If it’s one thing most everyone agrees on, it’s that sometimes a good Happy Hour is just what you need to boost your spirits. In judging our favorite Happy Hours in South Florida, we had to drink our way from Wynwood to South Beach, from Aventura to Downtown. We considered pricey lounges and gritty dive bars and settled on a few of each because we are nothing if not equal opportunity drinkers.
Here’s what we decided:
- We like a half priced drink and an amiable crowd.
- We don’t like having to drive all over town to find fun (or parking).
- We want the snacks to exceed greasy bar food but not cost an arm and a leg.
- Here are our top contenders for happy hours every night on South Beach, North Beach, MidTown and Downtown Miami.
- Drink responsibly and drive safely.
Lou’s Beer Garden
7337 Harding Avenue, North Beach
Blink and you’ll miss this cool new renovation of a Harding Avenue property where the locals hang out enjoying off priced drinks and gourmet tapas nightly from 5-8pm. Enjoy small pizzas, crisp and lemony fried sardines, and a killer bacon and feta cheeseburger poolside.
Red the Steakhouse
119 Washington Avenue, South Beach
Escape to this sleek and sexy bar weekdays 4-7pm when 2 for 1 specialty cocktails, wine and draft beer can be paired with the kitchen’s most tasty snacks for just $9. We like the parmesan and truffled french fries, the tuna tartare and the buffalo rock shrimp.
Meat Market
915 Lincoln Road, South Beach
Sean Brasel’s sexy South Beach steakhouse offers prime sidewalk seating on Lincoln Road Mall. Enjoy 2 for 1 drink prices Fridays from 5-8pm plus a chance to sample the crudos, tiraditos and raw seafood like rice paper tuna tacos, smoked scallops, or fresh Florida stone crab claws.
Vinyl & Kai
1131 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
A great new bar for casual drinkers pops up amid the velvet rope clubs and Irish pubs along Washington Avenue. Enjoy the kitschy vibe at a nightly happy hour Monday through Friday from 4-7pm when drinks and appetizers are all half off. Unlike most SoBe bars, there is a REAL kitchen at V & K so you’d do well to stay for dinner.
Talula
210 23 Street, Miami Beach
A neighborhood restaurant that shows it’s love for tourists and locals in equal measure, Talula hosts a nightly happy happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 5-8pm. Belly up to the bar and enjoy 1/2 priced drinks and sample Chef Kyle’s special tapas.
Mac’s Club Deuce
222 14 Street, Miami Beach
Sometimes life dishes out more than you can handle and a stiff drink is just what you need to set things back on course. The Deuce is standing by with happy hour pricing starting at 8am for a strong dose of the hair of the dog. While drinking at dawn may not be just what the doctor ordered, we’re sure your accountant will appreciate the 2 for 1 pricing that lasts until 7pm at South Beach’s most notorious watering hole. For food we suggest you hit T-Mex or La Sandwicherie across the street.
Chophouse (formerly Manny’s Steakhouse)
300 South Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown Miami
One of the highlights of Manny’s Steakhouse brief run in Downtown Miami was the Friday oyster happy hour – the most popular night of the week for local workers. Chophouse Miami continues that tradition out at the patio bar Fridays from 4-7pm and ups the offer with happy hour 2 for 1 drinks Monday through Friday from 4-7pm and again starting at 10pm until closing.
Tobacco Road
626 South Miami Avenue, Downtown Miami
The oldest bar in the city offers a 96 CENT happy hour Fridays from 6-7:30pm with guest DJ Oski spinning and conducting on the spot trivia challenges on the back patio. Enjoy a casual after work crowd and no cover before 9pm at the original Miami Dive Bar. Burgers, chicken wings and house smoked BBQ are tops on the menu.
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
130 NE 40 Street, Design District, Miami
One of the most sought after reservations in Greater Miami, the happy hour scene at Michael’s is laid back and tasty with small plates and snacks stating at just $5 and weekday happy hour drink pricing from 4:30-7:30pm. Try the crispy hominy corn nuggets, the crunchy falafel or the crostini slathered with liver puree.
Sugarcane Raw Bar
3250 NE First Avenue, MidTown Miami
One of the big breakthrough launches in Miami, Sugarcane offers three hours of happy drinking Monday through Thursday from 4-7pm. Check out the robata grill, the raw bar and the cocktail bar where drinks sink to just $5 and the sangria and beer prices are half off. Choose from small plates like $2 oysters, $4 kobe sliders, $5 pork buns and sushi rolls at half off.
Cheers!
