C’mon, folks: Get happy hour

Max Jacobson

Wednesday, July 19, 2000 | 9:30 a.m.

It lasts longer than an hour and it isn't always totally happy, but the happy hour, a vehicle for many of us to unwind after a hard day's work, has taken its place among the great American institutions.

In this city, competition for happy hour business is intense, but more among privately-owned restaurants than in casinos. Bellagio Beverage Specialist Seth Martin says: "Because of high volume and drinks provided free of charge to players in the casino, we really don't push it in that direction."

The best bet for those who like a good happy hour is to hit a chain such as Chevy's, or a microbrewery such as the new Tenaya Creek restaurant and brewery on the northwest side. These are just two options. Here are five other places serving up terrific happy hours, plus information about what makes them special.

McCormick & Schmick

At 4 p.m. on a weekday afternoon, the parking lot at McCormick & Schmick in the Hughes Center is eerily quiet, but things are on the lively side in the restaurant's bar. It's very pleasant in here, what with design elements such as wooden booths and Tiffany lamps. What's more, many people call this the best happy hour in the city. The restaurant offers a $1.95 menu from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, an out-and-out steal.

That translates to delicious fare such as a half-pound cheeseburger with French fries, crisply fried calamari with spicy red cocktail sauce, a super garlicky Roma tomato bruschetta (actually four pieces), mouth-searing Buffalo chicken wings with Bleu cheese dressing, seafood nachos, oyster shooters and more.

But the best deal of all may be what the restaurant calls its "11.95 Crustacean Craziness." During these hours, the kitchen will serve you a 1-pound live Maine lobster, either steamed or broiled, for only $11.95, just slightly more than one-third of what you'd pay for this dish at a table in the restaurant.

There is a $2 beverage minimum here, but you can try the exquisitely fresh squeezed lemonade, a well drink for $3.50 or a call drink such as a Bombay Sapphire martini, $5. Any way you slice it, this is a good deal, especially when one considers that this is one of our top seafood restaurants.

Details: 335 Hughes Center Drive; 836-9000.

Z' Tejas Southwestern Grill

Another good choice at happy hour is this 7-year old restaurant, part of a chain that originated in Austin, Texas. The menu is eclectic and the ambience is characterized by faded sunset colors and a low-slung ceiling. It's a relaxing, interesting place.

At happy hour, most of the action revolves around the huge, oval-shaped bar, where specialty margaritas such as the Perfecta, El Tesoro Anejo tequila, and Grand Marnier with fresh lime juice, are churned out by a team of speedy bartenders.

This happy hour runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, with reduced drink prices that include 50 cents off beers and $1 off all margaritas. That means that a domestic beer is $2.50, an imported beer $3, a house margarita $3.75, and specialty margaritas such as the Perfecta, $5.75.

The southwestern-, California- and Asian-influenced menu is inspired, and during happy hour, all appetizers, a lengthy list of them, are reduced to half their normal prices. Try these excellent fish tacos, such as catfish wraps with spicy Asian sauce, the crisp crawfish crab cakes or the wonderful smoked-chicken quesadillas, all of which are under $4.

You'll be tempted to stay for dinner.

Details: 3824 Paradise Road; 732-1660.

Kixx

One casino bar that does employ the happy hour concept is Kixx, smack in the middle of Boulder Station. The bar was recently redone and now boasts a tile floor as well as the cozy appeal of a cantina in colonial Mexico. Booming speakers play progressive rock music and there is karaoke beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. It's quite a lively scene. Kixx doesn't serve food, but from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, all well drinks, most domestic beers and regular margaritas are only $1, with imported beers at $2.50 and premium call drinks at $3.25. These are among the lowest prices in town, so naturally, moderation is in order.

Details: 4111 Boulder Highway; 432-7777.

J.C. Wooloughan

One more contender for the city's best happy hour is this authentic Irish pub, which was actually built in Ireland, then reassembled and moved here. There are lots of wooden appointments and stained glass. The pub has the same dark cast as one you'd stumble onto in Dublin.

Strapping bartender Ronan Purcell is a native of Limerick, Ireland, and his lilting brogue is infectious. "Most of the bartenders here are Irish," he says proudly, pouring a customer a tall glass filled with Killian's Red. Happy hour here runs from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and there are $3 imported beers (20-ounce Imperial pints) and half-price appetizers at that time.

Whoever said Irish cuisine was boring should stop by. One of the best appetizers is a savory pork pie, and something called Kiltimagh kettle chips are Idaho fries served with a light, creamy curry sauce. Yes, there are sausage rolls, served with a traditional Irish pickle relish, and Bantry Bay fish cakes, delicious with ale. There is even potato leek soup, and all these choices are under $3 at happy hour.

Details: In the Regent at Summerlin, 221 N. Rampart Blvd.; 869-7777.

Panini

The Italian restaurant Panini not only has one of the city's longest happy hours, from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, but also one of the most generous. It only works when you sit at the giant concrete bar, or at one of the adjacent tables in the bar area, but it is well worth it.

What happens here is that customers pull a paper tab to determine whether they'll pay full price, half price or only 10 cents for their drinks. Tabs are pulled for each round, and there is a 20 percent chance of getting that 10-center.

Drinks here are $5 or $6, generally, with wines by the glass sold at varying prices. But all pizzas from the wood-burning oven are only $5 during this happy hour, and appetizers such as crab cakes with Cajun aioli, Chinese chicken salad and crisp fried calamari are also available at the same price.

Happy hunting.

Details: 3460 E. Sunset Road; 436-3100.