You never know where a night out in New York City may take you, but you can alway get it started with some cheap eats and drinks. Here are some of my favorite happy hours in the city that never sleeps:
TAO Uptown
Happy Hour: 4-7 PM Monday – Friday
$15 martini flights and $7 small plates
Let this be known as the place where I shared some martini flights and funny stories with an upper east sider and his Italian tailor of 15 years (as one does). This restaurant is unassuming on the outside but deceivingly large and vibey on the inside- these locals told me it used to be a movie theater. Now there is a bar on both floors, a massive Buddha statue, and a dinner menu worth staying for.
Jadis Wine Bar
Happy Hour: Until 7 PM every day
Select house wine for $7 plus additional discounted wines and cocktails
This French wine bar on the Lower East Side has an extensive wine, knowledgeable staff, and warm atmosphere that will keep you lingering over another glass.
Sidney’s Five
Happy Hour: 5-7 PM every day
$5 bottomless popcorn plus other snacks
Burger & a beer for $20
Discounted wine, beer, martinis, and oyster shooters
This is the best happy hour food menu I’ve experienced in NYC! I was sold with the bottomless popcorn, but how often does a lamb burger make the happy hour menu?
Hole in the Wall
Happy Hour: 4-6 PM Monday – Friday plus Martini Mondays
$10 cocktails, $7 wines, $5 beers
$10 wings and $6 fries
There are 4 Hole in the Wall locations, but I am partial to the one in Murray Hill, filled with tons of natural light and walls of greenery. This is an excellent choice any time of the day, as it also has an awesome brunch menu.
Time Out Market DUMBO
Happy Hour: 4-7 PM Monday – Friday on the fifth floor balcony
$6 select draught beers, $9 specialty cocktails, $8 select wine
Time Out’s food fall is dark and overwhelming, but the fifth floor bar with Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline views is an absolute breath of fresh air. Happy hour is the perfect reward after walking the bridge.
Blind Barber
Happy Hour: 6-8 PM every day
$9 select cocktails, $8 well drinks, $8 wine, $5 draught beer
A barber shop speakeasy with a happy hour- we are not worthy! You can head straight back to the dark, vintage bar, or enjoy your first drink for free if you’ve booked a haircut or beard trim appointment.
Bell Book & Candle
Happy Hour: 4-7 PM every day
$4 off house cocktails
$7 house red & white wine
$6 draught beers
$1.50 raw oysters and $2 baked oysters
Come for a drink and oysters, stay for the rooftop garden. No, not a beer garden- a full fledged organic aeroponic garden with Empire State building views and all kinds of produce and herbs used within the bar and restaurant.
Freehold Brooklyn
Happy Hour: Half priced bars until 7 PM Monday – Friday
When the whole bar is half price, I tend to go with the bartender’s choice, and the bartenders and Freehold don’t disappoint. Plus this lobby bar is excellent for people watching.
VINATERÍA
Happy Hour: Until 4-7 PM every day
$8 cocktails, $7 wines, $5 beers
$8 bites and $1.50 oysters
This Italian/Spanish wine bar in Harlem is somehow cozy and trendy, and I have been known to order the bacalao croquettes and grilled broccolini happy hour plates for my dinner… paired with the Matador cocktail.
