellent spot to enjoy a satisfying and affordable meal during happy hour. The cozy environment features hanging branches from the ceiling and wine bottles lining one wall, and offers an extensive menu featuring small bites, wines, sangria (yum!), and much more!
This cute French restaurant has a spacious yet cozy interior that feels like an inviting living room, making for the ideal date spot. Dim lighting and delicious cuisine combine for an exceptional date experience; prices even get better during happy hour when $5 cocktails, $1 oysters, $1 wings, and beers start from $6!
This enchanting bar offers the perfect spot to sample new drinks on a budget, boasting its own cocktail laboratory. Their drinks are creative and original.
4. Tessa
Fresh Salt on the Upper West Side offers some of the best happy hours in NYC and is a neighborhood favorite. Foosball and beer pong add an authentic neighborhood experience, while their happy hour specials include beer and wine at just $6 each! Their food menu may be limited, but it still includes delicious bar snacks that pair perfectly with your drinks.
Oyster specials at $1.25 East or West Coast oysters draw crowds like moths to a flame; those unfamiliar with them might want to steer clear, while for those that do enjoy them, the deals are hard to beat!
Tessa, a modern, unique eatery on the Upper West Side is experiencing a revival, serving delicious dishes like Grilled Branzino, Rabbit Cavatelli, and Long Island Duck. Recently they released a lunch menu that includes their TESSA Linguini made with grilled kale, lemon zest, parmigiano basil crunch, and their Bruised Kale and Marcona Caesar with shaved parmigiano and tomato. Their drinks are delicious, but if you get hungry, they have an adjoining bodega for more drinks and food options!
5. Crown Alley
At this two-story bar in Williamsburg, you’ll find drinks at an unbeatably reasonable price. Beer and healthy drinks are discounted during weekday happy hour, while vodka shots cost $2 each. Furthermore, this spot boasts an expansive back patio reminiscent of your friend’s summer house, complete with a bar seating area and lounge space and live DJ performances on weekends.
Worthwild is one of Chelsea locals’ go-to happy hour spots, boasting an inviting ambiance and offering $5 draft beers and $10 glasses of wine; its biggest draw, however, is its discounted old fashioned – you can get any style for just $10!
Cull & Pistol Restaurant’s happy hour features an extensive list of oysters; however, if oysters aren’t your cup of tea there are other appetizers for under $10 such as fried pickles and jalapeno poppers available for enjoyment. The space features a classic yet modern design with plush leather chairs and exposed wood accents; its menu has some Southern influences but mainly caters to New York City residents.
6. Stella & Fly
An excellent place for cocktails with a view (on a budget!), this rooftop is open year-round with indoor and outdoor areas. Enjoy cocktails or snacks against the stunning scenery of Brooklyn Bridge during magic hour Monday-Friday between 4-7 pm!
Visit this West Village gem where cocktails cost between $12-$16, an unheard-of price in New York! With seafood-forward dishes at dive bar prices and fun Jell-O shots available during happy hour at just $5 each, this bar should not be overlooked.
Large groups looking to take advantage of their surprisingly affordable drink specials will find great delight here, where draft beers and house liquor cost just $5-$6, with wine priced at $7 per bottle. Also, enjoy deliciously indulgent belly fries and shrimp cocktails at prices well under $10 per person!
Dumbo Bar, perched atop Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo, is one of NYC’s best-loved and most visited bars, known for its cozy ambiance and jaw-dropping views of Dumbo Basin. Offering cocktails to accompany its breathtaking vistas, Dumbo Bar makes an excellent place for watching sunset and socializing with friends – both experiences should not be missed! This spot should be included on any New York visit list!
7. Ten Degrees Bar
Ten Degrees is the perfect place for social gatherings or date nights – with its warm lighting and cozy interior design, dark wood tables, wide selection of wines, and some incredible local beers available. Their back room offers romantic evenings or private events.
East Village Wine Bar is famous for their two-for-one happy hour from 12-8 pm, as well as offering a great selection of food to pair with drinks; signature menu items include pulled chicken barrettes and Brussels sprouts with a fried egg on top; also, their Ten Degrees panini made with Italian Bresola Midnight Moon Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glazed Pears are signature menu items!
Drop Off Service may seem small from the outside, but this East Village spot boasts one of New York City’s premier happy hours. Come by during happy hour to experience delicious Spanish appetizers like octopus, patatas bravas, and more for half-price! They also have late-night drink specials such as $3 Bud Lights!
