Happy Hour Guide

Ballard

Acorn Eatery and Bar On the outdoor patio at the Acorn, lily pad–like umbrellas stand over the tables, keeping the patrons cool, contemplative, and indifferent to their crummy view of McDonald's and Chevron across the street. Little pots of grass sit on each table, reminding everyone that nature does, in fact, exist. Good microbrews are on tap, and from 4 to 6 p.m. daily, everything is dirt cheap. Pints are $2.50, margaritas $3.50, and salads, pizza, and calamari range from $3 to $9. OUTDOOR SEATING! 9041 Holman Rd. N.W., 206-297-0700.

Azteca The cheesy, grande Mexican chain's Ballard outpost has happy hour every day, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., offering $3 beers and a few Mexi-American snacks for the same price. Olé. 2319 N.W. Market St., 206-782-7079.

Fu Kun Wu @ Thaiku Named for the Chinese apothecary who supposedly roamed old Ballard a century ago, this bar serves drinks just like the doctor ordered—as "tinctures" infused with teas, herbs, and roots like peory for "female radiance," or kava kava for "anxiety relief." From 5 to 7 p.m. daily, those specialty cocktails are $5 (they're usually $7), and a fun range of beers from Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philipines are just $3.75 a bottle. During happy hour, most appetizers are just $3—and they're served right off Thaiku's yummy menu. Patrons can fill up on spring rolls and por pia sod (salad rolls), or make their own wraps with crab and cream-cheese filling. Smokers can go to Hell (that's the name of Fu Kun Wu's smoking room). And be sure to check out the Opium Den. 5410 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-706-7807

Lockspot Cafe Part sports bar, part hunting lodge, and part longshoreman's tavern, this ain't no hipster joint. The bartenders chat with the regulars and take long drags off their cigarettes behind the bar. The clientele, all sporty and Seattle-like, sit at wooden tables with old friends and watch ESPN on elevated TV sets. The fish and chips are deliciously golden and crisp on the outside, soft and tasty on the inside. A tub of tartar and a domestic draft beer ($1.75 from 4 to 7 p.m. and midnight to 2 a.m. daily) or a well drink ($2.25/$2.50) make it a meal. 3005 N.W. 54th St., 206-789-4865.

The People's Pub Wouldn't things be better if every day was like Oktoberfest? Well, the gute life is now only a trip to Ballard away, courtesy of the People's Pub's happy hour (4 to 7 p.m. daily). All well drinks and most of the beers—which include German favorites from Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, and Bitburger—are just $2.50 a pint, and house wines are but $3 a glass. And Monday through Thursday, appetizers (deep fried pickles! sautéed mushrooms!) are 50 percent off. Prost! 5429 Ballard Ave N.W., 206-783-6521.

Ray's Boathouse If you live in Ballard, you're in luck. If you don't, this happy hour is worth the trek. Head upstairs to Ray's Café from 4 to 6 p.m. daily for dinner and drink specials, and from 10 p.m. to closing for drinks and snacks. With its spectacular view, this more relaxed upper level of the restaurant is popular with the after-work crowd. Seafood dishes such as black pepper crusted ahi tuna ($5), alder-smoked salmon skewers ($4.50), and Thai mussels ($4.50) are served fresh and with dazzling presentation. More traditional happy-hour munchies are represented by a toasted corn and red bell pepper quesadilla ($3.50) and hot wings with bleu cheese dip ($3.50). At Ray's, happy-hour diners are even treated to fresh rolls and real napkins—both rarities in the land o' cheap drinks. The drinks are fine, nothing out of the ordinary, but are nice and affordable, with well drinks for $3, Henry's for $2, and Ray's private label wine for about $4.50. 6049 Seaview Ave. N.W., 206-789-3770.

Bellevue

Hooters Orange short-shorts, skimpy tank tops, $2.50 pints, and truly awful 25-cent chicken wings—boo-yeah! You're at Hooters during happy hour: 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The waitresses are ridiculously hot, and one of them, scarily, is way into Christian rock, following her attendance at an "awesome" Christian rock show featuring "that guy from 98 Degrees." As if that weren't disturbing enough—she doesn't go into the mosh pit at Christian rock shows for "fear of being groped." Holy crap! Where are the WWJD bracelets? [Ed. note: Our intern's receipt from this happy hour had a note written in pink pen: "Good luck with your band! Thank you! {big girly pink heart} Shawna." Now that's service.] OUTDOOR SEATING! 550 106th N.E., 425-452-9930 BELLEVUE; 901 Fairview N., 206-625-0555, LAKE UNION.

Ruth's Chris Steak House Somewhere between the dark atmosphere of El Gaucho and the sophistication of the Met, Ruth's quiet happy hour offers very small gourmet snacks and good stiff drinks. Draft beer, wine, and wells are only $2.75, and prices are almost unbelievable for the food—until you see the tiny portions. Expect traditional happy-hour bites such as a quarter-pound burger ($1.95) and spinach artichoke dip ($2.95), as well as some healthier options like fresh Caesar salad ($1.95) and other munchies like barbecued shrimp ($3.95) and blackened chicken skewers ($2.95), which are spicy and good. One of the bonuses here is the fantastic (complimentary!) nutty bread. 4–6 p.m. and 9 p.m.–closing daily. 525 Bellevue Square, 425-451-1550, BELLEVUE; 800 Fifth Ave., 206-624-8524, DOWNTOWN.