Night Life

Monsoon has a big-city feel with a splash of traditional Indian décor. Large windows let in natural light and the walls are decorated with imported artwork.

Select from 16 appetizers ranging from $1.50 to $9 during happy hour. The house favorites are the oysters on the half shell; five-piece barbecued albacore, and "Better than Sex," an albacore sashimi with chili oil, ponzu sauce and jalapeños.

This historic building in Old Sacramento mixes a blend of a sports bar with just a hint of an island oasis. The restaurant's red-brick walls and black industrial piping complement each other.

The real steal: During happy hour, also known as Social Hour at Ernesto's, select from $2 beers, $3 sangria and a $4 house margarita.

This laid-back restaurant is filled with bright colors such as orange, green and brown walls. There are always fresh flowers and a lighted tea candle on each table, and you'll hear anything from a Spanish love ballad to upbeat salsa music softly playing in the background.

The Porch feels homelike. Wood floors, wooden tables, and a black bar top with contrasting white walls give the restaurant a laid-back feeling.

Select from $3 draft beers, $5 well drinks, $7 featured wines, $8 specialty martinis and half-price appetizers at Dawson's Bar inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Kasbah Lounge 2115 J St., Sacramento (916) 442-4388 www.kasbahlounge.com. Happy hour: 5-7 p.m. daily, 10 p.m.-close Sunday through Thursday (drinks only)

The real steal: Choose from bottled beers that range in price from $2 to $3.50, or beers on tap for $3.

Paesanos Midtown: 1806 Capitol Ave., Sacramento (916) 447-8646 Davis: 139 G St., Davis (530) 758-8646 Elk Grove: 8519 Bond Road, Elk Grove (916) 690-8646

Bombay Bar and Grill 1315 21st St., Sacramento (916) 441-7100 www.bombaybarandgrillsacramento.com

Chops has an upscale, relaxed vibe – with a view of the statehouse.

If you're hungry, their full-size bar bites are $5.95 each. Garlic fries and boneless buffalo chicken are available only during happy hour, and other popular choices are the Baja fish tacos, grilled artichoke with lemon aioli or calamari.

Entertainment events in the Sacramento region.

Choose from $2 well cocktails and select beers, $3 house cabernet or chardonnay wine by the glass, and $8 select pitchers.

River Rock Tap House 2326 J St., Sacramento (916) 273-4930

Whether you go into this good-time Old Sacramento saloon on a weekend, weeknight or just during lunchtime, there is always something special going on.

Whoa! Cars were lined up on S Street, waiting to get into the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op's jammed parking lot.

Get a taste of Ireland at Gallagher's Irish Pub, where the walls, ceiling, carpet and even chairs are green.

Entertainment events in the Sacramento region.

Overall, El Patrón has a casual atmosphere of friendliness and fun. Tables and booths line up against the windows of this laid-back restaurant.

If you are meeting up with friends after work but you still need to save room for dinner (either here in the dining room adjacent to the bar or waiting at home), this is the place to go for Morton's "bar bites" and the special Mortinis or beer and wine specials.

This French bohemian bistro has a delightful knickknack wall and friendly staff.

Snag a couch or plush, oversized chair to enjoy your glass of wine.

Located in a building that was once a firehouse, the restaurant keeps the music soft and relaxing to ensure guests can easily converse.

Enjoy a dollar off all 13 of its draft beers and $3 well drinks and house wines. If you're hungry, bring a large group and enjoy three appetizers for $10.

Depending on which night you choose to visit Shenanigans, you may get an entirely different experience.

All beer, well drinks and house wine are half off during happy hour in the bar.

Enjoy draft beers for $3, well drinks and wine by the glass for $4, and house margaritas for $4.50 during happy hour.

Traditional Mexican décor, including decorated pots and artifacts, surround you in this laid-back, relaxed restaurant.

You can only enjoy happy hour in the bar area, except Tuesday through Thursday, when it's available on the terrace.

Happy hour only works in the bar area, and the seats fill up quickly, especially on Thursday and Friday. Try to get a booth parallel to the bar. The red fabric and wooden tables and chairs are small and cozy, letting you have an intimate conversation with friends.

During the NFL happy hour you can get food such as garlic Parmesan fries for $4 or the ever popular Guinness brat for $5.

The real steal: All house wines, beers and appetizers are half-off. That discounted price is $3.50 for house wines, $2 for beers and $5 for all the cocktails.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant

Legends Sports Bar and Grill at the Woodcreek Golf Course

Entertainment events in the Sacramento region.

There is a nice balance between the upscale and the casual at Source.

There's an Old Sacramento that exists even when famous jazz musicians and your relatives are not in town.

For just $9, enjoy a pitcher of beer plus a half order of knots for free.

For just $4, choose an appetizer such as tempura, deep-fried oysters, pot stickers or fried calamari.

Create a full meal with select rolls priced at $5, including Mikuni classics like the Fair Oaks, made with crispy fried shrimp for those who aren't fans of raw fish.

Gallagher's Irish Pub has turned that luck o' the Irish inside out for its customers. The longtime downtown favorite, located inside the Broiler restaurant, has centered its happy hour menu around a lucky 7-7-7 deal: seven combinations at $7 each until 7 p.m.

For just $4 each, try an appetizer such as the maple cider grilled chicken skewers or shredded beef street tacos along with select wine by the glass or cocktails such as a Meyer lemon drop or raspberry martini to name a few options.

Enjoy appetizers such as coconut shrimp or a dim sum basket for between $4 and $9.

Inside the brick restaurant, you'll find people smiling and talking over stacks of onion rings, half-yard beers and colorful cocktails.

For $10, enjoy a generous "small" three- topping pizza and draft beer from 4-10 p.m. on Wednesday.

Belly up for $3 draft beers or pay $5 for specialty drinks and select wine by the glass.

Select sushi rolls are $5 each. These aren't dinky, shrunken happy hour rolls, either.