Far better than the usual two-for-one draughts and free bowls of sweaty snack mix, these fantastic restaurant specials include terrific finger foods, pristine oysters, and craft cocktails for less. Here, Food & Wine names America's best happy hours.
1
Daniel Krieger
The John Dory Oyster Bar; New York, NY
Daily: 5-7 p.m.
April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman’s Ace Hotel seafood bar pairs six clams (littlenecks from Long Island or Wellfleet from Massachusetts) or oysters (a choice of east coast Bluepoints or west coast Totten Inlets) with a glass of sparkling Cava or pint of Sixpoint Oyster Stout for $18.
thejohndory.com
April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman’s Ace Hotel seafood bar pairs six clams (littlenecks from Long Island or Wellfleet from Massachusetts) or oysters (a choice of east coast Bluepoints or west coast Totten Inlets) with a glass of sparkling Cava or pint of Sixpoint Oyster Stout for $18.
thejohndory.com
2
Courtesy of Comme Ca Restaurant
Comme Ça; Los Angeles, CA
Daily: 5-7 p.m.
At David Myers’s brasserie, $15 buys happy hour patrons a drink like the refreshing El Ranchero (tequila, cucumber, and lime juice) and their choice from the “bites” section, which includes shareable dishes like steak tartare, shrimp cocktail, and a chef’s selection of two meats and cheeses.
commecarestaurant.com
At David Myers’s brasserie, $15 buys happy hour patrons a drink like the refreshing El Ranchero (tequila, cucumber, and lime juice) and their choice from the “bites” section, which includes shareable dishes like steak tartare, shrimp cocktail, and a chef’s selection of two meats and cheeses.
commecarestaurant.com
3
Sara Essex Bradley
Lüke; New Orleans, LA
Mon-Fri: 3-6 p.m.
Celebrity chef John Besh’s bistro sells 50-cent gulf oysters and half-priced cocktails like an icy absinthe frappe and a classic sazerac.
lukeneworleans.com
Celebrity chef John Besh’s bistro sells 50-cent gulf oysters and half-priced cocktails like an icy absinthe frappe and a classic sazerac.
lukeneworleans.com
4
Erica Wilkins
Uchiko; Austin, TX
Daily: 5-6:30 p.m.
The inventive Japanese restaurant from Texas star chef Tyson Cole hosts a “sake social hour” when select sakes are just $3 and all snacks are under $6, including grilled beef tongue nigiri and hamachi sushi rolls with melon, coconut, and curry.
uchiaustin.com
The inventive Japanese restaurant from Texas star chef Tyson Cole hosts a “sake social hour” when select sakes are just $3 and all snacks are under $6, including grilled beef tongue nigiri and hamachi sushi rolls with melon, coconut, and curry.
uchiaustin.com
5
Molly DeCoudreaux Photography
Hogs & Rocks; San Francisco, CA
Mon-Thu: 5-6p.m.
This ham-and-oyster specialist offers $1 chef's choice oysters, $5 fries (spiced or egg yolk glazed), $5 chicken liver mousse, and drink deals like a $7 martini and a $10.50 beer-and-a-shot combo.
hogandrocks.com
This ham-and-oyster specialist offers $1 chef's choice oysters, $5 fries (spiced or egg yolk glazed), $5 chicken liver mousse, and drink deals like a $7 martini and a $10.50 beer-and-a-shot combo.
hogandrocks.com
6
John Granen
Poppy; Seattle, WA
Sun-Thu: 5-6:30 p.m. and 9:30-11 p.m.
There's not one but two happy hours at Jerry Traunfeld's South Indian-meets-Pacific Northwest restaurant. From 5 to 6:30 p.m., it's $5 for a thali (a selection of five small snacks like fried mussels, lamb sweetbreads, and naan), while the late night special focuses on hearty $6 sandwiches filled with tandoori chicken, tender short rib, or cauliflower kofta. Signature cocktails like the Rum Curry (rum, curry leaf, coconut water, fresh lime juice, and orange bitters) are also $6 during both periods.
poppyseattle.com
There's not one but two happy hours at Jerry Traunfeld's South Indian-meets-Pacific Northwest restaurant. From 5 to 6:30 p.m., it's $5 for a thali (a selection of five small snacks like fried mussels, lamb sweetbreads, and naan), while the late night special focuses on hearty $6 sandwiches filled with tandoori chicken, tender short rib, or cauliflower kofta. Signature cocktails like the Rum Curry (rum, curry leaf, coconut water, fresh lime juice, and orange bitters) are also $6 during both periods.
poppyseattle.com
7
Michael Regan
Zahav; Philadelphia, PA
Mon-Fri: 5-7p.m.
Empire builder Michael Solomonov's upmarket Israeli spot sells its incredible, creamy hummus — which comes in four varieties, including one with fava beans — for half price ($4-$6). Specialty cocktails like the $12 Midtown Roots (rye whiskey, sassafrass, and vanilla) are $4 off.
zahavrestaurant.com
Empire builder Michael Solomonov's upmarket Israeli spot sells its incredible, creamy hummus — which comes in four varieties, including one with fava beans — for half price ($4-$6). Specialty cocktails like the $12 Midtown Roots (rye whiskey, sassafrass, and vanilla) are $4 off.
zahavrestaurant.com
8
Stephanie Breijo
DGS Delicatessen; Washington D.C.
Mon-Fri: 5-7 p.m.
D.C.’s modern Jewish deli has a new happy hour with $7 cocktails like The Mensch (rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, and blood orange juice) and innovative snacks such as grilled beef tongue Rueben sliders ($4) or pastrami chili ($6).
dgsdelicatessen.com
D.C.’s modern Jewish deli has a new happy hour with $7 cocktails like The Mensch (rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, and blood orange juice) and innovative snacks such as grilled beef tongue Rueben sliders ($4) or pastrami chili ($6).
dgsdelicatessen.com
9
Courtesy of Rye Restaurant
Rye; Brooklyn, NY
Mon-Fri: 5:30-7p.m.
During one of the most satisfying happy hours around, this Williamsburg saloon sells its thick and juicy cheeseburgers and potent Old Fashioneds for $5 each. ryerestaurant.com
ryerestaurant.com
During one of the most satisfying happy hours around, this Williamsburg saloon sells its thick and juicy cheeseburgers and potent Old Fashioneds for $5 each. ryerestaurant.com
ryerestaurant.com
10
Courtesy of Lincoln Restaurant
Lincoln; Portland, OR
Tue-Fri: 5:30-7 p.m.
F&W Best New Chef 2012 Jenn Louis serves best-value comfort foods during Lincoln’s “commuter corridor happy hour,” like a beef patty melt on rye ($7), lamb poutine ($9), and bruschetta topped with braised greens and a fried egg ($7). The featured $6 cocktail is bartender's choice, but recent drinks have included a sparkling Negroni Sbagliato and sweet-tart Marmalade Sour, while draft beers like the hoppy Widmer Brothers Common Ale are all $4.
lincolnpdx.com
F&W Best New Chef 2012 Jenn Louis serves best-value comfort foods during Lincoln’s “commuter corridor happy hour,” like a beef patty melt on rye ($7), lamb poutine ($9), and bruschetta topped with braised greens and a fried egg ($7). The featured $6 cocktail is bartender's choice, but recent drinks have included a sparkling Negroni Sbagliato and sweet-tart Marmalade Sour, while draft beers like the hoppy Widmer Brothers Common Ale are all $4.
lincolnpdx.com
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