Happy Hour on the Lower East Side - NYC

De-stress from your workday with some tantalizing libations in a fun and festive environment in one of the city's most iconic neighborhoods.

Verlaine - Lower East Side

A neighborhood stalwart since 2001, Verlaine Bar and Lounge celebrates the art of the cocktail as well as the spirit of community. This is a place where new friendships are formed every evening while local long-time friends and neighbors gather to reconnect and make the most out of life. Please believe us when we tell you that the word "celebrate" has an extraordinary meaning at Verlaine. The establishment is named after Paul Verlaine, the renowned and edgy nineteenth-century French poet who made a career out of embracing the unconventional. The space is a true sight to behold with soaring seventeen-foot ceilings and a decor theme that blends Asian influences with a minimalist sensibility. The lighting is at once theatrical yet subdued.

Verlaine also happens to be the home to one of the most famous cocktails in the city, the Hanoi Lychee Martini. According to the bar's website, over 1.5 million Hanoi Lychee Martinis have been sold since opening day in October of 2001. This powerful and tasty elixir definitely has that sought-after X-factor going for it. The ingredients of vodka, lychee and a splash of pineapple juice may be simple, but don't let that fool you. You'll want a second glass, that's for sure.

Happy Hour takes place on Tuesday through Sunday from five until ten pm. Eight-dollar Lychee Martinis are available as are Red and Rose' Sangrias, also coming in at a mere eight bucks. The Rose' Sangria consists of Rose' wine, brandy lychee, cranberry juice and club soda. The Southeast Red Sangria is made with a generous pour of red wine, lychee, organic cane sugar, brandy and orange juice. Specially priced Quick Bites include ten dollar Chicken Dumplings, $9 veggie Dumplings and Teriyaki-seasoned Edamame for just nine dollars.

Worth looking into on Verlaine's a la carte food menu is the chef's signature Melting Pot recipe LoMein. This delicious and filling dish is made with spaghetti noodles and a bevy of mixed vegetables. There's also the option to add on either chicken or shrimp. Another featured item is the superb grilled Salmon that's topped with an insane chili-lemon sauce. The tender salmon is accompanied by the sauteed veggie of the day. There is only ONE dessert item on the menu, but it's a doozy! The Brioche Bread Pudding is served warm with a bourbon-infused caramel sauce and vanilla-ginger ice cream. Enough said!

Location and Hours:

110 Rivington Street
New York N.Y. 10002
(212) 614-2493
www.verlainenyc.com

Hours:

Monday Closed
Tuesday &
Wednesday 5 PM to 12 AM
Thursday 5 PM to 1 AM
Friday & Saturday 5 PM to 2 AM
Sunday 5 PM to 11 PM

Juke Bar - Lower East Side

If you're looking for a slightly different, eclectic vibe for your night out on the town, you have found it big time at Juke Bar. Located down a flight of stairs, Juke Bar has a warm and welcoming ambiance with some of the friendliest bartenders you'll find anywhere. From the moment that you sit down at the bar, you will feel right at home. The entire space is a conversation piece with the centerpiece being a sign made up of light bulbs that spell out the word cocktails. The personable owner, Rory and his team all have years of experience working in Irish pubs and local watering holes. Rory wanted to bring some of that hospitable Irish pub feel to the East Village cocktail bar scene. He has MORE than succeeded.

There is always something fun happening at Juke Bar. Every Wednesday you can catch a great stand-up comedy show. And weekends feature a live DJ spinning a fantastic playlist. Get ready to party. But, perhaps, the most fun thing about the place is its outrageous Happy Hour. The magical times are weekdays between five and nine pm. Select beers come in at mostly six bucks a glass or can with Guinness being the most costly, if you want to put it that way, at seven dollars. Happy Hour wines are between $7 and $ 10 and the options include a refreshing glass of Prosecco, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.

The cocktail list here is seemingly endless, even when it comes to the Happy Hour offerings, the majority of which are priced to move at only ten dollars. The superb Strawjito is a magnificent blend of rum and real strawberry juice with a hint of mint, lime juice and soda. Many of their cocktails are named after past and present bartenders such as Miss Sophia which mixes vodka with cucumber and strawberry juice, lemon juice and soda water. And, rest assured that these elixirs are STRONG. There's no watered-down nonsense going on at Juke Bar. The ingredients for the Lennon Stash are bourbon, honey, lemon juice and bitters, giving this drink a slightly sweet but not overpowering flavor. You can get your evening REALLY kick-started with the Spicy Lil 'Rita, made with tequila, strawberry juice, jalapenos and lime juice. A trio of frozen cocktails are also included for Happy Hour including a far from traditional Margarita, an icy-cold Daquiri and an out-of-bounds Pina Colada that blends rum with pineapple and coconut juice.

Location and Hours:

196 Second Avenue
New York N.Y. 10003
(212) 228-7464
www.jukebarnyc.com

Hours :

Monday to Thursday 5 PM to 4 AM
Friday 4 PM to 4 AM
Saturday 3 PM to 4 AM
Sunday 4 PM to 4 AM

Goodnight Sonny - Lower East Side

An intimate, cozy cocktail bar, located just off Saint Mark's Place, Goodnight Sonny is all about providing you with a welcoming experience, elevated drinks and an enticing menu that focuses on chilled seafood and small plates. Family photos adorn the walls. The place is, in fact, named after owner Robert Ceraso's grandfather, who owned a small bar once upon a time. The interesting decor includes a library nook next to a banquette and a tiled floor. The bar is long, almost running the length of the room and there is ample seating.

Happy Hour is relatively short, going from 4 until 6 p.m. on weekdays, so be advised. It's VERY popular with residents who are coming home from work and are seeking to unwind among good company. One of the reasons why Goodnight Sonny's Happy Hour is always crowded is their Oyster Special For the unbelievable price of just eighteen dollars you will be treated to a dozen succulent oysters from their raw bar. Selected delicious cocktails are available for only twelve bucks including a lovely Old Fashioned, made the right way with bourbon, Demerara and bitters. All draft pints are only $6 while $12 will get you a glass of red, white or sparkling wine. Let the joy begin!

The mixology menu includes twenty-four cocktails, so you're certain to find something that you like. The barkeeps are always experimenting here and new concoctions are introduced regularly. Do you want something innovative and refreshing? Then order the Goody 2 Shoes with its blend of vodka, chamomile, cantaloupe juice and lime juice. Right up there in both the ingenuity and taste department is Almost Lover whose ingredients are rye, an apple aperitif, cinnamon, honey, lemon juice and an egg white. So Fresh & So Clean consists of gin, celery and cucumber juice as well as a twist of lemon and soda. One of the most popular options here is their $14 Oyster Shooter that's made with an East Coast Oyster, tequila, Sangrita and a lime wedge.

The kitchen at Goodnight Sonny's more than holds its own with their bar counterparts. Selections range from Steak tartare and Spicy PEI Mussels in a spicy tomato broth to a Country Ham plate that is loaded with Prosciutto, Grana Padano cheese, locally made mustard and a fresh baguette. The Grilled Fish Sandwich is addicting. Your fillet is dressed with, get this, pastrami spices and topped with slaw, and paprika aioli and is served on butter-toasted Moishe's rye bread.

Location and Hours:

134 First Avenue
New York N.Y. 10009
(646) 692-3254
www.goodnightsonnynyc.com

Hours :

Monday to Friday 4 PM to 4 AM
Saturday & Sunday 2 PM to 4 AM

SET LES - Lower East Side

The vibe at SET LES is pure unadulterated energy. This is one happening place, attracting not only locals but people from all over the city who want to have a good time. The ambiance is something akin to a really hip diner with sleek, modern decor elements and a wall of exposed brick ( seemingly out of place ) that's decorated with a colorful mural. As a "gastropub", the Set team places just as much importance on the food being served as on the drinks. And, make no mistake about it, the cocktails here are something else entirely!

Special deals and offers abound at SET LES, with Taco Tuesdays being a must-go. All tacos are only $3 and for an additional charge of two dollars, (so worth it), you can top the taco off with bodega-style chopped cheese. The Monday through Thursday Happy Hour (5 to 7 pm) includes both food and drink specials. But, take notice, on Fridays, it's drinks only. Fear not if you're hungry, though, the kitchen's a la carte dinner menu is always available.

Happy Hour food options include some very satisfying three-dollar skewers. You may choose from Cajun buttered shrimp, lemongrass chicken, or steak cubes. Yum-Yum! A plate of Loaded Nachos can be had for a mere eight bucks while Set Bao Rolls (pork belly, tempura shrimp, or Bahn Mi chicken) are $3 each. Regulars LOVE the $20 Smash Burger with a Frozen Drink or Beer Special and you will too. The juicy mound of beef comes with fries and, to wash it down you have a choice of either a Frozen Margarita, rum punch, or any beer.

The drink list has tons to offer during Happy Hour like the $6 Yave Tequila shot or the $8 Yave cocktail. Other eight-dollar offerings are the Wifey whose ingredients are tequila, simple syrup, raspberries and lemon juice and the Espresso Martini, made with vodka, Kahlua and, of course, a major shot of espresso. The Set Mule is a blend of vodka, ginger, club soda and lime juice. be sure to gather up your friends because Beer Towers are available for the bargain price of twenty-five dollars.

On weekends, make plans to take the love of your life over to SET LES for an unforgettable brunch. They have a Bottomless Brunch and Entree special going for the sum of forty-five dollars. This offer includes one and a half hours of bottomless enjoyment. Brunch entrees include UBE Mochi Pancakes drizzled with coconut milk and fresh fruit, Fried Breakfast Wontons with bacon, scrambled eggs, cheese and caramelized onions and Chicken and Buttermilk Waffles topped with cheddar cheese and syrup. And, hey, if you feel that just one
adult beverage will suffice for the time being, you're more than fine. Order one of the SET BRUNCH SPECIALS. All $24 Specials come with a choice of home fries, tater tots, or waffle fries. Your shipping options include one Mimosa, Bloody Mary, Screwdriver, beer, or any non-alcoholic beverage on the menu. One of the Sets features Avocado Toast with guacamole spread, sauteed cherry tomatoes, pickled onions and balsamic vinaigrette. Then there's the Country Platter Skillet SET consisting of two eggs of any style, bacon or sausage and toast.

Location and Hours:

127 Ludlow Street
New York N.Y. 10002
(929) 505-3163
www.set-hospitality.com

Hours :

Monday to Wednesday 5 PM to 12 AM
Thursday & Friday 5 PM to 2 AM
Saturday 12 PM to 2 AM
Sunday 12 PM to 12 AM

Bar Belly - Lower East Side

The "mascot" of this LES go-to is none other than a jackalope, that mythical North American forest animal that is, supposedly, a rather large jackrabbit with the horns of an antelope. To this day, some hikers and vacationers out West claim to have seen this creature whose origins are based in Native American folklore. Now, while we don't know whether or not the jackalope still scurries around to this day, we DO know that you can get some lively libations here at Bar Belly.

Managing partner and Beverage Director Federico Avila has created a program of cocktails that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to your palate. And, unlike many bars, Federico's signature cocktails are an important part of Happy Hour madness here at Bar Belly. Priced at only $14, the Jackalope Spritz is as wild as the creature itself with Fiero bitters, Salers, a blend of grapefruit, orange, lemon and celery juice, as well as a pour of bubbly for good measure. Another ca n't-miss choice at Happy Hour is the Casanova. With delicate and aromatic floral notes, this drink consists of vodka, Dolin Blanc, creme de violet, lavender, lemon juice and orange blossom water.

Aside from the tantalizing cocktails, you can also wet your whistle with a glass of quality wine for just ten dollars while Narragansett beers are available for the sum of just six dollars. Romance is definitely in the air during Happy Hour with that ultimate aphrodisiac, oysters, costing just one buck apiece. However, please don't get carried away. There is a limit of 12 oysters per person. But that's okay. You'll want to save room for some of their fabulous Belly Tots ($ 8 a plate), which the menu describes as " our take on French fries' favorite cousin".

Bar Belly's a la carte food menu features a Cheese and Charcuterie board like no other. In addition to a generous selection of upscale" cold cuts," the board features a serving of orange marmalade, olive tapenade and Marcona almonds. Other tasty options are the Pat La Frieda 24-hour braised Short Rib Sliders and the luscious and light Whipped Ricotta Toast.

Location and Hours:

14B Orchard Street
New York N.Y. 10002
(917) 488-0943
www.barbellynyc.com

Hours :

Sunday to Wednesday 5 PM to 1 AM
Thursday to Saturday 4 PM to 3 AM