On occasion, you may need to cut out of work early to start the medicinal practice of happy hour, and Hungry Lobbyist has you covered. Here are eight tried and true early happy hour spots in the District, ranging from dives, to fine dining establishments.
A favorite happy hour spot of mine is Joe’s Seafood. If you feel the price point may be out of your league because of the luxurious reputation it holds, think again. Running 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. daily, Joe’s offers half-off all oysters, signature cocktails, wines by the glass, and draft beers. They also offer some delicious apps all under $5. Get an Old Fashioned, dry aged rib-eye dip, and some buffalo cauliflower to start your evening off right.
Taking things down a notch, we have the historic Post Pub – previously frequented by Washington Post employees. The happy hour runs daily, 11:30 – 8:00 p.m. Monday – Friday (so technically this can be a happy hour lunch). $5 rails and alternating beer specials averaging at $3.75 each can put you in a good mood to head back to the office. No food specials, but you can’t beat the food menu prices at this iconic D.C. dive.
Next up is Commissary, which IMO does not get the recognition this incredible happy hour menu deserves. From 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. daily, you can get an array of cocktails, beers, spirits, wine, and an impressive amount of happy hour grub ALL ranging from $3 – $7. Pizza, sandwiches, and salads are just a few categories offered on this unique happy hour menu.
Agora is famous for its impressive bottomless food and drink brunch – but have you been for happy hour? Happening 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, and 5:00 p.m. – Close on Sundays, Agora offers an array of spreads and small bites, and discounted cocktails, wines, and beer. Their large outdoor patio is the perfect spring happy hour location.
If headed to Capital One Arena, Bar Deco is a necessary stop for a pregame happy hour. 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, stop by their three-level bar for discounted cocktails and some well-portioned pub fare. Short Rib Nachos and a Deco Rosé Spritz go down nicely on this rooftop as you look down on the Cap One Arena crowd. A new addition is their Walk up & Taco running 11:30 a.m. until last call Monday – Friday, and an extra 30 minutes on the weekend. Grab one of ten taco options for $5 each and some $4 chips and guac.
Succotash is the perfect retreat to get your Southern fare fix at happy hour every day of the week, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Things like chicken n’ biscuit sliders and bourbon punches are among their many Dixie happy hour offerings. Wines and draft beers are also offered for an average $6, and don’t forget about Wednesday Wingsday, where their three wing options are only $1 each!
If you have a hankering for a Proper Burger from Duke’s Grocery, try to get there between 12:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday to pair it with a happy hour drink. $5 beers, wines and well liquors are abundantly available. If you can’t make it before 7:00 p.m., stop by on Monday nights 7:00 – Close for half price bottles of wine!