Stone crab season may be in full effect, but there’s something to be said of the year round pearls of the ocean: oysters. These briny little fellas are always a treat, considering they don’t come at a low-cost. The best oysters in town usually run you three dollars a pop, but there’s a few spots that have slurp-worthy oyster happy hours so you can get your bivalve fix every day of the week without having to bring out your platinum card. Save that for dinnertime.
EDGE Steak & Bar
1435 Brickell Avenue (Four Seasons)
For a rare treat, head over to EDGE Steak & Bar, where they proffer three to four oyster varieties daily. And during happy hour, bivalves are only a dollar — including Island Creek Oysters from Duxbury, which not very many places get. EDGE Steak & Bar is one of those places. While you’re there, order their barrel-aged cocktail — the Double Barrel Shooter. It’s not a happy hour special, but when you’re paying a dollar an oyster, you can afford to pair it with some nice bourbon. EDGE happy hour is daily from 4 to 7 p.m. If there’s any excuse to leave the office an hour earlier, oysters are definitely it.
River Seafood & Oyster Bar
650 South Miami Avenue
The River started Miami’s oyster culture over a decade ago and has been offering a dozen varieties of bivalves daily since. What makes The River’s happy hour particularly special is that it’s not just limited to the bar or outside seating, but perfectly shucked oysters can be slurped anywhere throughout the restaurant for $1.50 so long as it happens from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on a weekday. Also happening: gin or vodka martinis for five dollars. It’s a lethal combination.
Mignonette
210 NE 18 Street
Shave a dollar off Mignonette’s bivalves during happy hour. With a rotating selection of both East and West Coast oysters, Mignonette will have something new for you to slurp every day, from Kumamoto and Beau Soleil to Fat Bastards, the two dollar oyster special applies to whatever Danny Serfer is feeling like shucking that day. Pair your mollusks with either wine ($7) or craft beer ($4). The only catch? You need to sit at the bar and watch the creatures of the sea get broken apart. There are worse ways to spend your 5:30 to 7 p.m. time slot (ahem, traffic).
Macchialina
820 Alton Road
Michael Pirolo’s rustic Italian South Beach gem proffers charcuterie, cheese, pasta and oysters. The latter are half off ($1.50) every day from 6 to 8 p.m. but mid-week Macchialina shakes things up with dollar bivalves on Wednesday. You’re never know what you’re going to get as their offerings change seasonally, but one thing is certain: it’s always delicious.
Altamare
233 Lincoln Road
A Lincoln Road staple before Lincoln Road was what it is today, Altamare recently underwent a renovation and introduced an oyster happy hour for the first time in 12 years. In addition to its new maritime interiors and port holes peeking into the kitchen come half priced oysters from 5 to 7 p.m. daily. Which means it’s your new go to oyster spot after the beach on weekends. Grab a seat in the terrace now that the weather is cooling down and order up as many Kumamoto, Blue Points and Beau Soleil as your wallet and stomach can handle. Pro tip: ask for the housemade hot sauce and champagne vinegar.
1826 Restaurant & Lounge
1826 Collins Avenue
If you’re looking for a later hour to get your oyster on, 1826 Lounge has got it. Dollar oysters are offered Tuesday through Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. and come with a side beats played by a live DJ and a complimentary glass of champagne. Bubbly not your thing? Cocktails from the lounge menu as half off for your drinking pleasure.
Meat Market
915 Lincoln Road
You might usually go to Meat Market for Sean Brasel’s wagyu skirt steak or buffalo tenderloin, but you should give the raw bar offerings a try. Especially after a long week work week when Friday rolls around and MM has their weekly happy hour featuring oysters for just $1.50. The once a week affair is worth it if only for Brasel’s must have yuzu truffle mignonette, atomic horseradish, and habanero cocktail sauce that come with your selection of Blue Point, Belon, Kusshi, and Old Salt bivalves by the piece. Lots of decisions to make here. Choose wisely.
Haute Cuisine
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