PHLGuide
The Best Happy Hours In Philadelphia
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
You show up to work every day and look productive enough not to get fired. After crossing a few tasks off your to-do list and reading every opinion piece on the Sixers’ new stadium, you deserve a drink that doesn’t cost $20. Block off an “appointment” in your calendar and get some wallet-friendly drinks on the weekend—these are Philly’s best Happy Hour deals.
THE SPOTS
When: Wednesday-Friday, 5-6pm
The Deal: $5 Draft Beers, $9 Cocktails, Wine and Vermouth, $2 Oysters, $7 Burger
Bloomsday's straightforward smashburger with cooper sharp and onions is great, discounted or otherwise. But no one talks about it because it's only available during Happy Hour at this Headhouse Square spot. (They do serve a deluxe, double-patty version at brunch, though.) Come drink vermouth and wine you've never had before, and ask the bartenders questions as you go—they're friendly and know a ton.
photo credit: The International Bar
When: Monday-Friday, 4-6pm
The Deal: $4 Beers, $7 Cocktails, $7 Glasses Of Wine, $5 Hot Dogs
If you’re into beer, head downstairs at The International in Fishtown where they have bottles, cans, and drafts from all over the world. And if you couldn't care less about that last sentence, stay on the first floor where there's a bar made out of an old airplane wing and a menu of good cocktail standards like gimlets and daiquiris. Also, hot dogs. There are hot dogs.
When: Tuesday-Friday, 4-7pm
The Deal: $5 Beers, $7 Margaritas and Sangrias, $9 Cocktails, $3.50 Tacos, And $6-$7 Small Plates
If you have to endure Happy Hour with your friend who always “forgets” their debit card, do it with some great margaritas and tacos at almost half their usual price. The West Passyunk spot has TVs and tables for big groups to enjoy wallet-friendly nachos, fried shrimp with smoked chipotle sauce, and chicken tinga tostada.
photo credit: Gab Bonghi
When: Tuesday-Friday, 4-6pm (available only at the bar)
The Deal: $2 Oysters, $4 Drafts, And $7 Seasonal Punch
You’ll probably see half of Center City at Oyster House during Happy Hour since this place has Happy Hour deals ($2 oysters) and a reliable, seafood-focused menu. The lobster roll is also great, in case you decide to stay for dinner after a few glasses of punch.
photo credit: CANDIS R. MCLEAN
When: Monday-Friday, 4-7pm
The Deal: $10 Margaritas, Mojitos, And Sangria, $1 Off Beer, $2 Off Wine.
Similar to their South Philly location, Headhouse Square’s Tamalex serves great Mexican food in a space that’s casual enough to walk in with a few friends. But this spot has the bonus of a bar and live music. Come for smoky al pastor tacos that are also discounted during Happy Hour, Modelo on tap, an impressive variety of mezcal and tequila, and soccer on TV.
photo credit: GAB BONGHI
When: Daily, 4-7pm
The Deal: $5 Beer, $6 House Wine, $7 Cocktails, And $6-$7 Small Plates
You want to get to Midtown Village’s Double Knot early if you plan on getting a table or a seat at the bar during Happy Hour. As soon as it opens, it feels like everybody who works within view of William Penn descends upon the Japanese restaurant. Understandably so—the drinks are cheap and really good. Double Knot also discounts a bunch of their snacks, including their edamame dumplings, crispy chili chicken bao, and spicy tuna hand rolls.
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
When: Monday-Friday, 4-6pm
The Deal: 50% Off All Bottles Of Sparkling Wine, $4-$7 Cocktails, And $6-$8 Small Plates
This East Passyunk wine bar makes solid beef tartare with a mustard vinaigrette, a $4 sherry and brandy cocktail, and some more discounted snacks. If you're having enough fun, you can always stay and eat their whole branzino later.
When: Tuesday-Sunday, 4-6pm
The Deal: $5 Beer, $6 Wine, $7 Cocktails, And $5 Snacks
This American restaurant in Rittenhouse makes great burgers, so it's unsurprising their Happy Hour sliders are good too. Go straight for an old fashioned (one of their specialties), and the fried shrimp po’ boy, hot and spicy chicken, and pulled pork sliders.
photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo
When: Daily, 4-7pm (only at the bar)
The Deal: $5 Beer, $6 Wine, $7 Cocktails, And $1-$7 Raw Bar & Snacks
A price-slashed oyster Happy Hour will never go out of style. So expect this Midtown Village spot to be crowded. We suggest getting here early, then loading up on crudo, mussel toast, and crispy fish sandwiches.
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
When: Sunday-Friday, 4-6pm
The Deal: $3-$7 Snacks, $3 Tecates, $8 Tequila & Tecate Citywide, $8 Wine, And $7-$9 Cocktails
With one of the biggest, brightest, and pinkest spaces in Philly, we get why this Spring Garden Happy Hour always draws a crowd. They have $3 quesabirria tacos, $7 Tijuana street dogs, and a bunch of tequila and mezcal cocktails.
photo credit: GAB BONGHI
When: Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, And Saturday, 5-7pm
The Deal: $8 Pints, $ Snacks, And $10 Wines
This East Passyunk restaurant has white tablecloths, candlelight, and floor-to-ceiling windows. So it's a relaxed and intimate place to sip on chilled Sicilian frapatto or Italian-style pilsner from Cartesian Brewery during their Sunshine Hour. You can start your night here with potatoes with anchovy mayo or grilled rosemary sourdough with tomato butter before committing to the full dinner menu (which you should).
Late Night & Weekend Happy Hours
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
When: Monday-Friday, 4-6pm. Saturday & Sunday, 11am-1pm
The Deal: Rotating Guinness, Food, And Cocktail Specials
Olde Richmond serves better bar food than your neighborhood spot does. And during Happy Hour, you'll see a selection of clams, shrimp and oysters by the piece, hot roast beef sandwiches, and cocktails all for a reasonable price. Stop by the casual bar for a few deals, and then stay for a rare satisfying meal at a pub.
photo credit: Eddy Marenco
When: Monday, 8pm-12am
The Deal: $6 Mortadella, $6 Mezcal, $7 Madeira, $7 Miller High Life, And $8 Boiler Maker
In celebration of all things "M for Monday," this Bella Vista European bar offers a spread of sausage, beer, and boiler makers made with tequila or Czech fernet for $8 and under. It's one of our favorite places to drink in the city—especially after a Monday of emails and traffic.
When: Monday-Friday, 4-6pm; Sunday-Monday, 10pm-12am
The Deal: $6 Margaritas, $20 Pitchers, $2 Off Draft Beer, $9 Sangrias, And $2-$5 Snacks
East Passyunk’s Cantina Los Caballitos has one of the most popular Happy Hours in the city, and it’s even better when it’s sunny enough to sit on their umbrella-filled patio. Whether you’re inside or out, you can get discount Mexican hot dogs, chicken taquitos, and frozen margarita pitchers to split with friends.
When: Monday-Friday, 4-6pm. Thursday & Friday, 10pm-12am
The Deal: $4 Draft Beer, $2.50 Beer Cans, $6 Wine, $10 Burger & Beer, $6 Wings, $5 Pizza Slices.
This pleasantly normal bar in Grad Hospital is one of the few places in the city that still offers a late-night Happy Hour. So when you find yourself bouncing around at 11pm on a Friday and you're sick of spending $15 on a single drink, come here for a discounted burger and some cheap beer.
photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo
When: Monday-Thursday, 5-7pm, Saturday 4-7pm, Sunday 4-6pm (available only at the bar, outdoors, or the kitchen counter)
The Deal: $7 House Wine, $8 Spritzes, Daily Cocktails, $7 Draft Beer, $8-12 Snacks
This Italian restaurant on North Broad is ideal for all sorts of situations—date night, dining solo at the bar, and, most importantly, reaching a euphoric pasta and pizza state. Besides the discounted drinks, there’s beef tartare, cacio e pepe, and some good pizza.
When: Monday-Friday, 4-6pm, Saturday & Sunday, 12-2pm
The Deal: $2 Off Draft Wine By-The-Glass, $6 Off Carafes
Solar Myth on South Broad may not have the cheapest Happy Hour deals in Philly. But their wine is always interesting—the kind of thing you don't see elsewhere around town—so any discount feels like a win. Snag a spot at the bar or bring a date to listen to vinyl through the speakers and drink something surprising. Solar Myth also has regularly scheduled experimental jazz shows, which require tickets.
When: Thursday, 9-10pm, And Friday-Saturday, 10-11pm
The Deal: $5 Walking Tacos, $5 Modelo Draft, $7 Sangria, $7 Piña Colada And Blue Margaritas, And $9 Fundido
This Center City spot always draws a crowd during their regular Happy Hour (4-6pm). But sometimes coworkers stick around for an evening run of fundido and sh*t talking or friends meetup up on a Saturday night for $5 beers and tacos. The retro spot is a fun place to have some cheap drinks, get a stranger's number, and count the old Mexican cinema posters on the wall.
When: Sunday-Friday, 4:30-6:30pm, Saturday, 3-5pm
The Deal: $1 Off Draft Highballs And Beer, $9 Citywides And Lemongrass Mules, $10 Sake And House Wine, And $8-$9 Snacks
Cheu Fishtown is from the same people behind Bing Bing Dim Sum (and they have a similar Happy Hour situation). Except here, the $5-$8 dim sum includes things like Persian cucumber salad, green chili rangoons, red curry pork dumplings, and black garlic wings.
When: Daily, 4:30-6pm
The Deal: $5 Beers, $6 Wines, $7 Cocktails, And $5-$7 Snacks
Bar Lesieur in Center City may have a below-average dinner menu, but it's still a buzzy place to get some good drinks before a meal elsewhere. Stop by the French spot for a glass of rosé or a Pomélito that combines vodka, grapefruit soda, vanilla, and pomelo. And they have small plates like fries if you need a salty snack with your cocktail.
