There’s nothing like capping 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.
Astro Beer Hall
For an out-of-this-world time, head to this cosmic-themed brewpub in Shirlington for happy hour Mondays from noon-9 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. Deals include $4 select beers and $6 frozen cocktails or margaritas, mules and mimosas. Soak up some of that alcohol with a Single Asteroid Slider (fried chicken, lettuce, pickles, jalapeno coleslaw and Astro sauce on a mini brioche bun) or Single Apollo Smashburger Slider, made with a Pat Lafrieda beef burger, American cheese, sauteed onions, pickles and special sauce. 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington
Brass Rabbit Pub
On weekdays from 3-6 p.m., this Clarendon watering hole goes all in on happy hour deals. Get apps and wraps for $10, featured martinis for $10, and select drafts for $5. The specials continue into the evening, too. From 6-9 p.m. on Mondays, get half off wings; on Tuesdays, it’s $3 Wine Night; Wednesdays, martinis are two for $10; and on Thursdays, come hungry for Burger Night—a burger and beer for $10. 1210 N. Garfield St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Bronson Bierhall
Say “prost” to the happy hour deals on weekdays, from 3-6 p.m. at this German beer hall in Ballston. Get $2 off all draft brews, or pay $4 for a can of Narragansett Lager. Prefer wine or liquor? Well drinks and wines are $5 during happy hour. Check the calendar for upcoming live musical gigs. 4100 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Celebrity Delly
With a motto of “We Can’t Fix Your Problems, But We Can Fix You a Drink,” this Best of Arlington 2025 winner introduced happy hour deals on May 14. On weekdays from 4-6 p.m., get half off all beer, wine and appetizers, including latkes (potato pancakes), chicken tenders and the newest menu item—Hawaiian pretzel buns stacked with corned beef or pastrami, coleslaw and Russian dressing. 7263 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church
Colada Shop
Turn a boring afternoon into a festive one at this colorful Cuban cafe with locations in Clarendon, the Mosaic District and National Landing. Happy hour (daily, 4-8 p.m.) brings cocktail deals such as $8.50 frozen daiquiris and the Carajillo (rum, espresso, banana liqueur and spiced maduro syrup). Canned wine is $11 and beer is $8, but the prime people-watching from the outdoor patio tables is free. Hungry? Grab a plate of Platanachos—house plantain chips with black bean dip, seasonal veggies, mozzarella, cotija, pickled sofrito and salsa verde for $9. On Wednesdays, get 50% off wine bottles and $5 signature margaritas. 2811 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon); 2920 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District); and 244 19th Court, Arlington (National Landing)
Corso Italian
“Aperitivo hour” at this Shirlington restaurant runs from 3-7 p.m. seven days a week (only at the bar). Find $5 bites such as mussels and clams, Calabrian meatballs and chanterelle arancini. Wash those down with a $9 glass of wine, a signature Negroni or Flame of Love martini made with vodka, sherry and orange bitters. 4024 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
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 Falls Punch, plus $5 shots of rail spirits served in an adorable artichoke-shaped ceramic cup. 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
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 fan-favorite events at proprietor Freddie Lutz’s beloved 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 3:30-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Find $5 deals on bites such as pupusas, labne dip, chicken dumplings and Belgian fries, and on drinks such as sangria, beer, cider and wine. Or spend $8 on cocktails, including Peach Lemonade, a Nineties Appletini or classic marg. On Tuesdays, get half off all wine bottles, and stick around for Trivia Nights on Thursdays at 7 p.m. with District Trivia. 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Kirby Club
Drink specials are available weekdays, 3-7 p.m. throughout Rose Previte’s Middle Eastern hotspot, but if you want happy hour food deals you’ll have to chill at the bar. Worth it—to munch on chicken shawarma sliders or a personal pupu platter with half a kebab. House wines are $8, draft beers are $5 and cocktail specials rotate daily. Show up for “Wicked” Wednesdays to get $8 house mojitos and $10 house margs, or swing by for “Girl Dinner” Thursdays, featuring fries with salad or a dip and a martini for $25. 2911 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Maison Cheryl
Take a seat at the bar at this French-New American bistro in Clarendon to enjoy happy hour specials weekdays from 4-6 p.m. They include $8 glasses of wine, $6 house beer and $10 cocktails such as Liquid Gold (spiced rum, banana liqueur, pineapple and agave) or the Madeleine Espresso Martini (Baileys Salted Caramel, espresso and Kahlua). The kitchen is cooking up light bite such as corn & piquillo pepper goat cheese dip and New Orleans-style fried shrimp. 2900 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
MayBar at Joon
Start your happy hour early on Thursdays—11:30 a.m. to be exact—at this Persian-centric lounge. Sip on $10 cocktails such as the Tequila Rose (tequila, grapefruit, rosewater and fresh lime juice) and the Vodka Albaloo, made with vodka and Joon’s signature sour cherry cordial. Other deals include $5 beers, $8 glasses of wine and $5 off mazzeh plates, such as falafel and hummus with dry-aged duck. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, enjoy happy hour specials from 3-6 p.m. 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna
Neutral Ground Kitchen & Bar
Social Hour at Chef David Guas’ McLean establishment happens Tuesdays-Fridays, 4-6 p.m., at the bar. Get a draft beer for $7, wine for $6-$7 and frozen cocktails such as the Pink Palm (rosé, vodka, strawberry, lime juice and simple syrup) also for $7. Savory shareables are $6 with temptations such as smoked whitefish and Bayou pimento cheese. If you’re really hungry, ask for the Early Bird—a hot chicken sandwich with wine, beer or a cocktail for $25. 6641 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Ocean Shack
Reel in happy hour deals at this seafood-centric hangout Monday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. Slurp $1.25 oysters and sip cocktails that start at $4. On “Hangover Friday & Saturday,” get $8 drink specials all day. Other deals include two tacos for $7.99 on Tuesdays and 20% off sandwiches on Wednesdays. 2163 N. Glebe Road, Arlington
The Renegade
Known for its lineup of live music, this energetic, come-as-you-are venue has happy hour on weekdays from 4-7 p.m. Pop in for $4 rail drinks, $5 house whites or reds, and $5 draft brews. 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
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 $4, and oysters on the half shell ($30/dozen or $18 for 6). This nautical-themed bistro and bar in Ballston offers happy hour Mondays, 3-7 p.m., and Tuesdays-Fridays, 4-6 p.m. The drink specials include a $5 draft lager, $10 wine and $11 cocktails, such as the Cape Codder G&T. Plus, enjoy discounts on wine by the glass or bottle. On weekends, you’ll find more deals during Happ 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 in Rosslyn and Falls Church, making it easy to drop in for daily happy hour specials from 3-7 p.m. Save $4 on house margaritas, $5 on well drinks, $3 on wine and $1 on draft beers. On Taco Tuesdays, order three specialty tacos and get one free. Options include the Colonel Sanders (fried chicken, coleslaw, kosher pickles and comeback sauce) and Smash Burger (a beef patty with American cheese, lettuce, pico and smash sauce). 501 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn), and 1116 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Wilson Hardware
C’mon get happy about the deals at this fun hangout specializing in American cuisine. Enjoy $5 rail cocktails, beer for $4.55-$5.45, wines for $5.45 and $3 off shareables. Stop by on Tuesdays to get $5 margs and $4-$6 tacos, Wednesdays for half off wines and chicken sammies, and Thursdays for a $20 pitcher of sangria. 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)