Brian Nagele
New York City is one of the most visited cities in the United States and worldwide. This magnificent and bustling city has more than enough things to do to keep you occupied for days on end.
There are hundreds of great restaurants, bars, museums, and unique people to meet and cultures to experience.
With so many places to stop and grab a bite to eat and a drink, you’ll have to narrow down your top choices since you can’t visit them all.
If you’re hunting for food and drink deals, here’s where you can find the best happy hour in NYC.
169 Bar
169 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
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You’ll find 169 Bar on East Broadway in the Lower Eastside – this is the perfect bar if you love a laid-back vibe and hole-in-the-wall bars.
It’s dimly lit, with palm tree decor and a leopard-print pool table that you can use while there. This casual bar is a hot spot for their happy hour.
169 Bar has some of the most affordable drink prices in the city, even before happy hour. Their happy hour runs from noon to seven in the evening, making it one of the longest.
You can enjoy $1 off beer, $2 off everything else, and a $3 beer shot combo. Their frozen drinks are my favorite especially on a warm summer’s night.
Bonnie Vee
17 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 917-639-3352
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Bonnie Vee is on Stanton Street, less than a mile from the Museum of Ice Cream. This cocktail bar features a garden area where I highly recommend you sit out if you can.
It features comfortable lawn chairs and a large clock as decoration. Inside, it’s small, but it’s still comfortable.
You can get happy hour food and drink specials from five to eight p.m., Monday through Friday. You can order cheap wine, grilled cheese, warm pretzels, and, my favorite, the bartender’s choice.
You’ll let them know any allergies and dislikes for that item, and they’ll make you something unique to enjoy.
Fresh Salt
146 Beekman St, New York, NY 10038
Phone: 212-962-0053
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Fresh Salt is in lower Manhattan. This is a local favorite bar and restaurant in the area. It has a casual, local bar atmosphere with outdoor seating when the weather is appropriate.
The main thing I like about Fresh Salt is how even if it’s your first time being there, they treat you like you’ve been there ten times.
Their daily happy hour is one of the main draws to the space. They have a four-hour happy hour every day from four to eight p.m..
You can enjoy discounts on your favorite drinks, from gin and tonics to whiskey cokes. With $6 liquor drinks, it’s one of the most affordable happy hours in the city!
Huertas
107 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-228-4490
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You’ll find Huertas next to Tompkins Square Park. This Spanish restaurant and bar are popular with tourists and locals because the atmosphere is desirable.
The inside is beautiful with concrete flooring and warm lighting, and teal outdoor tables are perfect in the evening.
They only serve happy hour at Huertas at the bar, so if you want to take advantage of cheap drinks at this space, you need to be there before 6:30 and snag a seat at the bar.
Huertas offers cider, beer, and gin and tonic at a discounted rate. Whatever drink you order, you can’t miss trying their basque dog to eat while you drink.
Mister Paradise
105 1st Ave., New York, NY 10009
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If you’re looking to bar hop, Mister Paradise is next door to Huertas on 1st Avenue. You know you’re in the right place when you see floor-to-ceiling windows and green paint.
This hip bar is the perfect casual spot for happy hour or a drink when you’re in New York.
Mister Paradise’s happy hour is shorter than anywhere else in the city, but it’s still worth checking out if you’re in the area.
It’s only for an hour, from five until six p.m., but you’ll enjoy cheap drinks and some food. Cocktails are only $9, which is a great deal if you’re in NYC.
The Mermaid Inn
570 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Phone: 212-799-7400
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The Mermaid Inn makes you forget you’re in the heart of New York City for a few hours with their Cape Cod atmosphere.
It’s just west of Central Park and is a casual seafood joint with a great atmosphere. It has a clean appearance with white walls and light wood furniture.
Happy hour at the Mermaid Inn features something for everyone. You can enjoy certain beers for only $6, cocktails and liquor drinks for $9, and discounted wine.
For oyster lovers, this is the best happy hour. You can get east coast oysters for $1.25 per piece! I always go for a classic vodka soda when I’m here and oysters.
Alfie’s Kitchen & Craft Beer Bar
800 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-757-2390
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Alfie’s Kitchen and Craft Beer Bar is on 9th Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen. People love this bar because it has a rustic-chic vibe and is very laid-back.
It’s great for drinks with friends, by yourself, or on a casual date. My favorite aesthetic part of this spot is the greenery hanging from the ceiling.
My favorite part about Alfie’s happy hour is that if it’s a weekday, it runs from eleven to seven in the evening.
They also have a shorter weekend happy hour from four to seven p.m.. All their well liquor drinks are discounted, and even though it’s not a Mexican joint, the margarita with house tequila is pretty good.
Fools Gold NYC
145 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-673-2337
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Just south of the Ukrainian Village on East Houston Street is Fools Gold. This warm and welcoming bar features exposed brick walls, loud music, and a great atmosphere, whether you’re dining alone or with friends.
I love that the large concrete bar stretches far, making enough room for many patrons. You’ll have discounted beverages at Fool’s Gold during their happy hour.
There are draft beers, wine, and a handful of cocktails you can choose from.
Even though this may not be technically considered a happy hour, on Sundays, they offer an all you can drink on certain beers that I love.
Valerie
45 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-302-4545
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Valerie is between the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center on West 45th Street.
This new American restaurant features vintage aspects and beautiful tile work throughout the space.
The upstairs bar is my favorite part because it’s slightly smaller and more intimate. Valerie’s happy hour is Monday through Friday from four to seven p.m..
You can enjoy $11 cocktails which are very popular, and discounted beer and wine. For food, they have one-dollar oysters and a great charcuterie board that’s great with all drinks.
My favorite cocktail is their Spanish gin and tonic with fruit.
THE GRAY MARE
61 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-388-0662
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The Gray Mare is in Noho, on 2nd Avenue. This American restaurant and bar is the perfect place if you’re craving a laid-back bar vibe in the bustling city of New York.
The Gray Mare has a rustic decor with wooden furniture, exposed brick, and dim lighting, making the space feel warmer.
From three until eight p.m., you can take advantage of happy hour prices at this restaurant. They have select beers for $6, select wines for $8, and cocktails for $10.
If you’re going with a cocktail, I can’t recommend their espresso martinis enough. They’re the perfect pick-me-up after exploring all day before heading to dinner.
The Rum House
228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
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The Rum House is in Times Square, making it one of the best happy hour restaurants and bars for those doing all the tourist things.
It’s a piano bar, so you know it’s always lively and a great time. It has an old-school vibe with white tile and wood paneling, but it’s casual.
When at The Rum House, you have to order one of their famous rum drinks. Since it’s in Time Square, the prices aren’t as low as other happy hours, but it’s still a great place to visit.
I recommend sticking to their rum cocktails and ordering the rum old-fashioned or a daiquiri your way where you can customize it to your liking.
Porchlight
271 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-981-6188
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Porchlight is on 11th Avenue near Chelsea and the Hudson River. This southern bar and restaurant boast southern hospitality you don’t always get in New York, so it’s an exciting spot to visit.
I love the eclectic carpeting and nicknacks throughout the bar that add to its personality. From three to seven p.m., you can enjoy happy hour at Porchlight on Tuesday through Saturday.
They have two local craft beers for $6, plenty of cocktails, and house wine at a discount.
Unfortunately, they don’t have any food during happy hour, but you can still order from their regular menu. I loved their mint julep.
Underdog
55 Stone St, New York, NY 10004
Phone: 917-409-0251
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You’ll find Underdog on Stone Street in Lower Manhattan near Battery Park and the 9/11 Memorial.
This pub is open late at night and features dim lighting, a fully stocked bar, and vintage posters lining the walls.
It’s a great place to eat for happy hour or a late-night bite. Underdog is the place to go if you love domestic beer.
Their happy hour lasts three hours and mainly consists of light, domestic beers for $5, which you can’t beat in New York.
While their happy hour options are limited, the atmosphere and prices make it well worth visiting.
Cask Bar & Kitchen
167 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-300-4924
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If you’re looking for a spot that boasts an elegant vibe but isn’t pretentious, then Cask Bar and Kitchen is a great option.
Located in Murray Hill, this restaurant features a weathered brick and wood decor and some of the most knowledgeable bartenders in the city.
Cask’s happy hour is three or four hours, depending on the day of the week. Certain draft beers are only $7, cocktails are $10, and house wine is $8.
I’m a big fan of their sangria because they offer red, rose, and white. If you’re not driving, you should try all three before happy hour ends.
Sel Rrose
1 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 646-450-2557
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Sel Rose is an excellent bar in the Lower Eastside near the New Museum. Rustic-chic is the best way to describe this joint.
The bright white walls, weathered wood, and vibrant flowers on every table make it stand out against other spaces in the city.
Happy hour at Sel Rose is a little different from other restaurants. Their drinks aren’t really discounted unless you count bottomless brunch on Sunday, but they offer oysters at a great price.
They have great hand-crafted cocktails, though, and my favorite is their frozen watermelon margarita.
