Vesper Lounge This extremely spacious, high-ceilinged new Filipino restaurant in the Chinatown International District serves native and pan-Asian bar snacks for just $3 a plate during happy hour (5–7 p.m. weekdays). Try a lumpia—a Philippine egg roll stuffed with pork and veggies (there is a vegetarian option)—or have at the explosive Manila-style barbecue pork skewers, the halibut turnovers, or the Bali-style Matahari calamari fries. And if drinks take a back seat to food here, it's subtle—the $2.50 well drinks are expertly crafted. If you feel like paying a bit more, close your eyes and point to one of the thoughtful concoctions on the signature cocktails list. Beer folk will fare well here too, with domestics just $2 during happy hour. 212 Fifth Ave. S., 206-223-0593.
Mount Baker
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The Rose Club So it's not happy hour—it's still boss. Every Monday night is Ladies' Night at this sweet little Mount Baker spot, with half-price bottles of wine (that's any bottle), $2 beers, and half-price pizzas (including potato and roasted garlic, caramelized onion and goat cheese, and specials like pancetta and pepperoni). P.S. Gentlemen are welcome and will receive the same special prices despite their gender—it's in honor of the ladies. OUTDOOR SEATING! 3601 S. McClellan, 206-725-3654.
Pike Place Market
Cutters Bayhouse The real views are in the dining room, which overlooks Elliott Bay. The happy-hour specials are available only in the bar, but its view of Pike Place Market ensures prime people-watching from 3–7 p.m. Just-off-work downtown professionals gather here for the extended happy hours and decent seafood deals, including half-price sushi. Plates such as the Cajun shrimp ($3.95) are big enough to share. Try the meaty crab-and-artichoke dip or the delicious calamari-nacho fusion dish (both $4.95). There's only one beer on the menu, the Cutters Amber Lager at $2.95, and specialty cocktails—including the sweet, mysteriously colored Blue Lagoon with Absolute mandarin vodka, pineapple juice, and rum—run $3.95 to $4.25. 2001 Western Ave., 206-448-4884.
Pike Pub & Brewery Well drinks are discounted here during happy hour, but nobody really drinks them. It's all about the beer at Pike Pub, and they come through with specials on those, too. From 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays, their own brews flow for $2.50 a pint. That's their India Pale Ale, Naughty Nellie's, Kilt Lifter, Pike Weisse, Bootleg Brown, Pike Street XXXXX Stout, everything. Of the half-price appetizers, the Thai seafood cakes ($4.50) with coconut sweet chili sauce are a solid choice, as is the tequila-marinated chicken quesadilla ($3.95). There are pool tables and another game: watching your beer-buzzed buddies try to traverse the winding ramps from the sunken pub up to street level. (Be a responsible pal, get 'em a safe ride home.) 1415 First Ave, 206-622-6044.
Pioneer Square
Diner Are you the type of person who likes to lounge in a red vinyl booth and watch Crossfire while simultaneously listening to '80s music? Of course you are. If you're also the type of person who likes to drink beer in the late afternoon, Diner is the place to be. There are $2 domestics, $2.50 microbrews, and $3 imports Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a daily happy-hour food special for $2.99 (e.g., Monday, pizza loaf; Thursday, cheeseburger and fries). Want to drink with the kids? Diner also has a soda fountain happy hour between 3 and 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Drink a big, thick lager and watch those cute rug rats color the menu. OUTDOOR SEATING! 72 S. Washington St., 206-340-8859.
Luigi's Grotto Go down the steep steps, through the doors, and hang a left to get to the Vino Vino Lounge, home of indescribably odd atmosphere, Sopranos-esque service (except they don't shoot you), and one of the best and weirdest happy hours in town. Luigi's is a labyrinthine underground place, aggressively decorated in homegrown Eyetalian style; the lounge has vinyl tablecloths and a stand-up cooler that you can see used to belong to Snapple. Turkish chanterelles; arugula with gorgonzola and pine nuts; and garlic-rosemary cannellini bean spread served with warm wedges of flatbread. How many happy hours offer snacks like these? From 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays at the Grotto, you can get a beverage—wine, beer, or well drink—and a lovely six-plate sampler of fancy Italian finger food for a mere $10. 102 Cherry St., 206-343-9517.
QUEEN ANNE
Hoyt's Pub It is little short of astounding that something this blue-collar still exists on top of Queen Anne. Nice, drunk couples in Levis shoot pool and sing along with James Brown. Russian women sit in the booths discussing their lazy boyfriends. Libby—blond, skeptical, and straight out of a Raymond Carver story—takes your orders. It's grand. There are drink specials from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. Everything is the color of mahogany and soothing like the womb. 1527 Queen Anne Ave. N., 206-284-2656.
Ozzie's Roadhouse Despite a redecoration that mainly serves to confuse, Ozzie's dives onward at the foot of Queen Anne. Happy hour here, 4 to 6 p.m., is a splendid way to begin a downward spiral of a night, with $2.50 wells and $2.25 beers, and a $2 bar menu including wings, chicken fingers, and their ilk. The food's not going to be anything to write home about, but you're at Ozzie's, so you're obviously not too particular. 105 W. Mercer St., 206-284-4618.
