The 13 best Boston happy hours to unwind after work

The sprawling bar at this South End seafood spot serves $2 oysters every Monday through Friday from 4:30-6pm. Pair the briny bites with a rich sparkling wine, such as Mercat cava brut (which Atlántico prices at a reasonable $13).

Thursdays are for golf at this cavernous Causeway Street sports bar. From 4-5pm each week, play a free round of Topgolf with a chance to win gift cards and free appetizers from the hole "Closest to the Pin.” Two other lanes of the beloved golf simulator are simply free for guests to relax and take some hacks.

At two local outposts of Barcelona Wine Bar, you’ll find a special menu of drinks and pintxos offered Monday through Friday from 4-6pm. (The newest Barcelona in Cambridge doesn't yet have the menu.) In Brookline and the South End, cocktails include a mini espresso martini and a mini dirty martini. Half-size drinks at half the usual price, these cuties make you feel like you’re really at happy hour. The South End location also features the Sacaback, a traditional sherry shot blended with brandy and served with a side of Guindilla pepper brine (think of it as a Spanish-inspired pickleback). 

From 3-6pm daily, chef Robert Sisca and team have some fun with specially priced snacks. The bar at this Back Bay seafood spot also offers complimentary Old Bay popcorn with every drink order. Happy hour menu specials include local oysters, Ora King salmon tartare cones, bluefin tuna tacos and more.

This from-scratch pizzeria and aperitivo bar in Newton tempts every Monday with a serious deal: a signature Margherita pizza for half price. Available between 4-9pm, exquisite pizza for just $10 is the perfect way to finish up a manic Monday. Later in the week, treat yourself at Aperitivo Hour, a bar-only offering Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Between 4-6pm, refreshing Italian cocktails are priced $10 and less alongside $8 piattini like gnocco fritto (lardo-laden fried dough).

No matter the time of day, it’s probably happy hour at Earls. Both Boston-area locations—inside the Prudential Center and at Somerville’s Assembly Row—offer two happy hours, Monday through Friday from 2-5 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 9pm until close. Stop by for discounts on menu favorites such as sushi tacos, lettuce wraps, and avocado dip. Especially if you’re coming from being cooped up in the office, it’s important to note that the Pru location has a breezy rooftop patio.

This Harvard Square staple is known for a bargain-basement happy hour, when the entire menu is half-price. Running daily from 5-7:30pm, the deals span everything from brisket nachos to five bean chili. There is a $4 minimum beverage purchase per person, so drink up! And note, the special is not available on the outdoor patio tables nor for takeout.

Every Monday through Friday, this Seaport newcomer offers happy hour from 4–6pm at the bar. There are $1 oysters and half-off appetizers including Limani chips, spanakopita, feta phyllo and fried calamari.

New to Southie but clearly familiar with the fun-loving neighborhood, Petula’s has excellent daily and weekly specials. Martini Mondays bring $10 martinis to the table all day from 11:30am-10 pm. Fridays see $1 oysters and Jazz Lunch with live music from 11:30am–3pm. All week long from 11am–5pm, a glass of bubbles comes with an order of fries on the house.

Starting at 5pm every Monday through Wednesday, stroll straight past the cannon at the entrance of this Revere Hotel restaurant and head to the bar, where staff will be shucking $1 dollar oysters.  

Craving a bite (or more) of fresh sushi on a Monday? Then visit either the Boston or Cambridge location of this vacation-themed seafood restaurant. Monday is two-for-$12 day at Summer Shack, when diners can choose two classic maki rolls for just a dozen dollars.

It’s called “oyster hour” at this Newton gastropub, and it's an appointment with four oysters for only $12. Husband-and-wife chefs Trevor and Kate Smith feature bivalves from varying oyster farms from Cape Cod up to Maine as well as ever-changing mignonette (currently: Meyer lemon).

Every day of the week the Harvard Square restaurant serves $1 oysters from 5-7pm, which means you can grab a cocktail and oysters for a weekend happy hour, if you so desire.