Best Bets
Best dirt-cheap happy hours
Fritz Hahn | Updated 11/09/2009
Let's not beat around the bush: We're talking about places where you can get a drink for $2 or less. Are they fancy spots? No. But they're cheap, and that's what matters.
Beat the Clock Happy Hour
Washington, DC | Monday-Friday
Happy hour at Nellie's runs on a beat-the-clock system: $1 Miller Lite, bottled beers and rail vodka drinks from 5 to 6, with prices increasing $1 per hour until 8.
Gin and Tonic Progressive Happy Hour
Washington, DC
Gin & Tonic's happy hour means drinks start at $1 Thursday through Sunday nights. It's not a new idea, but finding $1 drinks on Friday and Saturday nights is a steal, even if it means having to leave the house a little early.
Happy Hour at Rock Bottom Brewery - Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
After paying $1.50 a pint for Rock Bottom's house-brewed lagers and ales, you'll wonder why you ever paid $3 for some mass-produced beer at a bar up the street.
Happy Hour at The Barking Dog
Bethesda, MD | Monday-Friday
The usual happy hour "special" is $1 off most drinks until 7 p.m. Better than that: one designated beer is $2 all day, every day. You just have to ask what it is.
Happy Hour at Union Pub
Washington, DC | Monday-Friday
Union Pub has a new lineup of happy hour specials every night, but generations of interns have had their thirst quenched by the Wednesday night special: $1.50 Budweiser and Bud Light bottles all night long.
Midtown Loft Happy Hour
Washington, DC | Monday-Friday
Midtown Loft opens the taps and hands out free beer -- Miller Lite or the house brew -- for an hour after work every day. There's no catch, but watch the clock: After 6 p.m., you'll probably pay $4 for your next drink.
Monday Night $2 Beer Menu
Washington, DC | Mondays
It ain't fancy, but it's cheap: From 4 to 11:30 every Monday night, Duffy's offers 12-ounce cans of Natty Boh, Schaefer, Schlitz, Miller High Life, Miller Lite and Bud Light for $2 each. Get more for your money with 16-ounce pounders of Budweiser and PBR for the same price.
Natural Light Countdown
Washington, DC | Saturdays
Every Saturday night, pints of Natural ("Natty") Life cost 50 cents at Asylum. Act quickly, though -- the price goes up every hour until it hits $3.
Thursday Happy Hour at the Pour House
Washington, DC | Thursdays
The Budweiser countdown is one of the best after-work deals on the Hill if you arrive in time: Bud and Bud Light bottles are $1 from 4 to 8, $2 from 8 to midnight and then $3 until last call.
Wednesday Happy Hour at the Rock Bottom Brewery - Arlington
Arlington, VA | Wednesdays
$1.50 beers draw crowds to the Ballston brewpub every Wednesday.
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