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Bargain Happy Hours

We scoured DC, Virginia, and Maryland looking for bars with the best cheap burgers, bites, and booze. Here are some of our favorite spots. Where do you head to get happy hour snacks on the cheap? Let us know in the comments.

THE BARKING DOG, 4723 Elm St., Bethesda; 301-654-0022; thebarkingdogonline.com. Appetizers like buffalo shrimp and spinach-and-artichoke dip run between $4 and $14 at this friendly tavern—but during happy hour, they're a dollar off. The discount also applies to all draft and bottled beers, rail drinks, and glasses of house wines. Happy hours: Monday - Friday 3 to 7.

BISTRO BISTRO, 4021 Campbell Ave., Arlington; 703-379-0300; bistro-bistro.com. We felt as though we were the only people who didn't know the waitstaff or the patrons, but Bistro Bistro's friendly atmosphere and great half-price appetizers, like the smoked-chicken quesadilla, made us feel at home. Rail drinks are $3.50, domestic beers $1.99, and premium drafts $2.99. On Tuesdays, martinis are half-price, and Thursdays, domestic bottles are $1. Happy hours: Monday through Saturday 3 to 7 PM.

Our pick: Jamaican-jerk-chicken spring rolls ($3.95). Ask for teriyaki sauce.

CAFE CITRON, 1343 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-530-8844; cafecitrondc.com. Check out this Dupont Circle hotspot for a tropical-flavored happy hour. The fried plantains and mini crab cakes are delicious. Fruity drinks like mojitos ($4) and tropical rum lemonade ($4), and bottled beers like Corona ($3) and Portuguese Sagres ($3) are discounted. Happy hours: Monday through Friday, 5 to 7 PM.

Our pick: Bolivian potato cakes stuffed with beef and cheese ($6.95).

CHADWICKS, 203 S. Strand St., Alexandria, 703-836-4442; also in Georgetown; chadwicksrestaurants.com. This Old Town pub offers $4 appetizers, $3 rail drinks and house wine, and $2.50 bottled domestic beers. On Monday, the bar sweetens the deal with half-price burgers; on Thursday, it's "fire and ice"—35-cent hot wings and $2.95 Molson Ice. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 4 to 7 PM.

Our pick: country-fried chicken tenders with house-made honey-dijon and barbecue sauces ($4 during happy hours).

DIVINO LOUNGE, 7345-B Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda; 240-497-0300; divinolounge.com. At this trendy, dimly lit lounge, we enjoyed half-price Argentinean tapas: sausage, chicken croquettes, olives, and mushrooms. Rail drinks, martinis, and beers are half price. Happy hours: Wednesday through Friday 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

Our pick: mushrooms in white-wine sauce ($3 during happy hours).

FACCIA LUNA, 2909 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, 703-276-3099; also in Alexandria; faccialuna.com. It's technically not a happy hour, but the Monday-night special at the Arlington location is one of the best deals in town. Two people can feast on house salads or an appetizer such as a grilled eggplant with mozzarella and marinara or tomato bruschetta, a pizza with two toppings, and two glasses of house wine for $24.24. On Tuesday night, enjoy half off on a featured wine. Specials offered from 5 to 10:30 PM.

Our pick: mozzarella and tomato with fresh basil.

GRILLFISH, 1200 New Hampshire Ave., NW; 202-331-7310; grillfishdc.com. Domestic bottled and draft beers, select glasses of wine, and appetizers such as buffalo shrimp and steamed mussels are half price. Cocktails such as the "Kokonut Kamikaze," a blend of coconut rum, sour mix, and pineapple juice, are $4. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 4 to 7 PM, Saturday & Sunday 5 to 7 PM.

Our pick: mixed grill of shrimp, swordfish, salmon, and a scallop.

HERITAGE INDIA BRASSERIE, 1337 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-331-1414. Dishes from the small-plates menu--inspired by Indian street food--are a steal at half price ($2.50 to $3.50). The classy, low-key bar is a nice break from the wilder Dupont bar scene. Domestic beers are $2.50, imports $3.50, martinis $4.50, mojitos $6 and rail drinks $4.75. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 5 to 7 PM (food) 4.30 to 7.30 PM (drinks).

Our pick: the "frankie"--grilled chicken rolled in flatbread and cheese ($3.50).

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S, 7401 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-961-2626; also in Chinatown, downtown DC, Tysons Corner, and Reston; mccormickandschmicks.com. Because McCormick & Schmick's is on the ground floor of a Bethesda high-rise, much of its clientele comes after work from the building's upper floors. The bar, which is separate from the dining room, has a $1.95 appetizer menu that includes tasty burgers, wings, quesadillas, oysters, and spinach and artichoke dip mussels. There is a $2.95 two-beverage minimum for the special, but it's worth it. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 3:30 to 6:30 PM and Monday through Thursday 9:30 to 11.

Our pick: oyster shooters.

TUNNICLIFFS TAVERN, 222 Seventh St., SE; 202-544-5680; tunnicliffstaverndc.com. You'll find specials almost every weeknight here. Monday, they have Wine Night, with any two entrees you get a bottle of wine for half price. Tuesday Lasagna Night, enjoy lasagna with a side of house salad and a glass of wine for $14. Friday all selected appetizers are half price. Get a Bud Light for $2. Between 11 PM and 1 AM there is a Late Night Menu with burgers and salads for half price and pizzas $7. Happy hours: Monday through Friday 4 to 7 PM.

WHITLOW'S ON WILSON, 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-276-9693; whitlows.com. Whitlow's fantastic apps—like peel-and-eat shrimp and spinach-and-artichoke dip—and good drink specials make it a favorite. Get there early—you can't sit at a table unless you're ordering dinner, and bar stools fill up. You can feast on half-price burgers all day Monday. Mug night is Thursday from 4 to 9 PM; buy a mug ($5) and refill with the beer of the night ($1.50). On Friday from 4 to 8, appetizers such as cheese fries are $2 off. Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 7 8 PM selected drafts are $2.50. Wednesdays, drink half-price wine from 4 to 9 PM.

Our pick: spinach-and-artichoke dip with pita chips ($5.95 on Friday).

More>> After Hours Blog | Arts & Events | Happy Hour Finder | Calendar of Events

Comments

Just off Dupont Circle on 21st and P street Urbana offers an upscale setting with a comfortable atmosphere. Daily specials of wine are $5 during happy hour and $4 Peroni beers along with some Pastis ($5 as well) and $7 Pizzas (like 14 inch 8 slice pizzas that are usually $11-14). Its hip and fun but also can be affordable at the right time.

Posted by: Urbana is good | Jun 13, 2008 04:04:38 PM

To: "Keep it real for citizens of the district" whiner,

Start you own magazine if you do not like the articles in this one. In your magazine you can "keep it real for citizens of the district," ignore MD and VA, and we will see how well your magazine does.

Where do you suppose that about two-thirds of the Washingtonian’s target demographic lives???

Posted by: The Virginian | Jun 07, 2008 08:28:58 PM

McCormick & Schmick’s is at 9th and F streets, NW; that’s Penn Quarter, not Chinatown.

As far back as the early 1960’s (when I came to Washington) Chinatown never went as far south and west as 9th and F streets, though in the 1960’s and 1970’s there were far more awsome Chinese restaurants, several grocery stores, and a few shops where one could purchase such items as chopsticks, bowls, vases and trinkets along H, I, and 7th Street that one sees there today.

Posted by: Jo-Ann | Jun 05, 2008 10:30:06 PM

Sigh... Can’t please everyone. Or anyone, for that matter. if you only wrote about DC happy hours, you’d have NoVaites and Marylanders complaining. Loosen up, people.

Posted by: bah humbug | Jun 05, 2008 11:37:05 AM

The Park on 14th Street has a 5 dollar dinner menu and rail drink on Thursdays from 5 - 8. The fillet mignon is excellent.

Posted by: BEST happy hour in DC | Jun 05, 2008 11:21:50 AM

And you know you only won because of those bots... :)

Posted by: NCProsecutor | Jun 05, 2008 11:18:40 AM

Oh come on...this area is so fluid. I’ve lived in DC, VA, MD, I work in DC and my husband works in VA and DC, and people travel all over to work, eat, study, doctor, and play. DCers, please get over yourselves and realize this is one area (the Washington area) and not just one city (the District). pah-leeze.

Posted by: | Jun 05, 2008 10:57:25 AM

why do you people who live in the district think you’re so grand? this magazine is for the metropolitan area, not just the district. it seems appropriate to include any location that is metro accessible. get over yourselves. maybe you should venture across the imaginary line and check out the surrounding areas (many of which are actually more built up than your "city".)

Posted by: matt | Jun 05, 2008 10:37:19 AM

the cigar bar ozio on m near connecticut gives out free mini pizzas during happy hour. it’s a good spot, if you can handle cigar smoke.

Posted by: | Jun 05, 2008 09:18:02 AM

Almost every other Washingtonian article relating to food or beverage usually only suggests DC-locations, does it not? VA and MD = Washington DC area. I’d say this was fantastic. In fact, bravo. Besides, who ever said McCormick & Schmick doesn’t have multiple DC locations? Citizens of the district, you have an array, nay, an abundance of options.

Posted by: | Jun 05, 2008 09:12:40 AM

I completely agree...there are too many articles about great places in MD and VA when this is the Washingtonian, the majority of its content should be related to DC, not the "DC area!" However, I still love reading your articles because they do have great info that I wouldn’t have known otherwise.

Posted by: | Jun 05, 2008 08:59:15 AM

Washingtonian,

I like the fact that you wrote this informative bit of information. My only frustration is that you are Washingtonian and more than half of your suggestions are in VA or MD. Let’s keep it real for citizens of the district next time.

Posted by: | Jun 05, 2008 08:07:31 AM

Bargain Happy Hours

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