Summer Happy Hour: The Best Deals Downtown
It’s that time of year again: when the only thing more dreadful than the subway platform heat is your rent, and when nothing hits quite like a crisp glass of wine or a boozy frozen drink under the fading sun. The good news? Downtown Manhattan knows how to do happy hour right. Head below 14th Street, and you’ll find everything from $20 wine carafes served sidewalk-side at stylish haunts to perma-packed hot spots slinging neon-hued frozen cocktails and margarita pizzas to a crowd that looks like they just stepped off a Dimes Square mood board.
Whether you’re rubbing elbows with on-duty DJs spinning vinyl at a listening bar or getting tipsy alongside off-duty ones downing frozen drinks at a retro motel-themed joint, downtown has something for every vibe—and every wallet. Here, we’re sharing our favorite downtown NYC happy hours to keep you cool all summer long, one cold (and cheap-ish!) drink at a time.
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Step inside Roxy Hotel New York’s Roxy Bar, and you’re instantly enveloped in an ornate world of plush leather booths, moody lighting, and a soundtrack of classic jazz that wraps the room in a timeless, intimate glow. Every corner feels like a scene from a noir film—perfect for late-night rendezvous or a lingering drink. But when summer arrives, the real magic moves outside to the Roxy Café, the hotel’s alfresco gem right on Avenue of the Americas. From 4 to 6 p.m. daily—and all night on Mondays—the Sunset Specials turn this Tribeca street corner into a vibrant spot: $2 fresh-shucked East Coast oysters, $10 select wines by the glass, and $5 draft beers. Expect an unforgettable alfresco escape served with downtown cool.
2 6th Ave; T. (212) 519-6600
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For a chill, vibey option in Alphabet City, head to Hi-Note, a moody little listening bar where DJs spin from a tucked-away booth and the vibe shifts from laptop-filled coffee shop to low-lit cocktail haven as the day goes on. Happy hour (5 to 7 p.m.) knocks a few bucks off the good stuff: $12 signature cocktails, $2 off drafts, and $3 off wine by the glass. Refreshing seasonal sips include the Cola Daiquiri (3-year and 12-year rum, cola syrup, lime, and saline) and the Grapefruit Gimlet (Old Tom gin, grapefruit cordial, lime, cane sugar, and an absinthe atomizer). Snack on spicy solar-popped umami popcorn, marinated olives, or $6 empanadas (ham & cheese, mushroom, or cajun chicken). Better yet, nibble on two for $10. Out back, a patio offers a mellow escape from the Avenue B bustle.
188 Avenue B
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Slip into Ruffian, East Village’s go-to spot for natural wines, with a few coveted sidewalk seats, a 10-seat bar, and a long, narrow dining room humming with laid-back energy. Opened in 2016, Ruffian offers an extensive selection of over 250 bottles, including a vibrant, tangy orange wine lineup. Happy hour’s $5 off all wines by the glass and food, making it easy to sip and snack without breaking the bank. Don’t miss their pickled pineapple if available; paired with a bright, zesty orange wine, it’s pure summer perfection. The kitchen keeps things fresh and veggie-forward, with a seasonally inspired menu influenced by Eastern European flavors.
125 E 7th St; T. (347) 674-1618
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It’s always a party at Motel No Tell, the retro motel-themed Alphabet City bar that’s as extra as it is endearing. Sitting loud and proud on the corner of Avenue A and 13th Street—look for the neon signage and turquoise facade—this zany hangout is packed most nights with groups sipping frosty cocktails and snapping pics under disco balls and neon lights. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4–7 p.m. and Sundays from 4 p.m. to close, hitting all the right notes: $8 poolside frozens, $6 beers, $9 wines, $8 cocktails and margs, and $10 margarita pizzas. Ample sidewalk seating wraps around both streets making it an unbeatable spot for watching the East Village come alive. Come for the frozen drinks, stay for the vibes.
210 Avenue A; T. (646) 368-9775
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Tucked away on Market Street, Cellar 36 is a Chinatown wine bar that keeps things casual and cool. The natural wines and small plates draw a loyal crowd, especially during happy hour, when $1 oysters and $20 carafes flow daily from 5 to 7 p.m. Inside, it’s candlelit and intimate, but the real sunny-day-friendly draw is the outdoor seating that spills onto the sidewalk—prime real estate for people-watching a swirl of vintage-clad creatives, skaters, and downtown scenesters. It gets packed on weekends, so if the wait’s a little too long, wander around the corner to Mr. Fong’s for a cocktail and a scene.
36 Market St
WORDS Alex Catarinella
PHOTOGRAPHY Summerside Creative on Unsplash