15 BEST Spots for Happy Hour in NYC (To Quench Your Thirst)  (2024)

In a city where a cup of coffee costs as much as a small country, strategic financial planning is a requirement for both locals and wide-eyed tourists. With drinks frequenting north of $20, spending hundreds of dollars on a few measly rounds is just painful. Luckily happy hour in New York City is here to save the day.

Over the years I’ve gained a PhD in overspending on mediocre drinks and compiled a list of a few spots locals can’t help but love. With that being said, I’m excited to share the top happy hours in NYC. Whether you’re a broke college student or a seasoned professional on a tight budget, indulging in happy hour in NYC is practically a survival skill.

Let’s get to the good stuff!

Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.

Best Happy Hour NYC

Mermaid Oyster Bar

Website:Mermaid Oyster Bar
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Address: 89 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Happy hour:4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

If you love seafood, make a beeline for the Mermaid Oyster Bar in the Greenwich Village. Serving a seafood-forward happy hour in NYC, this local joint is loved by all who visit.

The headliner is the $1.25 oyster special (minimum order of 6 required). Pair the $6 happy hour beer with the salmon tartare and you’ll see why locals consider this one of the best New York City happy hours. If co*cktails are more your speed, don’t fret. The Mermaid Inn offers a handful of $10 craft co*cktails and wine during happy hour as well.

Skinny Dennis

Website:Skinny Dennis Bar
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 152 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Happy hour:Monday – Friday 12 to 7pm

The Concrete Jungle is home to more than one cowboy (and cowgirl, of course), and they meet at Skinny Dennis every night for cheap drinks. The honky-tonk is a little taste of small-town life. 18 beers on tap are served amid non-stop serenading by the likes of Alan Jackson, George Strait and Johnny Cash on the speakers.

Not only is Skinny Dennis one of the most affordable bars in Williamsburg, they offer one of the best happy hours in NYC. Every weekday from 12 to 7pm, Skinny Dennis runs a $1 off special on draughts and well drinks. There’s also live performers nearly every day of the week, just take a look at theircalendarand see for yourself.

Caffe Dante

Website:Dante NYC
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 551 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014 & 79-81 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Happy Hour:Daily 3pm to 5pm

Dante Caffe dates back to 1915. It served as a staple for the community before slowly fading into oblivion before two Australians decided to breathe new life into the historic institution in 2015. The result was striking, Dante was named thebest bar in the worldin 2019 (4 years after re-opening!) and appeared on the list again in 2020.

This NYC happy hour spot is just as amazing as it sounds. The menu is well curated with small fare but the drinks is where this popular NYC bar truly shines. Dante boasts 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 set for happy hour. Dante West Village offers martinis for $10 and Caffe Dante offers negronis for $10. The price/quality ratio can’t be beat!

The Grey Dog

Website:The Grey Dog
Address: Multiple Locations in New York City
Happy hour:Monday-Friday 3PM to 7PM & Saturday-Sunday 4PM to 7PM

One of the most affordable places to grab happy hour in NYC is The Grey Dog. Serving American classics all day, you can enjoy the laid-back environment without having to set an alarm clock. Expect to find all the basics that are simple, quick and satisfying at this joint.

The Grey Dog has a great value menu, made only better by one of the premier NYC happy hours. Regular co*cktails will cost you $12-$16 (which is almost unheard of in a pricey city like NYC!). But during the popular NYC happy hour, you can score beer for $4, wine for $5 and half-off priced co*cktails,daily.

Time Out Market Rooftop (DUMBO)

Website:Time Out Market
Neighborhood: DUMBO
Address: 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 4 to 7pm

The Timeout Market is a collection of some of the best restaurants in New York City. By bringing 21 unique dining experiences together under one roof, Timeout Market has made choosing a place to eat so much easier.But the real fun starts to happen when you head up to Time Out Rooftop!

During sunset the 5th floor rooftop bustles with both tourists and locals alike, and it’s not hard to see why. As one of the best rooftop bars in Brooklyn, the views of Manhattan are hard to beat. What’s more, if you visit during the week (between the hours of 4 to 7PM), the Time Out Market Bar offers the best happy hour in NYC. Beers start at $5 and co*cktails at $8, can I get one of each?

Entwine

Website:Entwine
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 765 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
Happy hour:Monday – Friday 4 to 7pm | Saturday & Sunday 2 to 6pm

Entwine holds a special place in my heart for NYC happy hours. Nestled in a charming setting with an adorable garden and a snug fireplace, this co*cktail bar strikes the perfect balance of intimacy.

Don’t be deceived by its petite size; Entwine defies expectations with a generous selection on its happy hour menu. Offering an extensive array of food and drink options at discounted rates, it’s a gem among NYC’s happy hour spots. With over 10 co*cktail choices, an assortment of beers, wines, and delectable bar snacks—all priced under $10—it would be a missed opportunity not to revel in the fantastic discounts.

Cooper’s Craft & co*cktails

Website:Cooper’s Craft & co*cktails
Neighborhood: Chelsea & East Village
Address: 169 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011 & 87 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Happy hour:Monday – Friday 12 to 7pm

The skilled mixologists at Cooper’s Craft & co*cktails are dedicated to delivering a memorable drinking experience, ensuring that each co*cktail is crafted with precision and attention to detail. Every weekday from 12 to 7pm folks can enjoy select co*cktails and beer for a fraction of the cost (as little as $7!).The deals don’t end at happy hour either, every day brings a new special. Here’s what you can expect:

• Mezcal Mondays
• Taco & Tequila Tuesday
• Old-Fashioned Wednesdays
• Tiny Tini Thursdays

All this to say, Cooper’s Craft & co*cktails provides a number of possibilities to save money, including one of the top happy hours in New York City.

Tacombi

Website:Tacombi
Address:Multiple locations in New York City
Happy hour:Monday – Friday 4 to 7pm

Tacombi has a lot of naysayers, but I will not stand for its slander. The chain restaurant consistently serves unfussy, tasty Mexican food,because sometimes all you want is a burrito and beer(who cares if it’s not Michelin rated?) Even better Tacombi has one of the best happy hours in NYC.

There’s $9 co*cktails, $5 beer and (my favorite) $5 micheladas. And for those of you who’ve never heard of a michelada, it’s a drink made of beer, lime juice, and tomato sauce (and trust me, it tastes better than it sounds). The vibe is more laid back than any other NYC happy hour I’ve been to. It’s easy to hang a while and enjoy a few rounds.

The Pony Bar

Website:The Pony Bar
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Address: 1444 1st Ave., New York, NY 10021
Happy hour:Monday-Friday 4:20pm-6:20pm

The Pony Bar on the Upper East Side brings the Wild West to NYC with its western-themed decor and unique happy hour. Starting at 4:20 PM, enjoy $7 draft beer, well drinks, and wine. As the first NYC bar exclusively pouring American beer, you can savor brews from coast to coast during the two-hour happy hour. The bar offers traditional bar food, and on Mondays, you can enjoy happy hour prices all day, with tacos priced at just $2.

Ama Raw Bar

Website:Ama Raw Bar
Neighborhood: West Village & East Village
Address:190 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009 & 39 Downing St, New York, NY 10014
Happy hour:Daily from 5 – 7PM |Menu

A unique Asian-inspired seafood restaurant, Ama Raw Bar boasts one of the best happy hours in New York City. The main draw is a $1.25 east coast oyster special that draws in locals like moths to a flame.You can also choose to enjoy west coast oysters for $2.25, and some folks even mix and match.

All the oysters are served with house-made, Asian inspired sauces that add a special twist. As far as drinks go, Ama Raw Bar has three co*cktails to choose from. Need a suggestion? My favorite is the lychee martini which is sweet with a nice, tart finish. The NYC happy hour spot also has $10 sake and wine.

Tile Bar

Website:Tile Bar NYC
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 115 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Happy hour:Monday – Thursday 5 to 8pm| Friday 4 to 8pm | Saturday and Sunday 3 to 8pm

Tile Bar has dubbed themselves the “best dive bar in the East Village” and I’m inclined to agree with them. The bar is small, friendly and unpretentious which is all you truly need. They also have one of the best happy hours in New York City, offering beer for as little as $3.

I’m not inclined to mention specifics though, because the deals rotate. Just know that Tile Bar is a great spot for inexpensive drinks. There are no Instagrammable floral motifs, neon quotes, or espresso martinis. There is cold beer, strong drinks, and a bartender that most likely knows your name.

Bar Belly

Website:Bar Belly NYC
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 14 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Happy Hour:Daily until 7pm

Get ready to indulge because Bar Belly offers $1 oysters during their daily happy hour from 5-7 PM. Renowned as one of the best bars in the Lower East Side, Bar Belly’s lively atmosphere is complemented by live music, creating a vacation-like vibe. The generous happy hour, coupled with friendly service, ensures that Bar Belly remains a popular and welcoming watering hole in NYC.

Roey’s

Website:Roey’s
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 1 Perry St, New York, NY 10014
Happy Hour:Weekdays 4pm to 6pm

Serving $5 co*cktails, $4 beer, pizzas starting at $6 and $6 glasses of wine, Roey’s has been a hot-spot for locals and visitors alike who are trying to save a buck.The restaurant is flooded with natural light and the atmosphere is both inviting and charming.

The no-frills, clean and open layout is sure to impress, but the best part is you don’t have to break the bank. Thanks to the prime location you can enjoy some of the best happy hour spots in NYC while people watching in one of the city’s liveliest neighborhoods.

A10 Kitchen

Website:A10 Kitchen
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 162 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Happy hour:Tuesday – Friday 4 to 7pm, Saturday 1 to 7pm, Sunday 1 to 8pm |Menu

A10 Kitchen boasts one of the best happy hours in the East Village, if not all of NYC. What sets it apart is its availability even on weekends, offering great deals on both drinks and delicious food. Pair your meal with a co*cktail pitcher – like the $20 margarita pitcher – perfect for sharing with friends. For solo outings, enjoy $5 margaritas or wine. Need something stronger? A10 Kitchen has an $8 beer and shot combo. With its comprehensive offerings, it’s no wonder A10 Kitchen is considered the best happy hour spot in NYC.

El Coco

Website:El Coco
Address: Multiple locations in NYC
Happy Hour: All Day

Ask any local of the best happy hour in NYC and the true experts will mention El Coco. With three locations across Manhattan they offer happy hour all day, so you can get a drink no matter the time. $5 margaritas, $4 tacos and $3 empanadas keep folks coming back time and time again. The Mexican-food restaurant has locals wrapped around its finger, you can eat like royalty and pay the bill of a layman!

Quick Recap of the Best Happy Hours in New York City

1. The Pony Bar
2. Ama Raw Bar
3. The Grey Dog
4. Mermaid Oyster Bar
5. Tile Bar
6. Tessa
7. Bar Belly
8. Roey’s
9. A10 Kitchen
10. El Coco
11. Time Out Market
12. Caffe Dante
13. Tacombi
14. Cooper’s Craft & co*cktails
15. Entwine

Helpful Related Links

Times Square Happy Hours:10 Tempting Happy Hours in Times Square (You’re Sure to Love)
SoHo Happy Hours:12 Satisfying Happy Hour Spots in SoHo
FiDi Happy Hours:20 Sensational Happy Hour Spots in The Financial District
West Village Happy Hours:10+ Wonderful West Village Happy Hour Spots (You Can’t Afford to Miss)

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Best New York City Happy Hours (Helpful Map)

And there you have it, folks! Our roundup of the best happy hour in New York City. I hope you find the post helpful and it helps you save a few bucks the next time you’re out on the town.

Cheers!