I’m probably not the first to tell you that living in New York City is expensive. So let’s talk about the one thing every New Yorker knows well, the importance of happy hour. I currently live on the Upper West Side (UWS) and thought it’d be fun to highlight the best happy hour on the Upper West Side, for those planning to visit my stomping grounds. Let’s dive in!
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +3 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Happy Hour Upper West Side
Table of Contents: Best Happy Hour Deals UWS
Upper West Side Happy Hour Guide (Table of Contents)
Nobody Told Me
Website: Nobody Told Me
Address: 951 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
Happy Hour: Daily 3-6pm
A fairly new addition to the neighborhood, Nobody Told Me opened in 2019. The brainchild of mixologist Nick Pfannerstill and Chef Alberto Miranda, the bar quickly gained a reputation for inspired libations and offering the some of the best happy hour cocktails on the Upper West Side.
During happy hour, a handful of craft cocktails range between $12-14. Food is also offered: $2 oysters and $5 spicy chicken sliders, shrimp rolls, crispy fish tacos and masala chickpeas.
Parm
Website: Parm
Address: 235 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023
Hours: Monday-Friday from 3-7pm
Owned by the folks behind the West Village’s most exclusive restaurant, Carbone (one of the hardest reservations to score in NYC), Parm offers top-notch Italian classics in a casual setting. The menu ranges from tantalizing pastas and salads to crowd-favorite chicken Parmesan sandwiches and hearty platters of eggplant Parmesan.
The best time to visit is weekdays from 3-7pm when this Upper West Side happy hour destination dishes out $6 appetizers (don’t sleep on the garlic knots, mozzarella sticks, and crispy zucchini) and offers half-off select cocktails. But take note, happy hour is only offered at the bar.
During happy hour, Moscow mules, Aperol spritz and old-fashions drop to $7.50, house wines are available for $7, and beer runs for as little as $5. Parm’s signature chicken parm platter isn’t discounted during happy hour, but if you order it, ask to swap the pasta side for rigatoni carbone (rumored to be the same recipe as Carbone’s).
Amelie Bistro
Website: Amelie Bistro & Wine Bar
Address: 566 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Hours: Daily from 4-6pm
Affectionately known as “La Petite Amélie”, this small French bistro doubles as a wine bar and serves one of the best happy hour deals on the Upper West Side. The draw is the $14 wine flight, which gives you the opportunity to sample three wines from different regions (choose from a selection of rosé, white or red flights).
If you’re a frequent flier at this neighborhood haunt and have tried the flights, opt for the $10 glass of red, white, rosé, or sparkling (sommelier’s choice, changes daily). Not into wine? Beer goes for $5 during happy hour, which is practically unheard of in NYC.
As for food, there’s a handful of small plates on offer like the soupe du jour, escargot, cheese plates, goat cheese salad and tuna tartare. Amelie was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide (a distinction for good-value restaurants), so you can bet the food is held to a high standard.
Good to Know: Monday is “Moules-Frites Day” at Amelie, steamed mussels, french fries and a glass of wine or beer go for $31.
Bodega 88
Website: Bodega 88
Address: 573 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Bodega-turned-sports bar, Bodega 88 is a testament to turning lemons into lemonade. The result of rising rent prices in the neighborhood, the owner of the corner bodega decided to test his luck by repurposing the space into a sports bar and locals can’t seem to get enough.
The reason? Bodega 88 serves one of the most generous happy hours on the Upper West Side. Offering $5 beer, $6.50 wine & sangria, and $8.50 mojitos, margaritas, and caipirinhas (a popular Brazilian cocktail), if you’re feeling peckish, empanadas (chicken, beef and spinach) go for $2.75 a pop.
Good to Know: Bodega 88 makes an appearance on our list of the best bars on the Upper West Side.
e’s BAR
Website: e’s BAR
Address: 511 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
Hours: Daily until 7pm
Home to one of the most affordable happy hours on the Upper West Side, e’s bar is a time-tested neighborhood staple with a great lineup of live entertainment. Well cocktails are $6.75, wine $7.75 and a beer + shot combo for $9.75. There’s also two burgers available on the happy hour menu, the house burger goes for $6.25 and falafel burger for $6.75.
The Consulate
Website: The Consulate
Address: 519 Columbus Ave, New York, NY
Hours: Monday-Friday from 3:30-6pm
Oozing old-school charm, The Consulate reminds me of quaint European restaurants with its black-and-white tiled floors and a handsome wooden bar. It’s one of the few Upper West Side happy hours spots I’d recommend for food more so than drinks.
Some of the favorite bites include the ceviche of the day for $12, six pieces of escargot for $11, and fish and chips for $13. As far as drinks are concerned, happy hour cocktails are $13-$14, and glasses of wine are $10.
Jake’s Dilemma
Website: Jake’s Dilemma
Address: 430 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Hours: Monday-Friday 3-7pm | Saturday 12-7pm | Sunday noon to close
Jake’s Dilemma is known for inexpensive drinks year-round but the deals get even better during happy hour with $5 beer, well drinks, and shots (top-shelf well drinks clock in at $7).
Keeping things interesting, Jake’s Dilemma also runs post-happy hour specials weekdays from 7pm to close. With $17 pitchers on Mondays and $10 beer + shot combos on Tuesdays, you’ll be content for a while.
Leyla
Website: Leyla
Address: 108 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023
Hours: Daily from 5-6:30pm, walk-ins only
Leyla, a cute Mediterranean restaurant tucked into a residential street, serves one of the best happy hours on the Upper West Side. The restaurant offers a selection of shareable appetizers and pides (Turkish flat breads) for less than $12.
As for libations, the restaurant offers cocktails and wine for $11 during happy hour. I suggest starting with the mezza trio and a cocktail to see where the evening takes you. There’s also the lamb burger ($17) with polenta fries, which I highly recommend.
Tessa
Website: Tessa
Address: 349 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Hours: Monday 4-6pm, Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm
Offering a romantic ambiance with string lights, dimly-lit brick walls and cozy leather booths, Tessa is one of the most romantic bars on the Upper West Side. The friendly bartenders make it a great spot for casual date nights in the neighborhood.
The restaurant seems to hit peak mass around happy hour (Tuesday-Friday from 11am-6pm) when signature cocktails are half priced. I’m partial to the French Blonde (Lillet, Ford’s Gin, elderflower, grapefruit, lemon), whatever you do – don’t sleep on the truffle fries.
Best Happy Hours UWS (Post Overview)
- Amelie
- Parm
- Leyla
- Bodega 88
- Tessa
- Jake’s Dilemma
- e’s BAR
- Lilly’s Cocktail and Wine
- Nobody Told Me
- The Consulate
Map of the Best Happy Hour Upper West Side
Further Reading for the Upper West Side
Things to Do: 20 Fun Things to Do in the Upper West Side (Local’s Guide)
Best Brunch: 10+ Toothsome Upper West Side Brunch Spots (Worth the Wait)
Best Restaurants: 12 Tasty Restaurants on the Upper West Side (Worth the Trek)
Where to Get Coffee: 10 Charming Upper West Side Cafes (Local’s Guide)
More Great Happy Hours in New York City
Best Happy Hour Spots in NYC: 15 Top Spots for Happy Hour in NYC (Local’s Guide)
Times Square Happy Hour Spots: 10 Tempting Happy Hours in Times Square (You’re Sure to Love)
SoHo Happy Hour Spots: 12 Satisfying Happy Hour Spots in SoHo
Financial District Happy Hour Spots: 20 Sensational Happy Hour Spots in The Financial District
Thankfully, there’s plenty of restaurants ready to impress patrons with a strong pour and tantalizing cocktails. With that said, I hope you enjoyed my personal list of the best happy hours in the Upper West Side.
Cheers!
You listed “Thyme and Tonic” at the end of the blog after Tessabut actually never wrote about it. You wrote about “Nobody Told Me”
Hi Kristy,
Great catch! I recently updated the list to remove Thyme and Tonic while adding Nobody Told Me. Thyme and Tonic is just fine but personally not as good as these others.
Thanks for leaving me the note!
Best,
Antonina