Best Happy Hour Restaurants in East Village (10009)
10 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Yuca Bar
A decades-running Latin night-out hub with serious review-volume proof.
Notable Picks
#1
Yuca Bar
8.7
A high-volume East Village institution where Spanish-language energy, cocktails, and shareable plates are the point—more night-out destination than quiet tapas bar. Come for a few Latin-leaning small plates and a strong drink order, then let the room’s nightlife momentum do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna ceviche, Yuca fries, Churrasco steak
What makes it special: A decades-running Latin night-out hub with serious review-volume proof.
#2
The Wayland
8.4
A laid-back East Village barroom that earns its happy-hour reputation with strong cocktail execution and a kitchen that can carry an early-evening hang. It works best for after-work rounds that quietly turn into dinner, especially if you lean into the oysters-and-cocktail rhythm.
Must-Try Dishes:
$1 oysters, burrata, seasonal craft cocktails
What makes it special: A true happy-hour anchor with oysters and a serious cocktail program.
8.4
A tiny East Village bar dedicated to bitters and amari, best treated as a precision happy-hour stop for people who actually care about balance and structure in a drink. Go with one bartender-guided pick and one classic-leaning order, then leave before it turns into a standing-room squeeze.
Must-Try Dishes:
amaro-forward house cocktails, classic cocktails built with bitters, small plates (when available)
What makes it special: A one-of-a-kind bitters-and-amari bar with bartender-guided drinks.
8.2
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Group Dining Gatherings
A brightly styled Jamaican spot that works especially well for happy hour when you want bold flavors and a lively room without committing to a full formal dinner. Keep the order balanced—one signature main, one shareable side, and a drink that can stand up to spice.
Must-Try Dishes:
jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, oxtail stew
What makes it special: A high-energy Jamaican menu in a room built for social drinking.
8.1
A lively East Village raw bar with Asian-leaning sauces, shareable seafood plates, and a real happy-hour pull for oysters. It’s strongest when you treat it like a structured order: something chilled, something saucy, and one warm, comforting bowl to finish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Happy hour oysters, Drunken mussels, Lobster ramen
What makes it special: Asian-influenced raw bar seafood with a high-energy happy-hour oyster scene.
#6
Bua
8.1
A St. Marks staple that’s most useful as a casual, food-friendly bar with enough menu depth to turn happy hour into a full hang. Go for a steady flow of drinks and simple, craveable plates rather than a destination meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fries, Chicken tenders, Bar burger
What makes it special: A true 4am hang with legit snacks, not just chips.
A chef-driven taqueria that’s strongest when you treat it like a tight, modern menu: tacos with sharp seasoning, clean salsas, and a bar rhythm that suits a quick dinner. Go with a few tacos plus one or two sides, and don’t over-order—the best bites are the focused ones.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor taco, Guacamole with chips, Seasonal taco special
What makes it special: Modern, chef-forward tacos with a strong bar-and-bite pacing.
Worthy Picks
7.9
A downstairs lounge with a dark, music-forward mood that’s best used for early-evening cocktails before the night gets busy. Happy hour is the move if you want well-made drinks without full late-night friction—grab seats, pick two signatures, and keep it tight.
Must-Try Dishes:
specialty cocktails, espresso martini-style drinks, seasonal bar snacks
What makes it special: A moody downstairs lounge where happy hour makes the cocktails feel accessible.
#9
A10 Kitchen
7.9
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Happy Hour Hotspots
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
A neighborhood bar-restaurant that works for an informal business lunch when you want something easy, upbeat, and not overly precious. It’s strongest for quick meetings over a burger or sandwich plus one shared starter, keeping the meal simple and the timing predictable.
Must-Try Dishes:
Charcuterie Board, Burger, Fried Chicken Sandwich
What makes it special: Casual, neighborly room that’s easy to use for quick meetings.
#10
Eastpoint
7.8
An Ave B sports-bar hang that stays open deep into the night and delivers a dependable taco-and-queso order when your priority is watching something on TV and keeping the table lively. The best move is two tacos plus one shareable dip so the food hits the table quickly and everyone stays synced.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Chicken Tacos, White Queso, Fish Tacos
What makes it special: A late-night sports bar where tacos are the reliable food play.