Battle of the Happy Hours in Miami

The glamorous, beachy lifestyle has become synonymous with Miami. Sometimes, though, high prices can hinder your plans for a night out on the town. Thankfully, the city also loves a good happy hour, and there are many amazing bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a cocktail or grab a light meal on the cheap while staying in Miami. As a food writer, I’ve put in my fair share of hours searching for the best happy hour in Miami. Here are a few of my favorites.

Snag a free snack at La Moderna

La Moderna competes for the “best happy hour in Miami” title with $7 select cocktails, like their house twist on the classic Aperol spritz, as well as discounted bites like the fried zucchini blossoms. But the real draw is the fact that every cocktail comes with a complimentary snack, like a mini margherita pizza! It’s the perfect way to live la dolce vita without boarding a plane to Italy. Daily from 5 to 7:30 pm

Cheer on your favorite team at Sandbar

If you’re a sports fan and love a good, strong rum hurricane, as I do, then Coconut Grove’s Sandbar is the place to be. Weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m., you can get half-price drinks, including their famous hurricanes, which vary in strength from Category 1 to Category 5. Plenty of TVs mean you’ll never miss a minute of the game, and their case for the best happy hour in Miami is that the food is so good you’ll want to stay all night.

Do Taco Tuesday right at Wood Tavern

Enjoy a drink and free tacos if you visit on Tuesday nights at Wood Tavern in Miami’s Wynwood art district.

Nestled in the colorful, artsy Wynwood district, Wood Tavern is a local favorite for its laid-back decor, dance-friendly music, great drinks and, oh yeah, the free tacos on Tuesday nights. If that doesn’t put them in the running for best happy hour in Miami, I don’t know what will! I couldn’t believe it either, but every Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m., Wood gives away free tacos with drink purchases. That cold beer will taste even better with a taco chaser!

Treat yourself at Sweet Liberty

If you’re looking for luxe on a budget, is there anything more indulgent than oysters? At Sweet Liberty in Miami Beach, happy hour is daily from 4 to 7 p.m. and features 95-cent oysters and $5 glasses of rosé. The vibe is “beachy-industrial,” with lots of low lighting, kitschy decor and elevated bar food, like the crowd-pleasing cauliflower nachos. This is the best happy hour in Miami for those looking for an excuse to feel a little fancy.

Try your luck at Bousa Brewing Company

Local brewery Bousa Brewing Company has a great BOGO happy hour in downtown Miami every weeknight, but you know what’s even more fun? Their Saturday Dice Nights, when from 4 to 7 p.m., the roll of a six-sided die determines your drink price. This definitely puts them in the running for the best happy hour in Miami! Try out the hoppy, bitter IPA, or go for something a bit more unusual with the Cherry Bomb blonde ale, made with cherries, serrano peppers, lemon drops and chilis.

Eat like a king at Tapas y Tintos

Once you’ve visited the tapas bar Tapas y Tintos, you may never look for another happy hour again. At this Spanish eatery, their claim for the best happy hour in Miami includes deals on sangria, mojitos, beer and bar bites, but they also offer a killer date-night deal. You can get two tapas, paella for two and two glasses of sangria for just under $35. Every. Single. Night. Just stop by between 5:30 and 7:30 to join in the fun!

Written by Leigh Kunkel