Acadiana
Monday through Friday: 3:30 to 6:30
At this Louisiana-style dining room, chef Jeff Tunks offers 14 appetizers at half-price. A sampling includes charbroiled oysters ($6), deep-fried pickles ($2.50), and smoked barbecue pork ribs ($5.50). Plus, there are specials on draft beer ($4), all cocktails ($5), and select pours of wine ($5). Available in the bar and patio only, except holidays.
Black’s Bar and Kitchen
Monday through Friday: 4 to 7; Sunday: 11 to 5
For seafood lovers, this Bethesda dining room—with lots of blond wood, comfortable stools, and booths—is a go-to happy-hour destination. Slurp briny oysters on the cheap (two for $2). Old Bay–sprinkled shrimp on ice are 50 cents each. “Addie’s mussels,” in a broth of tomato, garlic, and shallots, and served with warm, crusty bread, are half-price ($6.50). To drink, there are specials on draft beer ($2.75 to $3.75), wine ($5), and martinis ($6). Available in the bar only.
BlackFinn American Saloon
Daily: 4 to 7
At both the Bethesda and DC outposts, this saloon offers four varieties of flatbread pizza ($5). There’s the “Cheeseburger” with cheddar, dill pickles, and red onions; the Blackened Chicken with creamy peppercorn sauce and roasted red peppers; the Roasted Vegetable with provolone, squash, zucchini, broccoli, and mushrooms; and the Margherita with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Available in the bar only.
Cafe Asia
Daily: 4 to 7:30
Shuffle over to this pan-Asian spot—with locations in Rosslyn and downtown DC—for one of Washington’s most popular sushi-centric happy hours. You can nosh on $1.25-per-piece nigiri and discounted maki rolls. Also, sip $2.50 Kirin Ichiban beers and $4 carafes of hot or chilled sake. Available in the bar only.
Capitol Lounge
Monday through Friday: 4 to 7
Stop by this popular Hill bar—decked out in kitschy presidential memorabilia—on Monday night for half-price cheese pizza ($1 per topping), Tuesday night for 25-cent Buffalo wings, and Wednesday night for $5 quesadillas or a trio of beef tacos. There aren’t any food specials Thursday and Friday, but drink specials abound all week ($1 off beer, wine, and cocktails).
Chef Geoff’s
Monday and Tuesday: 3 to closing; Wednesday through Friday: 3 to 7; Saturday through Sunday: all day
Deals at the all-American hotspot include $9 gourmet pizzas and $6 burgers served with a mound of fries. Longneck bottles are $3, 16-ounce cans of PBR are $3.50, and a 34-ounce “supermug” of draft beer is $8. On Monday, all bottles of wine are half-price. Similar specials are available at Geoff Tracy’s other two locations in Northwest DC and Tysons Corner. Available in the bar only.
Ella’s Wood Fired Pizza
Monday through Friday: 4 to 7
Set in Chinatown, this cozy hangout offers a variety of 7-inch pizzas ($5)—from the traditional (pepperoni and sausage) to the gourmet (Genovese salami and four cheese). For libations, there’s $16 carafes of house-made sangría, and all American drafts are $1 off. Available in the bar only.
Heritage India
Daily: 4:30 to 7:30
Head to the long, sleek bar at this contemporary curry house where small plates, inspired by Indian street-fare, are half-price from 5 to 7. A sampling of menu items includes samosas ($2.50), garlic chicken kebabs ($3.50), and dahi bhalla ($3)—lentil dumplings in yogurt sauce. For drink specials, there are domestic beers ($2.75), house wine ($4.75), and cocktails ($4.75). Sunday through Tuesday, bottles of wine are half-price. Available in the bar only.
Johnny’s Half Shell
Monday through Friday: 4:30 to 7:30
Belly up to the bar at Ann Cashion’s Capitol Hill seafood joint for all kinds of snacks. Among the many offerings are a half-dozen charbroiled oysters ($9), a miniature Asian tuna sandwich ($2.50), barbecue shrimp with Asiago grits ($6.50), and grilled squid ($6). The drink deals aren’t anything special—draft beer is $5.50 a pint. Available in the bar only.
Morton’s the Steakhouse
Daily: 5 to 6:30, 9 to closing
The Bethesda and Georgetown locations of this high-end steakhouse offer a “bar bites” menu featuring a selection of gourmet eats for $5, including filet-mignon sandwiches, miniature crab cakes, and blue-cheese French fries. Alongside those treast, patrons can guzzle draft beer ($4), house wine ($5), and cocktails ($7). Available in the bar only.
Pizzeria Paradiso
Tuesday and Wednesday: 5 to 7
At this Neapolitan-style pizzeria—with locations in Dupont Circle and Georgetown—all appetizers are $5. The starters roster includes fresh mozzarella with sundried tomatoes, tuna/white-bean salad, and toasted house-made bread topped with goat cheese and prosciutto. Plus, there are 8-inch ($10) and 12-inch pizzas ($15.50) and half-price draft beer. Available in the lower level (Georgetown) and bar (Dupont Circle) only.
Poste
Monday through Friday: 4 to 7
At this contemporary Penn Quarter bistro, you can linger at the bar and graze on $5 truffled frites. Plus, you can pair the salty snack with $5 draft beers, as well as a selection of still and sparkling wines.
PS 7’s
Monday through Friday: 4 to 7
In the lounge of this Penn Quarter haunt, chef Peter Smith toys with upscale twists on junk food. Starters include boneless chicken wings ($10) and fried macaroni-and-cheese wrapped in bacon ($10). For something heartier, there’s a coffee-crusted burger ($12), a pair of Chicago hot dogs ($10), and few flatbreads ($11). There’s a wide selection of wine and cocktails (Gina Chersevani is one of Washington’s best mixologists), and beer ranges from the low end ($3 can of Miller High Life) to the high end ($8 can of Guinness Draught). Make sure to grab one of the low lounge tables or a spot on the outdoor patio.
Relic
Monday through Friday: 5 to 7, 10 to closing
Munch on a selection of $5 bar snacks at this Bethesda hangout, including a 9-ounce dry-aged burger, calamari, mussels, and frog legs. Pair them with $3 draft beers, $5 pours of wine, $5 sangría, and $5 cocktails. Available in the bar only.
Sequoia
Monday through Friday: 4 to 7
Situated on the Georgetown waterfront, this nautically themed spot puts out mussels with coconut-curry broth ($6), calamari crisps ($6), chicken tenders ($5), and miniature pizzas ($5). For $3, you can also knock back draft beers, cocktails, and pours of Chardonnay or Cabernet. And for $5, bartenders mix up Ketel One vodka any way you want it. Available at the upstairs bar only.
Spice Xing
Monday through Friday: 5 to 6:30
Situated in Rockville Town Square, this color-splashed restaurant offers $3 and $4 Indian bar snacks, including chicken-filled kati rolls, spinach/cottage-cheese dip, and tandoori wings. Domestic beers are $2.50, imported beers and rail drinks are $3.25, and house wines are $4.
Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro
Daily: 4 to 7
The extensive menu at this Mediterranean-inspired eatery offers all kinds of cheap eats, including steamed mussels in creamy Chardonnay sauce ($9); house-cured salmon atop mixed greens ($9); and fresh flounder ceviche marinated in lime juice ($10). Wash it all down with $3 beer, and $4 house wines and margaritas. The big draw here, though, is the oh-so-cute wraparound patio, which is perfect for people-watching.
Urbana
Daily: 4 to 7
At this subterranean restaurant/lounge, tucked inside Dupont Circle’s Hotel Palomar, there are four varieties of 11-inch gourmet pizza ($8). There’s the Bianco with red onions, pistachios, and Parmigiano Reggiano; the Margherita with mozzarella and basil; the Salsiccia with sopressata, onions, sausage, olives, and artichokes; and the Affumicato with smoky blue cheese, bacon, and onions. Starting at 5, fresh-shucked oysters are $1 each. To drink, there’s $4 Peronis, and $5 still and sparkling wines.
Willow
Daily: 5:30 to 7:30
At Tracy O’Grady’s Arlington restaurant, opt for the bar. That’s where you can order from a lengthy menu of $5 bites, which includes veal sweetbreads, deviled eggs with smoked paprika, crab/artichoke dip, and crispy fried crab or pork rolls. An array of cocktails, beer, and wine by the glass is also $5.
Zaytinya
Sunday through Friday: 4:30 to 6:30; Tuesday through Thursday: 10:30 to 11:30
There’s a lineup of small plates ($4) on the menu at this José Andrés mezzeteria, located in Penn Quarter. A sampling of options includes oregano-marinated Greek olives, crispy potatoes with yogurt, fried mussels in walnut-tarator sauce, and chickpea fritters with tahini. Available in the bar only.
Zengo
Monday through Saturday: 5 to 7:30
If Latin/Asian-fusion fare sounds good to you, then head to restaurateur Richard Sandoval’s Penn Quarter spot. A roster of $5 small plates include Thai-chicken empanadas, shrimp-shiitake potstickers, steamed buns stuffed with pork belly, and Vietnamese beef-brisket tostadas. There’s also beer ($4), cocktails ($5), as well as red and white wine ($5) on special. Available in the bar and lounge only.
What are your tips for bargain food happy hours? Let us know in the comments below!
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