Barramundi, [East Village] Manhattan

a friend and i stumbled upon barramundi because of its great happy hour. we got super cheap (and strong!) well-drinks from a super friendly bartender who also made popcorn for everyone in the bar! it was hardly crowded, and we sat a comfy and retro booth. atmosphere was relaxed but small, and could get crowded easily. a plus for the winter months = coat hooks on the side of the booths!


Barramundi
67 Clinton Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 529-6999

Verlaine, [East Village] Manhattan

i have been to verlaine a few times before, and i must say i prefer going during the week. the atmosphere is relaxing and loungey, and if you get there early enough you can score a seat on the couches in the front. the selection for happy hour is not abundant (although it lasts until 10pm!), but the drink i had was so good - i ordered two. there are a few cocktails offered for $5 (i got the "Hanoi Lychee Martini"), and yueng-lings for $3. very cool place to hit up after work, and the food is delicious.

Verlaine
110 Rivington Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 614-2494

Barrio, [Park Slope] Brooklyn

there are several benefits to living down the street from a restaurant/bar that serves 2 for 1 cocktail drinks all night. i only have a mere 4 blocks to bravely put on my right foot-then-left foot-sober face, and for 2 DELICIOUS drinks for $9 total? not bad i'd say. they have everything from mango margaritas to mojitos to something called the caprihana.

210 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-465-4000

La Taqueria, [Park Slope] Brooklyn

since kristin and i usually never make it to the heights by 7pm, we move to plan b, and hit up la taqueria in our neighborhood. it's amazing because the margaritas are $4 ALL OF THE TIME. the food and drinks are cheap and delicious, and the employees will not judge you when you stumble out the door. and then show up again the next week.

72 7th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11217-3649 - (718) 398-4300

The Heights Bar & Grill, [Morningside Heights] Manhattan

when we can, my friend kristin and i try to frequent this happy hour as often as possible. it's located near our schools, so when we get out of class thursday evenings, it's a mad-dash to make it here by 7. they serve full sized pint glasses of margaritas for $4, as well as $4 pint drafts. the marg's are usually around $8, so you would be haulin' it here too! [and they're reeeaallllly good]

2867 Broadway
New York, NY 10025-7805
(212) 866-7035

Trophy Bar, [Williamsburg] Brooklyn

this place is truly a gem . not only do they have amazing drink specials (4$ well drinks), but on thursday nights, they serve a free bbq! although the place is quite small, the outdoor space is full of character - with picnic tables, stringed lights, and trophy memorabilia through-out. definitely check this place out.


Trophy Bar 351 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 227-8515
Happy hour 5-8 pm

Brooklyn Brewery, [Greenpoint/Williamsburg] Brooklyn

if you live in brooklyn - no - if you live in new york city and have not visited the brooklyn brewery, shame on you! this place is great - but be sure to get there early! you pay 20$ for 6 tokens (1 token = 1 beer), and with choices on-tap such as the coffee stout (8.5%alc) ... it's kind of an awesome deal. the brewery is not very big, but is filled with community-style picnic tables. it's great to go with a big group and order pizza from one of the nearby pizzarias! also bring cards ...

Brooklyn Brewery
79 N 11th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211-1913
(718) 486-7422
Happy hour: Fridays 6-11pm

The Brazen Head, [Cobble Hill], Brooklyn

need somewhere to go for monday night football, or just cheap drinks and free food? well, here it is. with 4$ chelsea checker cab drafts and 2$ pbr cans - free food is just the cherry on this sundae, i mean monday (from 5pm on). they serve up some pretty decent bbq (as a southern gal, i have grounds to be picky), with potato salad, and hummus. they also have some other specials during the rest of the week, like 4.75$ pints all night on tuesdays and free bagels with a bloody mary or mimosa on sundays (2-6pm). check out their website for more specials - and also check this place out while you're at it.

The Brazen Head
228 Atlantic Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11201-5730
(718) 488-0430

The Rubin Museum, [Chelsea] Manhattan

i know you're thinking - drinking in a museum?? the rubin museum does an awesome happy hour on fridays where they whip up 2-for-1 cocktail/martinis. and they are fantastic drinks. 2 of these liquored delights will run you 12$, so bring a friend and go halfsies! the museum is also open for free after 7pm (admission usually runs 15-20$!), and you can try to suppress your buzz long enough to fully appreciate Himalayan art - but don't kid yourself. i think we lasted 15 mins. well worth it though!

The Rubin Museum
150 W 17th St
New York, NY 10011-5402
(212) 620-5000
Happy hour: Fridays 6-7pm