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The Ultimate Metro Guide: Best Happy Hours Along Each DC Metro Line

  • Writer: Steven Black
    Steven Black
  • Dec 5
  • 10 min read

Updated: 4 days ago


Washington DC Metro Happy Hour Guide

Planning your after-work drinks around the Metro? Whether you're commuting from Maryland or Virginia, we've mapped out the best happy hour deals at every stop along DC's six Metro lines. This guide helps you discover affordable drink specials and food deals right at your Metro station, so you can save money while exploring the DMV's vibrant bar scene.

Red Line Happy Hours: From Shady Grove to Glenmont

The Red Line is DC's longest Metro line, stretching 27 stations from Montgomery County through downtown DC. This line serves some of the area's most popular happy hour destinations.

Bethesda (Red Line)

Bethesda is a happy hour goldmine with numerous upscale restaurants offering excellent drink and food specials. The walkable downtown area near the Bethesda Metro makes bar-hopping easy. Expect wine discounts, craft cocktail deals, and sophisticated small plates at bars within a few blocks of the station.

Top picks near Bethesda Metro:

  • Black's Bar & Kitchen - $8 cocktails, $6 draft beer, $7 wine from 3:00-6:00 PM with $6-12 snacks

  • Mon Ami Gabi - French bistro with $10 cocktails and $5-8 snacks

  • Barrel & Crow - $7 draft beer, wine, and rail liquor with bar food specials

Pro tip: Bethesda happy hours typically run 4:00-7:00 PM on weekdays, with many spots offering half-price wine bottles and discounted appetizers.

Dupont Circle (Red Line)

Dupont Circle offers one of DC's most diverse happy hour scenes, from dive bars to elegant wine bars. The area around the station features dozens of restaurants with outdoor patios perfect for warm-weather drinking. Look for $5-7 cocktails, discounted wines, and creative small plates.

Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan (Red Line)

This station puts you close to Adams Morgan's legendary nightlife. While Adams Morgan is famous for late-night scenes, the neighborhood also offers solid happy hour deals from Washington DC bars and restaurants. Many restaurants feature rooftop patios with drink specials from 4:00-7:00 PM before the evening crowd arrives.

Union Station (Red Line)

Union Station and the surrounding Capitol Hill area offer convenient happy hour spots for commuters. Capitol Hill happy hours include spots like AMBAR Restaurant, Capitol Hill with $6 beer, $7 wine, and $8 cocktails from 4:00-6:00 PM. Expect deals on beer, wine, and cocktails at restaurants catering to the government worker crowd, with many spots offering 50% off appetizers.

Orange Line Happy Hours: Vienna to New Carrollton

The Orange Line connects suburban Virginia with downtown DC and continues into Maryland, serving 26 stations with excellent happy hour access.

Clarendon (Orange Line)

Clarendon is Arlington's happy hour headquarters. This walkable neighborhood near the Clarendon Metro features dozens of bars and restaurants with competitive drink specials.

Must-visit Clarendon spots:

Standout deals: Look for restaurants offering 30% off all drinks, $2 off draft beers, and half-price appetizers. The neighborhood's concentrated bar scene means you can easily hop between multiple happy hours.

Court House (Orange Line)

Just one stop from Clarendon, Court House offers a slightly quieter happy hour scene with excellent deals. Many spots here cater to the legal and government workforce, featuring wine specials, discounted cocktails, and small plates from 4:00-7:00 PM. Check out more Arlington happy hour options near this station.

Ballston (Orange Line)

Ballston's recently revitalized area offers modern bars with creative happy hour menus:

  • Ballston Local - $4-7 beers, $9 wine, $9-10 cocktails with deals like "$14 burger + beer"

  • Bronson Bierhall - $2 off all drafts, $5 well drinks, $4 Narragansett Lager cans

The quarter-mile radius around Ballston Metro includes multiple Arlington happy hour options for after-work drinks.

Rosslyn (Orange Line)

Rosslyn bridges Arlington and DC with stunning views and solid happy hour deals:

  • Amuse - $5 beer, $7 wine, $10 cocktails with $2 off small plates from 4:00-7:00 PM

Rooftop bars and restaurants near the station offer discounted cocktails, wines, and appetizers with panoramic city views. Hours typically run 3:00-7:00 PM on weekdays.

Farragut West/McPherson Square (Orange Line)

These downtown DC stations put you in the heart of the business district's happy hour scene:

  • 1831 bar & lounge - $5 beers, $6 wine, $8 cocktails with 1/2 off appetizers from 5:00-8:00 PM

  • Astro Beer Hall - $4 select drafts, $2 off other drafts, $6 cocktails

Office workers pack bars offering $5-8 drink specials and half-price appetizers. The concentration of restaurants means fierce competition and great deals. Explore all DC happy hour options in this area.

Eastern Market (Orange Line)

Capitol Hill's Eastern Market neighborhood features charming bars and restaurants with neighborhood vibes and solid happy hour specials. Look for wine discounts, craft beer deals, and seasonal small plates near this historic market. Browse more Washington DC happy hours in this neighborhood.

Silver Line Happy Hours: Ashburn to Largo Town Center

The Silver Line, DC Metro's newest addition, connects Dulles Airport and Loudoun County with downtown DC. The 28-station line opened new happy hour territory.

Tysons Corner/McLean (Silver Line)

The McLean and Tysons area offers upscale happy hours with sophisticated drink menus. Expect $7-10 cocktails, wine flights, and elevated appetizers at restaurants near these stations. The area caters to suburban professionals looking for quality drink specials.

Wiehle-Reston East (Silver Line)

Reston Town Center, accessible via this station, features a walkable downtown with multiple happy hour options. Restaurants here offer competitive drink specials to attract the after-work crowd from nearby office parks.

Foggy Bottom (Silver Line)

This station serves George Washington University and the State Department area. DC happy hours here cater to students and diplomats alike, with diverse options ranging from dive bars to wine bars. Expect $5-8 drinks and discounted appetizers.

Blue Line Happy Hours: Franconia-Springfield to Largo Town Center

The Blue Line serves 28 stations connecting Virginia suburbs with downtown DC and continuing into Maryland.

Pentagon City (Blue Line)

Pentagon City offers convenient happy hours for Arlington and DC commuters:

  • matchbox - $5 domestic draft beers, $8 house wines and $10 signature cocktails from 3:00-6:00 PM

  • Epic Smokehouse - Quality selection of beers, wines and craft cocktails with an impressive bourbon, whiskey and scotch list, Happy Hour runs 3:00-6:00 PM

The Fashion Centre mall area features restaurants with drink specials, while nearby neighborhoods offer neighborhood bars with relaxed vibes and affordable deals.

Crystal City (Blue Line)

Crystal City's concentrated restaurant scene near the Metro makes it ideal for quick after-work drinks:

Expect $5 beer and wine deals, rail spirit specials, and half-price appetizers at multiple spots within walking distance of the station. See all Arlington happy hours in Crystal City.

Rosslyn (Blue Line)

This station provides access to Rosslyn's happy hour scene via a short walk, putting you near rooftop bars and restaurants with Potomac River views and drink specials.

  • Amuse - $5 beer, $7 wine, $10 cocktails with $2 off small plates from 4:00-7:00 PM

  • Open Road - $5 draft beers, $7 wine, $9 Gin or Vodka with $2 off small plates from 4:00-7:00 PM

Smithsonian (Blue Line)

The Smithsonian station drops you on the National Mall, close to downtown DC's tourist-friendly happy hours. While these tend to be pricier than neighborhood spots, you'll find deals on cocktails and local beers at restaurants catering to museum visitors.

Yellow Line Happy Hours: Huntington to Greenbelt

The Yellow Line connects Alexandria, Virginia with downtown DC and continues to Maryland, sharing track with the Green Line for much of its route.

King Street - Old Town (Yellow Line)

Old Town Alexandria is a happy hour destination in itself. The historic waterfront area near King Street Metro features dozens of restaurants offering drink specials, outdoor seating, and Potomac River views. Expect craft beer deals, wine specials, and seafood appetizers.

L'Enfant Plaza (Yellow Line)

This major transfer station serves downtown DC's business district. Happy hours in DC here cater to federal workers and tourists, with restaurants offering quick drink specials for commuters catching trains home.

Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Yellow Line)

Penn Quarter's restaurant scene offers diverse happy hour options from sports bars to upscale establishments:

  • Baan Siam - $5 beers, $8 frozen cocktails, $5 bites from 5:00-7:00 PM

  • Bistro Cacao - $6 Kronenbourg Lager, $7 house wines from 3:00-6:00 PM

This area gets crowded during baseball season with fans heading to games, so arrive early for the best deals. Browse all Washington DC happy hours in Penn Quarter.

Green Line Happy Hours: Branch Avenue to Greenbelt

The Green Line serves 21 stations through DC and into Maryland, sharing track with the Yellow Line through downtown.

U Street (Green Line)

U Street is one of DC's hottest happy hour neighborhoods. The area around the U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo station features rooftop bars, music venues, and restaurants:

Deals typically include $7-9 cocktails, craft beer specials, and half-price appetizers.

Columbia Heights (Green Line)

This diverse neighborhood offers affordable happy hours with Latin American, Ethiopian, and American cuisine. Bars here feature $5-7 drink specials and generous food portions at lower prices than downtown DC. Check out more DC happy hour options in Columbia Heights.

Fort Totten (Green Line)

As a transfer point between Red, Green, and Yellow lines, Fort Totten provides access to happy hours in multiple directions. The immediate area offers neighborhood bars with no-frills deals perfect for budget-conscious commuters.

Gallery Place-Chinatown (Green Line)

Chinatown and the Penn Quarter area near Gallery Place offer extensive happy hour options:

  • Black Whiskey - $5 rail drinks, $6 draft beer, $6 wine, $8 cocktails with $8 pizza

  • Barcelona Wine Bar - $6 wines, $7 cocktails, half off bottles from 4:00-6:00 PM

Sports bars pack in crowds before Capitals and Wizards games, while restaurants offer Asian fusion small plates and creative cocktails. Competition keeps prices reasonable with many spots offering $5-8 drinks. Explore all Washington DC happy hours near Gallery Place.

Metro-Accessible Happy Hour Tips

Timing Your Commute

Most DMV happy hours run 3:00-7:00 PM on weekdays, though many extend later or offer weekend deals. Plan to arrive by 5:00-6:00 PM for the best selection and seating at popular spots. Check our complete happy hour listings for exact times.

Using Your SmarTrip Card

Keep your SmarTrip card loaded for spontaneous happy hour stops. Metro fares are cheaper during off-peak hours (after 9:30 AM and before 3:00 PM, and after 7:00 PM), so late happy hours can save you money on both drinks and transit.

Station Proximity Matters

Most happy hour spots are within a quarter-mile (5-minute walk) of Metro stations. Check walking distances before you go, especially during winter months or bad weather.

Transfer Station Strategy

Major transfer stations like Metro Center, Gallery Place, and L'Enfant Plaza offer access to multiple neighborhoods' happy hour scenes. Use these hubs to explore different areas without traveling far.

Weekend Happy Hours

While most happy hour deals focus on weekdays, many DMV restaurants now offer all-day weekend happy hours or late-night specials. Check individual listings for extended hours.

Finding the Best Deals by Location

Virginia Happy Hours

Maryland Happy Hours

Washington DC Happy Hours

Drink Specials by Metro Line

  • Red Line: Bethesda offers upscale wine deals; Dupont Circle has diverse cocktail specials

  • Orange/Silver Lines: Clarendon and Ballston lead in competitive beer and cocktail pricing

  • Blue Line: Crystal City features corporate-friendly wine and beer specials

  • Yellow Line: Old Town Alexandria offers waterfront happy hours with premium drink deals

  • Green Line: U Street DC features creative cocktails; Columbia Heights offers affordable neighborhood deals

Food Specials Worth the Trip

Many Metro-accessible happy hours offer substantial food deals beyond typical appetizers:

Look for pizza and beer combos, burger specials, taco deals, and half-price flatbreads. Arlington's Clarendon neighborhood particularly excels at food specials with multiple spots offering 30% off all food during happy hour.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer brings rooftop happy hour season, with spots near Metro stations in Rosslyn, U Street, and Pentagon City offering outdoor drinking with views. Winter drives crowds indoors to cozy bars near stations in Dupont Circle, Clarendon, and Bethesda.

Plan Your Metro Happy Hour Route

The beauty of DC Metro's interconnected system is the ability to hop between neighborhoods. Consider these happy hour crawl routes:

Orange Line Crawl: Start at Ballston, move to Clarendon, then finish at Court House for three distinct Arlington happy hour vibes within a 15-minute Metro ride.

Downtown DC Tour: Use Gallery Place as your base to hit Penn Quarter, then transfer to Red Line for Dupont Circle, finishing at Farragut for business district deals.

Waterfront Route: Yellow Line from L'Enfant to King Street puts you near Potomac River views at multiple stops.

Virginia Suburbs: Silver Line from Tysons to Wiehle-Reston East offers upscale suburban happy hours with free parking at most stations.

Conclusion

DC Metro's six color-coded lines connect you to hundreds of happy hour deals across the DMV. Whether you're looking for cheap beer in Arlington, craft cocktails in DC, or wine specials in Bethesda, there's a Metro-accessible happy hour perfect for your commute home.

The key is matching your Metro line to your happy hour style. Red Line riders have access to upscale Bethesda and diverse Dupont Circle. Orange and Silver Line commuters enjoy Arlington's competitive Clarendon scene. Blue and Yellow Lines connect you to Crystal City and Old Town waterfront deals. Green Line riders can explore U Street's creative cocktail culture.

Download the official WMATA app for real-time train arrivals, load your SmarTrip card, and start exploring the best happy hours at every Metro stop. Your next affordable drink special is just one station away.

For a complete, searchable database of DMV happy hours organized by Metro accessibility, neighborhood, and deal type, visit DMVHappyHours.com. Use our Happy Hour Map to find deals near your Metro station, or browse by region:

Filter by your city, neighborhood, happy hour days and times to find your perfect after-work spot. Cheers to saving money while exploring the best bars and restaurants the DMV has to offer!


1 Comment

T. Durdin
Dec 06

I love this site! Thank you for providing!

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