The concept of Happy Hour has evolved since its origin as a morale booster aboard US Navy ships in the 1920s to a way for speakeasies to attract customers to professional networking opportunities, marketing tools, and themed events. We have curated a comprehensive list of happy hours in Atlantic City to guide you from dives to rooftop lounges to fine dining destinations. You won’t find any chains on this list, only authentic Atlantic City establishments. Whether you’re a local looking for your new neighborhood bar or a visitor who can’t resist a good deal, you’re about to uncover, in no particular order, the best kept secrets of Atlantic City’s vibrant bar scene.
Our current list
Tony's Baltimore Grill
Cardinal
Knife and Fork Inn
Angeloni's Club Madrid
Tony’s Baltimore Grill
2800 Atlantic Avenue
Daily 4-6
Drink specials including $2 9oz drafts and $4 well drinks
Snacks ranging from $1-8
0% ABV options
RECOMMENDATION: $2 AC Fried Shrimp and $5 Two Meatballs and AC Bread
The first stop on our list is an Atlantic City institution that has been operating since 1927, with the self-proclaimed “2nd best happy hour in Atlantic City.” Tony’s Baltimore Grill serves more than just pizza and Italian comfort food, it also serves up a large dose of nostalgia the moment you walk through the door.
Dock’s Oyster House
2405 Atlantic Avenue
Daily 4-6 at the bar
Discounted snacks and appetizers, some exclusive to happy hour.
RECOMMENDATION: Oysters..Duh
A few blocks down Atlantic Avenue, the line for happy hour at Dock’s Oyster House meanders down the street by 3:30pm each day. If you aren’t 30 minutes early to grab a coveted seat in the bar area, you may be too late.
Knife & Fork Inn
3600 Atlantic Avenue
Daily 4-6 at the bar
½ priced appetizers
RECOMMENDATION: Lobster Spring Roll
Dock’s sister restaurant, Knife & Fork Inn, has been a place to see and be seen since the Prohibition era, when liquor was still openly served at the bar. Political boss Nucky Johnson was a regular there, but even he was unable to protect the bar from its eventual federal raid.
Angeloni's Club Madrid
2400 Arctic Ave
Thursday 4-6 Meatballs and Mini Martinis
Friday-Monday 4-6 Aperitivo Hour
RECOMMENDATION: Madrid Dip during Aperitivo Hour or come on Thursdays for Meatballs & Martinis
Not a newcomer per se, but something old made new again, Angeloni’s Club Madrid is now reopened under new ownership.
During aperitivo hour Friday-Monday from 4-6, each drink comes with a free snack. On Thursdays, they’re bringing back Tommy Guido’s Meatballs and Mini Martinis from 4-6 in the bar and lounge. Every meatball order comes with a free mini martini.
Back Bay Ale House
800 N New Hampshire Avenue
Monday-Friday 3-5, All day Sunday
Drink specials including $9 mason of the month pints and $15 super masons
$10 appetizers
RECOMMENDATION: Bob Marley Basin Mason, Bloody Mary
Back Bay Ale House feels like a little piece of Key West at the Jersey Shore. Pull up a seat facing the bay, watch the boats sail by, sip on a mason jar cocktail, and forget your worries.
Vagabond
672 N Trenton Avenue
Daily 3-6
$7-8 starters
$6 wine and Deep Eddy
RECOMMENDATION: Tequila Shrimp Bangers
The tequila shrimp bangers at Vagabond AC not only make an appearance on the happy hour menu, but they’ve also been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
Bar32
121 S Tennessee Avenue
Wednesday-Saturday
$5 specials on small plates, beer, wine, chocolate
RECOMMENDATION: Rotating Menu
Chocolate, cocktails, chocolate cocktails… what more could you want? Beer, wine, and small plates? Fine, Bar32 has those, too. All of the chocolate is made from bean-to-bar in-house, with plenty of options to take home.
The Yard (Open Seasonally)
Boardwalk, 1900 Pacific Avenue
5 O’Clock Fridays 5-6:30pm
$5 beer and food bite specials
$3-$4-$5 Pre-game Happy Hour Fri & Sat 7-9
$3 beer specials, $4 shot specials, $5 cocktail specials
$10 Shot & a Beer Combo Selections Friday 9pm-1am, Saturday 9pm-2am
RECOMMENDATION: $3 beer specials, $4 shot specials, $5 cocktail specials
Roll up to the boardwalk straight off the beach for happy hour at the indoor/outdoor beer garden at The Yard. They’re running some kind of special seemingly all day, which makes it a great place to start the party or stay indefinitely.
Cardinal
201 S New York Avenue
Wed-Sun 4-6 and 9-10
Drink specials, large and small plates, and $1 raw bar
RECOMMENDATION: Duck Wings
Cardinal is another indoor/outdoor option close to the boardwalk. In the warmer months, they host movie nights and other pop-up events in the garden. Keep an eye on their socials for all the happenings.
Ducktown Tavern
2400 Atlantic Avenue
Monday-Friday 3-7
½ off appetizers, $1 off drinks
RECOMMENDATION: Anything with Alibi Gin
You can’t go wrong with happy hour at a neighborhood corner bar. Locals and tourists flock to Ducktown Tavern for friendly service, a welcoming atmosphere, and a popular outdoor patio.
Mexico Restaurant and Bar
3810 Ventnor Avenue
Sunday-Friday 3-7
$5-6 drink specials, $3.50 Mexican beer, $4-5 appetizers
RECOMMENDATION: Obviously a margarita
Mas cervezas, por favor. Considered by many to be the best Mexican restaurant in the city, Mexico Restaurant runs happy hour deals 6 nights a week.
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
133 S Tennessee Avenue
Monday-Friday 3-6, All day Wednesday
$5 food specials, beer, and wine
RECOMMENDATION: Chips and dip. It sounds basic, but it's far from boring.
40+ beers on tap, an outdoor beer garden with a firepit, Adirondack chairs, yard games, and live music. They don’t need to reel you in with a great deal at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, but they do it anyway.
Vue Rooftop Bar & Lounge at the Claridge
123 S Indiana Avenue
Thursday-Sunday 4-7
$4 domestic drafts, $5 wine, $7-8 cocktail specials, $6-8 bites
RECOMMENDATION: Even Pepsi tastes better from this rooftop bar.
The name speaks for itself: Vue offers unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and 360 degree views of the city from the 23rd floor of the Claridge.
Wonder Bar
3701 Sunset Avenue
Sunday-Thursday and Saturday 4-6, Teacher’s Friday 3-6
$1 off beer, seltzer, wine, Ketel One and ½ off appetizers
RECOMMENDATION: Go during the warmer months so you can sit on the deck and watch the boats sail by.
From a rooftop bar with views of the ocean to outdoor decks overlooking the water, our final happy hour stop is at Wonder Bar.
There are big deals to be found at the small businesses in Atlantic City. Cheers to drinking like a local with our guide to the city’s happy hour specials. Have you heard of a happy hour we missed? Drop us a line on our contact page or social media and let us know.
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