Top Happy Hours In Rittenhouse
If the weekend is the light at the end of the workweek tunnel, happy hour is a bit like a rest stop that allows us to relax and refuel. Celebrate the end of the workday by enjoying food and drinks with friends, coworkers, your significant other or even by yourself. Whether it's discounted drinks or cheap small bites you're after, these are the spots you'll want to visit in the Rittenhouse area.
Alma de Cuba
1623 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 988-1799
www.almadecubarestaurant.com
Take a trip to Cuba with restaurateur Stephen Starr and owner/executive chef Douglas Rodriguez. A dimly lit lounge area with high ceilings and chic furnishings makes Alma de Cuba a stylish spot to meet up for drink and food specials. From Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., you can sip a variety of $5 mojitos and sangria or $15 white and red pitchers of sangria. Pair your drink with $5 appetizers including albacore tacos, empanadas, guacamole, amazing almond-stuffed bacon-wrapped dates and more. And be sure to ask about the $1 ceviche special that changes daily. With so many options, you could easily make happy hour into dinner. End on a sweet note with $2 cheesecake empanadas or Cuban cookies.
Fitler Dining Room
2201 Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 732-3331
www.fitlerdiningroom.com
Located on the corner of 22nd and Spruce, Fitler Dining Room is a quaint spot with casual bistro decor and an intimate atmosphere. Happy hour is offered every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Drink specials include a rotating beer offering for $3 or $5 glasses of seasonal sangria (or $23 pitcher). Pair your drink with one of the $10 specialty sandwiches or munch on $3 popcorn dusted with blue cheese, $5 vegetables with the "dip of the day" or the $3 (per piece) daily cheese board.
Jet Wine Bar
1525 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 735-1116
www.jetwinebar.com
Jet Wine Bar is another Rittenhouse spot from Evan Malone and Jill Weber, the owners of REX 1516. Happy hour runs from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday nights as part of Jet's "Red Eye" featuring a DJ along with food and drink specials. Stop by after enjoying dinner at REX 1516, or keep this late-night event in mind if your work schedule doesn't allow you to hit the typical 5-to-7 happy hour. Drink specials include $5 house red and white wines, $3 Kenzingers and a $5 bartender's choice cocktail. There are also a variety of $3 and $5 snacks such as the bruschetta and nachos.
Oyster House
1516 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 567-7683
www.oysterhousephilly.com
The Mink Family has been in the oyster business since 1947, so it's no surprise that the Oyster House (now under third-generation ownership) hosts one of the most famous buck-a-shuck specials in Philadelphia. The raw bar can get rather tight, so you'll want to arrive early during the week to guarantee a seat. Happy hour runs 5 p.m. to 7 pm. Monday through Friday with $1 oysters, $2 draft beers, $2 shooters and $5 cocktails. As an extra bonus, you can enjoy a rare weekend city happy hour Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
REX 1516
1516 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(267) 319-1366
www.rex1516.com
While still technically in the Rittenhouse neighborhood, REX 1516 is a short walk away from Center City, making it a great spot to avoid the crowds. Happy hour runs from 5 pm. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday with a special $5 bar bites menu available at the bar. The smoked pork sandwich and the scrapple sliders are just two of the standout items. On Wednesdays, the bar features REX 1516's most renowned cocktail, the mint julep, for just $6. Stick around for dinner on Wednesday, and order Executive Chef Justin Swain's now-famous burger and citywide special. Enjoy Chef Swain's custom burger creation of the week, a shot of Buffalo Trace bourbon and a pint of Newbold for just $15.
Tinto
114 S. 20th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 665-9150
www.tintorestaurant.com
Iron Chef Jose Garces brings Basque-style tapas to Rittenhouse at Tinto. While happy hour is limited to just Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the $2 bites and discounted drinks make it worth putting on your radar. The duck confit is a standout favorite, with other options ranging from goat cheese and figs to garlic albondigas and short ribs. Tinto offers over 100 Spanish and French wines in addition to craft beers and incredible sangria. During happy hour, you'll want to take advantage of the house wines, sangria and draft Kenzinger, all priced under $5.
Tria Café
Rittenhouse Square
123 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 972-8742
www.triacafe.com
Who can say no to beer, wine and cheese? Tria honors the trifecta of fermentation at this Rittenhouse spot that's perfect for casual gatherings to talk and enjoy light food and drinks. Monday through Thursday, Tria offers "5 for 5" between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The selection changes daily, but always includes two beers, one red wine, one white wine and a cheese plate – all for $5 each.
Michelle Hein is the social media editor for a women's fashion company in Bucks County by day and a self-proclaimed food and drink fanatic by night and weekend. She enjoys attending wine classes, trying new recipes in the kitchen and going to old favorites and new restaurants alike in the Bucks County and Philadelphia area. If the writing gig doesn't pan out, she constantly dreams of owning her own bakery…perhaps connected to the restaurant/bar that her lawyer husband would love to open.
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