Best Oyster Happy Hours in NYC

If you have a taste for food from the raw bar, then you already know that oysters don’t come cheap. (Oysters can sell for as much as $4 each.) Still, this doesn’t mean treating yourself to oysters and a beer now and then is entirely out of the question. Thankfully, many New York restaurants offer daily oyster specials. Here’s where you can find the best oyster happy hours in NYC.

Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar, 95 First Ave

Nestled in the East Village, this neighborhood joint serves a seafood-centric menu that is as fresh as it is delicious with oysters arriving daily. A rustic brick wall, wooden tables, and mismatched chairs mark this restaurant’s modest interior. Keeping things local, Upstate serves a rotation of beers from nearby breweries, and happy hour is hard to beat here. You can indulge in half a dozen oysters and a beer every evening from 5 to 7 p.m.

Crave Fishbar, 428 Amsterdam Ave

Located on the Upper West Side, Crave Fishbar is a sustainable restaurant that serves and sources locally- caught seafood. Its pale wood flooring, sea-foam green walls, and modern lighting evoke a chic nautical atmosphere. The menu is a seafood lover’s dream come true. As the official home of the #oystergram happy hour, Crave Fishbar offers a daily deal: assorted oysters cost only $1. If you’re in Midtown and have a craving for oysters, head to the restaurant’s other location at 945 Second Avenue.

The Wayland , 700 E 9^th St

The Wayland is a charming neighborhood restaurant tucked away on a corner in the East Village. It’s your one-stop shop for great food, excellent drinks, good vibes, and live music. And Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., settle in for happy hour and enjoy $1 oysters and great deals from the bar that include $4 to $5 beer, $7 wine, and a selection of cocktails for just $8.

Pinkerton Wine Bar, 263 N 6^th St

Pinkerton Wine Bar stands alone on our list in that it doesn’t host oyster happy hour. Instead, this Williamsburg spot offers $1 oysters all night every night of the week. The interior is warm and intimate with candlelight and curious art on the walls. As soon as the weather is nice, patrons take to the cozy café seating outside. The drink menu is expertly curated, focusing on “New World” wines and microbrews. Located off the beaten path, Pinkerton is a great spot for a date and ideal for catching up with friends.

The Mermaid Inn, 96 2nd Ave

Do you often have a lot of questions when ordering oysters? The Mermaid Inn has made it easier for customers and created the first ever (well, to our knowledge at least) Oysterpedia, an app full of information about an oyster’s flavor, region, and cultivation. In addition to expanding your sea foodie expertise, this East Village eatery hosts one of the best oyster happy hours in NYC where you can “swim by, get merry” on $1.25 East Coast oysters and quaff $5 beers, $7 wines, and $8 cocktails. On the Upper West Side? Check out Mermaid Inn’s other location at 570 Amsterdam Avenue.