
It’s finally happened. The $1 Oyster Happy Hour has become as ubiquitous as the $1 pizza slice. It’s even made an appearance at Union Square Cafe. And you know that when something makes its way onto the menu of a Danny Meyer restaurant, it has become downright mainstream. But when it comes to oysters, or seafood generally, going for the lowest price isn’t always a winning move. Don’t believe us ? Try the $1 day old sushi at Jack’s World and, once you finish praying to the porcelain gods, let Mr. Thrifty know how it goes. If you want your wallet flush and your stomach full — not to mention, to stand upright at the end of the evening, follow along for Mr. Thrifty’s carefully curated list of $1 Oyster Happy Hours:
Sea Fire Grill. Mrs. Thrifty raves about the quality of the oysters. She also raves about the quality of the eye candy. We’re not sure what she means by the latter.
Bistro Vendome. This place tends to attract a more mature crowd, so have a few oysters, turn back the clock and, once again, enjoy being the youngest person in the room. Monday nights only. Reservations accepted !
Union Square Cafe. Mainstream, yes, but also reliably good. We’ll take any special we can get at this quality establishment.
The Dead Rabbit. Insider trading alert: this unadvertised happy hour is a well-kept secret among the Wall Street crowd. Catch a deal and, if you believe Mrs. Thrifty’s friends, a banker too.
The Mermaid Inn. A New England-inspired restaurant, now with 3 locations (including one Oyster Bar), the East Village original location remains a staple of the NYC seafood scene.
Docks. Quality seafood is always on the menu at this Midtown East institution; the oysters are consistently good.
Lure Fishbar. At $2/oyster this place strains Mr. Thrifty’s budget but the quality is worth the premium pricing.
Crave Fishbar. A quality and value play in Midtown East (with a second location on the UWS), Crave’s Happy Hour always leaves Mr. Thrifty craving for more.