During the Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans this past July, I went to lunch with a few colleagues at Mr. B’s Bistro. We hadn’t planned to have a cocktail with lunch–if you’ve ever been to Tales, you know that the conference venues are overflowing with spirits samples and amazing drinks—but Mr. B’s offered $1.99 Martinis and Bloody Marys with lunch.

It was too good a deal to pass up, plus we wanted to see how the drinks were (they were decent). I thought that would probably be the lowest price I’d see a Martini for this year, until I heard that New York cocktail bar Dante was launching 99-cent Martinis. That includes tax, by the way, but there are a few stipulations.

For one, the offer, which started Nov. 1, is available only from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. It’s also limited to one per person. But the Martinis are mixed by the expertly trained Dante staff, with either Plymouth gin or Absolut vodka, and served with a choice of a caperberry or a lemon knot.

That’s quite a bargain at any bar, never mind one in the super-expensive New York market. It’s a good way to bring people in after work and introduce them to Dante’s unique beverage program (the bar is big on vermouth and amari). Plus Dante serves food, so Happy Hour guests are likely to order an appetizer or maybe even dinner. There’s nothing like a classic Martini to stimulate the appetite.