Sometimes a chill night at home with Netflix and junk food just won’t cure your after work blues. Instead, how about you drown your sorrow in New York City happy hour? And there’s no better place to do that than downtown. Whether you’re looking to have a stress-free get together with friends or go on a romantic date, there is a spot for everything. Here are some of our staff’s favorites. 

 

Forgtmenot

138 Division St, New York, NY

 

It’s on the lower (and cooler) part of the Lower East Side – they’re missing an “e” in their name, so you know it’s cool. With a big selection of Mediterranean/American/Tex-Mex bar food (the breakfast tacos are actually pretty good!), Forgtmenot is a multi-purpose destination.

Our order: Watermelon Margarita

 

Bar Belly

14 Orchard St, New York, NY

Image via barbellynyc.com

If you’re into oysters, live music, and good drinks, Bar Belly is the place to go. Their daily happy hour is from 5:30 PM – 7 PM and they offer $1.50 oysters and unique cocktails. They also offer (British inspired) small plates such as their beloved truffle fries and scotch egg.

Our order: The Penicillin

 

The Ten Bells

247 Broome St, New York, NY

Image via tenbellsnyc.com

This cozy, dimly lit wine bar is known for their all-natural, organic wines, oysters and seafood tapas. They have a daily Happy Hour, serving $1 oysters and $15 carafes of wine from 5 PM -7 PM —and trust us, it’s so worth it. It’s the perfect spot for a first date or to indulge in good food and drinks with friends.

Our order: A carafe of Côtes du Rhône

 

Verlaine

110 Rivington St, New York, NY

Verlaine is one of those easily forgotten gems. This ritzy cocktail lounge is known for its tapas, revolving art shows and lychee martinis. During happy hour is 5 PM – 10 PM and on weekends, they have salsa dancing. 

Our order: Lychee Martini 

 

Hotel Chantelle

92 Ludlow St, New York, NY

Image via hotelchantelle.com

Whether you’re in the mood for food, drinks, dancing (all three?) Hotel Chantelle is the place for you. The dimly lit three-story venue is helplessly trendy. Their happy hour offers $7 specialty cocktails and 1/2 of select wines. How could you go wrong?

Our order: The Manhattan

 

Sel Rrose

1 Delancey St, New York, NY

Image via selrrose.com

If we can describe Sel Rrose in one word, it’s chic. The industrial-looking space, inspired by 20th century Paris, is also known for its $1 oysters served fresh daily from 4 PM -6 PM. Sel Rose is the perfect spot to meet a friend or a potential hot date and share oysters.

Our order: The Spring & Delancey

 

Bottoms up!