Happy Hour in the City

A $2 brew? Now we're talking.


How low can you go?:

great happy hours

Acme Bar & Grill
Chic NoHo scene? Try Rehab across the street. Cheap, daily-rotating happy hour? Acme's Monday to Friday happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays feature $2 "Acme Brew;" Wednesdays ladies get two for one; and Thursdays are all about $4 Hurricanes.
• 9 Great Jones St., between Lafayette St. and Broadway, 212-420-1934

Blind Tiger Ale House
It's not so much the discounted prices ($1 off all drafts and well drinks), as it is the sheer length of Blind Tiger's happy hour, which runs from noon to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. That means you can practically get started on your cheap cocktail immediately upon downing your morning coffee.
• 518 Hudson St., at 10th St, 212-675-3848; blindtigeralehouse.com

Boxcar Lounge
This tiny bar specializes in creative cocktails made with champagne and sake — along with well drinks and draft beers these house specialties are just $5 each until 10 p.m. (until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday).
• 168 Avenue B, between 10th and 11th Sts., 212-473-2830

Fiddlesticks
Fiddlesticks has numerous nooks where you can grab a table and read a book without being interrupted — except when one of the great-looking bartenders pulls you a pint. Happy Hour lasts until 10 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and $3 will get you any drink you desire (expect martinis and shots).
• 56 Greenwich Ave., between Sixth and Seventh Aves., 212-436-0516

Landmark Tavern
With three-for-two buybacks, "Single-Malt Mondays" offer the best opportunity for cash-strapped connoisseurs to sample the Tavern's 70 fine scotches. Regular happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and features 10 cent buffalo wings and buy-one-get-one on all drinks.
• 626 Eleventh Ave., at 46th St., 212-757-8595

La Linea
Soulful, dive-y lounge for the romantically sleazy, with $2 discounts on all drinks 3 p.m. till 9 p.m., seven days a week. The currently running summer special includes $3 margaritas and $4 apple martinis during those same hours.
• 15 First Ave., between 1st and 2nd Sts., 212-777-1571

Magnetic Field
At this welcome addition to the Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill bar scene, tap beers and well drinks are $3 for several hours, Mondays through Wednesdays. Tuesday is happy hour all day —all day —and on Sundays the bar gives a BK shout-out with all Brooklyn beers $1 off.
• 97 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, 718-834-0069; magneticbrooklyn.com

Mars 2112
Once you get over the sight of mute aliens in rubber-and-spandex costumes, the fake red-rock terrain of Mars 2112 can be silly fun. And gimmicky theme bars are much more appealing when they offer drinks and appetizers for half off from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, with a DJ adding to the vibe several nights as well.
• 1633 Broadway, at 51st St., 212-582-2112; mars2112.com

Parkside Lounge
This once-sordid dive has gotten a second wind, with raucous parties and $3 beer and well drinks daily from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.
• 317 E. Houston St., at Attorney St., 212-673-6270; parksidelounge.com

The Slide
This gay bar next to Marion's Continental (same owners) takes happy hour to the next level with 60 minutes of open bar nightly. Happy hour officially runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., during which time beers are $2 and well drinks $3. But from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., the cash register shuts down entirely and patrons drink for free.
• 356 Bowery, at 4th St., 212-475-7621

Thirsty Scholar,
Sometimes you do wanna go where everybody knows your name. Or if not everyone, at least the bartender. And if not your name, at least your drink. Happy Hour runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week — beers are $3-$4, martinis are $5, and cosmos and frozen drinks are a mere $4.
• 155 Second Ave., between 9th and 10th Sts., 212-777-6514

Welcome to the Johnsons
Seventies throwback with recession-ready drink deals: On Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 1 till 9 p.m. pay only $2 for Buds and well drinks. Free snacks, too — of the Doritos variety.
• 123 Rivington St., between Essex and Nrofolk Sts., 212-420-9911

always cheap
Rudy's Bar
All drinks here are cheap, but the best deal — if you've got strong tastebuds — is Rudy's Red, the house's own somewhat swill-ish brew served in plastic "buckets" for $7.75. Bonus: Free hot dogs!
• 627 Ninth Ave., at 44th St., 212-974-9169; rudysbarandgrill.com

Corner Bistro
$2 mugs of McSorley's and some of the best burgers in town ensure that there's always a line at this West Village classic.
• 331 W. 4th St., at Jane St., 212-242-9502

Holiday Cocktail Lounge
W. H. Auden once lived next door, and Trotsky across the street. Both knew a little something about the low life, and so does the clientele of this East Village landmark. All drinks run from $2.75 to a mere $4. In fact, we voted it New York's best bar if you're unemployed!
• 75 St. Marks Pl., between First and Second Aves., 212-777-9637

International Bar
Whether you're drinking whiskey on the rocks or beer in a can, you'll get change back from a $5 at this friendly dive known for its great jukebox.
• 120 1/2 First Ave., between 7th and 8th Sts., 212-777-9244

Jeremy's Ale House
Starting at 8am, an unlikely mix of construction workers, fishmongers coming off their shifts, and Wall Street suits down 32-ounce Styrofoam cups of Bud ($1.75) at this one-of-a-kind waterfront dive.
• 254 Front St., between Peck Slip and Dover St., 212-964-3537

O'Connor's
The biggest change this place has seen in the past twenty years came in 2000, when drink prices went up by 50 cents (leaving most still under $3).
• 39 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, 718-783-9721

Mug's Ale House
Archetypal old-school tavern with $2-pint specials for both waterfront workers and starving artists.
• 125 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, 718-486-8232

Gowanus Yacht Club
Most Smith Street hangouts charge Manhattan prices. Not so this outdoor-only glorified hot dog stand, where the Carroll Gardens hipoisie enjoys $2 PBRs.
• 323 Smith St., Brooklyn, 718-249-1321

The Village Idiot
Long before Coyote Ugly was a bar or a movie, there were girls dancing on the the bar at the Village Idiot, and owner Tom arm-wrestled besotted customers for drinks. Beers are $1.25-$3, beer pitchers are $5.50, mixed drinks are $3.25, and shots are $3. Good luck!
• 355 West 14th St., at Ninth Ave., 212-989-7334