With discount drinks and affordable snacks, happy hours are all about making the afternoon a little bit easier. And what’s easier than getting to stay on-Island as you transition from the work day into the evening? We’ve rounded up the best of everything from low-price pizza to swizzle stick-steals for you to get your happy hour on right here on Mercer Island.
Bennett’s
Long a local favorite for its impeccable sourcing of ingredients and simple, elegant plates, this Island standard offers deals on a few signature dishes from 4 to 6 p.m. Draft beer is $1 off, well drinks and an infused cocktail special clock in at $6, and a white and a red wine are $6.50 each. But the steals come in on the “Tidbits” menu, where the (truly) “World’s Best” mac and cheese is just $6, as is a snack tray with Beecher’s herbed cheese curds, olives, and Marcona almonds, and a carne asada torta.
7650 SE 27th Street
Mioposto
When this Seattle pizza group opened their Mercer Island store in 2017, the delightfully cozy restaurant won the hearts of locals with interesting pies and exciting brunch. On August 29th, they rolled out their brand-new happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m., bringing $4 well drinks, $5 draft beers and wines, and $6 Hemingway daiquiris to the bar, along with $7 and up personal pizzas, $5 salads, and oven-roasted clams to the table.
2601 76th Ave SE, miopostopizza.com/mercer-island
Roanoke Inn
Perhaps Mercer Island’s most beloved local restaurant, it becomes even easier to love this classic dive bar when happy hour rolls around at 4 p.m. – though by then it can be pretty crowded already. After all, who could resist a tavern from 1914 serving $1 wings and $2-off draft beers? The $7 famous I-90 nachos and $1-off house wines are also standards among the late afternoon crowd, and the patio is essential while the sun sticks around. Happy hour happens daily and lasts until 6 p.m.
1825 72nd Ave SE
Phat 12 Island Broiler
Seek afternoon solace in the bottom of a big pile of comfort food. From 4 to 7 p.m. – somewhat later than most Island happy hours, so great for commuters – Cajun calamari, the famous house-smoked rib tips, and mini burgers, among other dishes, go on sale. Meanwhile, well drinks, microbrews on draft, and the house red and white wines all slide down to $5 each. If that’s not enough, they also have happy hour from 9 p.m. to close on Friday and Saturday.
2707 78th Ave SE, Phat12.com
The Islander
The more happy hour, the merrier: this local classic offers their deals in the lounge from 3 to 6 p.m and from 9 p.m. to close during the week and all day on weekends. Steep drink discounts make The Islander the place to go for thirsty groups. The discounts on many of the regular food menu items (which are already pretty affordable) are just a dollar or two, but they also have a few dishes you can’t otherwise get, including totchos (tater tot nachos), truffle fries, and small steamed clams.
2441 76th Ave SE, Ste 150, the-islander.com
Barrels Wine Bar
Lounge out in the big leather chairs or enjoy charcuterie at the bar at Mercer Island’s newest wine wonderland. Owners Joe and Tina Kennedy are serious happy hour enthusiasts (“Every hour!”) and have their meat and cheese plate on a steep discount (just $5) from 3 to 6 p.m. Proscuitto, salami, manchego, and more all pair up with the huge selection of bottles and glasses.
7605 SE 27th St, Ste 107, barrelswinebar.com
What is your favorite happy hour spot on Mercer Island? Share with us in the comments below!
[Photo Credit: Mioposto]
