How could we ever turn down a happy hour? The answer is simple—we don’t. From fresh seasonal cocktails to half-priced gourmet apps, these Philadelphia eateries give us all the reasons to say, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.”
In a brand new program, Scarpetta offers all happy hour menu items for $7 until 7 PM. Small dishes include tuna avocado tartare, whipped ricotta and meatball sliders. For drinks? Try the “Italian Ice,” made of vodka, limoncello, and San Pellegrino Limonata; or the “Vespa,” mixed with apricot-infused Tuaca, Aperol and citrus. Available in the downstairs lounge only, the special also includes select wines by the glass and beers. 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, 215.558.4199, scarpettarestaurants.com
Fishtown’s newest seafood stalwart concocts $8 classic cocktails—think their Old Fashioned, Negroni and French 75—from 5-7PM Sunday through Friday. If looking for a quick pour, sip on discounted wines by the glass or beer. And don’t think they skipped on the food—light bites come for light prices, including $2 oysters and clams. 1832 Frankford Ave., 267.875.1832, aetherfishtown.com
Work days can be long, and Barclay Prime knows just the fix. The Stephen Starr steakhouse dishes out both small plates, like their wagyu beef meatballs, dry-aged sliders and parmesan gnocchi for $10, and raw bar bites, such as their hamachi crudo and tuna tartare for $9. Signature $7 cocktails include the Barclay Cosmo, featuring Citroen vodka with cranberry juice and lime, and the Crony, blended with rye whiskey, tobacco-infused vermouth, and sorghum syrup. 237 S. 18th St., 215.732.7560, barclayprime.com
If you find yourself outside the city limits, Continental Atlantic City runs not one, but two, happy hours. From 4-6PM, sip on $5 cocktails including the new seasonal Raspberry Thyme Sangria, crafted with fresh raspberry puree, thyme and Pinot Grigio. Cocktails for $6 roll out from 8-10PM, like the Continental Cosmo with Tito’s vodka, peach schnapps, pomegranate, and lime, or a Suaza Blue-infused margarita, mixed with triple sec, agave nectar and lime. 1 Atlantic Ave., 609.674.8300, continentalac.com
A fresh line of spring cocktails arrives at this Amalfi-esque eatery. “A Fancy Hat” fuses Sagamore rye whiskey with pineapple-sage cordial, aged rum and lemon, while the “Sevilla” features Elijah Craig small batch bourbon, Pedro Ximinez, Creme de Noyaux, and cherry bitters—just to name a couple. When happy hour isn’t enough, Fridays usher in a brand new all-day special at Positano Coast, offering $6 glasses of Prosecco and $6 for 6 oysters. 212 Walnut St., 215.238.0499, positanocoast.net
Sip Spanish-style at Amada, where housemade sangrias come for $5 a glass 5-7PM Monday through Friday. Try the Blanco for the sweet taste of white wine, apple, pear, and orange; or the Tinto for zesty notes of spiced red wine, orange, apple, and cinnamon. A selection of $5 tapas, fríos y calientes, are also on offer for a quick nosh. 217-219 Chestnut St., 215.625.2450, philadelphia.amadarestaurant.com
Photography by: Scarpetta photo courtesy of Scarpetta; Aether photo courtesy of Aether; Barclay Prime photo courtesy of Barclay Prime; Continental Atlantic City photo courtesy of Continental Atlantic City; Positano Coast photo courtesy of Positano Coast; Amada photo courtesy of Amada
