Post Overview: Best happy hour in Chelsea

There are a handful of moments in history that have altered the trajectory of humankind; like the creation of the wheel, the ability to farm, the cultivation of fire and happy hour.

And I’m only half kidding! Without the discounted happy hour prices many New York City locals (like me) would be relegated to only drinking on holidays or special occasions.

Luckily I live in Chelsea, a neighborhood in Manhattan with a happy hour on every corner. And thanks to the broad diversity in restaurants and bars every Chelsea happy hour provides something new and unique.

From a casual date night to an inexpensive pregame before a party, happy hour in Chelsea is a blessing. If you’re in need of suggestions, I’m here to help!

As a Chelsea local for more than six years I know which happy hours provide the best values, atmospheres and experiences. Ready to dive it? Because I am!

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 Best Happy Hour in Chelsea NYC

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

The Grey Dog 

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 3 to 7pm | Saturday & Sunday 4 to 7pm

Cozy and charming The Grey Dog is a beloved neighborhood staple. The brick walls, string lights and friendly staff make the joint feel like a quiet, small-town bar in the middle of the big city.

The restaurant is best known for some of the best brunch in Chelsea, but what many folks don’t realize is that it also offers a mean happy hour. I’m talking beer and wine for $5 and half priced cocktails.

The cocktails are already reasonably priced ($12-$16) when compared to other New York City restaurants but during happy hour the deal is too good to pass up. It’s no surprise The Grey Dog is the first Chelsea happy hour I’m recommending.

Whether it’s a rainy day or a sunny spring afternoon good deals always make the day better, so if I ever go missing the first place you should check for me is at The Grey Dog.

Address: 242 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011

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The Mermaid Inn

Happy Hour: Daily 4:30 to 6:30 pm

If you love seafood, make a beeline for the Mermaid Inn. Serving a seafood-forward happy hour in Chelsea, this local joint is loved by all who visit. 

The headliner is the $1.50 oyster special (minimum order of six required). Or pair a $6 happy hour beer with the happy hour fried calamari and you’ll see why locals consider this one of the best happy hours in Chelsea. 

If cocktails are more your speed, don’t fret. The Mermaid Inn also offers a handful of $10 craft cocktails and wine during happy hour as well.

The place feels especially inviting during warm summer evenings when the bay doors are opened and the lively chatter of happy diners fills the air. 

This goes without saying, but expect a wait unless you show up right around opening time at 4:30pm. The team does a great job of keeping things moving efficiently and there’s plenty of indoor & outdoor seating so the wait usually isn’t long.

All this to say, between the welcoming ambience and great selection of seafood, it’s no wonder why the Mermaid Inn is considered one of the best happy hours in Chelsea. 

Address: 227 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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The Chelsea Bell

Happy Hour: Monday – Thursday 12 to 7pm

A perfect neighborhood joint to catch a game or a meet with friends, The Chelsea Bar understands the essentials in hospitality. Providing a warm place to drink cold beer, it’s only made better by a happy hour Chelsea locals have come to love.

Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light and Miller Light are available for $5, both on tap and bottled (my father in law would be in heaven). There’s also $7 well drinks and $9 glasses of wine which are a recipe for a great time.

If you want a snack the Chelsea happy hour has $10 appetizers. The pigs in a blanket are always a tempting option, but more times than not the jalapeño poppers are too good to pass up. But hey – at these prices why not get an order of each? 😉

Address: 316 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001

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Pepe Giallo

Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 11:30am to 10:30pm | Saturday 12pm to 10:30pm & Sunday 4pm to 10:30pm

In a city so full of Italian restaurants Pepe Giallo stands out among the crowd. Focused solely on making no-frills, damn good food you’ll find hearty plates of pasta, pizzas, salads and meats.

In business for more than 25 years Pepe Giallo is a local hot-spot, especially during their popular Chelsea happy hour. $6 wines get you nice and loose, almost salivating for their tasty Italian food.

Although the Chelsea happy hour spot doesn’t offer a ton of food options the few options they have are delicious. Most of the happy hour dishes are shareable (calamari, pizzas) but you always have the full menu available in case you’re uber-starved.

The vibe is perfect for a casual date night or clinking glasses of wine with an old friend. Whether you sit indoors or the rustic back patio one thing is for certain, you won’t look up from your plate until you’ve wiped it clean.

Pepe Giallo is also one of the best restaurants for a budget-friendly meal, even if you don’t visit for the popular Chelsea happy hour. Most dishes are under $20 and punch well above their weight.

Address: 195 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001

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The Copper Still

Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 11am to 6pm

What happens when you mix an Irish pub with one of the best happy hours in Chelsea? My happy place, AKA The Copper Still. While the food served here is classic American-styled fare, the vibes are that of an authentic pub.

The laid-back atmosphere and kind staff make for one of the best experiences when enjoying happy hour in Chelsea. Mix in a few of the $10 cocktails or $6 draft beers and you’ll be on a first name basis in no time.

There’s also small but mighty bites available at the Chelsea happy hour destination. Fries, sliders, and popcorn will give your something to munch on all for under $6.

And not only does The Copper Still have one of the best happy hours in Chelsea, it also has one of the best brunches too. This place cannot stop saving you money!

Every Saturday and Sunday, between 10AM to 4PM, The Copper Still offers unlimited mimosas or Bloody Marys for 90 minutes at just $25 a person (with the purchase of an entree).

Address:  206 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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Bocca di Bacco

Happy Hour: Daily 4 to 7pm (Bar Only)

Another great happy hour in Chelsea is Bocca di Bacco, an Italian restaurant just steps from the High Line.

Available at the bar only you’ll find $5 beer, $8 glasses of wine and $10 cocktails. Add some $1.50 oysters or meatballs to the mix and you’re all set for one of the best happy hours in Chelsea.

The simple, straightforward Chelsea happy hour makes ordering a breeze. There’s no fancy bells or whistles, just good drinks and tasty bites.

Address: 169 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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The Orchard Townhouse

Happy Hour: Tuesday – Friday 3 to 6pm

One of the best happy hours in Chelsea to share with friends, The Orchard Townhouse is both cute and satisfying.

The Orchard Townhouse is set in a four-story, well… townhouse! It makes the space so relaxed since you can’t help but feel you’re just hanging out at a friends house, enjoying good drinks and company.

The interior is cute, clean and modern and floods with natural light during the day. With seating both inside and an adorable outside patio, grabbing a table and enjoying one of the best happy hours in Chelsea won’t be a problem.

There are $10 cocktails that are a great value, my favorite of which is the piña colada sazerac. Made with coconut washed pineapple rum, rye whiskey, pineapple liqueur, absinthe, and peychaud’s I’d pay full price if I had to!

There’s also a handful of shareable appetizers like hummus, fried radishes and mussels just begging to be ordered. They’re perfect small bites well worthy of being part of one of the best happy hours in Chelsea.

Local’s Tip: The Orchard Townhouse is a 2 minute walk from the High Line, one of the best parks in New York City. Make sure to check it out!

Address:  242 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001

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Crown Alley

Happy Hour: Daily 4 to 7pm

Small yet charming Crown Alley’s only drawback is how popular its become! I wish I had it all to myself, but alas word is out so there’s no point in complaining. The biggest draw is a happy hour Chelsea locals can’t get enough of.

Although the happy hour menu is small it’s loaded with great values. $5 beer and $8 wine are on par with other Chelsea happy hours, but the $8 cocktails provide a value that stands above the rest.

Whereas other happy hours in Chelsea offer discounted well drinks (like vodka sodas) Crown Alley has actual cocktails at a discounted rate. Discounted negronis, whiskey sours and mojitos are too good to pass up in NYC.

And if that wasn’t enough there’s $1 oysters (minimum order of six) that are perfect for sharing or dining solo (no judgement here).

Pair the happy hour deals with the charm of the friendly neighborhood bar and it’s not hard to see why locals flock to Crown Alley like moths to a flame.

Address: 263 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

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Jungle Bird

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 3 to 7pm

One of my personal favorite spots for happy hour in Chelsea is Jungle Bird.

The eccentric cocktail bar is bright, bold and colorful and the drinks are equally as exciting.

Playing off the name, the Chelsea happy hour spot refers to the discounted drinks as an “early bird special”. During the weekdays between 3pm to 7pm folks can enjoy select beer, wines and cocktails from $6 to $12. Along with a handful of small bites for less than $10.

But the reason this cocktail bar sits so high on my list of best happy hour spots in Chelsea is because the drinks on the regular menu aren’t too expensive either.

Ringing in around $16 a drink (and trust me, they’re both innovative and delicious) it’s easy to start the night with happy hour and linger a little longer with the full-priced menu!

Address: 174 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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Crompton Ale House

Happy Hour: Daily 4pm to 7pm

Crompton Ale House is my go-to sports bar, when I don’t want to go to a sports bar. Let me explain, while most sports bars are dingy, cheap and smell like a frat house, Crompton Ale House is a clean and classy establishment.

The Irish pub offers one of the best happy hours in Chelsea with a medley of discounted beer, wine and spirits in a posh setting. The copper accents, granite bar and bookshelf-lined walls create an air of (casual) sophistication. 

But don’t let the classy look fool you, this joint gets just as thunderous as a college bar on gameday. During the World Cup the ale house was stuffed like a can of sardines with fans coming to cheer on their favorite teams. 

As far as why it’s one of of the best happy hours in Chelsea Crompton Ale House has $5 canned beer, $6 draft beer and $7 wine. There’s also $6 well drinks that make it hard not to have a great time.

Address: 159 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001

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Barcade

Happy hour: Monday – Friday until 6pm

Ever played arcade games, buzzed? Barcade is a laid-back, easygoing spot to enjoy after work brews and blow off some steam on arcade games. Tokens are 25 cents and can be used on over 70 arcade & pinball games.

There’s plenty of classics since most of the machines are from the 1980’s. Even though I was born after some of the games were most popular I can feel the nostalgic sense of youthfulness that comes with the arcade.

As one of the best happy hours in Chelsea Barcade offers $1 off beer, wine and well drinks. It might not seem like a huge discount, but say you order three happy hour drinks at the Chelsea bar, that’s three dollars you’re saving that you can use to buy twelve tokens for more games.

And if you get hungry while chasing that high-score no need to head out. There’s classic bar food like burgers & tater tots although they won’t have any happy hour discounts. However, the ability to lose track of time playing games makes Barcade one of the best happy hour spots in Chelsea, especially on a rainy New York City day.

Address: 148 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011

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Cull & Pistol

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 4 to 6pm

Any oyster fans in the house? If so, Cull & Pistol offers one of the best happy hours in Chelsea.

Every Monday through Friday, New Yorkers know where to turn to for high-quality, fairly-priced oysters. Between 4 and 6pm the full oyster list at Cull & Pistol gets cut in half by price.

Oysters will roughly cost a little under $2 and the menu is quite extensive, fitting the bill for many different flavor profiles.

While oysters may be an acquired taste, this Chelsea happy hour spot also offers other small bites for those who aren’t too fond of the NYC delicacy.

Expect to find dishes like clam chowder, fries and grilled broccoli rabe to name a few.

Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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Bar Veloce

Happy Hour: Daily 5 to 7pm

Modern and chic, Bar Veloce has one of the best happy hours in Chelsea 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.

The Chelsea 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: 176 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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Worthwild

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 4 to 6pm

A casual neighborhood restaurant Worthwild is an ideal meeting spot for happy hour in Chelsea. With a plethora of tasty plates and drinks to break the ice conversation naturally flows adding to the lively chatter of the restaurant.

The Chelsea happy hour menu consists of drinks and small snacks, so hunger will have to be resolved with the full-price menu or a visit elsewhere since the restaurant is on the pricier side.

The biggest reason Worthwild is a go-to happy hour Chelsea locals can’t help but love is because of the discounted old fashioneds. For only $10 you get to choose between a rye, bourbon or gin old fashioned! There’s also select $10 wine and $5 beer to quench any remnant thirst.

And remember how I mentioned the Chelsea happy hour spot only has discounted small bites? Those include $5 potato chips, marinated olives and spiced nuts.

Address: 156 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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Fonda

Fonda is the ideal spot to grab happy hour in Chelsea for those who can’t get enough guacamole and tequila. This Mexican restaurant serves authentic dishes and the tequila-based drinks are hard to beat.

With plenty of seating indoors thanks the the two levels in the restaurant and the charming outdoor seating, snagging a table at one of the best restaurants in Chelsea just became easier.

I’m always torn when trying to decide when to visit because Fonda has one of the best happy hours in Chelsea as well as one of the best brunches!

Happy hour at this Chelsea restaurant runs all day Monday, and Tuesday through Sunday from 4 to 6pm (at the bar only).

During this time appetizers go for $11 and drinks will range anywhere from $7-12. Whereas the brunch special runs on the weekends only. But for less than $40 you get an entree and three brunch cocktails!

Address: 189 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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The Ainsworth 

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 5 to 8pm

The best way to describe The Ainsworth is by calling it an upscale sports bar. Sounds weird right? But it truly feels like an elevated version of your favorite local bar.

The interior is stunning, full of plush booths and leather chairs. Vines climb the pillars and line the ceiling creating a charming atmosphere.

The menu is made up of classic American bites like wings, burgers and beer…bar food! It’s the honestly the best of both worlds.

Every Thursday and Friday, The Ainsworth offers one of the best happy hours in Chelsea. I’m talking $5 draft beers, $6 glasses of wine and $8 house cocktails.

The only thing to note is that this Chelsea happy hour spot only offers the special at the bar, so make sure to ask to be seated there instead of a table!

Address: 122 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001

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Porchlight

Happy Hour: Monday – Saturday 3 to 7pm | Sunday all day

Porchlight is brought to us by way of Danny Meyer, the restaurateur behind Shake Shack, Gramercy Tavern and Daily Provisions. Offering one of the cutest spots to enjoy happy hour in Chelsea, Porchlight is perfect for a date.

Self described as a “New York bar with a southern accent”, Porchlight blends the flavors of the American south with the Big Apple. Even the look of the restaurant is a mixture of both aesthetics, both rustic and industrial.

During the exceptional Chelsea happy hour you’ll find two cocktails for $11 (which cocktails are available rotate consistently) as well as $6 beer and $5 flasks of punch (yum!).

Since Porchlight is constantly innovating there’s always something new to try. Not only is it one of the best happy hours in Chelsea, it’s one of the most innovative, so a pit-stop is always worth it.

Address: 271 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001

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Cooper’s Craft & Cocktails

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 11am to 7pm

Cooper’s Craft & Cocktails is not only one of the best happy hours in Chelsea, it’s a fun hangout all-around. Regardless of when you visit you’re sure to leave stuffed to the brim and thoroughly tipsy. 

The gastropub is special in that both not only does it sell high-quality, local beer, it also makes cocktail-bar caliber mixed drinks. Cooper’s has a well curated menu of original cocktails ready to satiate any craving. 

Another reason Cooper’s is one of the best bars in Chelsea is thanks to a great happy hour. Every weekday from 12-7PM you can enjoy select cocktails and beer for a fraction of the cost (as little as $7!). 

The deals don’t end at happy hour either, every day brings a new special. Here’s what you can expect:

• Mezcal Mondays
• Taco & Tequila Tuesday
• Old-Fashioned Wednesdays 
• Tiny Tini Thursdays

In sum, Cooper’s Craft & Cocktails offers one of the best happy hours in Chelsea as well as other ample opportunities to save some cash.

Address: 169 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

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Best Chelsea Happy Hours (Post Summary)

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• Cooper’s Craft & Cocktails
• Porchlight
• The Ainsworth
• Fonda
• Worthwild
• Bar Veloce
• Cull & Pistol
• Crompton Ale House
• Jungle Bird
• Crown Alley
• The Orchard Townhouse
• The Copper Still
• Bocca di Bacco
• Pepe Giallo
• Socarrat Paella Bar
• The Chelsea Bell
• The Mermaid Inn
• The Grey Dog 

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Map of the Best Happy Hour in the Chelsea NYC

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And there it is my friends! The best Chelsea happy hour spots. I hope you enjoyed the post.

Cheers!