On the rocks, neat, dirty, frozen, or zero proof — we’re spilling the Long Island iced tea on the best happy hours in NOVA.
Get ready to drink up at 18 places lifting spirits with their sip-worthy specials.
Editor’s note: Hours listed are happy hours only.
Beer lovers
Bronson Bierhall | Arlington | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | Stop on in this German bierhall and get $2 off all draft beers. I recommend the Blue Raspberry Otter. The happy hour also includes $5 well drinks, $5 house wine, and $4 Narragansett Lager cans.
Courthaus Social | Arlington | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | Select draft beers are $2 off during happy hour, along with all wines and Haus cocktails. Oh, and don’t forget to get a snack — maybe $6 Haus nachos or $7 chicken tenders.
P.J. Skidoos | Fairfax | Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | This happy hour runs practically all day — but just a heads up, it’s only for the bar and patio. You can grab 14 oz house drafts for just $3.50. You’ll find me out on the patio.
Off the vine
Screwtop Wine Bar | Arlington | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | This spot has a happy hour deal on four different wines for both glasses and bottles. Additionally, a couple of beers are on the happy hour menu along with four $8 appetizer options. I’m grabbing a glass of the Cricova Brut and some chicken empanadas.
Sonoma Cellar | Alexandria | Monday-Friday, 3:30-6 p.m. | During this happy hour, you’ll get $2 off any glass of wine or $5 off a wine flight — because why just one? There is also a variety of appetizers included in their happy hour menu, including a cheese snack plate and a crostini sampler.
One Bar + Grill | Fairfax | Monday-Sunday, 3:30-6:30 p.m. | You can get a glass of their house wine for just $6 — this includes a chardonnay, pinot noir, rotating red + white, and a sparkling. They also offer cocktail, beer, and appetizer deals.
Simona Cafe | Arlington | Monday-Sunday, 3 p.m. to close | Grab a glass of wine for $2 off, or grab a whole bottle for you and your friends for 50% off. What a perfect way to cap off the week.
Keeping spirits up
Crafthouse | Arlington | Monday-Friday, 4-7 p.m. | Enjoy $7 margaritas, old fashioneds, Moscow mules, and Irish mules during happy hour, plus all house spirits for just $5. Pair your drinks with delicious $6 shareables like nachos and tater tots for the perfect midweek treat.
Rooftop Recess | Arlington | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | Kick back and relax at this new spot after work while enjoying $3 off specialty cocktails, draft beers, and appetizers. If you’re feeling fine, grab a glass of the house wine for $7. One Bellini, made with prosecco, peach schnapps, peach puree, rosemary, please.
Brass Rabbit | Arlington | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | Sip on a featured martini for just $10 while indulging in $10 apps and wraps. If you aren’t feeling a martini, you can also get select drafts for $5.
Old Hat Bar | Alexandria | Monday-Friday, 5-7 p.m. | Along with some beer + wine discounts, you can also get cocktails like the Champagne Cocktail, made with Belle Jardin brut + aromatic syrup for a discounted rate. Seal the deal with a kimchi hot dog for $8.
Hungry for meal deals
Bar Chinois | Arlington | Monday-Sunday, 4-7 p.m. | Who doesn’t love a dumpling? You can get four for $4 during happy hour. Pair it with one of the five cocktails on their happy hour menu — the Humble Cobbler made with Del Maguey Vida mezcal, peach, Genépy des Alpes, and lime sounds like the perfect pair.
Mia’s Italian Kitchen | Alexandria | Monday-Friday, 3-7 p.m. | All you need to hear is $6 pizzas — I mean, come on. You can also enjoy a variety of appetizers like Mia’s Bruschetta or fried provolone at a discounted price. These deals only apply to the bar, high tops, and sofa area.
Hawkers | Arlington | Monday-Thursday, 3-6 p.m. | Enjoy 50% off baos and beers during happy hour at Hawkers. Plus, get $3 off all spirits and $5 off select small plates. I’m going for the pork buns and an ice-cold beer.
B Side | Fairfax | Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | Enjoy a B-Side Old Fashioned or Paloma for just $8 during happy hour, along with a selection of other discounted drinks. Pair your beverage with their mix + match slider deal — three for $14 or six for $25.
Late-night gems
Astro Beer Hall | Arlington | Monday-Sunday, 9 p.m. until last call | Enjoy Astro Beer Hall’s Apollo Smashburgers or Asteroid Chicken Sandwich for just $5. Wash it down with a Jala-Pina Mule made with Jala-Pina Cirrus Vodka, pineapple juice, ginger beer, lime juice, and agave.
Clyde’s | Alexandria | Monday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. + 9 p.m. to close | While this spot’s regular happy hour is 3-6 p.m., offering $3 off starters and discounted drinks, we are eyeing the oyster happy hour. From 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close, you can get a half dozen oysters for $15.99 and a dozen oysters for $27.99.
Quinn’s on the Corner | Arlington | Thursdays | 7 p.m. | If you’re looking to fill your burger fix, check out Quinn’s on the Corner for its half-off burger deal on Thursdays. Might we suggest the Spicy Guac Burger made with pepper jack, chipotle aioli, lettuce, jalapenos, and avocado?
Host at home
Shop our favorite happy hour essentials to host friends for a drink at your place:
- Craft delicious drinks at home with syrups and mixers made from fresh ingredients.
- No clue how to put together a charcuterie board for your next event? No worries, here’s a helpful road map that you can use for everyday hosting!
- Try these alcohol-free sparkling beverages available in six organic flavors and made with nourishing, regenerative ingredients that help you tap into your inner power.
- The Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker promises no more leaks and has a built-in measuring system.
- This set of six colored wine glasses reminds us of Estelle stemware — only more affordable.
- Pair your colorful wine glasses with a colorful decanter that’s an Anthropologie best-seller.
- Keep wine and champagne cold in a marble wine chiller.
- An electric wine opener makes opening bottles smooth and stress-free.
- Don’t forget the best drinkware made by small, local businesses — we’re big fans of the Pirani Life tumbler, an eco-friendly version of a Solo Cup, and these Kanga Coolers koozies that keep drinks cold.
