Having lived in New York City for a while now, I think Chelsea happy hour restaurants fly under the radar. The neighborhood has a ton of great options for post-work libations, from award-winning restaurants to quaint local gems, here’s a roundup of my favorites.
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out my helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The 10 Best Neighborhoods for First Timers & 3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Happy Hour in Chelsea
(Click here for the table of contents)
Where to Grab Happy Hour in Chelsea NYC (Table of Contents)
Exploring the neighborhood? You might enjoy reading: 15 Memorable Things to Do in Chelsea (Local’s Guide)
The Mermaid Inn
Website: The Mermaid Inn
Address: 227 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Happy Hour: Daily 4:30-6:30pm
Seafood served with a side of Cape Cod vibes, the Mermaid Oyster Bar dishes out one of the most generous oyster happy hours in Chelsea, headlined by $1.25 oysters (minimum order of 6).
If you’re not into oysters, opt for the salmon tartar ($10) or mini fish tacos ($4) instead, assuming the fried calamari ($12) is already at the table, of course. Pair your bounty with $6 beer or $10 cocktails and wine. The $3 clam chowder can be skipped, it’s good but tiny, you’ll get more bang for your buck with other bites.
Warm and inviting, the Mermaid Oyster Bar is a top choice for happy hour in Chelsea, especially for seafood lovers, you won’t want to miss it.
Porchlight
Website: Porchlight
Address: 271 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Happy Hour: Monday – Saturday from 3-7pm | All day Sunday
Porchlight is the brainchild of New York City’s most famous restaurateur, Danny Meyer. The mastermind behind Shake Shack, Gramercy Tavern and Daily Provisions, you better believe this Chelsea happy hour restaurant is held to high standards.
Bill as a “New York bar with a southern accent,” Porchlight seamlessly blends the flavors of the American south with the polished Big Apple vibes. During happy hour, select cocktails go for $11 a pop, offered with a rotating selection of $6 beer and $5 flasks of punch.
As for food, there’s two light options on offer: collard greens cheese dip and a tray of popcorn, potato chips and smoked olives, both $12. If you’re hungry, give the full-priced menu a gander, it’s hard to be disappointed at a Danny Meyer joint.
Fonda
Website: Fonda
Address: 189 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Happy Hour: Monday: All day | Tuesday – Sunday 4 to 6pm (Bar Only)
Fonda is the ideal happy hour spot in Chelsea for anyone with a mild guacamole obsession. This Mexican restaurant serves authentic dishes and great tequila-based cocktails. Happy hour runs all day Monday and from 4-6pm Tuesday-Sunday (at the bar only). You’ll find $11 appetizers and $7-12 alcoholic beverages, the $12 mezcalita has no business being so good.
The Orchard Townhouse
Website: The Orchard Townhouse
Address: 242 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Happy Hour: Tuesday – Friday 3 to 6pm
The Orchard Townhouse is located in a charming four-story townhouse, the relaxed atmosphere feels like hanging out at a friend’s place with good drinks (assuming your friend doesn’t live in a shoe-box apartment like yours truly).
The inside dining area floods with natural light during the day and transitions into a sultry dimly-lit venue by night. Try scoring a table on the outdoor patio and settle in with $10 cocktails (don’t sleep on the piña colada sazerac) and sharable appetizers.
Local’s Tip: The Orchard Townhouse is a 2 minute walk from the High Line, one of the best parks in New York City. Make sure to check it out!
Cull & Pistol
Website: Cull & Pistol
Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 4 to 6pm
Cull & Pistol is a neighborhood hot-spot for oyster lovers, especially during happy hour when those bad boys are half-priced. But fair warning, only oysters make an appearance on the happy hour menu (no cocktails or light bites). This might not be an ideal Chelsea happy hour spot for everyone, but for the oyster enthusiasts among us, it can’t be beat.
The Chelsea Bell
Website: The Chelsea Bell
Address: 316 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Happy Hour: Monday – Thursday 12 to 7 pm
The Chelsea Bell is an ideal spot for catching a game or hanging out with friends, especially during happy hour when you can enjoy bottled domestic brews for $6, select drafts and cocktails for $7 and $9 wine. Feeling peckish? Take a gander at the $11 appetizers, while the pigs in a blanket are tempting the jalapeño poppers get my vote.
The Copper Still
Website: The Copper Still
Address: 206 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 12 to 6 pm
Warm and inviting, the Copper Still dishes out some of the best happy hour in Chelsea. Grab a few $10 cocktails or $6 draft beers and you’ll be on a first-name basis with the bartender in no time. There’s also a handful of small bites available like fries, sliders, and popcorn all for under $6.
Further reading: The Copper Still is one of the best scotch whisky bars in New York City
Bocca di Bacco
Website: Bocca di Bacco
Address: 169 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Happy Hour: Daily 4 to 7 pm (Bar Only)
Bocca di Bacco is a no-frills Italian restaurant just steps from the High Line. Happy hour is offered exclusively at the bar but the $5 beer, $8 wine and $10 cocktails make it easy to brave the bar stools for the night. Add some $1.50 oysters or meatballs to the mix and you’re all set for one of the best happy hours in Chelsea.
Crown Alley
Website: Crown Alley
Address: 263 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011
Happy Hour: Daily 4 to 7pm
While I’d love to have it all to myself, the word is out – Crown Alley offers a happy hour that Chelsea locals can’t resist. Featuring $5 beer, $8 wine and an exciting menu of $8 cocktails, there’s more than 13 libations to choose from like negroni, whiskey sour, mojito and aperol spritz. Oysters go for $2.50 a pop (minimum order of six).
Bar Veloce
Website: Bar Veloce
Address: 176 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Happy Hour: Daily 5-7pm
Inspired by the popular wine bars in Italy, Bar Veloce is an ideal Chelsea happy hour spot to enjoy prosecco, rosato or red wine for $7 a glass before your dinner reservations kick in. Food doesn’t make an appearance on the happy hour menu, but the regular menu is full of tantalizing Italian appetizers.
Happy hour aside, Bar Veloce’s wine selection is stunning. Featuring reasonably-priced bottles of wine from Italy, the variety spans the gamut. My husband and I enjoy splitting a bottle with a group of friends while catching up over bruschetta and cheese boards, it’s always a great time.
The Grey Dog
Website: The Grey Dog
Address: 242 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 3 to 7 pm | Saturday & Sunday 4 to 7 pm
The Grey Dog is a cozy neighborhood spot known for great food and good vibes. During happy hour, you can score $4 beer, $6 wine and $7 margaritas and mules. For food, traditional pub appetizers go for $12, but if you buy two you’ll get the third free.
Best Chelsea Happy Hours (Post Summary)
- Porchlight
- Fonda
- Bar Veloce
- Cull & Pistol
- Crown Alley
- The Orchard Townhouse
- The Copper Still
- Bocca di Bacco
- The Chelsea Bell
- The Mermaid Inn
- The Grey Dog
Further Reading for Chelsea
- Best Bakeries in Chelsea: 12 Cheerful Chelsea Bakeries
- Best Bars in Chelsea: 12 Charming Bars in Chelsea NYC
- Things to Do in the Neighborhood: 20 Epic Things to Do in Chelsea
- Best Coffee in Chelsea: 15 Charming Coffee Shops in Chelsea
Map of the Best Happy Hours in Chelsea
And there it is, the best Chelsea happy hour spots. I hope you enjoyed the post.
Cheers!
I followed your recommendation and went to Cooper’s. I live in the area and I have always been curious about it. My experience is not nearly as positive as yours. The bartender has a major attitude (I guess that’s what happens when you ask about happy hour) and just talked over me when I asked about lite beer. I never knew a woman could mansplain! But, she did. I won’t be coming back here