The best happy hour drink and food deals in Washington, D.C.

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A post shared by Bar Charley (@barcharley)

What: Beers from $5, interesting cocktails for $10.95, plus discounted food in an intimate, cozy environment

When: All night Mon 5pm-12:30am, Tue–Thu 5–6:30pm, Fri-Sun 4–6pm

Why we love it: Bar Charley is an 18th Street institution that's long been loved for its stiff drinks at gentle prices and vibey, lowlit atmosphere. Snag great cocktails for $10.95. While happy hour is served daily, the best time to go is Monday, when the deals run all night. The sparse basement bar also serves tasty, upscale bar bites (and a full burger meal) like tuna tartare and fries topped with Catalan pepper sauce and a runny egg at a discount. 

What to get: You can't go wrong with any of the cocktails on the happy hour menu. I particularly like the Tom Collins and the Giggle Water, a satsifyingly blue tropical concotion of dry curaçao, vodka, passionfruit, lime, and orange bitters.

In terms of food, get the Catalan fries or tuna tartare if you want something light. For something heavier, get the Charley Burger, a delicious—and filling—meal that comes with fries on the side.

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A post shared by Jack Rose Dining Saloon (@jackroseindc)

What: $12 whiskey drinks, $2 off wine and beer, and tasty bar snacks for half off at one of Adams Morgan's hangout spots

When: Mon-Fri 5-7:30pm

Why we love it: This Adams Morgan mainstay is known for its massive whiskey collection, which is appealingly displayed on shelves that climb up to the ceiling behind its long bar. If you like whiskey, you should visit this bar.

One of the best date night spots in the city, Jack Rose Dining Saloon is a beloved neighborhood hangout spot known for both fantastic drinks and food—and the happy hour menu, which runs later into the night than most other spots, includes both. Snag cheap and excellent whiskey drinks like Manhattans, old fashioneds, whiskey sours, and more. 

What to get: Jack Rose is best known for its whiskey drinks, so you should focus on that part of the happy hour menu. The half off bar snacks are all worth trying, too. I often come to Jack Rose for a solo dinner from the happy hour menu.

One of my favorite meals in the city is a whiskey sour paired with the Jack Smash, a hearty smash burger that comes with a pile of fries on the side for just $10, an almost too good to be true deal. If I want a lighter meal, I'll swap the burger for the excellent (and well-filled) $6 bowl of blistered shishito peppers, which comes with a nice pot of aioli to dip.

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A post shared by Tokyo Pearl (@tokyopearldc)

What: Long hapy hour that includes weekends, $7 sushi rolls, bar snacks, beers, wines, cocktails and $9 flavored martinis and margaritas at a lively Dupont Circle nightclub and restaurant

When: Tues-Sun 4-10pm

Why we love it: Tokyo Pearl serves inexpensive, delicious sushi and drinks in a fun nightclub setting and on its lively patio. The extensive happy hour includes plenty of tasty rolls and snacks, plus speciality cocktails that are often left out of happy hour deals like flavored margaritas and martinis. The fact that the happy hour is six hours and also offered on weekends helps, too.

What to get: Many of my evenings out have been fueled by a sucession of espresso martinis from Tokyo Pearl's happy hour, and bolstered by its spicy salmon roll. I also love the yuzu margarita, lychee martini, and spicy marg. Get the Japanese tots, a crunchy pile of wonder topped with scallions and spiced Kewpie mayo, and the edamame on the side.

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A post shared by OKPB (@okpbdc)

What: Some of the best cocktails in the whole city, at the city's most desirable speakeasy, for half price

When: Mon-Fri 5-7pm

Why we love it: OKPB is one of the city's best speakeasies. The cozy nook in Mt. Pleasant slashes the price of several cocktails during its daily happy hour. Each cocktail is $16, but happy hour means $8 mules, fitzgeralds, Manhattans, and martinis. 

What to get: Truly, you cannot go wrong with a single drink here. We love martinis in these parts, so why not get the dirtiest martini possible? If you love gin, try the Fitzgerald.

Time Out tip: OKPB is a small space that doesn't take reservations, so plan ahead if you want to go.

What: Deals for $5 pints or $10 pint and pizza combo

When: Mon–Fri 3-6pm

Why we love it: This beloved D.C. brewery's Navy Yard location is just steps from Nationals Park, and happens to house an outpost of beloved Andy's Pizza. Catch up and hang out in Atlas Brew Works' roomy space, which boasts an extensive number of taps that span IPAs, stouts, drafts, and lagers. 

Most importantly, here is where you'll find one of the best meal deals in the city: a pint and two pizza slices for $10. If you're not in the mood for a slice, you can still score $5 pints, too. There's also a fun area with pinball machines and arcade games for when you want to blow off some steam.

What to get: I'm partial to the melon-y Damn Good IPA and the refreshing Blood Orange Gose Draft. A slice of pepperoni or white, which has roasted garlic cream sauce and a number of gooey cheeses, always hits the spot.

Time Out tip: If you're pregaming a concert or baseball game at Andy's, you must get here early to get a seat or you risk losing out—especially when the weather is nice.

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A post shared by Bar Chinois (@barchinoisdc)

What: Half-price drinks and $1 dumplings in an elegant Chinese-French lounge

When: Daily 5-7pm

Why we love it: Bar Chinois is still relatively new on the scene, but has made a big name for itself with its menu of tasty Chinese dishes and French-inspired cocktail program. The beautifully decorated space is elegant and cozy—the perfect place to take advantage of half price cocktails (most are regularly $15 or $16) and $1 dumplings.

What to get: You can't really go wrong with any of the choices on the drinks menu, so choose your favorite spirit and work backwards. Each dumpling variety, which includes pork, chicken, and veggie, is delicious, and you can mix and match.

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A post shared by elchuchodc (@elchuchodc)

What: $6 margaritas, $4 Mexican beers, and $3 tacos in a lively tacqueria

When: Mon-Fri 4-6pm

Why we love it: This lively Columbia Heights tacqueria is a happy hour institution—El Chucho's happy hour margs and tacos have fueled many a fun evening. Snag cheap and strong margaritas for just $6 and yummy tacos for only $3.ere, too, because the happy hour deals also include $4 bottled and cans beers, and $2 off cocktails.

What to get: The best way to do this happy hour is to load up on margs. There's also a $2 discount on frozen margs and cocktails like mezcal mules, sangria, and espresso martinis. Take it from a native Californian: the tacos here are pretty tasty. Get the asada, pollo, or hongo tacos. Grab the $6 chips and guac on the side.

What: $9 cocktails and martnis, $7 sangria, $3 off beers 

When: Daily 4-7pm

Why we love it: Pizco y Nazca is a bright Peruvian restaurant in the heart of downtown that secretly has an amazing happy hour lineup filled with cheap and delicious cocktails. 

What to get: Order the fruity sangria or a stiff martini. And of course, save room for a Pizco Sour.

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A post shared by CODE RED DC (@codereddc)

What: $5 beers, $6 wines, $7 craft cocktails and $8 apps in a cool speakeasy

When: Daily 5-7pm

Why we love it: Code Red is one of 18th Street's best bars. Tucked away behind an imposing door lies a spacious, lowlit bar serving great cocktails and snacks. Happy hour means $7 and $10 craft cocktails and $8 brussels sprouts, cheese boards, vegetarian ceviche, and calamari. On Tuesdays, you can score $1 oysters from 5pm until they're gone.

What to get: The South Side, a simple drink with gin, lemon, mint, and simply syrup, is an amazing accompaniment to the generously portioned cheeseboard. 

What: $8 martinis, $6 glasses of wine, $5 draft beers and $2 oysters

When: Mon–Thurs 4–7pm, Fri 3-7pm

Why we love it: Restaurateur Jeff Black knows how to reel them in. During warmer months, the front patio of his maritime-chic eatery buzzes with martini guzzlers, while oyster fiends cozy up inside year round. Happy hour specials (available only at the bar include $2 oysters, $7 grilled oysters, $7 chips and queso, and a pound of mussels for $12.

What: $2 off a menu of cheap beers, cocktails and snacks, $8 Chicago handshake beers, and half off daily food items like pizza and hotdogs

When: Mon–Fri 5-6pm

Why we love it: Ivy and Coney is a D.C. institution especially beloved by Chicago expats and sports fans. The no-frills Shaw bar offers one of the cheapest happy hours in the city: score $2 off any drink, which brings many beers and shots to $3 or $4, and mixed drinks to about $6. You'll also get half off daily bar snacks like cheese pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, hot dogs, and smash burgers, when you order a beer. 

What: $5 red or white wine, and $4 beers and rail drinks

When: Mon all day, Tues–Fri 5–7pm

Why we love it: This Bloomingdale spot was made to resemble a grungy apartment in downtown Los Angeles. Corrugated steel, cinder blocks and lighting fixtures made from chains set the scene. During happy hour, beers and rail drinks cost just $4, and $5 buys you a glass of red or white wine. 

What: $9 wines, $8 mini martinis, $6 Spanish beers and $2-$12 tapas 

When: Mon–Fri 3–6pm, Sat–Sun 4–6pm

Why we love it: This Barcelona-inspired tapas bar is both spacious (bye, bye waiting for a drink) and full of energy (hello, attractive man with the loud laugh). Those qualities, plus solid happy hour deals, make Boqueria a natural meeting place for nearby office workers.

In addition to $9 wines and $8 mini martinis, the discounted menu includes $32 pitchers of sangria and classic Spanish snacks like patatas bravas and croquetas And for your hangover in the morning, keep in mind that Boqueria’s brunch is one of DC’s finest.

What: $8 cocktails, $7 wines, $6 beer, and $5 Balkan snacks

When: Mon–Fri 4–6pm

Why we love it: You're guaranteed to eat like a king at Ambar, a Balkan restaurant in Capitol Hill famous for its generous brunch. The extensive cocktail menu includes $8 sangria, old fashioneds, and margaritas. Fuel up with filling Balkan apps like an array of spreads, fries, drunken mussels, kebabs, and flatbreads for between $5 and $7.