Brunch God / New York City
8 NYC Happy Hours to Plan Around
An early Midtown start, daily deals and a second round after 10pm.
The best happy-hour plan begins with the clock. Some of these menus stop before dinner; others start when the theater crowd is heading home. Choose a neighborhood and a window first, then check the venue’s current menu before leaving. Specials, prices and holiday schedules can change.
Find your table
- Valerie — Weekday oysters and cocktails
- The Ragtrader — Starting before the office rush
- Bourbon and Branch — A daily option near Penn Station
- Lolita — Two chances to catch the deal
- Hide Rooftop — An early rooftop stop
- Miss Nellie’s — Before or after the show
- The Three Monkeys — A late happy hour
- The Belfry — An after-work East Village meet-up
Weekday oysters and cocktails
1. Valerie
45 West 45th Street, Midtown
Valerie pairs a weekday drink window with oysters and light bites. It is a practical Midtown meeting point when the group wants a food component alongside cocktails, house wine or draft beer.
Plan it: Monday–Friday, 4–7pm. The published offering includes $1 oysters.
Starting before the office rush
2. The Ragtrader
70 West 36th Street, Garment District
A noon start gives this happy hour a different rhythm. Selected cocktails and wine are listed at $12, with $7 beers and snack options that include crispy cauliflower and fries with dips.
Plan it: Monday–Friday, noon–6pm. These offers belong to The Ragtrader, rather than downstairs Bo Peep.
A daily option near Penn Station
3. Bourbon and Branch
155 West 33rd Street, Midtown
When the group cannot agree on a weekday, a daily window helps. The listed menu includes $12 cocktails such as an Old Fashioned, espresso martini and margarita, alongside wine and beer options.
Plan it: Daily, 4–7pm. Confirm the current menu before visiting.
Two chances to catch the deal
4. Lolita
45 West 45th Street, Midtown
Lolita offers an afternoon window and another later in the night. Published specials include $12 cocktails, $11 house wine, $8 beer and half-price bites, making timing as useful as location.
Plan it: Daily, 3–6pm and 10pm–midnight.
An early rooftop stop
5. Hide Rooftop
24 John Street, 20th floor, Financial District
Take the happy-hour plan upstairs. The published offering includes $14 cocktails, $10 mocktails and wine, $7 beer, plus wings, pizza and fries. A defined early window makes it easier to fit into a downtown evening.
Plan it: Monday–Wednesday, 4–7pm; Thursday, 4–6pm.
Before or after the show
6. Miss Nellie’s
325 West 44th Street, Theater District
A weekday early window and a daily late one give this Theater District bar two roles. Listed specials include $12 Negronis, spicy margaritas, Hugo Spritzes and house wine, plus $6 Heineken.
Plan it: Monday–Friday, opening–6pm; daily, 11pm–close. Guests must be 21 or older.
A late happy hour
7. The Three Monkeys
832 Eighth Avenue, Midtown West
The Last Call Happy Hour starts at 11pm. Its menu lists $10 espresso martinis, Negronis and spicy margaritas alongside $5 Gold Lager and $12 house wine.
Plan it: 11pm–close. The venue lists a 1am kitchen close, which is earlier than the bar close.
An after-work East Village meet-up
8. The Belfry
222 East 14th Street, East Village
A weekday 5–7pm window makes The Belfry a straightforward choice for the first stop of the night. Keep the order flexible and use the current happy-hour menu when you arrive.
Plan it: Monday–Friday, 5–7pm. Check current prices directly with the bar.