Are you looking for a spot to enjoy happy hour this weekend? You’ve come to the right place!
Gainesville has plenty of restaurants and bars, and deciding which one you want to take your friends to can be difficult – especially when everyone has different expectations of what happy hour is.
Read Next: Top 8 Bars for UF Students
So, we’ve written this article describing the six best happy hour spots in Gainesville and the unique experiences that they offer.
6 Best Happy Hour Spots near the University of Florida
1. The Top
Photo courtesy of The Top.
Distance from Sweetwater: 4-minute drive
Address: 30 N Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601
Quick facts:
- Pricing: $$
- Attire: Dressy casual
- 21+? No
The Top is a restaurant in Gainesville that is highly popular among UF students. The Top has indoor and outdoor seating with bars inside and outside. The Top has seasonal drink menus, so depending on when you’re at the restaurant, the drink menu may change. Open from 5 pm to 2 am Tuesday through Sunday, you can enjoy happy hour for many hours!
2. Madrina’s
Photo courtesy of Madrina’s.
Distance from Sweetwater: 3-minute drive
Address: 9 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
Quick facts:
- Pricing: $$
- Attire: Dressy casual
- 21+? Yes
Whether you’re grabbing drinks with friends or you’re meeting a Tinder date for the first time, Madrina’s is perfectly intimate yet comfortable for any happy hour occasion. Madrina’s offers great happy hour deals from 5 to7 pm daily, including margaritas and mojitos for just $6 each. Follow Madrina’s on Instagram for current updates on drink deals and specialty cocktail options.
3. Crybaby’s
Photo courtesy of Restaurant Guru.
Distance from Sweetwater: 3-minute drive
Address: 1 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
Quick facts:
- Pricing: $$
- Attire: Dressy casual
- 21+? Yes (after sundown)
Crybaby’s is uniquely alternative and funky. With a creative cocktail menu and a record always playing, Crybaby’s curates a fun and groovy happy hour vibe. Crybaby’s is owned by the same group that owns Baby J’s and Afternoon, two other popular local places in Gainesville. Crybaby’s has great happy hour deals, including $7 drinks and $3 fries. Check the bar’s Instagram to view the full happy hour menu.
4. Mother’s Pub and Grill
Photo courtesy of USA Restaurants.
Distance from Sweetwater: 14-minute drive
Address: (North location) 5109 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32606
Quick facts:
- Pricing: $
- Attire: Casual
- 21+? No
What’s better than cheap drinks and cheap wings in a casual atmosphere? Mother’s Pub and Grill is a local favorite, known for its low-cost and delicious wings and great drink specials. Happy hour specials at Mother’s run from 3 to 7 pm every day and specials include deals on beers, wines, and mixed drinks. Mother’s also offers specific happy hour deals each day of the week. Wingman Monday is the most popular day for happy hour specials, with $0.55 wings.
5. The Dime Bar
Photo courtesy of The Dime.
Distance from Sweetwater: 3-minute drive
Address: 4 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601
Quick facts:
- Pricing: $$
- Attire: Dressy casual
- 21+? Yes
The Dime Bar is a local secret, less known than the other bars in this article, but it’s a great hidden gem in Gainesville. The bar is located downtown and is owned by the same group that owns The Top. The Dime is pretty small with dim lighting, creating an intimate space for date night. The bar tends to draw in an older crowd but welcomes anyone. If you have never been, I highly recommend trying something new and hitting happy hour at The Dime.
6. Blue Agave
Photo courtesy of Blue Agave.
Distance from Sweetwater: 12-minute drive
Address: 4401 NW 25th Place Unit A, Gainesville, FL 32606
Quick facts:
- Pricing: $
- Attire: Casual
- 21+? No
Blue Agave is a casual Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. Each day, Blue Agave offers different happy hour deals, including buy one, get one free margarita pitchers and discounted margarita towers. Blue Agave is a great spot to celebrate finishing exam season or finding out you got the job you just interviewed for. And, you can wear casual, comfortable clothes while celebrating!
We hope this review helped you learn more about happy hour options in Gainesville! Next time you’re trying to find a nice place to grab happy hour with friends, we hope we’ve inspired you to try one of our favorite spots!
