If D.C. knows how to do one thing right, it’s happy hour. But the deals aren't what they used to be. Gone are the days of $1 vodka sodas and secret hill-staffer happy hour spreadsheets. (Either that, or I'm just not cool enough anymore.) Nevertheless, D.C. still has some great deals if you know where to look.
For the $5 Or Less Crowd
Shilling Canning Company (Navy Yard)
Strap in for $5 martinis available every night at the bar. For a couple extra bucks you can make it dirty.
Snappy’s Small Bar (Petworth)
Get a $4 old time pint, but it’s only available when it's pouring 😉
Red Derby (Petworth)
You really can't beat this classic 24/7 happy hour with $3.50 beer and rail shots. You can also get $7 margs and half-prices chicken tenders on Tuesday.
Madhatter (Dupont Circle)
Go for the $1 beer and $5 jello shots on Thursdays from 8 p.m. to close. Stay for the $4 Miller High Life’s and $2 hot dogs. Oh and $5 martinis on Fridays.
DC9 (Shaw)
Every day the happy hour is buy one get one from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Pizza deal at Boogy and Peel. (Julia Karron/City Cast DC)
For Those Who Can’t Drink On an Empty Stomach
Daru (H Street NE)
Grab a $10 paneer makhani or chicken tikka from this high-end Indian restaurant everyday from 5 - 6:30 p.m. along with $10 cocktails.
Boogy and Peel (Dupont)
Every Wednesday is ½ off pizzas and $9 cocktails from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at this Dupont mainstay.
Perry’s (Adams Morgan)
My most attended happy hour by far. Everyday from 4 - 7 p.m, Perry’s has $5 beers, plus you can get two maki rolls for $14. (Or as I call it, the perfect dinner.)
El Chucho (Columbia Heights)
Enjoy $3 tacos and $7 margs from 4 - 6 p.m. while sunning yourself on the roofdeck.
For the Bougie Babes On a Budget
St. Vincent (Parkview)
One of D.C.’s coziest patios has 25% off magnum wine bottles and 1/2 price pre-built charcuterie & cheese every Monday from 5 p.m - 10 p.m. Girl dinner.
Apéro (Georgetown)
Apéro’s caviar hour has $35 Osetra caviar served with red onion, chives, capers, creme fraîche and potato chips, as well as $10 sparkling wine.
King Street Oyster Bar (NoMa)
A summer happy hour dream. $1 oysters and $5 rail drinks, wine, beer, and froze. They also have $5 apps like crab cakes and sliders. Everyday from 3 - 6:30 p.m.
