But, like most things, not all happy hours are created equal. Some slash prices in half, while others offer daily rotating deals, and still more have ones that span a few hours or half the day.
Sure, most bars and restaurants in Miami offer at least some drink special for those twilight hours between the end-of-work whistle and suppertime, some spots just do it better. They are the spots that manage to take their specials to the extreme, offering great grub and premium booze — or both — at a perfect price.
While there are plenty of deals to be found across Miami-Dade County — from Miami Beach, South Beach, and Coral Gables to Coconut Grove, Doral, and Hialeah — we wanted to spotlight our favorites in Miami proper.
Here, listed in alphabetical order, are the ten restaurants giving you the most bang for your happy-hour buck:
8Street Brickell
88 SW Eighth St., Miami305-677-2332
8streetbrickell.com
This hidden Brickell gem is home to one of downtown Miami's best happy hours. Between 6 and 9 p.m. daily, guests can belly up to the bar or sit inside to sip and nosh on some of the most affordable deals in town. The bar offers up $6 beers, $8 glasses of wine and sparkling wine, and the entire cocktail menu priced at $10 apiece. If you're hungry, bar bites and appetizers are reasonably priced from $3-$12, including the two-for-$10 empanadas.
Beaker & Gray
2637 N. Miami Ave., Miami305-699-2637
beakerandgray.comBeaker & Gray offers a wide variety of premium beer, wine, and cocktails at this lively Wynwood spot, making it one of Miami's better happy hour deals. The drink menu, available Wednesday through Monday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., includes bar bites priced from $5-$9, $7 wines by the glass, $6 select beers, and a plethora of $8 cocktails that highlight the bar's take on a variety of classic libations from margaritas and martinis to the old-fashioned and sangria.
Fox's Lounge
6030 S. Dixie Hwy., South Miami305-703-6553
foxslounge.comA South Miami staple for decades, this newly revamped bar and restaurant is best known for offering great food and stiff drinks since 1946. As one of five restaurants under the Lost Boy & Co. umbrella, it stands as one of the darkest bars in Miami and one of the best spots to have a libation-forward happy hour. The daily offering takes place from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring $7 cocktails, $5 beers, and $6 wines. Visit on Monday, and you can also partake in the martini & margarita special from 8 p.m. to close when vodka and gin martinis and the "Tommy's" margarita are just $10 apiece.
Kaori
871 S. Miami Ave., Miami786-878-4493
kaorimiami.com This Asian-themed restaurant offers one of the best happy hours in town thanks to its varied selection of small plates. From 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, guests can find $1 oysters and small plates ranging from $7-$12 apiece. And not just the usual suspects, but high-end eats like grouper tempura, wagyu and foie gras gyozas, pork belly bao buns, robata beef tenderloin skewers, and a kimchi wagyu hotdog. Pair them with $8 beers or glasses of wine and $10 cocktails, including Kaori's take on a daiquiri prepared with rum, Fleur Charmante liqueur, Carpano Botanic Bitter, and lime juice.
Negroni Bistro
3201 Buena Vista Blvd., Miami786-510-0075
negronius.com This Midtown Miami restaurant recently launched a new happy hour menu available every day of the week. A diverse selection of small plates, cocktails, wine, and beer are available for a reduced price Monday through Sunday, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the restaurant's indoor bar, dining room, or alfresco patio. Offering a Nikkei twist to its diverse selection, a variety of $8 dishes include tuna tartare crispy rice, mahi ceviche, and Korean-style fried pork belly bites alongside $9 cocktails like their popular "Negroni sour" or "Summer Shade," made with Grey Goose vodka, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, fresh basil, sparkling water, and aromatic bitters There's also a variety of wine and bubbly for $9 a glass, while beer lovers can snag local craft beers like the "Spanglish" Veza Sur lager for $7 a pint.
Sala'o Cuban Restaurant & Bar
1642 SW Eighth St., Miami305-642-8989
salaorestaurant.comThis Cuban-American restaurant nestled in the heart of Calle Ocho isn't just for tourists. The happy hour makes it a great respite for locals, too. From Monday through Friday, 4 to 7 p.m., imbibers can order $8.50 classic cocktails and Sala'o originals, $7 select wines by the glass, and $5 beer — all while enjoying live music. Sala'o's well-known tableside gin and tonics are also available for $10 each. Even better: All guests get to feast on complimentary small bites with the purchase of a drink, with options that range from pinchos de pollo and brie croquetas to pickled watermelon rind and housemade potato chips. Arrive on Friday, and ladies can snag a complimentary glass of sparkling wine served with a housemade fruit mixer.
Sugarcane's happy hour recently expanded to include a late-night version from 10 p.m. to close daily.
Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill photo
Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill
3252 NE First Ave., Miami786-369-0353
sugarcanerawbargrill.comLocated in the heart of Miami, this beloved Magic City establishment is best known for offering internationally inspired dishes with a distinct South American spirit. From robata to the raw bar, there's no better time to sample it all than during happy hour, which takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. daily (and again from 10 p.m. to close). What will it get you? For drinks, find a long list of $8 signature cocktails, wines, and beer. They're perfectly priced for washing down the $8 happy hour plates like barbecue-spiced crispy pig ears, goat cheese croquettes, and select sushi rolls.
Tacocraft offers a weekday happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. (except Tuesday) and again from 10 p.m. to close.
Tacocraft photo
Tacocraft Taqueria & Tequila Bar
5829 SW 73rd St., Miami305-668-5612
tacocraft.com
Those seeking an energetic atmosphere, indulgent small plates, and a bevy of flavorful libations should look no further than Tacocraft. Happy hour goes down Monday through Friday (excluding Taco Tuesday) from 3 to 7 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to close. The deals are on select margaritas and cocktails, priced at $8 apiece, ranging from spicy and "skinny" to flavors like prickly pear and jalapeño cucumber. Imbibers can also save with half-priced tequila pours (excluding extra añejos and reserves), $4 bottled and $5 draft beers, $5 wines, and $6 spirit pours. Guests seated at the bar can order happy hour snacks priced at $3-$10 with options like guacamole, chicken taquitos, tuna poke tacos, and yuca fries. Still hungry? Select tacos are $4 each and include crispy pork or crispy shrimp, carne asada, chicken al pastor, and the vegetarian-friendly "exotic shroom."
Tap 42
3252 NE First Ave., Miami786-864-019
tap42.com This South Florida craft beer bar and gastropub chain offers a deal-worthy, three-hour weekday happy hour with plenty of food and drink specials. The special takes place Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., where guests can order $7 beers along with $8 spirits, cocktails, shots, and glasses of wine (at the bar only). They're offered alongside a number of bar bites priced at $6.95-$8.95 with options like grilled chicken wings, spicy salmon crispy rice, short rib sliders, and Southern fried chicken tenders. Visit during happy hour at the start of the week and get a double deal with the half-priced "Prohibition" burgers available from 4 to 11 p.m. every Monday.
Uchi's happy hour may be brief, but it's a great time to save on pricey favorites and bubbly.
Uchi Miami photo
Uchi
252 NW 25th St., Miami305-995-0915
uchi.uchirestaurants.comThe Uchi happy hour may be short-lived, but it's one of the best deals in town when it comes to snagging super savings on sashimi and sake. Start with reduced-price temaki (hand roll) from $9-$12 before moving on to nigiri from $4-$14 (two pieces) and small hot plates that range from $9-$12 with options like wagyu gyoza or pork belly crispy rice. Then wash it all down with $7 Sapporo beer, $8 sake, $8 wines, $10 cocktails, and half off the entire sparkling wine and Champagne menu.
