Best Happy Hours

By Katherine Lynch

Who doesn’t love a good happy hour with good energy, cheap eats and cheap drinks? Here is a list of our favorite happy hour spots:

Area 31, Epic Hotel, 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami 305.424.5234
Happy Hour: M-F, 5-7 pm; Thursday 5-10 pm

If you are looking for a sexy vibe and a gorgeous view of the Brickell area, you must check out Area 31 at Epic. Located on the 16th floor, you will enjoy the light breeze, the $5 drink menu (your choice of select beer, wine or cocktail — we recommend the Temptation made with Ketel One Vodka, Creole Schrubb, apple juice and ginger beer) and the bar bites menu, with ceviche, croquettes and Key West pink shrimp all priced at $6. While happy hour takes place during the week from 5-7 pm, on Thursday nights the deal gets even better — extended happy hour prices from 5-10 pm on the terrace and all ladies will receive a complimentary cocktail or glass of champagne.

Gordon Biersch, 1201 Brickell Ave, Miami 786-425-1130
Happy Hour: 4:00-6:30 pm, M-F; 10-close everyday

As you may know, we are big fans of happy hours, so when a restaurant offers two happy hours a day, we get even more excited. Such is the case with Gordon Biersch in Brickell. Gordon Biersch offers American cuisine with an international flare in a brewery setting. Stop by Monday-Friday from 4:00-6:30 (and again from 10pm-close everyday) and you will enjoy some great food/drink specials, though drink specials are only offered from the 4:00-6:30 time frame. For drinks, you will enjoy $1 off Gordon Biersch lager and ales, $2 off wines by the glass and $5 for ultra premium cocktails. As for the deals on food — enjoy SW Egg Rolls, Mini Pizzas or BBQ Pork Sliders ($5 each); Crab Stuffed Shrimp or Crab & Artichoke Dip ($7); or for something a bit more substantial — enjoy one of their combos for $11 like their Slider Combo with BBQ Pork Sliders, Kobe Sliders and Signature Garlic Fries. If you are looking for some free food, like their facebook page and your will receive a coupon for a free order of their signature garlic fries appetizers.

The Grill on the Alley, 19575 Biscayne Blvd (at the Aventura Mall)
Happy Hour: 4-8 pm, M-F; 11:30am- 6:00 pm, Sat-Sun

Tucked away in the Aventura Mall, The Grill on the Alley offer happy hour specials 7 days a week (M-F from 4-8 pm and Sat-Sun from 11:30 am-6:00 pm) with both food and drink specials that will satisfy your cravings. For something on the lighter side, be sure to check out the $3.95 menu featuring hummus and pita, popcorn shrimp or blue cheese fries. If you are looking for something more, the $4.95 menu still can’t be beat featuring crab cake side kicks (2), seared ahi tuna sashimi, Kobe side kicks (2) or a chicken pot pie. If you’re going for the splurge, why not try the Colorado lamb chop with mint mashed potatoes ($8), braised short ribs with roasted garlic mashed potatoes ($7), and peppered filet medallion with Roquefort cheese sauce ($9)? These all will pair up nicely with a drink off their menu — wine is priced at $2 off during this time, beer ($3.50), a Finlandia martinis ($7), or a selection of their signature cocktails ($9).

 

Morton’s The Steakhouse, locations in Miami, Miami Beach and North Miami Beach
Specially priced Monday-Friday 4:30pm-6:30pm & 9pm-Close & Sunday Open-6:30pm & 9pm-Close (not available in Miami on Saturdays or in North Miami Beach on Saturdays or Sundays).

While a visit to Morton’s can put a huge dent in your last paycheck, a visit does not need to ruin your budget if you plan it right. Instead of indulging in a juicy steak in the main dining room, why not take part in their Power Hour, available from open until 6:30 p.m. and from 9:00 p.m.-close? While both food and drink specials will have you smiling — $5 for beer (Sam Adams, Budweiser or Bud Light), $6 for house wine, and $7 for select martinis and cocktails. To coat your stomach, you’ll want to nibble on some bar bites. We highly suggest the Mini Crab Cake BLT’s, the Smoked Salmon Pizza or the 3 Prime Cheeseburgers — all priced at $6.

RA Sushi, 5829 SW 73rd St, Miami 305-341-0092
Happy Hour: 3-7pm, M-Sat, 8-11pm Sun

It’s a party in the RA at RA Sushi 6 days a week. During this time, you will enjoy some incredible food and drink specials like $1 hot sake, $4 well drinks and Sapporo, $5 house wines and martinis and more. If getting a bite to eat is more of what you are after, you will enjoy 1/2 off select sushi (like Viva Las Vegas Rolls and Spicy Tuna Rolls) and 1/2 off appetizers (like Shrimp Tempura and Lobster Spring Rolls).

River Oyster Bar, 650 South Miami Ave, Miami 305.530.1915
Happy Hour: 4:30-7:00 pm, M-Sat

Groups flock to the River Oyster Bar to take advantage of their happy hour specials, offered M-Sat from 4:30 – 7:00 pm. During this time, you will enjoy oysters for half-price, wines by the glass ($5), Premium beer on tap ($3), and select cocktails ($3).

SUGARCANE Raw Bar Grill, 3250 NE 1st Ave, Miami 786.369.0353
Happy Hour: 4-7 pm, M-F

For a hip happy hour any night day of the week, visit Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill. Home to Timon Balloo, SUGARCANE features a creative menu of internationally-inspired small plates, a raw bar and items from the robata grill. If the restaurants wasn’t hot enough by itself, imagine what a happy hour adds to the vibe — and, SUGARCANE’s is fabulous. From 4-7 pm, Monday-Friday, guests will enjoy snacks for bargain prices like Marinated Olives or Edamame ($3), Kobe Beef Sliders ($4), Steamed Pork Buns ($5) and East and West Coast Oysters ($2). The deals on your favorite liquid beverages are just as tempting — pitchers of beer or sangria are $18 and pitchers of your favorite cocktails are $24.

Tobacco Road, 626 S Miami Ave, Miami 305.374.1198

When cheap drinks are all that you are looking for, nothing compares to Tobacco Road. Miami’s oldest restaurant (in November they will be celebrating 98 years), has different specials every night of the week — though they are most well-known for their 98-cent Friday drink special (or $1.98 if you’re looking for super premium). Other deals worth remembering include their 1 1/2 lb Maine Lobster dinner with mashed potatoes and slaw for $12.49 (2 drink minimum) on Tuesdays and their 16-ounce T-bone steak on Thursdays served with salad and fries or a baked potato for $10.99 (2-drink minimum).

Vinyl & Kai, 1131 Washington Ave, Miami Beach 305-531-2640
Happy Hour: 5-8 pm, M-F

For an upscale dive bar, let us introduce you to Vinyl & Kai. Offering great food, great music and a hip vibe, Vinyl & Kai is a favorite among locals — show your Miami ID and you will get 20% off your tab. While their happy hour may be what drives you in (drinks and apps are half-off from 5-8pm weekdays), when that ends you won’t want to leave. We like Karaoke Tuesdays, where ladies drink free rum, vodka and tequila from 9-midnight to gain some liquid courage, and then it’s all about the karaoke from 11:00 pm – 3:00 am.

Yard House, 320 San Lorenzo Avenue, Coral Gables 305.447.9273
Happy Hour: 3-6 pm, M-F; 10-close, Sun-Wed

Beer drinkers unite at this hip, upscale sports bar located at Downtown at the Gardens. Find a seat at the bar, one of the spacious booths or outside when the weather is nice and get ready for a night of drinking, socializing and cheering on your favorite team. During Happy Hour, you will enjoy domestic pints (starting at $3.50), imports/craft beers ($4.25-$4.50) and martinis ($6). Select appetizers are half price including their pizzas, onion ring tower and Seared Ahi Sashimi.