Sometimes there’s nothing like capping the end of a long day with a cold drink and a warm bite to eat. Whether you’re on the hunt for $1 wings or wallet-friendly cocktails, here are some great places to visit for boozy bargains and late-afternoon snack specials.
Brass Rabbit Pub
On weekdays from 3-6 p.m., the pub goes all in on happy hour deals. Get apps and wraps for $10, featured martinis for $10 (make that two for $10 on Wednesdays), and select drafts for $5. On Thursdays, come hungry for Burger Night—a burger and beer for $10 from 6-9 p.m. // 1210 N. Garfield St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Bronson Bierhall
Say “prost” to the happy hour deals at this traditional German beer hall in Ballston on weekdays, 3-6 p.m. Get $2 off all draft brews or pay just $4 for a can of Narragansett Lager. Prefer wine or liquor? No problem. Well drinks and wines are just $5 during happy hour. Check the calendar for upcoming live musical gigs. // 4100 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Colada Shop
Turn a boring afternoon into a festive one at this colorful Cuban cafe with locations in Clarendon and the Mosaic District. Happy hour (daily, 4-8 p.m.) brings $8.50 cocktails, such as the Carajillo (rum, espresso, banana liqueur and spiced maduro syrup), $11 canned wine and $6 beer, plus prime people-watching from the outdoor patio tables. Hungry? Grab a plate of Platanachos, house plantain chips with black bean dip, seasonal veggies, mozzarella, cojita, pickled sofrito and salsa verde for $8.95. // 2811 Clarendon Blvd. (Clarendon) and 2920 District Ave. (Mosaic District)
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The Falls
This easygoing neighborhood spot from the Liberty Restaurant Group offers $3 Miller High Life Pony bottles, $5 lagers, a $7 Bing Cherry Margarita or Virginia Julep, plus $5 shots of rail spirits. Pair the beverage of your choice with a $12 burger or $10 pulled pork sammie, $1 wings or, if you’re really hungry, a double platter of two smoked meats (brisket, ribs and/or pork) for $24. Happy hour is available daily, 3-6 p.m. // 370 W. Broad St., Falls Church
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Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant
Dreaming of the shore? Breeze into this LGBTQ- and straight-friendly hangout for beach vibes close to home. Crazy Hour (daily, 4-7 p.m.) brings $4 rail drinks, $5 cocktails and beer for $4 or $5, depending on the label. Nosh on a half-pound of steamed shrimp for $8, tater tots for $5, Nacho Daddy nachos for $7 or the rotating app of the month for $6. Other staple events at this 24-year-old bar include diner-style brunch on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and the Freddie’s Follies drag show at 9 p.m. on Saturdays. (And if you get to Rehoboth Beach, there’s a location there, too.) // 555 23rd St., S., Arlington (National Landing)
Immigrant Food
Ballston’s gastroadvocacy eatery hosts happy hour from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. Deals include $10 signature cocktails, including the Sakura Sour (Japanese whiskey, raspberry shrub, Japanese yuzu bitters and egg white)—savings of about $4-5 per drink. Wine, some beer and bubbly are also discounted. On Tuesdays, get half off all wine bottles, and stick around for Trivia Nights on Thursdays at 7 p.m. with District Trivia. First place winners get a $40 gift card, and second place gets one for $20. // 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Maison Cheryl
Indulge in happy hour deals weekdays from 4-6 p.m. at this French New-American bistro in Clarendon. Get $3 off drinks such as The Secretariat (bourbon, lime, pineapple and agave) and starters like truffle butter fries and escargot de Bourgogne. // 2900 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
MayBar
Part of Joon, this new “restaurant-within-a-restaurant” concept has happy hour deals from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and all day on Thursdays. They include $5 draft beer, such as Sam Adams, Guinness and Dogfish Head; $8 wine; and $10 signature cocktails, such as the Caspian Sour (tequila, rose agave nectar, grapefruit and lime) that our dining critic enjoyed. Plus, get $5 off any mazzeh from the Joon menu. // 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna
Neutral Ground Kitchen & Bar
Chef David Guas keeps adding new enticements to his months-old McLean establishment. This time, it’s a “Winter Break Special,” with new crispy chicken sandwiches at the bar Tuesdays-Fridays, 4-6 p.m. Paired with any wine, beer on tap or a signature cocktail, the whole thing costs $25 per person. Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30-10 p.m., get the sandwich with a signature martini from the new Tini-Time menu for $35. Those drinks include The Filthy (vodka, dry vermouth, olive brine and olives) and the After Hours Latte (vodka, bourbon, caramel cream, coffee and caramel popcorn). // 6641 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
The Salt Line
Hankering for seafood? Cut out of work early for $8 oyster shooters, $7 coddies (salt cod fritters) a satisfying cup of clam chowder for a mere $4 and oysters on the half shell ($30/dozen or $18 for 6) at this nautical-themed bistro and bar in Ballston. During the weekday happy hour from 3-7 p.m. Monday and 4-6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, the drink specials include a $5 draft lager, $6 craft brews on tap and $10 draft cocktails, plus discounts on wine by the glass or bottle. On weekends, enjoy other deals during Happy Brunch (Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.). // 4040 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Taco Rock
This street taco and tequila bar has five Northern Virginia locations, including Rosslyn and Falls Church, making it easy to drop in for Taco Tuesday and happy hour specials, which are available daily, 3-7 p.m. On Tuesdays, buy three specialty tacos and get one free. Options include Piggy Mac (slow-roasted pork carnitas, mac and cheese, sweet chili glaze and chopped bacon) and Land & Sea (skirt steak, grilled shrimp, radish and horseradish sauce). During happy hour, save $4 on house margaritas, $5 on well drinks, $3 on wine and $1 on draft beers. // 1501 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn); 1116 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Water Bar
Sitting atop a waterfall feature at Water Park, a 1.6-acre outdoor oasis in National Landing, this bar offers all-day happy hour every Thursday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Drink specials include $6 draft beers and High Noons, $10 glasses of wine, and $12 cocktails. Accompany those with $10 Cornmeal Crusted Oysters, $9 Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings and $9 White Bean Hummus. Can’t get there Thursday? Happy Hour happens daily, 4-6 p.m. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)