The Ultimate Guide to Washington DC Happy Hours: 200+ Best Deals by Neighborhood
- Steven Black
- Nov 29, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Updated: February 2026. Please let us know if anything is outdated, and we will get it updated!
Looking for the best happy hour in Washington, DC? You're in the right place. Whether you're searching for after-work drinks in U Street, rooftop cocktails at The Wharf, or hidden gems in Capitol Hill, we've mapped out the nation's capital's top happy hour spots to help you save money while exploring the best bars and restaurants in the city.
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What Makes Washington DC's Happy Hour Scene Special?
Washington DC's happy hour culture is unmatched in its diversity and accessibility. From political power players in Dupont Circle to young professionals in Shaw, students in Georgetown, and tourists discovering Adams Morgan, the nation's capital brings together every demographic imaginable. Most DC happy hours run weekdays from 3-7 PM or 4-7 PM, though you'll find plenty of spots with weekend specials, extended hours, and all-day deals.
The city's extensive Metro system connects neighborhoods seamlessly, making bar-hopping between U Street, Capitol Hill, and The Wharf easy without a car. DC's competitive restaurant market means constant innovation and excellent deals across every price point.
Best Happy Hours in U Street & Shaw
U Street Corridor is DC's nightlife epicenter, with one of the city's densest concentrations of bars and restaurants. Shaw, the adjacent neighborhood, adds upscale options while maintaining creative energy.
Abuare Bar and Restaurant - Ethiopian restaurant with daily happy hour from 12-6 PM featuring $8 rotating cocktails. One of U Street's longest happy hour windows.
Bar Charley - Daily 4-6:30 PM with $5 7 Locks Devil's Alley IPA and $7 Old Time Lager. Classic U Street neighborhood spot with local beer focus.
Black Jack - Wednesday-Friday 5-7 PM, Saturday 3-5 PM, all day Sunday with $5 draft beers, $6 wines, and $2-15 small bites. Popular with the weekend brunch crowd.
Barkada Wine and Cocktail Bar - Monday-Friday 5-6:30 PM offering $9 select wine & cocktails with $5 snacks. Filipino-inspired wine bar with creative small plates.
600 T - Wednesday-Friday 5-7 PM with $14 cocktails. Shaw rooftop spot with Instagram-worthy atmosphere.
Top Adams Morgan Happy Hour Spots
Adams Morgan delivers DC's most eclectic happy hour scene with international restaurants, late-night energy, and weekend availability.
Amparo Fondita - Tuesday-Friday 5-7 PM, Saturday-Sunday 3-6 PM with $6 beers, $9 wine & cocktails, $15 mezcal, $5 tacos, and $9 botanas. Mexican street food with impressive mezcal selection.
Capitol Hill & Navy Yard Deals
Capitol Hill combines political gravitas with neighborhood charm, while Navy Yard offers modern waterfront happy hours.
AMBAR Restaurant, Capitol Hill - Monday-Friday 4-6 PM with $6 beer, $7 wine, $8 cocktails. Balkan cuisine with unlimited small plates option during dinner.
Awakening Bar & Grill - Monday-Friday 4-7 PM featuring $4 select draft beers, $7 lemon drops & Jameson, $2 off specialty cocktails, $5 crispy green beans, $7 candied bacon deviled eggs, $10 mambo wings, and $2 off all bar bites.
Baan Siam - Tuesday-Friday 5-7 PM with $5 beers, $8 frozen cocktails, and $5 bites. Thai restaurant near Capitol Hill with authentic flavors.
Art and Soul at YOTEL Washington DC - Monday-Friday 3-7 PM offering $6 wine, $7 local drafts, $5 bottled/canned beer, and $10 daily cocktail special.
Bistro Cacao - Monday-Saturday 3-6 PM with $6 Kronenbourg Lager, $7 house wines, and $8 daily specials. French bistro with European charm.
Bar Pendry - Monday-Thursday 4-6 PM at The Wharf with $6 beers, $12 wines, daily cocktail deals, and $9 small plates. Waterfront views in upscale setting.
Georgetown Happy Hours
Georgetown offers historic charm and Potomac River waterfront dining, though it lacks direct Metro access.
Bar a Vin - Daily 4-6 PM with rotating drink and food specials. Wine-focused spot in the heart of Georgetown.
Bar Angie - Daily 3:30-5:30 PM featuring half-priced martinis, $8 beer, $12 wine, and bar bites menu. Classic Georgetown sophistication.
Dupont Circle & Logan Circle
Dupont Circle represents traditional DC happy hour culture with wine bars and cocktail lounges, while Logan Circle brings upscale dining.
Agora DC Mediterranean Restaurant - Monday-Friday 4-6 PM with $9 house cocktails, $7 wines by the glass, $5 draft beers, and $7-8 flatbreads.
14th Street Corridor
The 14th Street corridor showcases DC's restaurant renaissance with acclaimed chefs and innovative concepts.
Barcelona Wine Bar - Monday-Friday 4-6 PM offering $6 wines, $7 cocktails, half off bottles of sherry & sparkling, and $13.50 charcuterie. Spanish tapas with extensive wine program.
Amélie DC Bistro & Wine Bar - Daily 4-7 PM (4-6 PM Friday/Saturday) with $8 cocktails, $10 house wine, $12 wine flights, $40 house wine bottles, discounted small plates, $21 burger & beer or moules-frites & white wine combo. French bistro with all-day happy hour.
H Street NE
H Street has emerged as one of DC's most dynamic corridors with creative cocktails and neighborhood vitality.
Binge Bar - Wednesday-Friday 5-8 PM with $4 wine, $5 beers, $7 cocktails, and discounted bar bites. Extended 3-hour happy hour window.
Downtown & Penn Quarter
Downtown DC serves office workers and tourists with convenient happy hours near major attractions.
1831 bar & lounge - Monday-Friday 5-8 PM featuring $5 beers, $6 wine, $8 cocktails, and half-off appetizers. Extended hours perfect for after-work crowds.
Astro Beer Hall - Monday-Friday 3-6 PM with $4 select drafts, $2 off all other draft beers, $6 select cocktails and rail drinks, $5 house wine, and $7 chicken fingers. Beer hall atmosphere with extensive tap list.
Embassy Row & Upper Northwest
Upper Northwest neighborhoods offer neighborhood spots away from downtown crowds.
Alta Strada Embassy Row - Daily 4-6 PM with $7 drink specials and $5 bar snacks. Italian restaurant in sophisticated setting.
Aura Bar & Lounge - Daily 4-7 PM offering $5-6 beers & seltzers, $9 cocktails, and bar bites menu. Neighborhood spot in Friendship Heights.
Weekend & Extended Happy Hours
Not everyone keeps a 9-to-5 schedule. These DC spots offer happy hour beyond the typical weekday window.
All-Week Happy Hours (7 Days):
Abuare Bar and Restaurant - 12-6 PM daily
Bar Charley - 4-6:30 PM daily
Bar a Vin - 4-6 PM daily
Bar Angie - 3:30-5:30 PM daily
Amélie DC Bistro & Wine Bar - 4-7 PM daily (4-6 PM Fri/Sat)
Alta Strada Embassy Row - 4-6 PM daily
Aura Bar & Lounge - 4-7 PM daily
Extended Hours (Until 8 PM or Later):
1831 bar & lounge - Until 8 PM
Binge Bar - Until 8 PM
More DC Happy Hour Favorites
Amazonia (2nd Floor) Causa (1st Floor) - Monday-Friday 5-7 PM with $7 beer, $9 wine, $9 cocktail. Shaw's Blagden Alley dining destination.
Anju - Monday-Friday 5-6 PM offering $7 wines by glass, $7 Soju Spritz, $5 Kirin Ichiban Draft, and $7 Shandy. Korean restaurant in Adams Morgan with creative drinks.
How to Find the Perfect DC Happy Hour
Use our DC Happy Hours page with filters for:
Neighborhood - U Street, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, The Wharf, Navy Yard, H Street NE, Shaw, and more
Day of the week - Find spots open on your schedule
Time - Filter by when deals start and end
Interactive map - See all locations geographically on our Happy Hour Map
For a complete breakdown of happy hours organized by Metro line and station, explore our Metro guide to DMV happy hours.
Beyond DC: Explore the Entire DMV
Washington DC is just one part of the DMV's vibrant happy hour scene. Check out our guides for nearby areas:
Or browse our complete database: All DMV Happy Hours
Tips for Making the Most of DC Happy Hours
Arrive Early - The best happy hour deals run weekdays from 3-7 PM or 4-7 PM, but popular spots in U Street, Adams Morgan, and The Wharf fill up fast after 5 PM. Arriving at 4 or 4:30 PM often means easier seating and better service.
Check for Food Deals - Many DC restaurants offer discounted appetizers that can serve as a full meal when combined with happy hour drinks. Spots like Amparo Fondita ($5 tacos), Barcelona Wine Bar ($13.50 charcuterie), and Awakening Bar & Grill ($5-10 bar bites) offer substantial savings on food.
Explore Different Neighborhoods - Each DC neighborhood has its own vibe. U Street tends to be younger and livelier, Capitol Hill offers political energy mixed with neighborhood charm, Georgetown provides historic sophistication, The Wharf delivers waterfront views, and Adams Morgan brings international flavors.
Use the Metro - DC's Metro system makes happy hour hopping easy. The Red Line serves U Street and Dupont Circle. The Orange/Silver/Blue lines connect Capitol Hill and The Wharf (via L'Enfant Plaza). The Green/Yellow lines serve Navy Yard and U Street. Plan your route with our Metro guide.
Use the Map - Our interactive map helps you find happy hours near your current location or plan a crawl hitting multiple spots.
Report Updates - Restaurant happy hours change frequently. If you notice outdated information, use the "Report Update" button on any listing to help keep our database accurate for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is happy hour in Washington DC? Most DC happy hours run weekdays from 3-7 PM or 4-7 PM, though many spots offer extended hours, weekend deals, or daily specials. Check individual listings for exact times.
Are there food deals during DC happy hour? Yes! Many DC restaurants offer discounted appetizers, small plates, tacos, flatbreads, and charcuterie during happy hour. Look for spots like AMBAR, Barcelona Wine Bar, Amparo Fondita, and Awakening Bar & Grill for the best food deals.
Which DC neighborhood has the best happy hour? It depends on what you're looking for. U Street has the highest concentration of options and lively atmosphere. Capitol Hill offers political energy and neighborhood charm. The Wharf provides waterfront views. Adams Morgan delivers international variety. Georgetown brings historic sophistication.
Are there late-night happy hours in Washington DC? Several DC bars extend happy hour past 7 PM or offer late-night specials. 1831 bar & lounge runs until 8 PM, Binge Bar goes until 8 PM, and Baby Shank extends to 8 PM. Many Adams Morgan and H Street spots offer reverse happy hours or late-night deals.
Can I find weekend happy hours in DC? Absolutely! Spots like Abuare Bar and Restaurant, Bar Charley, Bar a Vin, Bar Angie, Amélie DC, Alta Strada Embassy Row, Aura Bar & Lounge, Amparo Fondita, Black Jack, and Baby Shank all offer weekend happy hour deals. Check out our Day of the Week Happy Hour Guide to find the best deal today.
Where are the best rooftop happy hours in DC? The Wharf, Navy Yard, U Street, and Downtown/Penn Quarter offer popular rooftop options with city views and waterfront vistas. Check our Rooftop Happy Hour Guide for current rooftop listings.
Start Exploring DC Happy Hours Today
With 200+ happy hours across Washington DC's diverse neighborhoods, you'll never run out of new spots to try. Whether you're looking for $5 beers, craft cocktails, waterfront views, or international cuisine, DC's happy hour scene has you covered.
This guide is updated weekly to reflect current happy hour deals. Last updated: February 2026. Have an update or correction? Use the "Report Update" button on any listing or contact us.