For over a century—dating back to the nineteenth-century oyster carts that lined the cobblestones of the South Street Seaport and Washington Market—freshly shucked oysters and a cold glass of beer have been New York City’s quintessential 5:00 PM reward. While inflation pushed many raw bars past $4 per shell, seven standout Manhattan and Brooklyn spots still treat late-afternoon happy hour as a civic duty.
1. Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar (136 First Ave, East Village): Tucked down a few steps off First Avenue near St. Marks Place, this rustic wood-lined room is an absolute paradise for bivalve purists. Every single day from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, Upstate serves six chef’s-choice East or West Coast oysters plus a pint of rare craft draft beer for just $14 total—making it one of the highest-quality raw bar steals in Manhattan.
2. The Mermaid Inn (227 Tenth Ave in Chelsea & 570 Amsterdam Ave on the Upper West Side): A long-running standard-bearer for neighborhood seafood, The Mermaid Inn runs its beloved happy hour daily from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the bar and patio, featuring $1.50 East Coast oysters on shaved ice with classic mignonette alongside discounted draft beers, wines by the glass, and mini fish tacos.
3. Sea Wolf (19 Wyckoff Ave, Bushwick/East Williamsburg): Right across from the Jefferson Street L train exit, Sea Wolf boasts a wrap-around indoor-outdoor patio where weekday happy hour (Monday through Friday, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM) brings $1.50 East Coast oysters and $10 frozen cocktails.
4. Ten Hope (10 Hope St, Williamsburg): Hidden behind ivy-draped walls with a retractable greenhouse roof and lush garden terrace near the Lorimer L/G station, Ten Hope offers $1.50 oysters every Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM alongside Mediterranean mezze.
5. Grey Lady (77 Delancey St, Lower East Side): This breezy, Nantucket-inspired raw bar on Delancey Street shucks $1.50 oysters during weekday happy hour (Wednesday through Friday, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM) paired with crisp rosé and spicy margaritas.
6 & 7. Crave Fishbar (945 Second Ave in Midtown East & 428 Amsterdam Ave on the UWS) and Maison Premiere (298 Bedford Ave, Williamsburg): Crave Fishbar’s sustainably sourced oyster happy hour runs weekdays from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM with $1.50 oysters, while Maison Premiere—New York’s crown-jewel absinthe and oyster salon—hosts a daily afternoon happy hour (Monday–Friday 4:00 PM–6:00 PM) where pristine boutique oysters drop to $2.25 apiece in its magical New Orleans garden courtyard.
