El Parador Cafe: A 1959 Mexican Classic With $7 Margaritas
El Parador Cafe has been doing old-school Mexican on the far east side since 1959, and its cocktail hour is exactly what you’d hope for from a room this seasoned — $7 margaritas, $5 tacos, $6 sangria.
El Parador runs a cocktail hour Tuesday to Sunday, 4 to 6pm (closed Mondays).
The deals: $7 margaritas, $6 sangria, $5 tacos. The 4–6pm window and Monday closure are confirmed on the venue’s site; deal pricing is via third-party listings — confirm at the bar.
About El Parador Cafe
El Parador Cafe sits at 325 E 34th St, an intimate, old-school Mexican restaurant open since 1959 — one of the oldest in the city. It runs at the higher end ($$$) for a reason: traditional cuisine, strong margaritas, and the kind of clubby, lived-in room you don’t get from newer spots. It’s a 4.5-star fixture with a loyal following.
The Happy Hour in Detail
The cocktail hour runs Tuesday through Sunday, 4 to 6pm — note the Monday closure. That’s $7 margaritas, $6 sangria, and $5 tacos: a genuine deal at a restaurant where the dinner check climbs. It’s a pre-dinner move, best taken at the bar.
What to Order
The margarita is the house signature — get it at the $7 price — with $5 tacos to start. Beyond happy hour, lean into the traditional plates the kitchen has been making for decades.
The Space & Vibe
Intimate, clubby, and warmly dated in the best way: low light, attentive service, and the patina of a room that’s seen 60-plus years of margaritas. More grown-up than rowdy.
The Murray Hill Angle
You’re far east on 34th, near the East River ferry and NYU Langone — a quiet, residential pocket of Murray Hill well away from the bar strip. It rewards the trip with a margarita and a room that feels like old New York.
Who It’s For
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| A classic margarita | $7 at a 1959 institution |
| An early dinner | traditional Mexican, pre-7pm |
| A quiet bar | clubby and low-lit |
| Tacos and sangria | $5 and $6 at the bar |
FAQ
Does El Parador Cafe have a happy hour?
Yes — a cocktail hour Tuesday to Sunday, 4 to 6pm (closed Mondays): $7 margaritas, $6 sangria and $5 tacos.
Where is El Parador Cafe?
325 E 34th St, in Murray Hill, Manhattan — near the E 34th St ferry.
What’s El Parador known for?
Traditional Mexican cuisine and strong margaritas, served since 1959 in an intimate, old-school room.
Happy hour details verified June 2026. Times change — confirm with the venue.