Mark My Words, the Snack-tail Will Be 2025's Buzziest Happy Hour Trend

When it comes to food trends, a few immediately spring to mind—and some stick with us far longer than others. Just think of the way sourdough starters have had us in an iron (er, squishy?) grip since the early days of the pandemic. *That* baked feta pasta. (Skip.) Truffle fries. (On their way out, TBH.) Acai bowls. (Here to stay.) 2024 saw the cucumber salad find virality on TikTok.

There’s a bevy of predictions for 2025, from snack boxes, tanghulu and a funny fascination with Cane’s sauce to Resy’s buzzy bets. In the reservation platform’s retrospective, it called out trends like solo dining, the rise of Nashville’s culinary scene, and how restaurants can turn a city into a foodie destination. However, there was one thing in particular that caught my eye on Resy’s list of things set to majorly take off: the “snack-tail.”

As the name suggests, the snack-tail is a cheeky spin on the classic cocktail, and the focus is as much on the drink’s garnish as it is the libation itself. If you’ve ever been worried about imbibing because the last thing you ate today was a bag of chips (before lunch!), problem solved. The snack-tail delivers you a snack and drink at the same time. Based on Resy’s data, they’re commonly served with martinis, and usually feature a more generous helping of the classics, like cornichons and olives. The “snack” is also not always a garnish, and you may find homemade chips or slices of cured meat served on the side. Not a martini fan? Some restaurants offer a snack-tail with every drink on the menu.

For someone who doesn’t drink much and is much more interested in food than alcohol, I must say this was a fun surprise. (And made me slightly more excited to hit up happy hour.) Say goodbye to that sad, skewered olive in your martini. Below are six restaurants spanning California and New York serving these delightful concoctions—and hopefully other bars will join suit in the year ahead.

This Hollywood institution will bring you straight back to the industry’s golden age, sitting on the corner of storied Melrose Avenue and Formosa. The Benjamin offers an upscale take on American classics, served with a mid-century vibe. Think Parker House Rolls, crab beignets and deviled eggs. When it comes to the cocktails, you’ll want to order Ben’s Martini, a snack-tail that comes not with a garnish but an entire side of delectable homemade potato chips. That alone is enough to pull me in.

It’s all in the name with Double Chicken Please, the wildly popular NYC bar on Allen Street. Reservations are (almost) impossible, but if you score, you’re in for a treat. Personally, I’m beelining for one of the signature chicken sandwiches (hot honey sounds great), though I did find the Mango Sticky Rice and Japanese Cold Noodle cocktails interesting. For those who want to dive into the snack-tail trend, ask for the Red Eyed Gravy (Teeling Irish whiskey, coffee butter, corn, walnut, wild mushroom) served with a slice of coppa, the Italian dry-cured, decadent pork shoulder salume.

Martiny’s is a Japanese cocktail bar that set up shop in an 1800s carriage house. It owes its name to sculptor Philip Martiny, whose last name, incidentally, is pronounced exactly like the drink. Reservations are advised, but I walked in with a couple friends last year, and if you queue up early enough, you’re pretty much guaranteed a seat. I went for my signature Hugo Spritz, but trend seekers and setters will want to order the mini martini, served with caviar. The space is dark and mysterious with plush leather furnishings and small windows that allow the soft glow of the sun to creep in. It feels nearly clandestine tucked off busy Union Square.

One of my favorite places in New York is The Carlyle Hotel—simply because they have one of the best afternoon tea experiences in the city, served in the elegant Gallery. Located just around the corner from The Gallery and its sumptuous Turkish-inspired decor is Bemelman’s, the storied bar loved by socialites, politicians and celebrities. Murals by Ludwig Bemelmans (creator of the children’s series Madeline) cover the walls and live music begins every evening at 5:30. The menu pays homage to the city, with cocktails like JFK Daquiri (rum, Golden Falernum liqueur and lime), Jackie O (passion fruit vodka, Grey Goose, lime, champagne, thyme), The Essayist (gin, pear liqueur, rosemary syrup, lime, grapefruit juice), and Autumn in New York (bourbon, gin, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, lime). All cocktails are accompanied by an assortment of snacks, including chips and nuts.

Not all the fun happens in Manhattan (or Brooklyn). Greenpoint, the neighborhood north of Williamsburg, boasts El Pingüino, a Spanish seafood bar home to a $12 happy hour martini. Said drinks are served with a gilda, which consists of anchovies, olives and picked Guindilla peppers on a skewer. Other drinks on tap: an assortment of ciders, low ABV options, a Black Manhattan and Frozen Pisco Sour. Bottoms up!

From Limoncello Fizz (Suze, vanilla, egg white) to Chartreuse Gimlet (Chartreuse, yuzu, lime cordial) and a Fichi Americano (vermouth, campari, fig leaf soda), Café Carmellini serves up cocktails in style at its Fifth Avenue outpost. (Chef Andrew Carmellini also oversees the culinary program at The Fifth Avenue Hotel in NoMad.) A perfect spot for a ritzy night out. At Café Carmellini, martinis are served with a classic sidecar featuring a curated assortment of garnishes, including green olives and cornichons. Don’t be surprised if you end up staying for dinner, too. The Rabbit Cacciatore, Squab en Croute and Beet & Caviar Tart can’t be missed.