Editors note August, 2016: For the most extensive and current list of happy hours around town (updated since when this was written), click here.

Miami Spice can be a very good deal if you make the right choice. On the other hand, happy hours are year round, and you can usually do two nights out for the price of one evening “Spice”. Here’s a list, Part I, of my picks for the best Miami happy hours  in different parts of the city starting with Brickell Avenue area, Coral Gables and South Miami. They’re chosen for their delicious food, buzzy atmosphere, the deal, and a decided plus is entertainment. Most are offered from 4 to 7 p.m. but one lasts until closing.  I’d  like to thank a friend of mine for her recommendations. She’s something of an authority on happy hours, having gone on many in the course of her online dating (“beats going to dinner with someone you don’t know and may not want to spend an entire dinner with, ” says she).

Brickell

Truluck’s

777 Brickell Avenue Miami, FL 33131 | (305) 579-0035

Walk into Truluck’s and automatically fall in love with the sophisticated yet casual ambiance with low lights, live entertainment and an enticing happy hour menu. Their most raved about happy hour drink has to be the Sour Apple Martini, served with an apple slice and made with vox apple vodka for just $5.50. Also offered during happy hour are half price cocktails, ranging from $7-8, featured wines and appetizers like the hot and crunchy shrimp and bacon sliders. Happy hour at Truluck’s is every night in the Stone Crab Lounge from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

Coral Gables

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

2525 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134 | (305) 569-7995

A popular “Gables” meeting place with comfortable booth and bar seating, it’s a prime spot for after work to wind down with happy hour every night between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. with their 5 for $6 menu. Choose from five cocktails, five wines (by the glass), and five appetizers for $6 each served at the bar. Included appetizers are pan-crisped pork belly, roasted mushroom ravioli, baked brie and more. Farmer’s Skinny Daughter, made with Hangar One vodka, and Fruit Stand Lemonade are just some of the delicious and quirky cocktails featured on Fleming’s happy hour menu. 

Bulla Gastrobar

2500 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134 | (305) 441-0107

Located in what many may remember as Por Fin’s old location, owner Carlos Centurion kept the same space and Spanish cuisine and added fun, excitement and liveliness.  Bulla goes for a more casual approach with an ambiance to stir the senses and a large selection of unique tapas and Catalan dishes like “Patatas Bravas”,”Huevos Bulla” and “Bunuelos de Bacalao”. Happy hour at Bulla Gastrobar will quench anyone’s thirst with half off all drinks everyday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Drinks include beer, wine bottles, sangria and cocktails like the Moscow Mule, made with Russian standard vodka, fever tree ginger beer, fresh lime, cardamom and currant infused syrup.

South Miami

Town Kitchen & Bar

 7301 SW 57th Ct, South Miami, FL 33143 | (305) 740-8118

Town has curb appeal, a “buzzy” atmosphere and vibe.There’s good reason Town is a popular neighborhood spot. It offers a special happy hour menu with half off all drinks, including bottles of wine up to $200, daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ladies also get special treatment on Thursdays with free champagne from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food specials during happy hour are served as half portions of your choice of lobster quesadillas, roasted red pepper hummus and their signature calamari (highly recommended) made in a sweet glaze with jalapenos mixed in. 

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant

5829 SW 73 St, Miami, FL 33143 | (305) 341-0092

201 SW 145 Terrace, Pembroke PInes, FL 33028 | (954) 342-5454

The news is out on RA Sushi for their value packed happy hour and an exciting variety of rolls. With your choice of indoor or outdoor seating, RA is a great place to people watch and relax with sake bombs served with Sapporo ($4.75) and hot sake ($3.75). Creative food options include the Viva Las Vegas Roll ($7.75), Pineapple Cheese Wontons ($4.75), and “RA”ckin Shrimp ($7.75) which are offered during happy hour Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Contributions to blogpost by Sami Aponte