When we look for happy hours, we're looking for a few things - long hours and real deals. Bar Artisanal (268 West Broadway) has one of the two components down - half-price drinks but the hours leave something to be desired.
First the drinks - beer and cocktails are 50% off. Cocktails run from $12 to $15 so this is a substantial savings. Meanwhile, the typically overpriced selection of boutique brews ($7 - $18) becomes merely affordable, not a great deal. Of course, we've lamented time and again that the high markups on trendy beers are nothing more than price gouging. There is no good financial reason a beer from Long Island or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is $7.
Now, as for the hours - we like late happy hours (10pm - 1am according to the restaurant's email but 11pm - 1am according to the menu) but 3pm - 6pm isn't much of a deal unless you're unemployed. And if you're unemployed, you're not going to be bellying up to the bar at a fancy restaurant.
So is it a deal? Kind of - especially if you're looking for a stop late at night for one last drink. But go for the hard stuff if you really want your money's worth.
First the drinks - beer and cocktails are 50% off. Cocktails run from $12 to $15 so this is a substantial savings. Meanwhile, the typically overpriced selection of boutique brews ($7 - $18) becomes merely affordable, not a great deal. Of course, we've lamented time and again that the high markups on trendy beers are nothing more than price gouging. There is no good financial reason a beer from Long Island or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is $7.
Now, as for the hours - we like late happy hours (10pm - 1am according to the restaurant's email but 11pm - 1am according to the menu) but 3pm - 6pm isn't much of a deal unless you're unemployed. And if you're unemployed, you're not going to be bellying up to the bar at a fancy restaurant.
So is it a deal? Kind of - especially if you're looking for a stop late at night for one last drink. But go for the hard stuff if you really want your money's worth.
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