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Eat, Drink & Be Merry at the Best Happy Hour Spots in Albany, NY

Wondering where to head for snacks, beer, cocktails, or wine after work or on the weekend? Albany is home to some of the best happy hour spots in the Capital Region. Take a look at the happy hour spots listed below and plan your next trip!

Best Happy Hours for Beer

men at a table for happy hour

City Beer Hall

With up to 20 beers on tap from large and small brewers, City Beer Hall is perfect for happy hour with friends and colleagues who all have different tastes. Order your favorite type of beer, and browse the wide array of bar snacks and small plates on the menu. During the warmer months, you can relax on their spacious patio and celebrate happy hour outdoors.

The Olde English Pub & Pantry

Plenty of outdoor seating and a cozy interior that lives up to the olde, the English, and the pub in this restaurant's name, The Olde English Pub is an amazing year-round happy hour spot. Draft selections include ales, lagers, pales, bitters, stouts, porters, ciders, and wheats.

Wolff's Biergarten

Wolff's Biergarten has multiple locations in the Capital Region. They offer the best selection of German beers, the bar has a fun, laid-back atmosphere, and you can choose from their draft selection or hand-selected list of premium bottled beers.

Best Happy Hours for Cocktails

cocktail on a counter

Savoy Taproom

If you're a fan of classic and creative cocktails, then you need to plan a happy hour at Savoy Taproom. This Lark Street favorite is a cocktail bar and restaurant that delivers exquisite handcrafted cocktails, hearty food, and live music events. Try one of their drink specials or the Mule of the Month.

677 Prime

677 Prime could have made the list for best happy hour bites (their crispy duck wings are out of this world), but we decided their specialty drink specials take the cake. This upscale spot offers Belvedere cocktails and martinis for the same price as well cocktails during happy hour, so you're sure to get a better bang for your buck.

Wellington's Albany

Wellington's is probably Albany's classiest happy hour spot, as they're a fine dining restaurant located in the Renaissance Albany Hotel. With signature cocktails and an inviting but modern interior, Wellington's is a must for anyone who prefers their happy hour on the rocks.

Best Happy Hours for Wine

288 Lark Wine & Tap

Located at 288 Lark Street in Albany, 288 Lark Wine & Tap is a local wine bar that serves wine by the glass, including red, white, sparkling, and dessert wines. They are also a great option for cocktails like the Limoncello Spritz.

Umana Yana

Umana brings together flavors - and people - from around the world. Enjoy discovering new types of food and unexpected wine pairings at this Washington Avenue restaurant. You'll love the relaxed atmosphere, unique decor, and wine selection.

Best Happy Hours for Small Bites

two chicken sandwich pieces and fries

McGeary's Irish Pub

McGeary's Irish Pub touts itself as having "the best happy hour in the Capital District," and if you love Irish-inspired pub fare, you'll probably agree. In addition to their award-winning wings, you should try their sliders, mac & cheese poppers, or the chicken cordon bleu balls.

Across The Street Pub & Restaurant

For over 40 years, Across The Street Pub & Restaurant has continued to offer quality pub fare right across from SUNY Albany. This casual bar and restaurant can accommodate more than 120 people on any given night, and if you're looking for small bites for your happy hour, you can expect to find everything from nachos to eggrolls, baked loaded potato skins, fried pickle spears, and more on the menu. Be sure to check out their week-night specials too, which are available after 5pm.

Looking for dinner instead? Check out these great Albany restaurants >>

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