Happy Hour in DC: Tasty Deals

There's no question DC has a lively happy hour scene. But where does one go for budget-friendly tasty cocktails, scrumptious bites and cool digs? Here is a quick list of personal HH faves by neighborhood - will add more as I find them so check back often!

ADAMS MORGAN

PERRY'S
http://www.perrysadamsmorgan.com/bar/happy-hour-tapas/
Every day from 5:30pm - 7:30pm
$5 Tapas, $5 Cocktails, $4 Beer & Wine
One of the best deals in town. Upon entering this sushi/new American establishment, walk up the steep stairs (and ponder how many people have fallen down them) to the spacious rooftop bar with a beautiful view of upper Adams Morgan. Highly recommend the refreshing Shochu Martini - made with Shochu (a Japanese clear distilled spirit similar to vodka), blood orange juice, freshly grated ginger & honey.

BOURBON
http://www.bourbondc.com
/home/index.html
Monday through Friday until 7:30pm
$3 Draft Beers, $4 Select Bourbon, $6 Specialty Cocktails
Homey food, cozy atmosphere, great spot for all other mealtimes. Usually priced at $10, Bourbon's cocktails are always top-notch. Rye-lovers, try the Ryjou made with yellow chartreuse, sweet vermouth and orange bitters. Margarita hounds, you might like The Rested Fig made with reposado, lemon, fig syrup and averna (an Italian digestif made with roots, herbs and spices.)

U STREET

VINOTECA
http://www.vinotecadc.com/menu/happy-hour
Every day from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
$7 gourmet sliders (2 plus salad), $5 apps, $5 wine
Healthy pours at this casual, upscale wine bar off 9th and U St. Outside patio is a bonus.

DOWNTOWN

BRASSERIE BECK
http://www.beckdc.com/
Every day from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, 10:30pm until close: 1/2 Priced Drafts
Every Thursday/Friday/Saturday same hours as above: 1/2 Priced Oysters
One of my favourite restaurants in DC: Brasserie Beck serves outstanding food and carries a fantastic selection of Belgian beers. Their oysters are also some of the biggest and juiciest I have ever seen so this is why it's a personal fave. Spacious layout and great service too.

CHINATOWN/PENN QUARTER

POSTE
http://www.postebrasserie.com/
Monday to Friday, 4:00pm to 7:00pm
$5 wine, $5 beer, $5 truffle frites
Once the heat is on, you can expect Poste's gorgeous outdoor patio to be buzzing with bees, boys and belles. Great spot for people-watching, frites-munching and if you can flag a server, enjoy a $5 glass of white or red. Simply stunning outdoor space and who can resist truffle frites?

ZOLA
http://www.zoladc.com/thebar.php
Monday to Saturday, 5:00pm to 7:00pm, 9:00pm to 11:00pm, Sunday all day
$4 wine, $5 beer, $5 specialty cocktails, $1.50 "tasty bites"
Though their music selection is often spotty, this cocktail lounge inspired by the Spy Museum downstairs has an unbeatable deal for tasty bites at just $1.50 per gourmet slider which I assure you, having tried them all, are indeed tasty and well-portioned i.e. not skimpy. The lamb meatball slider is delicious - and if you're in the area, worth visiting - especially as their happy hour specials are extended to night time when it's rare to find the $5 cocktail or $4 glass of wine.

ZENGO
http://www.modernmexican.com/zengodc/
Monday to Saturday, 5:00pm to 7:30pm
$5 Margaritas, $5 Mojitos, $5 Caipirinhas, $5 Wine, $4 Beer, $5 Plates
Right off the Chinatown metro stop, Zengo's happy hour is another steal with delicious apps bursting with flavour and well-prepared cocktails at 1/2 the price. Pork belly steamed buns, crunchy calamari, thai chicken empanadas, my mouth is watering already.

DUPONT CIRCLE

URBANA
http://www.urbanadc.com/index.html
Every day from 4:00pm to 7:00pm: $4 Beer, $5 wine including sparkling
Every day from 5:00pm to 7:00pm: $1 oysters
Part of Hotel Palomar, Urbana is "one of DC's hottest restaurant bar scenes" but if you're looking to enjoy raw oysters and sparkling wine on a budget, you've come to the right place.

Sidecar

A few years ago, I had my first Sidecar at the Ralph Lauren restaurant in Chicago. The sidecar is a classic cocktail composed of cognac, Cointreau and fresh lemon juice - a concoction that is sure to warm you up in any cold weather. To prepare a sugar rim, moisten the martini or old-fashioned glass with juice from a lemon wedge and place the glass down onto a plate filled with sugar. Rotate a few times until your liking. Next, shake the following ingredients over ice and pour into sugar-rimmed glasses:

2 measures cognac
1 measure Cointreau
1 measure fresh lemon juice

Cheers!