Find yourself by the coast and enjoy these local happy hours that have great deals and drinks
Happy hour. A time to gather with co-workers and new friends or fly solo on an exceptionally long day. And, of course, an excuse to drink and eat more for less. We scoured the region for a few of the best happy hour specials—restaurants, bars and bistros with the most creative deals, delectable plates and unique cocktails.
Atlantic on Pacific
Deal: Oysters, Double Patty Burger, Cocktails
CoVa’s Choice: Oyster Rockefeller’s washed down with Overcast
This posh, oceanfront find is yet another Southside eatery that caters to locals’ thirst for weeklong happy hours. Look to The Atlantic for your seafood fix because during happy hour, every day from 3 to 6 p.m., oysters are only a buck a shuck. Slurp ’em raw, enjoy them fired or grilled or go for Atlantic’s Oyster Rockefeller three ways, a crowd favorite often paired with a glass of $8 sparkling, wine, bottled beer and well drinks all for under $5. For meat eaters, there’s also a steal on a double patty burger with crisp, salted fries. Virginia Beach, TheAtlanticVB.com
Baker’s Crust
Deal: Craft Cocktails, Draft Deals & Starters
CoVa’s Choice: Chesapeake Bay Paloma
Baker’s Crust offers discounted deals seven days a week, three hours a day. Stop into one of five locations between 3 and 6 p.m. to soak up $5 taps (wine pours included), $7 Craft Cocktails and a smattering of starters all under $7; think a light Caprese Bruschetta, savory Tavern Chips or a Classic Cheese Pizza. Craft Cocktail specials include exclusive Drink Local selections straight from the artisan kitchen: boozy libations made with the liquors from Chesapeake Bay or Copper Fox distilleries, Cirrus Vodka and Cureo Coffee Liqueur. Multiple locations, BakersCrust.com
Brick Anchor Brew House
Deal: Drinks, Appetizers, Entrees
CoVa’s Choice: Draft Beer and Parm-Garlic Meatballs
The number one rule for happy hour at Brick Anchor Brew House, every day starting at 3 p.m., is to come hungry. It’s stacked with dinner-worthy bites and elevated bar classics. Gorge yourself on deep-fried MacNCheez Balls, a velvety grilled cheese with braised beef and the all-new Pizza Dip crafted with seasoned cream cheese, pizza sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni. Their cocktails are worth sampling as are local brews, well drinks, house wines and fruit-forward specialties like the Granby Peach, Cran Gin Fizz and the Brew-House Margarita. Norfolk, BrickAnchor.com
Hank’s Filling Station
Deal: Cocktails
CoVa’s Choice: Whatever is new on tap
The name Hank’s Filling Station captures not only its retro, gas station vibe, but its ever-flowing taps whetting the whistles of Norfolk patrons. Hank’s happy hour isn’t for everyone, however; the discounts are no guarantee. A single six-sided die housed in a large pink cube determines your bill. Order your drink (beer, wine or well), then take a roll. Whatever the menu price, if you roll a one, your drink is only $1. Aim for $1 off by rolling a three or a 50% discount by scoring a two. Take your chance weekdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Norfolk, GhentEats.com/Hanks-Filling-Station
Hot Tuna
Deal: Cocktails & Appetizers
CoVa’s Choice: Coconut Mojito
When friends and family come to visit, Hot Tuna happy hour is almost always on locals’ list of to-dos. Before 6 p.m., two drinks won’t cost you more than $10, and you can eat for less than $5. When it comes to gourmet grub, Hot Tuna dishes out their all-stars for $8 or less. Indulge in shrimp tacos, cheeseburger sliders, calamari, eggplant meatballs, grilled avocado or tuna tartar. And sip for less by imbibing Hot Tuna’s famous mojitos, beach-inspired crushes, homemade sangrias and a host of domestic and import bottles starting at $3. Virginia Beach, HotTuna.com
The Porch on Long Creek
Deal: Cocktails, Porch Bites
CoVa’s Choice: Orange Crush with Tempura Rock Shrimp and a side of Thai chili aioli
Golden hour. At The Porch, it tastes as good as it sounds. The destination’s newest happy hour deals draw inspiration from the surrounding Lynnhaven River and showcase Golden Hour cocktails like minty mojitos, a refreshing Moscow Mule and VB’s signature Orange Crush. Golden Bites are on the menu too including fully loaded sushi rolls, a light Mediterranean Plate, Tempura Rock Shrimp and two flatbreads bursting with barbecue and blackened shrimp. Soak and savor Golden Hour Monday through Thursday 4 to 5:30 p.m. Virginia Beach, ThePorchonLongCreek.com
Pour Girls
Deal: Cocktails
CoVa’s Choice: Aleworks Good Luck Stout
The name of this restaurant alone indicates the perfect place to imbibe handcrafted sips that won’t break the bank. Pour Girls is proudly women-owned and operated and entices patrons with daily specials like $5 Lemon Drop Martinis and Cosmos on Mondays, $4 Margaritas on Tuesdays, and more. The daily specials are purely supplemental to their daily happy hour though; from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., take advantage of steep discounts on house wines, well drinks, craft beers and your go-to domestic bottles. Hampton, PourGirlsBar.com
Schlesinger’s Steaks
Deal: 12 under $12
CoVa’s Choice: Entrees and Half-Off Bottles of Wine
Schlesinger’s is a vetted Peninsula eatery known for its juicy steaks, intimate ambiance, and prices fit for special occasions. Its new 12 under $12 deals assert Schlesinger’s Steaks as a hot dining spot for Sunday eats. Think Seafood Quiche, center-cut Pork Chops, Tenderloin Kabobs, Fried Oyster Cobb Salad, and that’s just a taste of what the Sunday menu offers. Come dinner time, you can pair these delicious deals with half-priced wine bottles, too. Newport News, SchlesingersSteaks.com
Vino Italian + Bistro
Deal: 10 for $10
CoVa’s Choice: Eggplant Parmesan
The longstanding Chesapeake eatery recently opened a location in Virginia Beach’s Kempsville area, meaning more CoVa residents can take advantage of incredible 10 for $10 steals. Seven days a week, Vino guests can sink their teeth into 10 truly Italian dishes for only $10 each before 6 p.m. Beat the dinner crowd and save with mouthwatering classics like Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Francese, Philly Cheesesteak, Meatball Parmesan Sub, Vino Italian Sub, Mediterranean Penne, Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad and Wood-Fired Pizza. Chesapeake & Virginia Beach, VinoItalianBistro.com
Le Yaca French Restaurant
Deal: Beer, Wine, Cocktails
CoVa’s Choice: French 75
The renowned French restaurant opens its Williamsburg bistro to patrons seeking after work cocktails and pre-dinner aperitifs. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, enjoy steep discounts on wine, beer and select cocktails. Sip chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, rose and cabernet by the glass for only $6. Imbibe beers for $4 and other sophisticated sips like a French 75 and Negroni for $8. Wine discounts are complemented with a burger and soup deal on Wednesdays, too. Williamsburg, LeYacaWilliamsburg.com
Author: Leona Baker
