It’s officially summer: the days are getting longer, the workload lighter, and the
chances of slipping out for an afternoon drink significantly higher. Luckily, several
restaurants and bars take the “five o’clock somewhere” seriously attitude and offer
afternoon discounts for thirsty patrons well before the sun goes down. Check out these
11 spots, all ready to liquor you up before the clock strikes 4. (Note that many also
serve discounted drinks during regular evening happy hours as well.) Have a favorite
daytime watering hole? Tell us about it in the comments.
You may have already checked out the regular oyster happy hour at
Frederik De Pue’s nautical-chic Penn Quarter spot, but now it starts even earlier on Friday, to kick
off your weekend in style.
Specials: $1 oysters, $5 draft beers, and $6 cocktails
Hours: Friday 3 to 7
The sleek Bethesda seafood spot does it up on Sunday with a host of all-day specials
at the bar and on the patio.
Specials: Discount draft beers, Champagne cocktails, and $5 Bloody Marys
Hours: Sunday 11 to 5
All-day specials on the Southwest waterfront make Cantina a prime spot for posting
up by the Potomac and whiling away the afternoon.
Specials: Discounts vary by day, but the lineup includes
deals such as $3 Tecate cans, $5 Yuengling pints, and $10 Coronaritas.
Hours: Specials offered daily 11:30 to close
Chef Geoff’s and
Lia’s
Take it easy on those supermugs when you’re hitting the all-day happy hours at Chef
Geoff’s four locations and the Italian-themed sister restaurant, Lia’s.
Specials: In addition to the infamous $9 supermugs, you’ll find an array of specials on wines,
beer, and food at each location; check the individual menus for details.
Hours: All day Monday and Tuesday, and 3 to 7 Wednesday through Sunday
Chef
Victor Albisu’s Latin grill is off to a strong start, and the new Friday happy hour deal on the outdoor
patio and at the bar only makes it better.
Specials: $7 wines, cocktails such as margaritas and mojitos, and $4 Peroni. Also look for
“street food Fridays” on the patio, where South American street fare is available
to go if you want to drink and dash.
Hours: Friday 11:30 to 7
There’s no shortage of dining and drinking deals at Dino. If you’re craving happy
hour on Sunday afternoon, the Cleveland Park Italian joint is happy to provide.
Specials: “Three for all” happy hour at the bar includes $3 off all cocktails, glasses of wine,
beers, and antipasti, as well as a $6 daily cocktail.
Hours: Sunday 3 to 7
Feel like splitting a half-price bottle of wine for lunch on Friday? This McLean tapas
spot is your place, with additional afternoon specials.
Specials: A variety includes half-price bottles until 2:30 on Fridays, and discount glasses
of wine, tapas, and Champagne throughout the week.
Hours: Monday through Friday 3:30 to 6:30
Mike Isabella welcomes summer with a new happy hour on Fridays at the bar. Forget the bikini bod
and order chicken with pepperoni sauce (it’s baaaack!) to soak up the booze.
Specials: $5 beverage specials on cocktails and wines.
Hours: Friday 2 to 6 through Labor Day
Hamilton’s Bar & Grill
This divey downtown spot is no-frills, as are the specials: namely dollar beers on
Friday.
Specials: $1 PBR and Miller High Life all day.
Hours: Friday 11 to close
When the occasion calls for a liquid lunch on K Street—the collapse of your lobbying
firm, perhaps?—hit up the newish restaurant-lounge for one of the longest happy hours
in the city.
Specials: $5 Absolut cocktails, house wines, and beers, and $7 well cocktails.
Hours: Monday through Friday noon to 7
Head to the terrace overlooking a picturesque fountain near the Mall for discount
sips and a special patio menu at
Ashok Bajaj’s American eatery. (Note: the bar inside is the place to be if it’s raining.)
Specials: $6 glasses of wine, $7 summery cocktails, and $3 to $8 snacks like smoked
deviled eggs and duck confit tater tots.
Hours: Daily drink discounts 3 to 7, patio food menu offered 3 to close
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
