Hey, we love a reasonably priced glass of wine as much as the next gal, but when we have to elbow through a bar packed with loud college frat dudes to get it, it kind of ruins the vibe. Stop by these seven classy happy hours instead. Fancy $5 cocktails, anyone?
10 Classy NYC Happy Hours That Aren’t Crawling with College Bros
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Published Jul 9, 2018
Boqueria
This homegrown Spanish chain has locations all over town, which means we’re never far from pitchers of sangria and mountains of patatas bravas. Happy-hour times and details vary by location, but most include wine, beer and cocktail specials, plus a hefty selection of $10-or-less tapas. Pro tip: Don’t leave without getting the churros con chocolate.
Multiple locations; boqueriarestaurant.com
Bubby's
This NYC mainstay may be known for its pie, but its after-work situation is no slouch, either. The menu keeps it simple: Wine, select cocktails and snacks (like shishito peppers with yuzu and soy) are all $7. Beer is $6, but we’re not complaining.
Two locations; bubbysnyc.com
Clay
This Harlem farm-to-table spot’s happy hour (Tuesday to Friday, 5:30 to 7 p.m.) has something for everyone: $9 natural wines, $5 craft beers, $10 cocktails (like the Good Morning Heartache, made with gin, beet, pink peppercorn and hibiscus rose bitters) and an assortment of snacks, including a daily cheese and charcuterie selection.
553 Manhattan Ave.; claynyc.com
Sotto 13
Three words: happy hour pizza. On weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m., this West Village spot has two-for-$15 cocktails and wine, two-for-$10 beer and, among other snacks, the wood-fired Margherita and “shroom” pizzas for just $13 and $15 (instead of $15 and $18).
140 W. 13th St.; sotto13.com
Upstate
It doesn’t get much better than this: Every day from 5 to 7 p.m., you can get half a dozen oysters and a craft beer for $12 at this tiny East Village seafood joint. (And if you’re nice, they’ll even give you a free slice of whiskey cake.)
95 First Ave.; upstatenyc.com
Bibi
This cozy East Village wine bar has one of the best deals in town: $24 on select bottles, a $7 glass of the day and a huge selection of $5 bites. Best of all, it’s offered every day—Monday through Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4 to 8 p.m.
211 E. Fourth St.; bibiwinebar.com
La Biblioteca
Not only does this tequila and mezcal bar offer discounts on select drinks and apps from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; it also features a “reverse happy hour” from 9:30 p.m. to closing—and happy hour all night on Monday.
622 Third Ave.; drinklabiblioteca.com
Ruffian Wine Bar
Ruffian Wine Bar
This adorable wine bar in the East Village doesn’t take reservations, but if you manage to score a seat between 5 and 7 p.m., you’ll get access to a “secret stash” of specially priced wine bottles and $5 snacks.
125 E. Seventh St.; ruffiannyc.com
The Cellar
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Lock us in the basement of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese for the rest of our lives and we’ll be happy campers. Every day from 3 to 7 p.m. at this underground bar, wine is $8 and a variety of snacks (including the unreal mac and cheese) are $10 or less.
900 Broadway (at 19th St.); 212-466-3340 or beechershandmadecheese.com
Facebook/The John Dory Oyster Bar
The John Dory Oyster Bar
From 5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 12 to 3 p.m. on weekends, you can feast on $2 oysters and clams and drink $7 wine and a $10 daily cocktail special. And the dining room looks like the inside of King Triton's underwater palace, so there's that.
1196 Broadway (at 29th St.); 212-792-9000 or thejohndory.com
