After a long day of work or exploring the city, the best way to relax in Washington DC is with an afternoon happy hour. Fortunately, there are plenty of different happy hour options in Washington to choose from, whether you want to stay in Washington, DC. or venture out to visit the surrounding cities. From formal happy hours with cocktails to classic happy hours with beer and pretzels, there's something for everyone.
One of the best places to start is Slowly Shirley, an elegant underground cocktail sanctuary created by Jon Neidich of ACME and Tijuana Picnic and Jim Kearns, formerly a member of The NoMad Hotel and Pegu Club, located below the duo's restaurant and bar, The Happiest Hour, at 121 West 10 St. Dacha is a great place for the whole family to enjoy. With plenty of outdoor seating in the outdoor tavern, it's the perfect place for adults to hang out and for kids to wander around. They offer a hamburger and beer happy hour every day from Monday to Thursday from 4:00 p.m.
to 7:00 p.m., making it the perfect place to stop by for a quick drink and dinner after work. Brasserie Liberté is another great spot for happy hour when you're strolling around Georgetown on a Monday through Friday afternoon. Special offers include discounts on draft beers and house red, white and sparkling wines. Try some French-inspired appetizers such as croquettes, French fries, macaroni au gratin, shrimp au gratin, a cheese board and a sausage board.
Barcelona is a wine bar with Spanish, Mediterranean and South American influences. They have more than 400 wines on their menu and offer small plates of food during their happy hour. Nooshi is a sushi restaurant known for its delicious food and champagne cocktails. They have a wide variety of drinks including one of my favorites: the champagne mojito.
Nooshi offers a “crazy hour” Monday through Friday with half-price drinks and food. Quill is the perfect place for an exclusive and classic happy hour experience in DC. Located at the back of the historic Jefferson Hotel, Quill is known for its wide variety of seasonal beverages with unique edible garnishes in each one. Quill's happy hour offer depends on the day but there's almost always something special.
Tiki TNT has a combination of indoor and outdoor seating, all of which looks like a beach bar. They offer happy hour seven days a week which is almost unheard of in DC. Farmers Fishers Bakers is the perfect place to enjoy a happy hour in Georgetown if you're looking for a relaxing afternoon with views of the Georgetown waterfront. FFB offers indoor and outdoor seating as well as an incredible drinks menu for happy hour.
Cork Wine Bar is definitely the place to go if you like wine. Their exclusive Happy Hour takes place every day from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., offering discounts on wines by the glass as well as small plates of food.
