One of the reasons I can’t move: The Cooperage. Only steps away from my apartment in the beautiful Curtis Center next to Washington Square Park, lies a bar that has one of the best happy hours in the city. From 5 – 7 PM during the week, Cooperage: A Wine and Whiskey bar (with extensive lists of both) features $5 liquor single mixer drinks including, but not limited to, mixers such as Smirnoff, Cuervo, Jack Daniels, Bacardi, and Jim Beam. For $5 you can also get a glass of house wine (red or white) or prosecco. Also during happy hour, drafts are only half price – which means a lager is only $2 and a Dogfish Head is only $3. Cans of beer are also pretty cheap, ranging from $2 - $3. The lengthy happy hour food menu is what reeled me in though. Things like chili fries, mac n’ cheese, beer & cheese fondue, sandwiches, and bourbon BBQ wings were listed on this menu. And the food was fabulous.

I had a couple lagers (you can’t really beat the price) and a whole lot of food. There’s nothing like a beer and "feel good food" after a rough day at work. This night, Cooperage was my cure. I would recommend two things off the food menu. The Mac N’ Cheese was to die for, with sharp cheddar with a breadcrumb crust. The Bourbon BBQ chicken wings were great as well. The portions were huge, and the presentation of the food was beautiful.

We sat in a comfortable leather couch with fancy pillows. An old tap barrel was in the corner, and brown and copper wood tables filled the restaurant. Old metal chairs surrounded the tables and the bar, and the walls were a variety of exposed brick, wood, and old worn out copper. The lighting was dim and 80’s music filled the air. Since the bar lies in The Curtis Center, it was filled with business professionals. Definitely my kind of place! If the happy hour specials don’t bring you there (which they should), I spotted Chase Utley and Marc Summers (of Double Dare fame) there on two separate occasions. Maybe you’ll be as lucky!

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