The Best Happy Hours in Hartford
It’s winter… there’s no denying that. And unfortunately, this season throws our beloved farmers markets, hiking trips and outdoor festivals all out of the equation.
Leaving us with only one way to warm up from the sub-zero degree weather.
Alcohol.
So we put together a list of the top Happy Hours in Hartford, so you can now use drinking a cocktail as an excuse to save money on your heating bill.
Republic at the Linden
When: Monday – Friday: 3–6:30 PM, Sunday: 4–7 PM
What:
- Select $5 wines and cocktails
- $3 craft draft beers
- $3-7 small plates including Bacon Wrapped Dates and Thai Chicken Wings.
Why: When in doubt, go to Republic (seriously, for every occasion). It’s cozy and eclectic atmosphere, make this place a restaurant you could stay at for hours. There’s plenty of bar seating, couch seating, and everything in between, with tv’s playing the latest games and undeniably good food.
Spectra Wired Cafe
When: Monday – Friday: 4-6PM
What: Any drink for $4
Why: This newly opened Hartford cafe offers more than just delicious lattes. Spectra Wired Cafe offers a variety of wines and on-tap local craft beer in a cozy atmosphere – it’s a perfect getaway from the winter cold. They also have some of the comfiest blue velvet couches that you’ll just want to melt into.
Firebox
When: Tuesday – Friday: 4:30-7PM
What:
- Drink specials ranging from $3-6
- Small plates, like Chicken Liver Mousse ranging from $3-7
Why: Firebox is one of the reasons we love Frog Hollow so much. Besides ceiling-to-floor brick walls and friendly service, their farm to table dishes and unique cocktails make this a perfect spot to cozy in from the cold and enjoy a light meal and happy hour with friends.
Chango Rosa
When: Monday – Friday: 3-6PM
What:
- $1 off all beers and wines
- $6 Chango margaritas
- Their famous $5 Snaquiris
- $1 off all tacos
Why: Owned by Bear’s BBQ, Chango Rosa is Jamie McDonald’s new Latin American fusion restaurant. The menu is checklist style so you get to try a variety of dishes all at once. If you like to live life with a little spice, go for their staple cocktail – Jalapeño Business. They also have trivia every Wednesday at 7:30PM (last time we played we walked away with second to last place and a sweet 6 pack of Beef Ramen).
Tisane Cafe
When: Monday all night, Tuesday – Friday: 4-6PM
What:
- $5 martinis
- $5 wines
- $5 small plates like Umami Calamari and BBQ Chicken Spring Rolls
- $3 beer of the week
Why: Tisane is not only in our top 3 best brunch spots in the area, but they serve a mean happy hour. From their spiked coffees to a variety of their ‘Martea-ni’s’ (cocktails with tea in them) – you’ll want to sip through their entire menu.
Max Downtown
When: Monday – Friday: 4-6PM
What:
- $5 cocktails (cucumber margarita FTW)
- $4-6 small plates like Blackened Shrimp Tacos and Buffalo Cauliflower
Why: With Max Downtown’s modern renovations and new exciting additions to its menu, we love spending our happy hours at this new Max. The sight of the beautifully light up whiskey bar is reason enough to come hang out at the bar for a couple of hours, let alone their perfectly crafted drinks and light eats.
Black Eyed Sally’s
When: Monday – Friday: 4-6PM
What:
- $2 draft beers
- ½ price appetizers
Why: You may be surprised but Black Eyed Sally’s is almost always poppin, so when your friends bail on you last minute – head here. And when you do end up here, you’ll most likely find yourself sticking around after happy hour hours for live music (almost every night of the week). Oh, and did we mention their comfort style food is perfect to warm up from this winter chill.
Little River Restoratives
When: Varies
What: Varies
Why: Little River is a fun little eclectic bar to head to when you want a killer cocktail and don’t want to head too far out of downtown. They’re like the friend that’s always down for a strong drink no matter what day of the week it is. They also serve the best pickleback shots we’ve ever tried (if you’re cool like that). Follow them on social media to keep up to date with their happy hour specials, because when they have one – you don’t want to miss it.
Side Bar at The Goodwin Hotel
*Update: Side Bar has recently changed to Pina, part of the newly opened, Porrón & Piña.
When: Tuesday – Friday: 3-6PM
What:
- $5 small plates
- $6 signature cocktails
- $3 beer specials
- $5 wines
Why: The Rosy Cheek cocktail should be reason enough to come to the Side Bar for happy hour. The beautifully renovated Goodwin Hotel included the addition of this Side Bar, which offers a sophisticated but casual atmosphere and menu.
