Avoca Happy Hour: Thursday All-Day $10 Margaritas in Yorkville
Avoca is the Yorkville gastropub where Irish warmth meets a real cocktail program, and at a 4.8-star rating it’s one of the highest-rated bars on the Upper East Side. The happy-hour move is Thursday, when $10 margaritas and wine run all day and into the night.
Mon–Wed 4–7 PM; Thursday all day (4 PM–2 AM); Sunday 5 PM–2 AM
$10 Avoca Margaritas, $9 wine by the glass, $7 draft beers, $10 cocktails
About Avoca
Avoca opened at the end of 2021, right out of the pandemic, on First Avenue near 87th. It’s an Irish-owned spot — “good food, great conversation, craft beer with a hefty sprinkle of Irish Craic,” in its own words — that layers a modern cocktail program onto a traditional neighborhood-bar foundation. The result is the rare UES bar that’s equally good for a quick drink, a solo seat at the bar, or a full meal.
It’s also genuinely inclusive — explicitly LGBTQ+ friendly, dog-friendly, with a garden patio out back and street seating up front. Owner Rory tends to be on the floor; regulars rave about bartender Audrey’s espresso and pornstar martinis.
The Happy Hour in Detail
The schedule rewards knowing it: Monday–Wednesday 4–7 PM, then Thursday all day from 4 PM to 2 AM, and Sunday 5 PM to 2 AM. Deals are $10 Avoca Margaritas, $9 wine by the glass, $7 draft beers, and $10 cocktails. The Thursday all-day window — $10 margaritas and wine from open to close — is the headline, and Taco Tuesday brings margarita pricing too.
What to Order
Get a margarita or one of Audrey’s espresso martinis, then build a meal — the Avoca Smash Burger is the signature, and the kitchen goes well beyond pub food with seared scallops and roast Atlantic salmon. Truffle fries are an easy add. The menu also flags which cocktails can be made into mocktails, a nice touch if you’re pacing yourself.
The Space & Vibe
Lively but not overwhelming, with a mix of regulars and newcomers and a steady hum of conversation. The back garden patio is the secret weapon — heated, semi-private, perfect when the front fills. It’s a proven spot for birthdays and bigger groups; the staff is known for handling parties of 30 without breaking stride.
The Yorkville Angle
Avoca is up on First Avenue near 87th in Yorkville, a manageable walk from the Q at 86th and the 4/5/6 at 86th, with Carl Schurz Park a couple blocks east. It’s one of the best-rated bars in the area — find more on our Upper East Side happy hour guide.
Who It’s For
| Occasion | Why it works |
|---|---|
| After work | Weekday happy hour pricing makes it an easy post-work stop. |
| Catching up with friends | Low-key enough to actually hear each other. |
FAQ
Does Avoca have a happy hour?
Yes — Mon–Wed 4–7 PM, Thursday all day (4 PM–2 AM), and Sunday 5 PM–2 AM. Deals are $10 margaritas, $9 wine, $7 drafts, and $10 cocktails.
When is the best happy hour day at Avoca?
Thursday — the $10 margarita and wine deal runs all day, from 4 PM to 2 AM. Taco Tuesday also brings margarita pricing.
Where is Avoca?
At 1678 1st Avenue (10128) in Yorkville on the Upper East Side, near the 86th St subway stations and a couple blocks from Carl Schurz Park.
Is Avoca dog-friendly?
Yes — it’s dog-friendly with a back garden patio and front street seating, and it’s an explicitly LGBTQ+ friendly, welcoming neighborhood spot.
Happy hour details change — confirm directly with the venue before you go.