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 $19. Block off an “appointment” in your calendar and get some wallet-friendly drinks on the weekend—these are Philly’s best Happy Hour deals.
Unrated: This is a restaurant we want to re-visit before rating, or it’s a coffee shop, bar, or dessert shop. We only rate spots where you can eat a full meal.
When: Wednesday-Thursday, 4:30-6pm
The Deal: $5 Draft Beers, $12 Cocktails, $9 Draft Wines, And $2-$12 Snacks
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, grab $2 oysters, and ask the bartenders questions as you go—they're friendly and know a ton.
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When: Monday-Friday, 4-6pm
The Deal: $4 Beers, $7 Glasses Of Wine And Cocktails, and $5 Snacks
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, cod fritters. There are cod fritters.
When: Tuesday-Friday, 4-7pm, Friday 10pm-12am, And Saturday 2-5pm
The Deal: $5 Beers, $7 Margaritas and Sangrias, $9 Cocktails, $3.50-$4 Tacos, And $6-$8 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.
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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 great deals (like $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.
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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 at the last minute. 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.
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When: Daily, 4-7pm (walk-in only)
The Deal: $8 Beer, $7 Cocktails, And $4-$8 Small Plates
You want to arrive at 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 good. Double Knot also discounts a bunch of their snacks, including their edamame dumplings, crispy chili chicken bao, and spicy tuna hand rolls.
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.
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When: Daily, 4-6pm
The Deal: $3 Mystery Beer, $7 Wine, $8 Cocktails, And $5 Snacks
It's not so surprising that this American restaurant in Rittenhouse has good happy hour sliders, because we're generally fans of their work between buns. Go straight for an Old Fashioned (one of their specialties), the fried shrimp po’ boy, hot and spicy chicken, and pulled pork sliders.
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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.
When: Sunday-Friday, 4-6pm
The Deal: $3 Tecates, $8 Tequila & Tecate Citywide, $8 Wine, $7-$9 Cocktails, And $3-$7 Snacks
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.
When: Monday-Friday, 4-6pm
The Deal: $4 Tacos, $5 Modelo Draft, $6 Margaritas, And $2-$8 Snacks
This Center City spot is almost guaranteed to get busy during happy hour. Coworkers line up for a run of spiced wings and sh*t talking while friends meetup over 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.
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When: Thursdays, 5pm-9pm
The Deal: $4 Mini-Tinis, $4 Ciders, And $7-$10 Snacks
Fringe Bar hosts a special gappy hour every Thursday until their closing hours. Stop by for 10 wings for $10, a $5 build-a-fry (you get to choose toppings and sauces), and $3 mini-tinis.
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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.
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, $7 Beers, $9 Spritzes, $8 Daily Cocktails, And $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, and 20% Off Champagne (Sundays)
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: Tuesday-Saturday, 4:30-6pm (only at the bar and lounge)
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 Queen Bee drink. And they have small plates like fries if you need a salty snack with your cocktail.