With sun-soaked adventures and refreshing moments of leisure, summer is easily everyone’s favorite time of the year. However, the ultimate cherry on top is summer Fridays, granting an early start to our weekends and allowing us to indulge in happy hour specials. Whether you’re looking to spend your Fridays at waterfront hideaways, chic rooftop lounges, or your favorite local eatery, South Florida is the best for deals and happy hours.
Revamped Vibes @ Higher Ground
Higher Ground on the third floor of the boutique Arlo Wynwood is Wynwood’s go-to bar for affordable American eats, beers and cocktails set in a lush, foliage-framed courtyard.
Friday guests waving an early goodbye to the office can head to Higher Ground for happy hour from 3-6 p.m.
The laid-back indoor-outdoor urban park offers a unique cocktail menu crafted by award-winning Beverage Director Christine Wiseman of Bar Lab, featuring globally infused flavors to create mixes that still taste oh-so Miami, such as the tropical Lush Life or Sunset On La Playa.
The brand-new food menu features classic handhelds, light bites, stone-oven pizzas and sweet treats perfect for sharing over drinks with co-workers, friends or a date.
Refreshed Happy Hour @ MaryGold’s Florida Brasserie
Located on the ground floor of the stylish boutique hotel Arlo Wynwood, MaryGold’s Florida Brasserie is a lush, modern restaurant from renowned Chef Brad Kilgore and award-winning hospitality agency Bar Lab.
Friday happy hour takes place at the bar from 5-6 p.m., featuring $12 cocktails ( conceptualized by award-winning Christine Wiseman, winner of the 2023 Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award), $10 wine glasses, $7 beers and a brand-new selection of food items as part of its refreshed summer menu.
The Grilled Chicken Wings ($11), a happy hour special not found on the main menu, now come in four flavor options: Valentino, Ancho Chili Rub, Crispy Garlic and Lime.
Raw bar items have also been added to the happy hour roster, including Classic Oyster ($9 for three), Dressed Oyster ($12 for three), Prawn Cocktail ($4 each) and Fluke and Scallop Crudo ($11).
Guests will experience the heart of Wynwood’s culinary culture through a blend of local ingredients and flavors that pull from the French brasserie concept.
Daily Happy Hour @ Negroni Midtown
Located in Midtown Miami, Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar serves up international comfort fare, Nikkei-inspired sushi and Friday happy hour from 4-7 p.m., making it a must-visit spot for tasty urban vibes.
Experience a chic environment for after-work meet-ups or early-evening dates in the restaurant’s indoor dining room or dog-friendly patio.
The affordable happy hour features $8 bites, such as Rock Shrimp and Tuna Tartare Tostada, crafted cocktails like the famous Summer Shade and $6 beers.
$8 Cocktails & Bites @ Italica Midtown
What better way to celebrate Friday than with a good ol’ pizza?
Italica Midtown adds a modern and colorful twist to traditional Italian cuisine with wood-fired pizzas, a customized spritz bar, daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m., and an exclusive Golden Hour experience from 6-7 p.m. featuring complimentary passed bites and select shots.
Happy hour offers include $6 beer and wine and $8 cocktails and bites, including the Montanara, a chef’s choice fried pizza, and the Torino cocktail, a grapefruit blend with Italicus and Luxardo maraschino liqueur.
The vibrant hot spot features a pet-friendly patio and cozy dining room, perfect for indulging in Italian fare.
Unwind & Indulge @ KAO Sushi & Grill
Located on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, KAO Sushi & Grill offers a can’t-miss happy hour experience.
From 4-7 p.m., indulge in unbeatable deals, including 50% off select house cocktails, $4 Sapporo and Kirin beers, and $5 glasses of wine.
With a fusion of Japanese and South American flavors, KAO serves masterfully crafted dishes in a modern, artsy dining room.
From grilled meats to seafood, sushi rolls and an array of shareable small plates, KAO offers something to satisfy every palate.
Orno
Orno offers daily happy hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with 50% off all wines by the glass and bottle.
Located inside THesis Hotel Miami in Coral Gables, Orno is a modern restaurant with an open-kitchen concept helmed by five-time James Beard Award nominee and Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef of 2020” Niven Patel.
Also named “Best New Restaurant” by Miami New Times, Orno offers guests a true farm-to-table experience using locally sourced ingredients from Chef Patel’s very own farm, Rancho Patel.
The menu consists of New American cuisine featuring the finest selection of meats and seafood. Wood-fired culinary creations are complemented by specialty cocktails inspired by literary classics, which can be enjoyed in the main dining room or The Library, Orno’s hideaway lounge and private dining room.
Mamey on 3rd
Mamey on 3rd offers a daily happy hour from 3-6 p.m. with $6 bites, $5 beers, $7 wines by the glass, $7 spirits and $10 specialty cocktails.
One of Coral Gables’ best hidden gems, this vibrant rooftop extension of Mamey is a tropical retreat on the third floor of THesis Hotel Miami featuring flavorful bites and liver music.
Happy Hour Specials @ Casa Sensei
At Casa Sensei, Fort Lauderdale’s signature Pan-Asian and Latin waterfront restaurant, enjoy 50% off all house wines, house spirits and draft beers on summer Fridays from 2-6 p.m. in the restaurant’s main bar area.
Taste drinks from Japan or classic concoctions while enjoying Casa Sensei’s wide selection of fusion appetizers – from Bigeye Tuna Guacamole ($22) to Chino Sticky Ribs ($16) – before enjoying sushi rolls, rice and noodle bowls, meat dishes and more.
7-Day Happy Hour @ Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar Weston
Like its Midtown Miami counterpart, the brand-new Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar at Weston Town Center serves international comfort fare, Nikkei-inspired sushi and happy hour on Fridays from 4-7 p.m.
The inviting environment is perfect for post-work hangouts or flirty get-togethers, thanks to an expansive dining room with plush couches, multiple bars and a dedicated social media spot to snap a pic.
The affordable happy hour features $6 beers, $8 wines by the glass, $8 bites (such as Huancaina Potatoes and Gyoza), crafted cocktails like Love Punch and drinks on tap like Margaritas and Aperol.
Happy Hour Drinks & Bites @ Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant @ Galleria Mall
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants redefines the modern casual dining experience. Located on the second level of The Galleria in Fort Lauderdale, the Broward outpost combines a restaurant, a Napa-style tasting room and an artisanal retail market in a warm, inviting space.
Guests can enjoy happy hour specials at Cooper’s Hawk every Friday from 2-5 p.m., including $8.50 wine specialty drinks, $9.50 sangrias, $10.50 select cocktails and $11.50 wine by the glass.
To pair with its drink deals, Cooper’s Hawk also serves up a happy hour menu of appetizers, soups and flatbreads, including Drunken Shrimp, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Vegetable & Goat Cheese Flatbread and more.
Endless Summer Specials @ Quarterdeck Restaurants
With five locations throughout South Florida, Quarterdeck Seafood Bar & Neighborhood Grill serves classic American comfort fare, specialty sushi, custom-blend burgers, build-your-own poke bowls, tacos, handcrafted cocktails and more.
The classic sports bar is the go-to for Friday evening outings for guests searching for affordable bites that don’t compromise quality.
Sit indoors or out and enjoy happy hour from 4-7 p.m. with half-off specials, plus Endless Summer Specials with daily spotlights.
Friday specials are the Sesame Tuna Wrap and the brand-new Summer Breeze, a refreshing blend of lemon, watermelon purée, Ketel One vodka and club soda.
Raise Your Glass @ KAO Bar & Grill
Spend your Friday afternoons dancing and dining at KAO Bar & Grill, a two-story restaurant made entirely from old shipping containers repurposed and hand-painted with murals by artist Falopapas.
The unique structure serves as a vessel for KAO Bar & Grill’s global menu, an alfresco patio, live entertainment and a wide selection of beers, wines and craft cocktails at the intimate bar.
On Fridays from 4-7 p.m., guests can indulge in deals such as buy-one-get-one on all house cocktails, $5 draft beers and $6 house wines by the glass.
La Fuga Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
Start your weekend early and head to La Fuga at Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort for an all-day Spritz Pool Party.
The restaurant opens up to the Shorebreak courtyard pool, offering open access to both spaces.
As a live DJ mixes the top hits, sip a pitcher of Aperol spritz ($65) and munch on a free Margarita Pizza.