The Best Happy Hours in Richmond
Not surprisingly, Sara and I are asked all the time what is our favorite brunch spot. This is not such a simple question and requires understanding of multiple factors like what is your favorite dish, how early are you willing to get up, and what vibe do you want in general?
Similarly, we get asked a lot about where are our favorite happy hours. I guess alcohol and brunch go hand-in-hand? Today we decided to answer that question and outline our favorite places to grab a quick beer or rail and maybe a bite to eat.
3 Monkeys Bar & Grill
When the Richmond Times-Dispatch rated 3 Monkeys the best happy hour in Richmond for 2018, we were not surprised! This has long been a staple for Sara and me. From 4-8 PM, you can grab a $4 signature cocktails or $3 off glasses of wine or bottled beer and $2 off draft beers.
We also love the vibe! We always prefer to sit in the front area with ample windows for viewing the passersby, but the interior has a more dive bar feel. After two cocktails, you may also feel inclined to try the Monkey Fries appetizer (loaded fries with bacon, scallions, and monterey jack and cheddar), easily split between two or three people.
Bonus: 3 Monkeys also does happy hour on Fridays, which is awesome (and typically crowded).
Curbside Cafe
Similar to 3 Monkeys, you’ll be hard beat to find a restaurant with better hours for happy hour than Curbside. From 5-9 PM Monday through Friday you can grab $3 rails drinks, $3 draft beers, and $4 glasses of wine. Um, sign me up.
It’s pretty custom in my group of friends that we may start at another happy hour, but we always end up at Curbside by 8 PM because where else is happy hour still going on? We especially love their patio in the summer. (It has string lights! Bars with string lights are special places! logic best stated by Sara’s sister)
They also have a daily food deal. Monday is wings night ($.75 per wing), Tuesday is $1 tacos, Wednesday is half-price burgers, and Thursday and Friday vary.
Quirk Hotel
If you’re going for trendy, then you need to hit up Quirk Hotel’s lobby for happy hour. From 3-6 PM Monday through Thursday, you can grab $5 bubbly, $6 signature cocktail of the day (usually it’s the aperol spritz-ish Lady Crenshaw), and discounts on their gruyere cheese puffs, Buffalo-style pork rinds (watch your carbs!), and the potato wedge fries ($5 each).
Unfortunately, happy hour does not extend up to the roof, but start the party downstairs then move upstairs. You’re paying both for the food (delicious!) and the atmosphere (stylish! chic! pink!).
Bar Solita
Right next door to Quirk Hotel, you can find Bar Solita. They serve happy hour from 4-7 PM Monday through Friday at the bar and includes $4-7 appetizers. Tuesdays are specifically meant for tapas and Thursdays are for tiki drinks.
Bamboo Cafe
I’m honestly not sure if Bamboo Cafe (located on West Main St. right by Social52) has a happy hour or if it’s just always happy hour. This hole in the wall is my spot ever since my friend introduced me to it years and years ago. Rails are always $3.50 and they come as doubles (beware!). Beers and wines are similarly cheap. And so is the food (and it tastes good)! You can get a $6 personal pizza.
Bamboo also provides ample people watching. We especially recommend touring the restrooms and reading the public art.
Casa Del Barco
If you’re in the mood for margaritas or guac, come to Casa Del Barco! I frequent the Canal Walk Casa, but you can also find these deals in Short Pump. From 3-7 PM at the bar, you can grab $5 margaritas or cheaper rails and beers. Plus, delicious quesadillas, empanadas and queso! Better yet, the happy hour starts over at 9 PM to close - and it’s every day of the week! Muy bueno!
Possibly one of the most famous if not ratchet and young happy hours in Richmond, come to the Tobacco Company’s basement Thursdays through Saturdays. From 8-9 PM, you have access to $2 well drinks (my favorite poison!).
Want to be a bit more adult? Show up to the restaurant Mondays through Friday from 4 to 6 PM or Sundays 4 to 9 PM for $3 well liquor, $3 house wine, $1 off bottled beers, $2 off draft beers, and $2 off crafted cocktails. You also can get $2 off the flatbread appetizers.
Pasture
This is my bougie happy hour go-to and also, if you love pimento cheese, then you have to go! Only available at the bar (one time I made the mistake of ordering from the table), their happy hour lasts 4-7 PM every Monday through Friday. It’s $2 off draft beers, $1 off rails, $5 for select wines, and $6 for the bartender’s choice craft cocktail. It’s also $2 off snacks, which is when you can get the best pimento cheese this side of the James.
Postbellum
When you need a patio, pretzel and discount prices, Postbellum is for you! Their happy hour lasts 3:30-6 PM Monday through Friday with half-off draft beers and snack, $5 featured wine, and a $6 rum punch (which, if you ask Sara’s boyfriend, can be pretty dangerous). Also try the chicken wings, which are crispy and so spicy you can smell the heat before you try them.
Where else do you go for happy hour?! We’d love to try your ideas!
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