The Best Happy Hour Deals & Cheap Bars In NYC

Last Updated on 3rd June 2026

This guide about the best happy hour deals in NYC contains affiliate links and mentions of previous collaborative work. All thoughts and opinions are my own please see my disclaimer for more.

In a city as expensive as New York, it’s easy to think that you’ll spend a small fortune on food and drink while you’re there. While that can often be the case, it’s also possible to find super affordable places to eat and drink, especially when you can take advantage of the city’s many happy hour deals and cheap bars.

In my guide below, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best happy hour deals in NYC, as well as the best cheap bars in New York City at all times, so you can still enjoy a drink or two without breaking the bank!

This guide is more aimed towards first-time visitors to NYC as I’ve mainly included bars in Manhattan, and not the other boroughs of New York City.

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How much is a cocktail in New York City?

Cocktails in New York City usually cost between $18 to $20, excluding tips and taxes/fees. The most expensive cocktail I’ve seen in NYC was $28, but at happy hour in some places, you can get a cocktail for as little as $9.

How much is a beer in Manhattan?

A pint of beer in NYC usually costs around $9 to $12. At happy hour, you can get a beer for as little as $4.

How much is a glass of wine in NYC?

A glass of wine in NYC typically costs between $15 and $20. At many happy hours in New York City, you can get a glass of wine for as little as $5.

What time is happy hour in NYC?

New York happy hour times vary depending on each individual bar, but most happy hour spots in NYC usually run from around 4 PM to 8 PM. Check out each place in my guide below for exact happy hour times.

Are under 21s allowed in bars in NYC?

While most drinking establishments will have a 21+ policy with a valid ID required for entry, there are a few places featured in this list that accept under 21s at certain times of the day. At a glance, here are some of the best cheap bars and happy hour places that allow people under 21:

• Margaritaville Resort Times Square (allowed at certain times)
• 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar (before 7 PM on Fridays and Saturdays)
• Treadwell Park (both locations at all times)
• Mr. Purple (every day until 9 PM)
• Roey’s (at all times)
• McSorley’s Old Ale House (allowed before 6 PM).

Best happy hour deals in NYC for cheap drinks

Below, I’ve put together a list of the best happy hours deals in NYC so you can easily find the best cheap bars in the city!

The list includes details about the happy hour deals that each place offers, as well as happy hour times, days and where you can find each place!

The best happy hour bars in NYC – my personal favourites:

• The Liberty NYC
• The Fleur Room at Moxy Chelsea
• Magic Hour Rooftop Bar at Moxy Times Square
• 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
• McSorley’s Old Ale House
• The Ready Rooftop
• Mr. Purple Rooftop Bar
• La Caverna
• Vue180 Rooftop Bar & Lounge

Best happy hour deals in NYC – Midtown Manhattan

You can find the link to the complete NYC happy hour map here!

1. The Fleur Room at Moxy Chelsea

The Fleur Room is a rooftop bar situated on the 35th floor of the Moxy Chelsea hotel and offers one of the best happy hours in Midtown Manhattan.

Boasting 360° views of the Manhattan skyline, including impressive vistas of the Empire State Building and Summit One Vanderbilt, The Fleur Room is a 21+ venue only, but they do welcome walk-ins, so no need to make a reservation.

The Fleur Room happy hour details:

• Tuesday to Friday from 5 PM to 8 PM.
• HH offers include: $9 beverages and bites, including beer, wine, and select cocktails.
• The Fleur Room, 105 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001.

2. Bella Union Rooftop Bar

Featuring some of the best happy hour deals on food and drink in Midtown Manhattan, Bella Union Rooftop Bar should definitely be on your New York rooftop bucket list!

Not only do they offer exceptional deals on drinks from Monday to Friday, they also have various deals on food throughout the week, including $5 Espresso Martinis, $10 pizzas, $10 wings (12pc), and $10 espresso martinis on Sundays.

Bella Union also has a “Prohibition Hour” deal on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 PM to midnight, which includes unlimited cocktails with a sampler platter for two people from $35 per person.

I believe they are a 21+ establishment only, but they do welcome walk-ins.

Bella Union Rooftop Bar happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 4 PM to 8 PM.
• HH offers include: $5 cans and bottles, $7 draft beers, $8 wines, $8 mixed drinks.
• Bella Union Rooftop Bar, 411 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016.

3. Magic Hour Rooftop Bar at Moxy Times Square

Magic Hour Rooftop Bar is one of my personal favourite rooftop bars in NYC. Not only do they offer an excellent brunch menu (including giant hot dogs, cookies, pancakes, and more!), but their happy hour deals are some of the best in Midtown Manhattan!

The rooftop bar is 21+ only (apart from during brunch hours on Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 AM to 3.30 PM when kids are permitted at the rooftop) and they accept and welcome walk-ins.

Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 5 PM to 6.30 PM. Available at the East and West Bar only.
• HH offers include: $6 beer, $8 wine, $10 mixed drinks.
• Magic Hour Rooftop Bar, 485 7th Ave, 18th floor, New York, NY 10018.

4. Margaritaville Resort Times Square

Located in Times Square, just a stone’s throw from Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, the Margaritaville Resort hotel boasts numerous drinking and dining facilities, including the Margaritaville Restaurant and Tiki Bar, the 3rd floor Tequila Bar, and the LandShark Bar & Grill, where you’ll find their Monday to Friday happy hour deals!

Margaritaville is a family-friendly hotel, so I believe that under 21s are permitted in the bar at all times.

Margaritaville Resort Times Square happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 4 PM to 8 PM at the LandShark Bar & Grill.
• HH deals include: $7 draft beers, $8 house wine, $9 house margaritas.
• Margaritaville Resort Times Square, 560 7th Ave, New York, NY 10018.

5. Vue180 Rooftop Bar & Lounge

We loved the food, drink, and service at Vue 180 Rooftop Bar so much that we actually visited twice on our trip to NYC in October 2024; once during the day and once at night!

While they don’t have any happy hour deals on food items, I would seriously encourage you to order food along with drinks at Vue 180 as it’s absolutely incredible!

The cheese and charcuterie board, lobster rolls, and truffle fries are some of my favourite things on the food menu.

Vue 180 is strictly a 21+ venue and welcomes walk-ins on a first come , first serve basis.

Vue 180 Rooftop Bar happy hour details:

• Dates and times vary.
• HH offers vary depending on the season.
• Vue 180 Rooftop, 525 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018.

6. The Liberty NYC

We came across The Liberty NYC as we were wandering from one place to the next and had a bit of time to kill and it just so happened that we timed our visit with their happy hour deal!

The Liberty NYC has specific happy hour deals that include $7 beers and $8 wines from 4 PM to 8 PM every day, but they also offer “specials” all day/night every single day that include deals such as $10 frozen margaritas, $5 shots, and $8 bowls of soup.

As The Liberty is a sports bar/pub, they do welcome families with children of all ages and they also welcome walk-ins, so no reservations necessary!

The Liberty NYC happy hour details:

• Daily (including weekends) from 4 PM to 8 PM.
• HH deals include: $7 beers, $8 wines, $12 mules, $13 bites.
• The Liberty NYC, 29 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001.

7. Mercury Bar

Situated in Hell’s Kitchen, just a few blocks from Times Square, Mercury Bar is a brilliant sports bar with awesome happy hour deals on both food and drink.

Mercury Bar is a 21+ venue only and reservations are not required.

Mercury Bar happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 11 AM to 8 PM.
• HH offers include: $5 beers, $6 wines, $7 mixed drinks, $8 frozen drinks.
• Mercury Bar West, 659 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036.

8. 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar

230 Fifth has long been one of my favourite rooftop bars in NYC as it was a place that we frequented multiple times when we spent one month in New York City, and it’s also where we celebrated our engagement in January 2025, and we’ve also visited many times since.

The rooftop bar boasts more deals and offers than I can count, but their happy hour specials are particularly worth bearing in mind as you can get a variety of alcoholic drinks for very reasonable prices.

Their happy hours are only for three hours from Monday to Friday, but if you want to visit a rooftop bar with kids in tow and still enjoy relatively affordable drinks, this is the place to be as they allow under 21s apart from Friday and Saturday nights after 7 PM. They also accept walk-ins.

230 Fifth Rooftop Bar happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 2 PM to 5 PM.
• HH offers include: $7 beers, $9 wines, $10 select cocktails, $12 frozen drinks.
• 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, 1150 Broadway, New York, NY 10001.

Best happy hour deals in NYC – Downtown Manhattan

Get the best NYC happy hours map here!

9. The Ready Rooftop Bar

The Ready Rooftop is renowned for its incredible happy hour deals which include $1 tacos and $12 margaritas. When we visited at 5 PM on a Wednesday at the beginning of October, the rooftop was already absolutely heaving and there was nowhere to sit, not even at the bar!

We were happy standing for a little while to enjoy the super cheap food and drinks, but I would highly recommend making a reservation for happy hour at The Ready Rooftop as it’s by far one of the busiest happy hour rooftops in NYC! The Ready Rooftop is a 21+ venue.

The Ready Rooftop happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 4 PM to 7 PM.
• HH offers include: $1 tacos, $6 beers, and $12 margaritas.
• The Ready Rooftop, 112 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003.

10. Highwater Rooftop – Monday happy hour NYC

Perched 25 stories above the city, Highwater Rooftop is renowned for being one of the prettiest rooftops in New York City. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Highwater Rooftop boasts a fantastic food and drink menu at all times, but their happy hour deals of $7 beers and $12 cocktails and wine are too good to miss!

Happy hour only runs for two hours on Mondays and Tuesdays, so you’ll have to be there on time in order to take full advantage of the deals! I believe they are a 21+ venue and they do welcome walk-ins, but it might be a good idea to make a reservation in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the peak seasons.

Highwater Rooftop happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM.
• HH offers include: $10 espresso martinis and margaritas.
• Highwater Rooftop, 120 Water St, New York, NY 10005.

11. Society Cafe

Society Cafe might just have some of the best happy hour deals in New York City. With $2 oysters, $6 beers and $8 wines, as well as excellent deals on food items such as pizza, burgers, and bar snacks, Society Cafe should definitely be on your New York happy hours list!

I believe that Society Cafe is a 21+ establishment and they do accept walk-ins.

Society Cafe happy hour details:

• Monday to Thursday from 4 PM to 6 PM. Friday to Sunday from 3 PM to 6 PM.
• HH offers include: $2 oysters, $8 snacks, $8 beers, $10 wines, $14 cocktails.
• Society Cafe, 52 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011.

12. La Caverna

La Caverna is one of my favourite lesser-known bars in NYC, and it’s a place that I always find myself returning to.

This underground tavern is absolutely huge and very much resembles an underground cave, with awesome decor and delicious food and drink! We visited at around 6 PM for their Taco Tuesday deal which involves $3 tacos, $6 beers, and $8 margaritas.

They also have dedicated happy hour deals on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and bottomless margarita dinners on Thursdays which includes bottomless margaritas and a main dish for $50 per person for 75 minutes.

La Caverna is a 21+ venue and they leave the bar area free for walk-ins, but it’s highly recommended to book a table online in advance if you want a dinner reservation.

La Caverna happy hour details:

• Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM. Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM. Taco Tuesday from 5 PM to 9 PM.
• HH offers include: $3 tacos, $6 beers, $8 wines, $8 mixed drinks.
• La Caverna, 122 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002.

13. Wicked Willy’s

Located on Bleecker Street, one of the most famed streets in NYC for its nightlife, Wicked Willy’s is the perfect place to add to your New York bucket list if you’re looking for a fun bar with yummy food and fantastic happy hour deals!

It’s a 21+ venue, so no kids allowed and walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.

Wicked Willy’s happy hour details:

• Hours vary depending on season and special events.
• HH deals include: $5 mixed drinks, $6 beers and wine, $9 cocktails, $10-$12 bites.
• Wicked Willy’s, 149 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012.

14. Treadwell Park

Treadwell Park has two locations; one on the Upper East Side and one in Downtown Manhattan, both of which offer some of the best happy hour deals in NYC, including $6 beers and $8 wines.

Both Treadwell Park locations welcome under 21s, so it’s a great place to head for a bite to eat and drink as a family. They also welcome walk-ins, so no need to book in advance.

Treadwell Park happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 4 PM to 7 PM.
• HH deals include: $4 beers, $9 wine and mixed drinks, $10 light bites.
• Upper East Side, 1125 1st Ave, NY 10065 & Downtown, 301 S End Ave, NY 10280.

15. Mr. Purple Rooftop Bar

Located on the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo Lower East Side, Mr. Purple is one of my favourite rooftops for cocktails and mightily impressive views of the Manhattan skyline.

While the happy hour deals at Mr. Purple rooftop bar aren’t quite as cheap as many other places listed throughout this guide, for a rooftop as prestigious and expensive as Mr. Purple, I think their offers of $6 bar snacks and $11 cocktails at happy hour is actually pretty good!

Under 21s are welcome at Mr. Purple every day until 9 PM. Reservations are recommended, but not essential as they do welcome walk-ins.

Mr. Purple Rooftop Bar happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 4 PM to 7 PM.
• HH deals include: $6 bar snacks, $11 wine and cocktails.
• Mr. Purple, 180 Orchard St 15th floor, New York, NY 10002.

16. Mary’s NYC – best happy hour deals in NYC

Mary’s is a relatively new establishment in NYC, having only opened in 2024, but it’s fast becoming one of the best places to eat and drink in the city, especially during happy hour!

You’ll find awesome weekly specials at Mary’s, including Martini Mondays ($12 Martinis and $18 Grown-Up Happy Meals), Taco & Tequila Tuesdays ($12 Tacos & $12 Margaritas and Palomas), and Wine and Wing Wednesdays ($14 wings and $12 glasses of wine).

Mary’s is a 21+ venue, and they do accept and welcome walk-ins, but you can also book online in advance if you’d prefer.

Mary’s happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 3 PM to 7PM.
• HH deals include: $6 draft beer, $10 wine, $12 cocktails.
• Mary’s, 146 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002.

17. Roey’s – best happy hour in the West Village

Situated just a few hundred metres from the famous building of Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment building in Sex and the City, Roey’s boasts one of the best and cheapest happy hour deals in the West Village.

From some of the cheapest beer and wine deals to $10 pizzas and light bites, Roey’s is a fantastic place to eat on a budget as a family. Under 21s are permitted at Roey’s, along with walk-ins as reservations are not required, although they are recommended during happy hour.

Roey’s happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 4 PM to 6 PM.
• HH offers include: $4 beers, $5 prosecco spritz cocktail, $6 wines, $10 pizzas.
• Roey’s, 1 Perry St, New York, NY 10014.

18. Marie’s Crisis Cafe

Marie’s Crisis Cafe prides itself on being “the world’s only acoustic sing-a-long showtunes piano bar”, so if you’re looking for super cheap drinks and a fun and lively atmosphere, Marie’s is the place to be!

With excellent happy hour deals including $5 beers, wines, and mixed drinks, Marie’s is a brilliant cheap bar in NYC that you should definitely check out while you’re in the West Village. Marie’s is a 21+ venue only, and reservations are not available, as they operate on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Marie’s Crisis Cafe happy hour details:

• Monday to Thursday from 4 PM to 7 PM.
• HH deals include: $5 beers, wines, and mixed drinks.
• Marie’s Crisis Cafe, 59 Grove St, New York, NY 10014.

19. Dudley’s

Located on Orchard Street on the Lower East Side, Dudley’s is more of a restaurant than a bar, but I wanted to include it in my guide to the best happy hour deals in NYC as they have some pretty cool offers for happy hour (and it’s also one of my favourite brunch spots in Downtown Manhattan!).

Dudley’s happy hour details:

• Monday to Friday from 4.30 PM to 6.30 PM.
• HH deals include: $5 draft beers, 10 wines, and $12 cocktails.
• Dudley’s, 85 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002.

Best cheap bars in NYC

Find the complete map to the best cheap bars in NYC here!

20. Rudy’s Bar & Grill

Rudy’s Bar & Grill is famed for being one of the cheapest dive bars in New York City and not only do they serve pints of beer for as little as $4, they also serve free hot dogs with any purchase!

• Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 4 AM. Sunday from 12 PM to 4 AM.
• $4 beers, $4 shots, $6 wines, $7 pickle backs.
• Rudy’s Bar & Grill, 627 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036.

21. Jimmy’s Corner

Jimmy’s Corner is another one of the most beloved dive bars in NYC, with crazy cheap drinks priced between $3 and $6! It’s located right in the heart of Times Square, so it’s an ideal option for a late night drink after a Broadway show! They have a strict no under 21s policy and as it’s super casual, it’s not possible to make a reservation.

• Opening hours vary.
• $3 to $6 drinks.
• Jimmy’s Corner, 140 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036.

22. McSorley’s Old Ale House

For one of the coolest, oldest and most original bars in NYC, you need to add McSorley’s Old Ale House to your list of cheap bars in New York! The bar was established in 1854 and remains almost unchanged in the 170 years since it first opened, complete with sawdust strewn all over the floor! McSorley’s offer just two drinks; light or dark beer (they do also serve food at certain times).

If you order one beer, it will be served in two glasses and they only accept cash payments. They don’t accept reservations as they operate on a walk-in policy (no under 21s allowed after 6 PM) and you can expect quite the queue as it’s one of the most loved bars in the city! If you get the chance to visit McSorley’s, I would highly recommend it!

• Monday to Saturday from 11 AM to 1 AM. Sunday from 12 PM to 1 AM.
• $8 for two light or dark ales, $2 soft drinks, $6 sandwiches.
• McSorley’s Old Ale House, 15 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003.

23. Lucky on B

Located in the East Village, just steps from Tompkins Square Park, Lucky is a bar that specialises in super affordable drinks at all times. You’ll find canned drinks for as little as $4 and cocktails for as little as $10, even when it’s not “happy hour”!

• Monday to Sunday from 12 PM to 4 AM.
• $5 beers, $6 ciders and wines, $7 mixed drinks, $10 cocktails.
• Lucky, 168 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009.

Bonus cheap bars in NYC

• Whiskey Tavern
• 169 Bar
• Jeremy’s Ale House
• One Star Bar
• Nancy Whiskey Pub

Conclusion – best happy hour bars NYC

I really hope this guide to the best cheap bars and happy hour deals in NYC has been useful and hopefully it’s given you plenty of inspiration for where to find affordable places to eat and drink in the city!

Do you have any more recommendations for the best NYC happy hour bars? Let me know in the comments or in my New York Facebook Group!