Oysters? Love. Happy hour? Also love. But what we love most is both of them together. In a city known for their fresh seafood and food and drink scene, oyster happy hour is the perfect way to celebrate the end of a long day of classes and the start of a fun weekend in NOLA. Here are some of the best oyster happy hours where you’ll be sure to get the bang for your buck.
1. Samuel’s Blind Pelican
When you need to go: Daily, 4-8pm
Oyster business: 25¢ raw oysters, $10/dozen chargrilled oysters
Drink business: 2 for the price of 1 well mixed drinks
Other important business: Fried Green Tomato Stack. Mmhm.
2. Red Fish Grill
When you need to go: Monday through Thursday 3-6pm
Oyster business: 50¢ raw oysters
Drink business: 2 for 1 draft beer, 2 for 1 house red or house white, 2 for 1 well cocktails
Other important business: Wood-grilled Redfish topped with lump crabmeat– a go-to NOLA dish.
3. Superior Seafood
When you need to go: Daily, 4-6:30 pm (Friday and Saturday, 10-11pm)
Oyster business: 50¢ raw oysters
Drink business: 2 for 1 frozen mojitos, ½ off house wine bottles, $3 draft beer
Other important business: Shrimp & Grits. Need I say more?
4. Cooter Brown’s
When you need to go: Tuesdays 3pm-close (1 am)
Oyster business: Half priced oysters
Drink business: Dollar off liquor, dollar off draft beers, $10 select pitchers, and $5 select cocktails
Other important business: You can never go wrong with the Brunch burger– thick cut smoked bacon, sharp cheddar, caramelized onions, cured pickles, ketchup, topped with a sunny fried egg.
5. Lüke
When you need to go: Daily, 3-6pm
Oyster business: 75¢ raw oysters, $1.25 fried oysters
Drink business: Half priced beers, cocktails, wines by the glass
Other important business: Salad Luke– little gem lettuces, farmer’s market vegetables, horseradish vinaigrette. Yes, a salad. You think I’m kidding, but the dressing is lickable.
6. Pascal’s Manale
When you need to go: Monday-Friday, 3-6pm
Oyster business: Half priced raw oysters (FYI, the full price for half a dozen is $8.00, and a dozen is $15.00)
Drink Business: Half-off select premium cocktails, beer, and wines by the glass
Other important business: You can’t get more classic than the fried oysters.
7. Balise
When you need to go: Monday-Friday, 4:30-7pm
Oyster business: $7 for 3 roasted oysters, $1 raw oysters
Drink business: $5 cocktails and wines by glass
Other important business: Fried chicken sandwich. KISS (keep it simple, stupid).
8. Elysian Oyster Bar at St. Roch Market
When you need to get there: Monday-Friday, 4-6pm or daily 9pm-close
Oyster business: $6 for 6 raw oysters Monday through Friday, 75¢ raw oysters daily
Other important business: Marinated crab claws and LA Shrimp Cocktail. The raw bar classics.
9. Bourbon House
When you need to get there: Monday-Friday, 4-6pm
Oyster business: $1 oysters
Drink business: Specially priced glasses of white wine and $3 Abita amber drafts
Other important business: Crab fingers. Enough said.
10. Basin Seafood and Spirits
When you need to go: Mondays, 3pm-10pm
Oyster business: 50¢ raw oysters
Drink business: Happy Hour on weekdays from 3pm-6pm
Other important business: Crawfish Mac & Cheese and Octopus Ceviche. You get the idea.
Oyster happy hours are one of the best parts of the NOLA food scene. How can you go wrong with a dozen oysters, a nice cocktail, and fun with friends in one of the best cities in the country? If you’re a foodie, like seafood, and are all for grabbing a few drinks with friends, oyster happy hour is for you. And if you haven’t been to one yet, now’s your time to try it.