Post overview: The best happy hours in the East Village

I didn’t learn to appreciate a good happy hour until I moved to New York City five years ago. Back then I didn’t have two nickels to rub together, so I spent a lot of time finding good deals on where to eat.

Fortunately, I was able to find amazing happy hours in the East Village. I visited these spots so much I’m convinced my body weight was 50% buffalo wings and my bloodstream contained traces of cheap beer.

Now that I’m a little better off (these rent prices are still humbling) I still come back to enjoy my favorite happy hours in the East Village. The relationships I’ve grown with bartenders and the feeling of getting a good deal is comforting, and frankly still too good to pass up in the most expensive city in the world.

So if you’re looking to find the best happy hours in the East Village you’ve come to the right place. I’m here to share a local’s take on the spot’s you can’t afford to miss (literally). But hey – why don’t we dive right in.

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Best Happy Hours in the East Village

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Before we dive into this guide, please keep in mind prices and specials are subject to change at any time.

#12. The Belfry

Happy hour: Monday to Friday 5-7PM, all day Sunday | Menu

Fair warning – The Belfry has one of the best happy hours in the East Village so the place can get pretty packed. I can’t blame anyone who wants to visit though, the bar is charming, lively and serves great drinks.

This East Village happy hour spot has $2 off wine by the glass and craft beer, as well as $10 margaritas and penicillins (the drink, not the antibiotics).

Have you ever heard of a pickleback shot? Because I hadn’t until I visited The Belfry. Basically – you take a shot of liquor and follow it with a chaser of pickle brine. I don’t even like pickles, but the shots go down like butter.

Unfortunately the pickleback shots aren’t part of this East Village happy hour, but for only $10 I try to enjoy one whenever I visit.

Address: 222 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003

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#11. Bar Veloce

Happy hour: Daily from 5-7PM | Menu

Modern and chic, Bar Veloce is one of the best happy hour spots in the East Village for a date night. It’s hard not be charmed by the brick walls, intricate wine displays and wooden accents. Add a nice glass of wine to the mix and everything feels, warmer.

The happy hour menu at Bar Veloce is small but does its job. For only $7 you get to choose either prosecco, rosato or red wine, and the staff is kind enough to give suggestions if you’re new to the world of wine.

This East Village happy hour doesn’t have any food options available, but you can get salads and paninis off the menu at regular price. All this to say, Bar Veloce is a laid-back bar perfect for getting together with a special someone.

Address: 175 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

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#10. Tile Bar

Happy hour: Monday through Friday, 5 – 8PM

Tile Bar has dubbed themselves the “best dive bar in the East Village” and I’m inclined to agree with them. The bar is small, friendly and unpretentious which is all you truly need.

They also have one of the best happy hours in the East Village, offering beer for as little as $3. I’m not inclined to mention specifics though, because the deals rotate. Just know that Tile Bar is a great spot for inexpensive drinks.

Also worth noting, Tile Bar is a cash only establishment. Be sure to stop by an ATM before swinging by this East Village happy hour spot!

There are no Instagrammable floral motifs, neon quotes, or espresso martinis. There is cold beer, strong drinks, and a bartender that most likely knows your name.

Tile Bar

Address: 115 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

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#9. Whiskey Town

Happy hour: Monday through Thursday, from open until 8PM | Menu

Dim lit but full of life, Whiskey Town is a bar that knows how to party. The lively bar frequently has a DJ, which attracts a lively crowd with a contagious energy.

Considering this East Village happy hour lasts until eight, it’s easy to see why the crowd can get loud. I’ve had more than one visit where I accidentally stay too late and end up dancing the night away (I blame the disco ball, it’s too much to resist).

Whiskey Town has a dive-bar vibe in all the right ways. The bartenders are friendly, the drinks are simple and the music is right. As far as drinks go this East Village happy hour spot has a beer/shot combo, wine and well drinks all for $7.

The bar also offers a Narragansett beer and a slice of margherita pizza for only $10, which is a perfect post-work meal.

Address: 29 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10003

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#8. TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen

Happy hour: Tuesday through Friday, 4 – 6PM | Menu

If I could ever give a business six stars, it’d be TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen. The restaurant started as a ghost kitchen (a restaurant only offering delivery) during the pandemic but thankfully survived and opened its doors in 2021.

The women-owned restaurant puts an effort into making healthy, vegetable forward and (mostly) gluten free plates. If you visit this East Village happy hour hot-spot you’ll find small bites like grilled lemongrass wings and cassava fritters for only $10.

There’s also a small but mighty selection of drinks available. Like most happy hours in the East Village you’ll find beer, wine and cocktails at a discounted price. Need a suggestion? The cucumber fizz (vodka, cucumber, lemon) is refreshing and pairs nicely with just about any dish.

Address: 58 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003

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#7. Bibi

Happy hour: Daily from open until 8PM | Menu

Bibi, you beautiful thing you. The popular wine bar serves a can’t miss happy hour in the East Village, and is one of the best spots for a date.

The biggest reason I’m so enamored with Bibi is thanks to the bar’s charm. I’ve spent countless nights chatting with wife as the sun sets, and enjoying tasty wine. I wouldn’t even call myself a wine drinker, but the staff is always so helpful in recommending something I’ll enjoy.

We frequent the East Village happy hour spot more often than we’d like to admit. For only $8 a glass or $28 a bottle it’s easy to play the “one more drink” game as we sit under the string lights in their outdoor seating.

There isn’t much in the way of food, mostly small bites and charcuterie. My suggestion is to stop by before dinner and allow yourself to loosen up a little bit, it’s always easy to do with a good glass of wine.

Address: 211 E 4th St, New York, NY 10009

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#6. Ama Raw Bar

Happy hour: Daily from 5 – 7PM | Menu

A unique Asian-inspired seafood restaurant, Ama Raw Bar boasts one of the best happy hours in the East Village. The main draw is a $1.25 east coast oyster special that draws in locals like moths to a flame.

You can also choose to enjoy west coast oysters for $2.25, and some folks even mix and match. All the oysters are served with house-made, Asian inspired sauces that add a special twist.

As far as drinks go, Ama Raw Bar has three cocktails to choose from. Need a suggestion? My favorite is the lychee martini which is sweet with a nice, tart finish. The East Village happy hour spot also has $10 sake and wine.

Address: 190 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

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#5. The Winslow

Happy hour: Monday through Friday, 4-7PM (and 8PM on Thursdays) | Menu

The next happy hour recommendation in the East Village goes out to all my friends who live gin, especially gin & tonics.

The Winslow is a gin bar, with a full ginventory (see what I did there?) of delicious spirits for you to enjoy. If you visit this East Village happy hour you can expect $8 gin and tonics, as well as discounts on select wines and beers.

My suggestion is to visit The Winslow on a Tuesday afternoon. Happy hour ends at 7PM, but don’t be so quick to leave, you should stay until 7:30 for trivia. The place can get loud but if you like lively energy there’s nowhere better to be.

The gin bar is classy and cute, perfect for an East Village happy hour. Inspired by British style bars, the space feels upscale but far from pretentious.

Address: 243 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003

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#4. Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar

Happy hour: Daily from 5 – 7PM | Menu

If I’m hanging out with a friend who likes seafood I try to take them to Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar for one of the best happy hours in the East Village.

Although I’m not a huge fan of oysters myself, I can appreciate a good deal. For only $12 you can enjoy half a dozen oysters and a beer, so I open the hatch & knock them back like skittles.

For those of you who appreciate a well adorned restaurant, Upstate Craft & Oyster Bar has a subtle charm. Not only do they have one of the best happy hours in the East Village, the brick lined walls, warm lighting and all wooden bar give the space a rustic appeal.

Unfortunately if you don’t like seafood Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar might not be the best spot for you. Nearly every dish has seafood so I suggesting checking out some of my other happy hour recommendations in the East Village.

Address: 95 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

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#3. Drop Off Service

Before Drop Off Service was a bar it was a laundromat, so the name is both fitting and cute. Sometimes when I want to get out of the house I ask my wife, “hey want to do laundry” and before you know it we’re out the door.

Our favorite reason to visit Drop Off Service is for one of the best happy hours in the East Village. The bar is small and casual with brick lined walls and a mellow crowd which makes it perfect for an impromptu date night.

It’s not the fanciest place, but hey if you say $3 beer I come running. Sometimes all you need is a friendly face and a good pour, and that’s exactly what Drop Off Service provides.

Although Drop Off Service has one of the best happy hours in the East Village the joint rarely feels crowded. I’d go as far as to call the joint a hidden gem, heck it doesn’t even have a website (but they do have an Instagram).

As far as discounts go, they change often but are consistently some of the best happy hour prices in the East Village. Don’t visit Drop Off Service expecting artisanal cocktails, but if you want a beer and a subtle dive-bar vibe you can’t find much better.

Address: 211 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

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#2. Jose Luis

Happy hour: Sunday to Friday 4 – 7PM | Menu

Doubling as a Mediterranean oasis in the middle of New York City, Jose Luis is a restaurant offering one of the best happy hours in the East Village.

For those unfamiliar, tapas are Spanish appetizers. As one of the best happy hours in the East Village, Jose Luis has all theirs half off.

You can try grilled octopus, patatas bravas (pan-fried potatoes) and other popular Spanish dishes without having to pay an arm and a leg. For happy hour the East Village restaurant also has select wine, beer and sangrias for only $5.

If you stop by the popular happy hour spot in the East Village on a sunny day you should ask to be seated outside. The restaurant has a backyard patio that is shaded by trees that radiates warmth, which makes it hard to leave.

Address: 186 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

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#1. A10 Kitchen

Happy hour: Tuesday to Friday 4 – 7PM, Saturday 4- 7Pm, Sunday 5-8PM | Menu

Not only does A10 Kitchen have one of the best happy hours in the East Village, I’d argue the restaurant has one of the best in the city.

For starters, you can enjoy this happy hour during the weekend. A good deal should be available regardless of the day, and A10 Kitchen makes that possible.

Besides the happy hour deals on drinks, the food options are worth the trip alone. They have a $12 burger that isn’t going to win any awards, but for the price is damn good.

Pair your meal with one of the cocktail pitchers and you’ll have a hard time leaving. The East Village happy hour hot-spot has margarita pitchers for $20 to share with friends, or you can ride solo with $5 margaritas or wine.

If you had “one of those days” and you need something stiff A10 Kitchen has a beer and a shot combo for $8. It seems the restaurant just about has everything covered, which is why it’s the best happy hour in the East Village.

Address: 162 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

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East Village happy hours (post summary)

1. A10 Kitchen
2. Jose Luis
3. Drop Off Service
4. Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar
5. The Winslow
6. Ama Raw Bar
7. Bibi
8. TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen
9. Whiskey Town
10. Tile Bar
11. Bar Veloce
12. The Belfry

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Best happy hours East Village (map)

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And there it is, folks! The best happy hours in the East Village.

Cheers.