Here’s a sample of some of DC’s best late-afternoon deals (note: menus and offers are subject to change; dining specials may require beverage purchase).
Alero
1301 U St. NW; (202) 462-0834
For Mexican fare at excellent prices, try Alero’s happy hour. The menu is packed with chicken and steak-stuffed quesados (think big quesadillas), chicken wings, and nachos, all priced under $6. Wash it down with a flavored margarita for another $4.50. Happy hour runs Monday through Saturday from 3:30-7 PM.
Asia Nine
915 E St. NW; (202) 629-4355
Asia Nine’s bar menu has fifteen choices all under $7. Choose from Edamame and Wonton Chips ($3) or Gyoza, Takoyaki (octopus dumplings), Wasabi Shumai, California and Salmon Rolls all at $4 each. Pair them with a cold beer from any number of ports in the Orient or a glass of wine and get all of the enjoyment for half of the price. Extended happy hour runs from 4:30-8 PM Monday through Friday.
Asylum
2471 18th St. NW; (202) 319-9353
One of Adams Morgan’s best happy hour values, Asylum’s happy hour menu includes $1.50 tacos, $0.50 wings, and $1 off rail drinks, along with a full slate of bargain-priced beers. The specials are served up Monday through Friday from 5-8 PM.
Austin Grill
750 E St. NW; (202) 393-3776
This downtown Tex-Mex eatery serves up specials at the bar from 2-7 PM, Monday through Friday. Try $5 margaritas, $4 beers and $3 food baskets– choose tacos, quesadillas or sliders. Only available in the bar area.
The Beacon Bar
1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW; (202) 872-1128
The Beacon Hotel & Corporate Quarters’ on-site bar hosts a popular weekday happy hour from 4-7 PM, serving appetizers like crispy crab quesadillas and mini-cheeseburgers for $5, along with a $5 martini menu. Beacon Bar introduces $4 Sam Adams and other domestic beer & wine, with a bratwurst and sauerkraut for an extra $2.
The Big Hunt
1345 Connecticut Ave. NW; (202) 785-2333
While drink specials abound at this Dupont Circle happy hour hotspot every night of the week, the best dining deals are found on Mondays (half-price pizza), Tuesdays (15 cent buffalo wings) Wednesdays (half-price burgers), and Thursdays ($3 Red Hook pints) from 7-11 PM each night. Happy hour is offered 4-7pm Monday through Friday, with $1 off all drinks, $2.50 rail drinks, and $2.50 house drafts.
BlackFinn American Saloon
1620 I St. NW; (202) 429-4350
Located in the shadow of the White House, BlackFinn is a popular draw for staffers and politicos searching for classic comfort food. Happy hour specials include special drink prices and themed events like Trivia Night and Ladies' Night. Happy hour is offered from 4-7pm daily in the bar and pub area, featuring flatbread pizza for $4.95.
Bullfeathers
410 1st St. SE; (202) 543-5005
On Monday nights, you can sink your teeth into tasty half-price hamburgers and fries, starting at just $4 and other happy hour menu items are priced under $5. Other specially-priced bar food favorites are available Monday through Saturday from 3:30-6 PM. Happy hour drink specials offered from 4-8 PM, Monday through Saturday; drinks on special vary by day.
Café Asia
1720 I St. NW; (202) 659-0756
Nigiri sushi is priced at $1.25 per piece at this mid-town hotspot, which also serves up $2.50 Kirin beer. The happy hour specials are available daily from 4-7:30 PM.
Café Citron
1343 Connecticut Ave. NW; (202) 530-8844
From 4-7 PM, Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 4-8 PM, share discounted platters of nibbles like fried plantains and cheese empanadas, along with discounted pitchers of mojitos, caipirinhas and flavored margaritas. Every Saturday at 9 PM, enjoy a free dance lesson and on Mondays, enjoy a flamanco band.
Capitol Lounge
229 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; (202) 547-2098
Hill staffers and locals come together after work at this Capitol Hill gathering place to take advantage of happy hour specials like half-price pizza (Mondays), $0.25 wings (Tuesdays), $4 Coronas, Modelos and margaritas & $5 quesadillas (Wednesdays), and $12 pitchers of beer (Thursdays). Specials are available Monday through Friday from 4-7 PM.
Capital City Brewing Company
Downtown (1100 New York Ave, NW, 202-628-2222)
Capitol Hill (2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, 202-842-2337)
DC’s first brew pub offers half-price appetizers and draft pints for $3.50 from 4-7 PM, Monday through Friday.
The Caucus Room
401 9th St. NW; (202) 393-1300
Offered Monday to Friday from 5-6:30 PM, this power dining spot offers 25 percent off the bar menu, plus 25 percent off beer, wines by the glass and any drink on the specialty cocktail list.
Chef Geoff’s
1301 Pennsylvanias Ave. NW (202-464-4461)
3201 New Mexico Ave. NW (202-237-7800)
Happy hour means gigantic $5.95 burgers and $8.95 pizzas – perfect when washed down with a 32 oz. premium beer, priced at just $7.95. Specials are served from 3-7 PM (Monday through Friday). These specials are served up all night on Monday and Tuesdays at the bar.
Clyde’s of Georgetown
3236 M St., NW; (202) 333-9180
A popular Georgetown gathering spot, the bar offers weekday specials from 4-7 PM, including Afternoon Delight, which offers significant discounts to the bar menu and a daily beer special priced at $3.
Clyde’s of Gallery Place
707 7th St., NW; (202) 349-3700
Another happy hour destination in the bustling Chinatown neighborhood, Clyde’s of Gallery Place appeals to seafood lovers with its half-price raw bar, offered Sunday through Thursday from 3-6 PM and 11 PM-1 AM.
Dragonfly
1215 Connecticut Ave. NW; (202) 331-1775
The stylish Dupont Circle lounge and sushi bar offers a happy hour menu of $5 martinis, $4 beer and hot sake and $4 sushi selections on weekdays from 5:30-7:30 PM.
Ella’s Wood Fired Pizza
901 F St. NW; (202) 638-3434
While the happy hour drink specials at Ella’s ($3.50 sangria) are as tempting as any in the city, the real appeal here is the $5 wood-fired pizza served at the bar Monday through Friday from 4-7 PM.
Finemondo
1319 F St. NW; (202) 737-3100
Stop by this downtown Italian restaurant for half-price appetizers and drink specials at the bar on weekdays from 5-7 PM, including $3 Sol beer and $5 house wine.
The Front Page
1333 New Hampshire Ave. NW; (202) 296-6500
Another popular Dupont Circle happy hour destination, The Front Page serves up half-price appetizers at the bar Monday through Friday from 4-7 PM, along with Miller, Bud Light, wine and rail drinks at $2.75 and 2-for-$1 taco bar on Thursdays.
Grillfish
1200 New Hampshire Ave. NW; (202) 331-7310
Locals love Grillfish for its fresh seafood and friendly vibe; they also love it for its half-price appetizers like Buffalo shrimp, calamari and spicy mussels and half-price drink specials, available at the bar daily from 4-7 PM (Monday through Friday) and 5-7 PM (Saturday and Sunday).
Hawk n’ Dove
329 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; (202) 543-3300
A Capitol Hill favorite, Hawk n’ Dove tempts budget-conscious residents and visitors with daily food specials like complimentary hors d'ourves and various drink specials. Food is offered Monday-Friday from 5-6:30pm, and drink specials 4-7 PM.
Helix Lounge
1315 16th Ave. NW; (202) 232-8000
Each weekday, the Helix Lounge packs a crowd of locals Monday through Friday for its happy hour, which features half-price hamburgers and beer from 5-7 PM.
Heritage India
Georgetown (2400 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-333-3120)
Dupont Circle (1337 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-331-1414)
Heritage India offers half-price tapas, along with a variety of wine, beer and cocktails from 5-7 PM (Monday through Friday) at both of its Georgetown and Dupont locations. Drinks include $3 domestic beer, $4 imported beer, and $5 cocktails and wine.
Hudson Restaurant
2030 M St. NW; (202) 872-8700
Monday through Friday 4-7:30 PM, partake in a 16 oz. Peroni or Amstel Light at $5, a variety of cocktail selections at $6, select wines at $7 per glass and a Sangria Fusion Margarita at $25 per pitch (serves 6-8) and half pitchers at $15.
IndeBleu
707 G St. NW; (202) 333-BLEU
Head to Indebleu’s chic first-floor bar and lounge on Fridays and enjoy Indian-inspired small plates, with 2 appetizers a day on special; varies by the day. Drink specials include $4 selected beer, $6 house red & white wine, and $5 rail drinks from 5:30-7:30 PM.
J. Paul's
3218 M St. NW; (202) 333-3450
This old-fashioned saloon, with a century-old back bar from the Chicago stockyards, offers happy hour specials daily from 4-7 PM, including $0.50 wings, $2 Philly rolls, $1 Blue Point oysters and shrimp, and $1.50 sliders. Select beers are also available for $3 each.
Lima
1401 K St. NW; (202) 789-2800
This trendy “see and be seen” hotspot features happy hour from 4-7 PM (Monday through Friday), featuring a variety of tasty empanadas, wine, cocktails and beer for $5 or less. Drinks include $7 mojitos and $3 drinks in the lounge from 5-7 PM.
McCormick & Schmick’s
1652 K St. NW (202-861-2233)
901 F St. NW (202-639-9330)
This nationally-known favorite serves up one of DC’s best happy hour values, with a full slate of small plates dishes priced between just $1.95 and $4.95 each, and cocktails and wine priced at $.5.95. Happy hour takes place daily from 3:30-7 PM.
Madam’s Organ
2461 18th St. NW; (202) 667-5370
This blues bar in the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood offers 2-for-1 drink deals and half-price appetizers & select meals from 5-8 PM Monday through Thursday; save $1 on select drinks Thursday and Friday; and buy one entrée, get the second 1/2 price on Sunday after 5 PM.
matchbox
713 H St. NW; (202) 289-4441
Order a $4 martini or specialty cocktail and save $2 on any small pizza at the bar at this perennial downtown favorite. Happy hour specials are available Monday through Friday from 5-7 PM.
Mie N Yu
3125 M St. NW; (202) 333-6122
Dim sum menu with wine & cocktails priced at $3 and $4.25 beers every Monday through Friday from 5-7 PM.
Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown
3104 M St. NW; (202) 333-3104
Happy hour at Mr. Smith’s means half-price appetizers, but the restaurant serves up fantastic daily specials: BBQ ribs, taco platters and $2 nachos and wings. Drink specials include $2 rail drinks and $1 off beer pints.
Morton’s
Georgetown (3251 Prospect Street, NW, 202-342-6258)
Downtown (1050 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202-955-5997)
Morton’s DC restaurants offer a special “bar bites” menu featuring $5 filet sandwiches, crab dip, mini-burgers and more, available from 4:30-6:30 PM and 9-close Monday through Friday.
Il Mulino
1110 Vermont Ave. NW; (202) 293-1001
On weekdays from 5:30-7:30 PM, the elegant Italian restaurant serves bar guests the Sunset Menu, a 4-course meal at $39, as well as half-price wine bottles and rail liquor.
Oya
777 9th St. NW; (202) 393-1400
This ultra-chic Penn Quarter hotspot blends Asian and French cuisine, serving half-price cocktails and sushi in the lounge.
Ozio
1813 Connecticut Ave. NW; (202) 822-6000
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres are served along with$5 martinis, $4 wine and imported beer, and $3 domestic beer. Offered weekdays from 6-11 PM.
Paolo's Georgetown
1303 Wisconsin Ave. NW; (202) 333-7353
Situated in the heart of Georgetown, this Italian eatery offers happy hour Sunday through Wednesday from 4-7 PM. Specials include house cocktails, house wine and domestic drafts for $3 each, imported beers for $4 each, and small plates for under $7.
Pizzeria Paradiso
2029 P St. NW (202-223-1245)
3282 M St. NW (202-337-1245)
Sample one of DC’s most talked-about pizzas during happy hour (weeknights at the Dupont Circle location, Tuesday & Wednesday at the Georgetown location from 5-7 PM). Specialties include $5 appetizers, $9.95 8" pizzas, and half-price draft beer.
Poste Moderne Brasserie
555 8th St., NW; (202) 783-6060
Home of the 1841 General Post Office, DC locals and visitors alike enjoy “poste” work and play happy specials from 4-7 PM (Monday through Friday) on select beer, wine and famous truffled frites, priced at just $5 each.
PS-7’s Restaurant
777 I St. NW; (202) 742-8550
This chic Penn Quarter eatery attracts guests with wines priced at $4 each, specialty cocktails, select beer at $3, and half off all flatbreads. Enjoy specials from 4-7 PM, Monday through Friday.
Sam & Harry's
1200 19th St. NW; (202) 296-4333
Offered Monday to Friday from 5-6:30 PM, this power dining spot offers 25 percent off the bar menu, plus 25 percent off beer, wines by the glass, any drink on the specialty cocktail list, and oysters-on-th-half-shell priced at $1.50 each.
Tortilla Coast
400 First St. SE; (202) 546-6768
This Capitol Hill hangout attracts staffers for spectacular specials like $7.99 enchiladas on Mondays, $7.99 burritos on Tuesdays and all-you-can-eat chicken fajitas on Saturdays for $10.95. Happy hour drink specials are served up weekdays from 5 PM to closing.
Urbana Restaurant & Wine Bar
2121 P St. NW; (202) 956-6650
Lounge-goers flock to this Dupont Circle hotspot for happy hour deals, offered seven days a week. Select wine, sparkling wine, beer, and cocktails start at $4-5 and signature pizzas are $8.
