Best Happy Hour Bars in Long Island City - LIC, NY

Check out the Happy Hour at these top Long Island City bars, and just like that, you'll be wearing your best happy face.

Dutch Kills Centraal - LIC

There's a lot of history behind the story of Dutch Kills Centraal, one of the best gastropubs in Long Island City. Since the 1940s this much-traveled corner of 29th Street has been home to a bar or pub in one form or another. This neighborhood watering hole started life in 1940 as Victor's Bar and Grill. Rumors have it that comedian Jackie Gleason was a regular customer. Decades later, after Victor's Bar became Scotty's, none other than Rosanne Barr honed her comedic skills here, performing stand-up routines for the drinking crowd.
 

Next up was Just A Pub, which closed in 2012. For the first time in over 60 years the ground floor space which had hosted so much laughter and happy times was empty. The neighborhood had lost its go-to bar. A well-respected local resident, Dominic Stiller, came to the rescue. A licensed engineer and President of the Dutch Kills Civic Association, Dominic was in the right place at the right time. After a great deal of hard work and a few bumps in the road, Dominic restored the bar to its original glory, reopening it as Dutch Kills Centraal. Dominic and his builders sourced Build It Green, for furnishings such as seating and light fixtures. The bar, one of the oldest in the neighborhood, and floor tiles are reconstituted. This beautiful green space bar restaurant is now the shining star of the neighborhood.

Dutch Kills Centraal has become a much-loved gathering place, a beacon in the night. Local hipsters, families with kids, married couples, travelers and tourists from the new boutique hotels in LIC all flock here to enjoy great food and drinks. The dim lighting and rustic decor also makes the Centraal ideal for date night. During happy hour and all through the night, they have a fantastic selection of beer, wine and cocktails. You might be interested to know that some of the craft beer selections change on a seasonal basis, as does their very innovative cocktail menu.
 

As a gastropub, the Centraal prides itself on serving great food. The bartenders will even suggest which menu selections go best with different wine or beer options. The mac and cheese is a blend of smoked Gouda, Cheddar, Gruyere with Cavatappi, instead of the usual elbow macaroni. It's way creamier and tastier. The chef's pan-roasted chicken breast is nicely sized for big appetites and is cooked in a sorrel balsamic reduction, accompanied by buttermilk mashed potatoes. The kitchen's market sides are worthy of four stars and have a farm-to-table taste and freshness. The kale is seasoned with sweet and spicy pumpkin seeds. The brussels sprouts have bits of real bacon in every bite. If you hated brussels sprouts as a kid, finding the veggie too bitter, try them here. Want a change from the usual mayo-heavy cole slaw? Then prepare to savor Centraal's Kohlrabi Pear slaw with poppy seeds and a touch of Dijon. They offer many organic food selections and now proudly brew coffee and espresso by COFFEED, LIC. You'll clear your plate no matter what you order!

Hours & Location
38-40 29th Street Long Island City, NY 11101. Phone 718-606-8651
Hours:
M-Th 11:30am-12:00am
Fri 11:30am-12:30am
Sat 11:00am-12:30am
Sun 11:00am-12:00am
Available for private parties  

Blend - LIC

Take a delicious tour of Latin American cuisine when you dine at Blend. Their unique menu is inspired by the food and culture of Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. From Moqueca (a tantalizing blend of shrimp, almonds, cilantro and lime in a coconut broth with white rice) to Mofongo (mashed plantains with pork, garlic Mojo and Sofrito) every dish is presented in an artistic fashion. Speaking of artistic scenes, the walls at Blend are decorated with Hispanic heritage artwork. The decor is sleek, crisp and modern but with a warm feel. The staff at Blend feel strongly that Mi Casa Es Su Casa.

The Happy Hour at Blend is a fiesta of drink and food. Happy hour takes place Monday-Friday from 4 PM to 7 PM. Mojitos, Sangrias and Margaritas are only $5, while a glass of wine or imported beer will set you back $4. You can also order from their specialty food menu during Happy Hour. Every night, there's always something happening at Blend, even when Happy Hour comes to an end. On Mondays, there's a taste of Mexico, Tuesdays become a part of the Mojito revolution and Wednesdays are nights to celebrate, perhaps, the greatest drink ever mixed at a bar... Sangria.
 
 
If the great drinks at Happy Hour don't get you in the mood to cut loose, then the lively Latin music in the background certainly will. It's all good at Blend.

Location & Hours

47-04 VERNON BLVD L.I.C NY 11101. Phone 718-729-2800
Open everyday from 11:00 AM to 10:45 PM. 

ALEWIFE - LIC 

Happy Hour takes place, every day, from 4:30 to 7:00 PM. The team here is always changing the deals at Happy Hour, so there is constantly something new on tap to come in for. Right now, Alewife is giving you $6 mixes on vodka, gin, rum and tequila. If you're into suds, then wet your whistle with their $5 offer on select draft beers. Alewife's bucket o' beer special is a real deal steal: pick any five cans for only $20. No matter how hard your day at work was, it just got infinitely better.
Wine lovers alert. You haven't been left out. Alewife will give you a buck off on all draft wines. Alewife offers an almost unlimited selection of craft beers from across America, as well as select International brews. You can order them up by the ounce, glass or growler. We are talking about the quality stuff, Founders' Pale Ale Nitro, Firestone Walker Pivo Pilsner, Ale Smith Nut Brown, Peekskill Amazeballs Pale Ale and from Germany, Hefeweissbier Wheat.
 

The ambience at Alewife is casual and the decor is, shall we say, extremely interesting. The long bar is zinc topped and, on the second level, there's a warming, cozy fireplace and several comfy couches to lounge about on. The color scheme at Alewife is red and black which is way cool. The bartenders here know what they are doing. Just sit, relax, watch your barkeep pluck a glass from above, (there is a collection of glasses stored in a device that hangs from the cieling) and prepare to enjoy. Upstairs, the dining room area, near the fireplace, has more of an upscale feel to it, yet still keeps things casual.

By the way, those nice little tables upstairs are not just there to place your filled growlers on; they will hold delicious plates of gastropub grub from Alewife's kitchen. Chef's selections range from Irish Nachos, mussels, baby back ribs, and Mac N'cheese with, get this, corn bread crumbles, to a Duck Prosciutto salad that Bobby Flay or Gordon Ramsey would be proud to serve. The salad blends prosciutto with mission figs, roasted sweet potatoes, mint, Roquefort cheese and toasted cumin vinaigrette together, for an ethereal eating experience.

No beer-centric pub would be complete without a Bratwurst sandwich. Alewife's got the best: a juicy hot Brat enveloped in roasted peppers and onions, sauerkraut and whole grain mustard. Alewife's brunch has its own version of Happy Hour. On Saturdays and Sundays, from 12:00-3:00 PM, you get one entree and all you can drink for the very resonable price of $30.

Just check out Paint Nite on Mondays where you're encouraged to grab a drink, grab a brush and get creative. It's all-in fun. Wine down Wednesdays will set you back a mere $7 for wines on tap as well as $20 for bottles.

Location & Hours

5-14 51st Avenue, Long Island City 11101. Phone 718-937-7494
Hours
Mon-Thurs 4 PM-1 AM
Fri- 4 PM-3 AM
Sat 11 AM-3 AM
Sun 11 AM-1 AM
 

Woodbines - LIC 

A touch of Irish charm is all on tap at Woodbines along with great beer and fine food. There's a cozy feel to the place with reclaimed wood, vintage furniture and some cool, theatrical turn-of-the-century lighting. Woodbines' bar and setting is so old school, one half expects to see Dylan Thomas or Oscar Wilde holding court at a table in the back. But, then again, good conversation and friendly camaraderie along with satisfying food and a pint of refreshment are timeless.
The more the merrier goes the saying. At Woodbines, they have not one, but two Happy Hours. They take place everyday, from 4-8 PM and 11 PM to close. For your drinking pleasure, Woodbines has 12 beers on tap, over 30 varieties of bottled beers and 13 selections for cans. The featured brew here is single-cut Bark's Pale Ale along with the always in demand Guinness stout and our local Brooklyn Lager.

 
Great cider selections abound at Woodbines: Magners Irish cider, original Apple cider and Strong bow Apple. For a drink that's truly seasonal, try Southern Tier brewing company's Pumking Ale; it's beer with more than a hint of luscious pumpkin about it. Woodbines prides itself on their craft beer and they have a craft kitchen to match. It is highly recommended that when you go out drinking, it's best to get some food in the old belly, as well. That's no problem here.
 
During Happy Hour you can sit and enjoy a pint or a growler of your fave craft beer and indulge in some great bar snacks. At only $6 each, you'll want to sample more than one. The basket of fries gives you a choice of house fries, garlic shoestring, sweet potatoes or truffle seasoned. Get your greens on with a plate of fried artichokes or beer battered fried pickles. Perhaps, the signature bar snack here is Woodbine's Scotch eggs. With a blend of bread crumbs, hard-boiled egg, sausage and spicy mustard, they are devilishly good.

Pub fare abounds with steak tidbits, fish and chips, shepherd's pie and burgers all on hand. Woodbine's has a $10 lunch special. You could say it's a food lovers "Happy Hour." On Monday-Friday, from 11 AM - 3 PM, you get a choice of bacon cheeseburger, chicken caesar salad or a very tasty chicken sandwich. A generous piece of grilled to perfection chicken is layered with Sopressata, fresh mozzarella, pomegranate vinaigrette and arugula on toasted Focaccio bread. The special includes coffee or soda and for only $2 more, and thirsty patrons can add a 10 oz. draft beer.
 
 
When it comes to brunch, Woodbines drink specials include a Mimosa or Bloody Mary for only $6. Refills are an amazing value at $3. You'll also find some great, interesting stories but not on any TVs. Woodbines encourages interaction and invites you to enjoy the ambience, free of the distraction caused by a dozen talking heads on as many large screen devices. Woodbines invites you to just be yourself.

Location & Hours

47-10 VERNON BLVD. Phone 718-361-8488
Hours
Mon-Thu: 11 AM - 2 PM
Fri-Sat: 11 AM - 4 PM
Sun: 11 AM - 4 PM
 

The Creek And The Cave - LIC 

If you just love to laugh and are looking for a different, out-of-the-box Happy Hour, you have definitely found your new after-work or Saturday night soulmate at The Creek And The Cave. Where else can you quench your thirst while laughing along with some of the most talented comedians in the city? Now, that's one heck of a Happy Hour! The Creek's $4 Margarita Mondays menu is off the charts, as are their cocktail selections. The "Patton" actually made Esquire's best beer in America article, as the featured drink.

And what a delicious concoction the Patton is: Vanilla infused Piedra Azul Tequila, Abita Root beer, all garnished with a cherry along with brown sugar kissing the rim of the glass. The "Management" is a cocktail for the ages. It's a sinfully good blend of muddled mint, lemon, simple syrup, Avion Reposado, Tamarined soda and a splash of Curacao.

The Creek's bartenders have a wealth of goodies on hand to keep the good times flowing. There's beer on tap, white and red Sangria, sparkling Italian wine, Tequila as well as premium Scotch, vodka, gin and whiskey available. After a glass or two, you might just find the liquid courage needed to step into the spotlight and participate in open mic night or amatuer hour.

If you think you've got what it takes to make people laugh, then try your luck. Most of us, however, prefer to sit at a table, have a drink and watch the pros go at it on stage. The bright young comedic stars of The Creek And The Cave will take you to a happy place.

Locations & Hours

10-93 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
Mon-Thurs: 11 AM - 11 PM (restaurant), 3 PM - 2 AM (bar)
Friday:    11 AM - Midnight (restaurant), 3 PM - 4 AM (bar)  
Saturday:  11 AM - Midnight (restaurant), 12 PM - 4 AM (bar)
Sunday:    11 AM - 10 PM (restaurant), 12 PM - 2 AM (bar)