We’ve rounded up more than 50 happy hour spots where you can find refreshing sips and elevated bites at discounted prices.
By Stephanie Kanowitz, Alice Levitt, and Maggie Roth
Alexandria and Springfield
Ada’s on the River
Head over to Ada’s Martinis and More Social Hour and enjoy martinis for $9 as well as $11 cocktails like the spicy Difference Engine and fruity Balanced Algorithm. They marry marvelously with the buttery $8 hot mini lobster roll and $8 raclette fries.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m. 3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria
Hangry Burger
In a city dominated by chain restaurant happy hours, this fun-filled burger joint is a meaty oasis. Chicken wings, available with sauces such as Bengali hot and butter chicken, are half off, meaning about $6 an order. The deal is sweetened by $2 off all beer, wine, and cocktails.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m. 6699 Frontier Dr., Ste. G, Springfield
Smyrna
Opa! Greek and Turkish beers are $5.50 on this lengthy happy hour menu. Nearly every mezze that speeds out of the kitchen is available for less during happy hour, including a $15 trio that includes your choice of standout dips.
Menu Available: Sunday through Thursday, 3–6 p.m. 7588 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria
Vermilion
Looking to keep your happy hour extra local? Virginia beer, cider, and wine options are $6 and $7. Regionally influenced bar bites like $6 Philly steak and cheese arancini and $8 smoked pimento dip are big on flavor. Eating them in the atmospheric bar is an Old Town rite of passage.
Menu Available: Tuesday through Friday, 4–6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 3–5 p.m. 1120 King St., Alexandria
The Majestic by Chef Santiago Lopez
A choice of six $11 cocktails like The Majestic Old Fashioned has plenty of appeal, but for our money, the $24 Girl Dinner pairing of a cheese-and-charcuterie board and Majestic Martini is one of the best deals around. Add on the $4 triple-fried house chips with bacon and blue cheese fondue.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–7 p.m. 911 King St., Alexandria
Vienna and Tysons
Agora
Outsized Mediterranean flavors with cheffy twists are available at the aesthetically pleasing bar. The large menu of mezzes includes meaty $8 kofte; $6 Brussels sprouts with yogurt, Urfa peppers, and gooseberries; and the restaurant’s delicious spreads for $5 to $6. They’re each a sleek complement to $5 draft beers.
Menu Available: Monday through Thursday, 4–6 p.m. 7911 Westpark Dr., Tysons
Ometeo
Great chilaquiles can be tough to find in our region, but at this Tex-Mex stunner, they’re available with housemade chips and two salsas for $10 at the indoor and outdoor bars. Pair them with a citrusy frozen margarita or frozen mango “agua fresca” for an additional $12 or select beers for $5 to $7 each.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m., all day Sunday. 1640 Capital One Dr. N., Tysons
Roberto’s Ristorante Italiano
Wish that you could get an $8 personal pizza from a famous chef? It’s a reality at the bar area of this upscale Italian neighborhood gem from James Beard Award–winning chef Roberto Donna. For $10, you can get a caprese salad or handmade pasta to go with a $7 glass of the red or white house blend.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 4:30–6 p.m. 144 Church St. NW, Vienna
Seray
Dips take center stage with the $12 sampler that features hummus, labneh, and baba ghanouj at this elegant Lebanese restaurant. Stuffed grape leaves are only $8, a fresh foil to fruity or botanical cocktails like the blackberry mojito or lavender martini at $8 to $9.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m. 160 Maple Ave. W., Vienna
Joon
During Social Hour at this upscale Persian restaurant’s opulent bar, the signature lamb-and-pistachio meatballs are $10. But half the fun is having dishes that aren’t available on the regular dinner menu, like the Joon burger with Aleppo-spiced fries. Get it with a signature cocktail for $5 off or a $5 beer.
Menu Available: Daily, 3–6 p.m., all day Thursday. 8045 Leesburg Pk., Ste. 120, Tysons
Arlington and National Landing
Ambar
A $7 Kiwi Smash with basil gin sets a light mood for creative Serbian-inflected eats. Options that ring up at $5 include a feta-flecked Balkan salad, bolstering veal soup, and cauliflower with spinach tahini. Save room for the housemade cevapi, a habit-forming $7 plate of beef sausage.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, noon–6 p.m. 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
NiHao
Dim sum can spawn the happiest of hours, especially when it’s just $13 for any two dishes. This restaurant, owned by star chef Peter Chang, is the place for dishes such as dry-fried eggplant, salt-and-pepper shrimp, and barbecue pork buns. Wash it down with a Tsingtao beer for $6.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 4–6 p.m. 1550 Crystal Dr., Ste. F, Arlington
Sfoglina
The $9 martinis and $5 brews are reason enough to head to Rosslyn for a festive Italian early evening, but James Beard Award–winner Fabio Trabocchi’s eats will keep you there. Sfoglina deviled eggs are $4 a plate while Nonna Palmina’s meatballs are $6 and the Italian grilled cheese with speck is $6.
Menu Available: Monday through Saturday, 3–7 p.m. 1100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Surreal
Try the Poutine Our Way for $14 at this upbeat global restaurant and order a slider trio that allows you to sample spicy beef, brisket, and fried chicken alongside the Surreal Mojito, flavored with pink peppercorns and only $10. Select house wines are $7, and beers and seltzers are $5.
Menu Available: Tuesday through Friday, 3–6 p.m., Sunday and Monday, 4 p.m. to close. 2117 Crystal Dr., Arlington
Salt
It’s worth arriving early on weekdays at this esteemed cocktail bar. The wagyu burger, one of the best in the region with its white-truffle aioli, roasted mushrooms, and Gruyère, is $5 cheaper. Seasonal cocktails are $2 off, including Care to Elope?, which features elderflower liqueur and local gin with cantaloupe and carrot.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 4–7 p.m. 1201 Washington Blvd., Arlington
Fredericksburg
Cheeky’s
The impressive range of $6 plates here includes an order of five duck wings — add on $5 duck fries to get more mallard for your money. Seafood lovers will profit from the $6 tuna tartare and shrimp cocktail. Get them with an $8 margarita or old fashioned.
Menu Available: Daily, 4–6 p.m. 622 Kenmore Ave., Fredericksburg
Locavore & Folklore
Sit at Locavore’s bar or the rooftop known as Folklore to sip $10.50 frozen drinks in flavors like espresso martini and gin-and-tonic. Options lean Southern and Korean in honor of chef Daniel Perron’s heritage, so order $8 gochujang chicken wings and $9 galbi skewers with $7 pimento cheese dip.
Menu Available: Monday through Thursday, 4–6:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 3–6:30 p.m. 314 William St., Fredericksburg
Rebellion Bourbon Bar & Kitchen
The memorable smoked wings here are half off during happy hour, equating to $2 per meaty flat or drumette. Get them dry-rubbed or in a fun sauce such as blueberry barbecue. Meanwhile, Manhattans and old fashioneds are just $6, the same price as fries buried in five-alarm chili.
Menu Available: Daily, 3–6 p.m. 309 William St., Fredericksburg
Sedona Taphouse
The days of super low-cost street tacos are mostly over, but you can recapture them here with $3 Acapulco fish tacos and Santa Fe shrimp tacos. Get them with a mojito or classic daiquiri for $7. Sparkling wines are $5, except on Tuesday, when they’re $3.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3:30–6:30 p.m. 591 William St., Fredericksburg
Reston and Herndon
Taco Bamba
Make any night taco night with $6 chicken flautas, $7.50 stacked nachos, and $8.50 fancy fries. Sit on the patio and sip $6 wine, sangria, or beer, or $7 margaritas in flavors including blood orange and spicy serrano.
Menu available: Monday through Friday, 4–7 p.m. 2425 Centreville Rd., Herndon
PassionFish
Sit at the bar or on the patio for a wide variety of bites like blackened fish tacos, the Chesapeake Bay fish fry, or the spicy salmon maki roll for $8 each. For drinks, choose from a list of $7 cocktails, wines by the glass, or draft beers.
Menu Available: Sunday through Friday, 2:30–6:30 p.m. and Saturday, 4–6:30 p.m. 11960 Democracy Dr., Reston
Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern
Bring your pup and pull up a chair in the year-round outdoor beer garden. Beer bargains include bottles and cans for $4.50 or drafts for $4.50 to $7.25. If you’re more of a cocktail or wine person, those drinks are $1 off.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 4–8 p.m. 697 Spring St., Herndon
Open Road & Heirloom
At Open Road, munch on cobb lettuce wraps or birria quesadillas at $2 off regular price and sip $8 glasses of Open Road Distilling Co.’s own spirits. At 3 p.m., beers are $3 a pint and cocktails are $4 off. After that, prices increase by $1 every hour until 5 p.m. At Heirloom, Open Road’s speakeasy, choose from a variety of cocktails and appetizers, including crispy calamari, wagyu meatballs, and short rib sliders for $10 each.
Menu Available: Open Road, Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m.; Heirloom, Monday through Friday, 4–6 p.m. 1871 Fountain Dr., Reston
Morton’s The Steakhouse
See and be seen during Power Hour at the bar while eating petite filet mignon sandwiches for $12, wagyu smashburgers for $19.78 (a nod to the year the chain opened), and $18 crabcakes. Four cocktails, including the blackberry margarita, are $10, while beer is $5.50 and wine is $9 to $12.
Menu Available: Sunday through Friday, 4–6:30 p.m. 11956 Market St., Reston
Stone’s Cove Kitbar
Two all-beef hot dogs with jalapeño cucumber relish for $7 and mixed nuts roasted with brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and rosemary for $5 mean bar food — but better. Libations include Kitbar Punch for $5, retro beers like Genesse Cream Ale for $2, or local craft beers for $5.
Menu Available: Daily, 3–6 p.m. 2403 Centreville Rd., Herndon
Manassas and Warrenton
The Black Sheep
Nibble on hush puppies with whipped honey butter for $10 or deviled eggs for $11 while taking sips of $6 cocktails, $5 glasses of house wine, or $2 off draft beers. The restaurant is housed in a historic barn and emphasizes locally sourced ingredients.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 4–7 p.m. 9935 Discovery Blvd., Manassas
Cast Iron Craft House
Cozy up to weekday deals inside the century-old house or on its intimate patio or rooftop. Order half-price cocktails such the gin-based Grow a Pear on Tuesdays, half-price wines by the glass, or grilled cheese with smoked gouda, brie, or Havarti for $7 on Wednesdays. Bring your fur baby on Friday, when pups get free treats and adults get $4 beers.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 4–6 p.m. 11 S. Second St., Warrenton
Claire’s at the Depot
Close out the day in a historic train depot, slurping oysters on the half shell for $2 apiece or munching truffle fries for $6 and lemongrass chicken potstickers for $7. Drink deals include $4 Michelob Ultra bottles and $8 glasses of Barboursville Vineyards wine.
Menu Available: Tuesday through Thursday 5–7 p.m. 65 S. Third St., Warrenton
Monza
Linger over discounted beer, wine, and spirits, including Jose Cuervo tequila and Bowman’s gin, at the self-proclaimed “longest happy hour in the area.” Snack on Monza Bites like fried pickles for $4.50, arancini for $7.50, and fried ravioli for $6.
Menu Available: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3–7 p.m.; Thursday, 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. 9405 Battle St., Manassas
Denim & Pearls
Get comfortable inside this 19th-century storefront or on the patio. Well drinks and wine are $5, and beer is $1 off. Plus, bar eats are half off. That means you can fuel up with pork belly sliders for $7, a flight of fries (garlic parm, truffle, Cajun, and more) for $6, and lemon garlic shrimp for $6.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m. 29 Main St., Warrenton
Woodbridge
Aroma Latin Fusion
Savor south-of-the-border flavors in mini beef empanadas for $8, crispy pork belly with fried yuca for $8, and scallops baked in white wine and cream sauce for $12. Draft Modelo and Blue Moon beers are $5, or choose from eight cocktails for $8 each, such as the Cuba Libre or a mojito.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m. 1500 Potomac Town Pl., Ste. 120, Woodbridge
The Spot at Belmont Bay Restaurant and Bar
Relax waterside with a revamped happy hour menu that includes wings, Mexican street corn, and spinach and artichoke dip, each for $7. Plus, sip $5 rail drinks, discounted beer, and half-off wines and sangrias. Call ahead for Dock & Dine and get a picnic basket to enjoy on Freedom Boat Club boats in the marina.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 4–7 p.m. 551 Harbor Side St., Woodbridge
Bourbon & Fig
The ambience is cozy and candlelit, and the drinks are decadent. Craft cocktails include the Carrot Margarita for $14 and Sunset Spritz and Black Manhattan for $12 each. Wine by the glass is $10, while draft beer is $5. Save $5 on bar fare, too. Grilled octopus comes to $13 and bourbon-glazed short ribs $19.
Menu Available: Wednesday through Friday, 4–6 p.m. 2243 Old Bridge Rd., Ste. A, Woodbridge
Cooper’s Hawk
The nationwide chain opened its third Northern Virginia location in May, bringing Wine O’Clock deals like a $17 sangria flight and $8 cocktails, beer, and wine. Nosh on a smoked salmon spread for $10, a crispy barbacoa quesadilla with braised short rib for $12, or crispy tempura shrimp for $10.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–5:30 p.m. 14901 Potomac Town Pl., Woodbridge
Dok Khao Thai Eatery
Pull up a seat at the bar to get a margarita, martini, or mojito in five flavors, including white peach, for $10. Beer is $5 and wine is $2 off. Bar bites with an international flair include spring rolls and larb gai (minced meat salad) for $8 apiece.
Menu Available: Daily, 3–6 p.m., excluding holidays. 5200 Potomac Town Pl., Unit 110, Woodbridge
Buffalo Wild Wings
Unwind with a strawberry margarita for $6, house beers for $4, $5 Bud Light, or $6 Voodoo Ranger IPA. Munchables include chips and salsa or tater tots for $3, mozzarella sticks for $5, and Everything Pretzel Knots for $6.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m. 14466 Potomac Mills Rd., Woodbridge
Gainesville and Haymarket
Rockwood
Live music sets the backdrop as you wash down fried pickle chips for $6 or street tacos stuffed with shrimp and steak for $5 with $6 mules, mojitos, and margaritas; $7 martinis and sangrias; and discounted draft and bottled beers.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 4–7 p.m. 7505 Iron Bar Ln., Gainesville
Red House Tavern
The building dates to 1777, but the drinks are decidedly modern. Sidle up to the bar for an $8 passion fruit margarita, $9 peach bourbon tea, or $12 espresso martini. End-of-season craft beers are just $3, while local drafts are $6, and wine is $8. Plus, the restaurant is getting ready to launch new food specials.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 4–6 p.m. 15001 Washington St., Haymarket
Monroe Bay Oysterette
The food options are a seafoodie’s dream: six Virginia oysters on the half shell for $6, $5 oyster shooters, crab claws for $10, peel-and-eat shrimp for $7, and a Baja fish taco for $4. Top those off with $5 beers and $6 glasses of wine.
Menu Available: Tuesday through Friday, 2–5 p.m. 15111 Washington St., Ste. 113, Haymarket
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
Come hungry because sliders, fried chicken potstickers, avocado egg rolls, and a personal deep-dish pizza with up to four toppings are each $7. For a lighter bite, get chips and housemade guac, salsa, and sriracha queso dips with domestic bottles of beer for $4. The Brewhouse Margarita and call drinks are $5.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–7 p.m. 13930 Promenade Commons St., Gainesville
Grain & Grog
Take a load off inside or on the patio. Bar food favorites like mozzarella sticks, fried pickle chips, and housemade Buffalo chicken dip are $2 off. So are all draft beers, house cabernet and chardonnay, and rail liquor. Plus, save $3 on seven types of mules, including summery Caribbean and strawberry options.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m. 7960 Crescent Park Dr., Gainesville
Ashburn and Leesburg
King Street Oyster Bar
Seafood is the star at this popular downtown Leesburg spot, where you can get house oysters for $1.50 each during happy hour. Sit on the patio to enjoy them in the sun with a $7 seasonal sangria or frozé (a blend of Malibu peach, rosé, and watermelon). Other discounted bites, like tuna tacos, crabcake sliders, and mussels, run $7 to $11.
Menu Available: Daily, 3–6:30 p.m. 12 S. King St., Leesburg
Parallel Wine & Whiskey Bar
With a spacious patio and a crowd-pleasing menu of more than 80 wines and 300 bourbons and whiskies, this spot is perfect for large gatherings. Go early for “crazy hour,” which offers select drinks and appetizers like pulled pork sliders and bruschetta for $4. Prices shift to $6 during happy hour.
Menu Available: Daily, Crazy Hour 3–4 p.m., Happy Hour 4–6 p.m. 43145 Broadlands Center Plz., Ashburn
Maker’s Union
Did someone say girl dinner? Grab your friends to share a tower of fries or a plate of crispy wings and indulge in a mango Aperol spritz or espresso martini. Every happy hour drink and appetizer is less than $10, and during Power Hour, everything is $5. Stop by on Thursdays for $7 martinis and appetizers.
Menu Available: Daily, 4–7 p.m., Power Hour 4–5 p.m. 42841 Creek View Plz., Ste. 145, Ashburn
SideBar
Sit in SideBar’s intimate dining space or backyard garden to enjoy elevated bites like General Tso’s cauliflower or Parmesan garlic fries and well-crafted drinks. House cocktails like the citrus-basil Common Law are $2 off. For simpler libations, rail drinks and classic cocktails like Aperol spritzes are $5 and $10, respectively, while draft beer and wine range from $2 to $5.
Menu Available: Daily, 2–6 p.m. 24 S. King St., Leesburg
Shutters on King
With a different theme every day, happy hour is never boring at this downtown Leesburg staple. On “Shuck Yeah” Fridays, oysters on the half shell are $2, alongside deals on draft beer, bubbly, and truffle fries. Or visit on a “Wine Wednesday” for half-priced wine by the glass, a $6 draft, and personal charcuterie boards for $12.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m. 102 King St., Leesburg
Falls Church and Fairfax
Clare & Don’s
A tropical vacation after the workday is a lot to ask, but Clare & Don’s beachy vibe is the next best thing. Grab $7.50 margaritas, $5 beers, and a fried seafood basket. It’s great for company happy hours, too, with a special menu of buffet-style appetizers priced per-person for 20 or more.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m. 130 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Ellie Bird
The discounted happy hour dishes at Ellie Bird go far beyond standard bar fare. Try bulgogi-loaded tater tots for $14, a braised pork belly BLT for $16, or crispy fried chicken with kimchi honey for $18. Wash it down with selections of beer for $5, wine for $8, or cocktails for $10.
Menu Available: Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 5–6:30 p.m. 125 Founders Ave., Falls Church
Kelly’s Oyster House
Head to this casual, friendly sports bar to catch the game over a beer or enjoy a sunny day on the front patio. Oysters run $2 each during happy hour Mondays through Saturdays or just $1 on Sundays — they’re the perfect companion to a crisp glass of wine or mixed drink. Other specials include fried shrimp, bruschetta, and shrimp spring rolls for $8.
Menu Available: Monday through Thursday, 3–6:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday, noon–6 p.m. 4069 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax
Urbano Mexican Restaurant
There’s a lively, colorful atmosphere at this Mosaic Tex-Mex spot. During happy hour, get $7 margaritas, sangria, or well cocktails and $6 glasses of wine. For bites, orders of taquitos, nachos, wings, and quesadillas are $11 each.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–7 p.m., all day Thursday. 2985 District Ave., Fairfax
MacMillan Whisky Room
Low lighting, plush leather bar seats, and a towering display of spirits set the scene at this haven for whiskey lovers in Mosaic. Happy hour customers get old fashioneds for $10 or $2 off signature drinks like the blueberry gin fizz. Sliders are also $2 off, and bottles of wine are 25% off.
Menu Available: Sunday through Thursday, 4–7 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 4–6 p.m. 2920 District Ave., Ste. 155, Fairfax
Best of NoVA Winner: Mama Tigre
The Best Happy Hour winner of our 2026 Best of NoVA poll offers an unexpected but enticing blend of Indian and Mexican flavors, evidenced in dishes like masala queso for $10 or butter chicken tacos for $11. In the spirit of fusion, try them alongside a $7 margarita-sangria swirl. Beer, wine, and rail drinks are $8 or less.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6:30 p.m. 10443 White Granite Dr., Oakton
Chantilly and Centreville
Sense of Thai
For daily happy hour specials in a chic atmosphere, grab a seat at Sense of Thai’s bar. Sip on a Manhattan or Royal Hawaiian cocktail for $12 — the drinks are as pretty as they are delicious. Can’t decide between spring rolls, gyoza, or shrimp cigars? Get a platter of all three for $18.
Menu Available: Daily, 3–6 p.m. 25031 Riding Plz., Ste. 150, Chantilly
Backyard Grill
Catch a game and grab a beer with friends at this longstanding spot. Drink specials are available every day, and appetizers are $3 off on weekdays. Plus, there’s a full slate of specials throughout the week. Visit on Mondays for half-off bottles of wine and a $16 meal of a burger, wings, and fries.
Menu Available: Daily, 3–7 p.m. (drinks), Monday through Friday, 4–7 p.m. (appetizers), weekly specials vary. 13999 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly
Bourbon Boulevard Steakhouse
With daily live jazz, this Chantilly steakhouse makes for a great date night. Happy hour offerings include spirits, wines, and cocktails like a cosmo for $9 and old fashioneds for $12. Pair them with filet mignon skewers, tuna tartare, or steak chimichurri for $18 to $20 each. Plus, visit on Wednesdays to get half-priced pours of a selection of more than 500 whiskeys.
Menu Available: Daily, 3–7 p.m. 4301 Chantilly Shopping Center Dr., Chantilly
Red Rocks Cafe & Tequila Bar
The deals start early here, so grab a booth and stay awhile. Select beers are $3 from opening to 4 p.m., then $4 until 9 p.m. Margaritas steal the show with 30 flavor infusions available — they’re $6 from 2 to 7 p.m. Pretzels, nachos, and boneless wings are discounted from 2 to 10 p.m.
Menu Available: Daily, times vary. 13850-F Braddock Rd., Centreville
Lazy Dog
With plentiful seating in the indoor bar area or on the covered patio, Lazy Dog is a reliable spot for a large group. Happy hour and late-night deals start at $3. Go in on a shareable pitcher of watermelon margaritas or your choice of red, white, or rosé sangria. The small-bites menu has something for everyone, from classic Buffalo wings and fries to fried chicken bao buns and tikka masala meatballs.
Menu Available: Monday through Friday, 3–6 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, 9 p.m.–close. 14333 Newbrook Dr., Chantilly
Feature image courtesy Cheeky’s
This story originally ran in our August issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
