Best Happy Hour Restaurants in Yorkville
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
The Drunken Munkey - UES
Cocktail-driven Indian spot where richly spiced curries meet speakeasy lighting.
Notable Picks
8.8
The Drunken Munkey runs as a colonial-style Indian cocktail bar where butter chicken, biryani, and house curries share equal billing with gin-and-spice drinks in a dim, crowded room. Locals treat it as a destination for date nights and small-group hangs when they want polished Indian plates, serious cocktails, and a buzzy Upper East Side crowd.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Chicken Tikka Masala, Railway Chicken, Munkey Lamb Biryani
What Makes it Special: Cocktail-driven Indian spot where richly spiced curries meet speakeasy lighting.
8.3
A cozy Upper East Side brasserie built for classic French plates and a leisurely wine-first meal. The best visits come from staying in the standards lane—escargots, duck, terrines—rather than chasing novelty.
Must-Try Dishes:
Duck confit, Escargots à la bourguignonne, Terrine de foie gras
What Makes it Special: Old-school brasserie comfort with a wine-friendly menu.
8.2
Sojourn Social is a multi-level bar and restaurant where New American plates, a strong cocktail program, and a dog-friendly patio make it an all-purpose Upper East Side hang. It works best for happy hour, group dinners, and bottomless brunch rather than a quiet, white-tablecloth meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Squid ink tonnarelli, Long Island duck breast, Crispy chicken sandwich
What Makes it Special: Cocktail-focused New American spot with a lively bar and dog-friendly outdoor seating.
#4
Maz Mezcal
8
An old-school neighborhood Mexican room with a tequila-and-fajita comfort lane that fits happy hour when you want a sit-down booth, steady pours, and familiar classics over trend. It’s best when you stay in the warm-plates zone—one shared starter, one sizzling main—then let the second round carry the rest of the visit.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fajitas Combo, Queso Fundido, Dragonfruit Margarita
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood Mexican with a tequila-first, comfort-classics rhythm.
8
A neighborhood bar-and-grill that’s a practical happy hour stop when you want wings in volume—big sampler energy, straightforward execution, and plenty of TV-driven sports-bar momentum. Go for a shared wing order plus one easy side so everything lands together.
Must-Try Dishes:
20 Wing Sampler, Buffalo Wings, Mozzarella Sticks
What Makes it Special: A wings-in-volume bar that’s built for groups and TVs.
Worthy Picks
7.9
An Irish-pub-style late-night option built for a casual bite with your last round. It’s strongest when you keep it pub-classic—one hearty main, one shareable side—so the kitchen stays consistent even as the room gets louder.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish and chips, Shepherd's pie, Chicken wings
What Makes it Special: A pub kitchen that stays viable late in Yorkville.
7.7
A wine-bar happy hour alternative on the Upper East Side side streets—quieter than the big bars, with comfort-leaning plates that pair well with a glass pour. It’s best as a low-key stop: one warm shareable, one snacky plate, then call it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mussels, Pierogies, Kachapuri
What Makes it Special: A calmer wine bar with comfort-food plates in the mix.
A margarita-first York Ave hangout where tacos play a supporting role to the party energy and colorful room. It works best as a drinks-and-two-tacos stop—keep the order simple and let the vibe do the heavy lifting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria tacos, Esquite, Guacamole
What Makes it Special: A margarita-driven taco spot built for groups and high-energy hangs.