Cheers! It’s Happy Hour in West Chester, PA
So many choices — better make a list!
Congratulations, you’ve made it. The workday is done, and now it’s time to celebrate. What better way than at a local Happy Hour?
Happy Hour has been an American tradition since just after World War I. Once a period when sailors could expect a break from the slog of sea life, today Happy Hours can range from quiet catch-ups to high-energy hangs.
Whether you want a quiet beer with a friend or lively room for the whole office, West Chester will see you served — and at a discount if you come at the right time. So choose your vibe and … be happy!
Relaxed
It’s 5 o’clock. You need a beer and maybe some pub fries, but you don’t want to fight a crowd for the bartender’s attention. You just want a few laughs and an hour or two for quiet decompressing.
Artillery Brewing Co.
There is something cathartic about ordering a “Fog of War” after a tough day. If you’re in a fighting mood, head to Artillery Brewing Company, where the focus is on the beer — and the veterans. Feeling battered? Call in “The Militia.” You’ll feel better as soon as you do. Happy Hours, Tuesday to Friday, 4 to 6. $2 off listed pints. 333 Granite Alley. ArtilleryBrewing.com
Jitters West Chester
When it’s nice, check out the redesigned “Florida Room,” a back patio that would make Jimmy Buffet proud. Happy Hour runs weekdays, 4 to 6. Beers are $2, well drinks $3, plus limited food specials like the $4 dog and tot combo. 146 W. Gay St. Jitters-WC.com
Ryan’s Pub
At Ryan’s, Happy Hour is simple: $1 off all beers, drinks and wine plus $2 off specialty cocktails and martinis. Apps like battered pickle chips or saucy poutine are $6. Drink specials run weekdays, 5 to 7, food until 8. 124 W. Gay St. Ryans-Pub.com
Santino’s Tap & Table
Looking for a place to pop in for a quick drink? There’s plenty of room at Santino’s snaking granite bar. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday, 5 to 7. Enjoy $5 Tito’s, $6 wine and $3.50 domestic bottles. 40 E. Market St. SantinosTapAndTable.com
Sterling Pig Public House
The day starts happy at Sterling Pig. Happy Hour begins when the bar opens at 4. Choose from a rotating list of small-batch beers, all crafted by the Sterling Pig “brew crew,” each $2 off. Plus, select half-price appetizers, like the Texas taquitos and Bavarian pretzel, along with $6 wines and $5 Boardroom mixed drinks. Happy Hour on weekdays, 4 to 6. 113 W. Market St. SterlingPig.com
Stove & Tap
Every Monday through Friday from 5 to 7, Stove & Tap hosts Tappy Hour. As you’d expect, it’s full of drink specials, like $3 domestic drafts, $4 wines and $8 cocktails, but there’s also a fair selection of modern American pub fare. Order $8 Tap nachos or crispy Brussels sprouts for the table and you’ll be the hit of Tappy Hour. 153 W. Gay St. StoveAndTap-WC.com
The Social
The Social’s full wraparound bar offers plenty of space for you and your friends to sidle up to. There are sofas, too, if you prefer your space. Happy Hour is Wednesday through Friday, 4 to 6 at the bar. Choose from $4 drafts, $4 house wine and $6 small plates featuring Southern home cooking. Cheers! 117 E. Gay St. TheSocialWC.com
Wrong Crowd Beer Company
Wrong Crowd is located just outside the downtown district in a converted warehouse, but you’re not there for the scenery. Last year Wrong Crowd was named one of the country’s fastest-growing breweries. Want to know why? Stop by during Happy Hour and try a pint for just $4. Happy Hour runs Wednesday and Thursday, 4 to 6, and Friday, 3 to 5. 342 Hannum Ave. WrongCrowdBeer.com
Sophisticated
You got up. You got dressed. Maybe you even ironed. Whether you’re celebrating a moral victory or just want a nice glass of wine and something fun to nibble on, these establishments have elevated Happy Hour to an experience.
9 Prime
The newish upscale steakhouse, 9 Prime, recently added Happy Hours, 3 to 5:30, Monday through Friday. Stop by for bites and drinks ($5 select beers, $10 wines, $13 apps) and a seat at their chic bar. 9 N. High St. 9PrimeWestChester.com
Bar Avalon
You’re in the mood for a real drink and a little culinary magic to match. Tuesday through Friday, 4 to 6, and, in a nice little twist, Sunday, 2 to 4, Bar Avalon serves $8 wines, $10 cocktails and a fair selection of $10 apps. Order a cheese and meatboard or eggplant chips for the gang. Yum. 116 E. Gay St. AvalonRestaurant.net
Dolce Zola
In the mood for homemade Italian food? Dolce Zola’s Happy Hour runs Tuesday to Thursday. Enjoy 20% off cocktails, wine, appetizers, select pastas and Grandma’s meatballs. Manjia! 134 E. Gay St. DolceZola.com
Greystone Oyster Bar
Often Happy Hour decisions are made on atmosphere and drink specials, but every once in a while, it’s the food that seals the deal. That’s the case with Greystone, where Happy Hour means $2 oysters. Order a half-dozen and an $8 fresh-squeezed crush and you have summer in hand. Happy Hour runs weekdays, 4 to 6, featuring discounted food, beer and wine. 7 N. Church St. GreystoneOysterBarWC.com
Mercato Ristorante & Bar
Sometimes all you want is your best friend and a spirited dish session. Head to Mercato’s cozy corner bar and order two wines and a plate of the Margarita Pinsa to share. It’s an Italian escape well worth the $20. Happy Hour runs weekdays, 4 to 6, and includes discounted cocktails, $6 wines, $4 drafts and small bite specials. 33 W. Market St. Mercato-WC.com
Opa Taverna
When the weather is nice, duck out early and enjoy a glass of sangria and some people-watching from Opa’s Gay Street patio. Happy Hour runs Monday through Thursday, 3 to 5, with $8 wines and sangria, $5 select beers and $10 apps. Menu includes Greek favorites like hummus, spanakopita and Opa chips. 40-44 E. Gay St. OpaTaverna.com
Pietro’s Prime
The work day’s done, and you need a drink. Head to Pietro’s, order a martini and feel the stress melt away. The Nina is a classic. The espresso martini is legendary. Apps are half-off from 5 to 7. Need suggestions? Try the black and white tuna, Pietro’s crab cake or the truffle Parmesan fries. 125 W. Market St. PietrosPrime.com
Roots Cafe
New to the Happy Hour lineup is Roots, hosting in the garden on summer Saturdays, 5 to 8. Enjoy live music, $10 drink specials, $10 tapas menu. Nibble wings, chicken sandwich sliders, crispy fingerlings and even rainbow carrots. 133 E. Gay St. RootsCafeWC.com
Serum Kitchen & Taphouse
Newcomer Serum Kitchen & Taphouse offers Happy Hour all working week long, 4 to 6. Choose from a selection of $10 apps like smoked pork sliders or steak skewers and fries. Wash them down with $5 side-pull lagers, $8 glasses of house wine and, if you are really ready to say goodbye to the day, $8 house margaritas or old fashioneds. 142 E. Market St. SerumKitchenAndTaphouse.com
Slow Hand
You want a good drink, but you don’t want to fight for it. That’s when Slow Hand is perfect. Choose from a selection of sophisticated snacks like the $5 blackened shrimp deviled eggs to enjoy with a well-made old fashioned, margarita or negroni for $8. See, your night is already looking up. Weekdays, 4 to 6. $5 drafts and $7 house wine also available. 30 N. Church St. SlowHand-WC.com
Teca
At Teca it’s all about sharing, from its tapas-influenced menu to Happy Hour specials that includes wine by the bottle ($29 for house wine). Plus $7 wine by the glass, $5 drafts, $7 well drinks and 8 for $8 tapas. The food menu includes flatbread, mussels and mushroom bruschetta. Happy Hour runs Tuesday to Friday, 4 to 6. 38 E. Gay St. TecaRestaurants.com
Lively
You just landed the big account or nabbed that promotion you’ve been working so hard for — you’re ready to celebrate. You want energy. Go to any of these and you’ll be rewarded. Just go now — energy means people, and these places can get crowded.
Barnaby’s
Perhaps not surprisingly from the bar with seven rooms and at least a dozen TVs, Barnaby’s Happy Hour has something for everyone. Weekdays, 5 to 7, choose $4 drafts, $5 house wines, $6 specialty drinks and $6 Statesides, Surfsides and High Noons. Plus, $2 off all starters. On Thursday and Friday, unwind with live acoustic sets. 15 S. High St. BarnabysWestChester.com
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Weekdays from 4 to 6, Iron Hill holds court on Hoppy Hour. Get there early, order the $3.50 fried chicken sandwich, and enjoy a little me time before their U-shaped bar fills up. Standard pours are $2 off, wine and cocktails are $7.50, and select apps are $7.50. 3 W. Gay St. IronHillBrewery.com
Kildare’s Irish Pub
Looking for a spirited Irish bar? Kildare’s is the place. It gets packed with college students as the night goes on, but the early evening hours deliver a more mixed crowd. Happy Hour runs weekdays, 4 to 6. All drinks are $3 off, flatbreads are $8, and nachos are half-off. 18 W. Gay St. KildaresPubWC.com
Limoncello Ristorante
Limoncello has a great bar and, when the weather is nice, a great patio. Unfortunately, everyone knows it. Get there early for Happy Hour specials like $12 martinis, $8 wines, $5 drafts and discounted apps, like calamari fritti served with three dipping sauces. Order a grapefruit paloma and give into the bar’s buzzy energy. Happy Hour runs Tuesday through Friday, 4 to 6. 9 N. Walnut St. LimoncelloRestaurant.com
Más Mexicali Cantina
Work is done. Your colleagues are waiting. Grab the gang and go to Más, preferably to the rooftop, where the margaritas are $5 and the apps are half-off. The relaxed So-Cal vibe will soon have you on beach time. Happy Hour is Tuesday to Friday, 4 to 6, and can be paired with daily drink specials like $4 Coronas or $3 Tequila Sunrises for even more savings. 102 E. Market St. MasMexicali.com
Sedona Taphouse
When you’ve got a group to impress, Sedona it is. The Southwest-inspired steakhouse maintains a sizeable and eclectic Happy Hour menu, with guacamole, flatbreads and sliders all under $10. Add half-price bottled beers and $6.90 wine and cocktails and everybody’s happy. Specials run weekdays from 4 to 6. Just get there early. It can get very crowded. 44 W. Gay St., Ste. 1. SedonaTaphouse.com
Side Bar & Restaurant
Side Bar has an extensive beer selection, but you’ll have to wait until Wednesday to sip at a discount. Happy Hour runs Wednesday to Friday, 4 to 7, with $4 select drafts, $5 house wine, $5 Tito’s and half-price appetizers, like sweet potato tater tots. 10 E. Gay St. SideBarAndRestaurant.com
For more food and drink specials, visit West Chester during the Open-Air Market, when Gay St. shuts down for warm-weather weekends (Friday morning to Monday morning), or come for West Chester TAPS on summer Wednesdays (at participation locations). More at DowntownWestChester.com.