What is the happy hour at Whitmans?
Whitmans is the original NYC home of the Juicy Lucy, the cult burger of two thin short-rib patties pressed around a molten core of pimento cheese. The flagship sits at 406 East 9th Street in the East Village, where the burger debuted in 2010 to instant acclaim and remains the reason to visit. A second location has since opened in Hudson Yards, but the East Village original is the one that put Whitmans on the map.
It is a compact, unpretentious burger joint with a small bar, and the kitchen still turns out one of the better cheeseburgers downtown. The happy hour is a genuine reason to show up early, pairing cheap drinks with free food. Friday is prime time, when the doors open at 2pm and the bar gets going ahead of the weekend.
The Happy Hour
Whitmans happy hour offers $5 select beers, $8 wines, and $10 cocktails, and stands out for including a complimentary slider with your first drink. It is best on Fridays, when Whitmans opens early at 2pm. Rotating weekly specials sweeten the deal further, from free fries with a burger on Tuesdays to $5 cans of beer on Thursdays and Fridays.
The Room
A small, casual East Village burger spot with a compact bar and a laid-back downtown feel. The focus is squarely on the food, led by the Juicy Lucy and a tight menu of burgers, a cheesesteak, salads, and fries.
Who Whitmans Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| The Juicy Lucy | The original NYC stuffed burger with a molten pimento-cheese core, the signature order. |
| Slider-included happy hour | A free slider with your first drink makes this a rare food-plus-drinks deal downtown. |
| Friday kickoff | Doors open at 2pm on Fridays, an early start for the after-work crowd. |
| Casual burger dinner | An unfussy spot for a quality cheeseburger and a beer any night of the week. |
More NYC Happy Hours
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A French Bistro-Speakeasy in the Old Café Orlin Space
Mono + Mono · East Village
15,000 Records, Soju Cocktails, and a Flower Shop by Day
Whitmans FAQ
Does Whitmans have a happy hour?
Yes. It features $5 select beers, $8 wines, and $10 cocktails, plus a complimentary slider with your first drink.
When is happy hour best?
Friday afternoons, when Whitmans opens early at 2pm and the bar gets going ahead of the weekend.
What is Whitmans known for?
The Juicy Lucy — two thin short-rib patties stuffed with a molten core of pimento cheese, introduced in NYC in 2010.
Where is the flagship?
The original is at 406 East 9th Street in the East Village; there is also a Hudson Yards location at 331 10th Avenue.
Happy hour times and deals last verified June 2026. Details can change — confirm with Whitmans before visiting for a specific deal.