Happy Hour is Great at Hop Devil Grill

A few weeks back, my friend Dan (who had the pleasure of living next door to me growing up) was in town visiting from Minnesota, and we were trying to narrow down a place to go for drinks.  We decided on Hop Devil Grill in the East Village because it was right in the neighborhood where he was staying, and because the bar had a Happy Hour that lasted until 8.

For the first time in my life, I wasn’t late meeting someone, and actually got to the bar about 15 minutes

My friend Katie, Dan and myself, circa 2006.

before Dan.  I chatted with the bartender, who made me feel quite comfortable as I sat alone at the bar.  He shared a drink menu with me, and I was surprised to see so many beers on tap.  This wasn’t a Bud Light, Miller Light kind of place, but instead a place with Brooklyn Lager, blueberry and watermelon beers.  Better yet, craft beers, draft beers and well drinks are half-off from 4-8 pm.  If I remember correctly, most beers I tried were only $3.25.

Dan arrived, and we decided we’d get a table, simply because it was Tuesday and Hop Devil Grill offers $1 tacos, so this was going to be our main meal for the evening.  I was probably the most annoying patron in the history of Hop Devil Grill, since every time we were seated, more people who knew us kept walking into the bar.  Our waiter was extremely cool about it, letting us move tables together, and definitely did not get frustrated at us.  We ordered tacos and I went with one beef and one chicken taco.  I also had the choice of having soft or hard tacos, and so I did a hard beef taco and a soft chicken taco.

I’ve tried $1 tacos at other bars in the past, and I have to say, these tacos were actually delicious.  Now, I’m from Connecticut, not California, so I don’t know “good Mexican,” but I found these tacos to have the perfect amount of filling and “extra stuff” on them (i.e. lettuce and tomatoes).  While they were a little small, two tacos were filling.  Would I recommend coming to Hop Devil Grill just for tacos?  No, but give yourself a few beers, and this will be much more appealing than any late night pizza joint or diner – and much more affordable than typical bar food.  While eating our tacos, are waiter was kind enough to give us the heads up that Happy Hour was ending, in case we wanted more beers.

I enjoyed Hop Devil Grill so much on my first visit there, I went back a few days later.  Again, I found there to be great service, and it wasn’t that crowded during Happy Hour, so I could easily grab a table with Jason of NYC Daily Deals.  It wasn’t so loud so we were able to catch up and we got to sample one of the 24 different beers, for less than $3.50 a pint.

If you are in the East Village and looking for a Happy Hour spot, where you can catch up with friends and *gasp* actually hear the conversation, check out Hop Devil Grill.  Better yet, hope you are able to check it out for $1 tacos on Tuesday!  And if you can’t make Tuesday, Thursday is $1 tostadas according to the website (and Sunday offers half-off burgers!).