Bisla's
7042 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, (916) 383-0133
www.facebook.com/BislasSacramento
Hours: 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily
Happy hour: 3-7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Friday; 3 p.m.-close Tuesday; power hour 8-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
The real steal: If a bar offers a taco during happy hour, it's typically meat, onions and a sprinkle of cilantro piled onto a tortilla. At Bisla's, however, they take a few extra steps: gooey, melted cheese lines the soft corn tortilla, and atop the moist, delicately seasoned meat (chicken or beef) is just enough shredded lettuce to give it a little extra color and texture. They're served in a basket alongside a lime wedge, radish and cocktail onion, plus two kinds of house-made salsa. They're just $1 apiece on Mondays. You can choose between steak and chicken. If you seek something with a homegrown flavor, grab a plate of sliders ($1 each during happy hour), garnished with mustard, onions, cheese and a big pickle slice.
The vibe: Yes, Bisla backs up to California State University, Sacramento, so students filter in many nights and the crowd skews young. This environment welcomes all walks, though. During happy hour, it's quiet enough that most people would find it welcoming – unless you're a Dodgers fan, that is. "We're a huge Giants bar," said bartender and PR manager Tim Harris. "We even have a Giants night. Wear your Giants gear and get half off your entree." Expect a sea of orange and black when San Francisco is playing.
Signature drink: Bisla's Blonde Ale, brewed exclusively for the bar by Humboldt County's Lost Coast Brewery, is a light, mild beer with just a slight bite of hops at the finish. Very summery.
Alternative libations: If something sweeter is more your style, have the crew whip up a raspberry kamikaze, a colorful twist on the standard shooter, served here in a chilled stemless martini glass.
Take a seat: There's a chair for every inclination, with two bars, several four-seater high-top tables, two large conversation pits and a big back patio with a dozen tables. There are televisions throughout the space, but the conversation pits are the largest, making them prime real estate.
AZUL MEXICAN FOOD AND TEQUILA BAR
1050 20th St., Sacramento
(916) 447-4040
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Friday; Taco Tuesday 4 p.m.-close Tuesdays
The deals: During the standard happy hour at Azul, grab well drinks for $5 and draft beers for $3.25. On Taco Tuesday, handcrafted margaritas flavored with fresh, muddled fruits are $5, drafts are $2.50 and tacos are $1.25. The half-dozen fillings from which to choose: carnitas, chicken, carne asada, chorizo, al pastor and veggie.
CHICAGO FIRE
Sacramento, 2416 J St. (916) 443-0440; Folsom, 614 Sutter St. (916) 353-0140; Roseville, 500 N. Sunrise Ave. (916) 771-2020
Happy hour: 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday
The deals: Well cocktails will run you $3, pints of Pabst Blue Ribbon are $1 and appetizers are half off. The list of eats includes Greek fries tossed with garlic, oregano, olive oil and grated Parmesan; baked artichoke sprinkled with Caesar dressing, olive oil, lemon juice and Parmesan; and buffalo wings made to order.
DE VERE'S IRISH PUB
1521 L St., Sacramento
(916) 231-9947
Happy hour: 3:30-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
The deals: All draft beer by the pitcher, excluding nitrogenated brews, is $12. Select drafts (Firestone Walker DBA, Carlsberg and Paulaner Hefeweizen) are $3. The potent Wee Ginger, a cocktail of Jameson Irish Whiskey, ginger ale and bitters, is $4 (or grab a Big Ginger for $8). Foods include potato cakes stuffed with Irish bacon, Dubliner cheddar and chives ($4), Irish nachos (made with potato skins instead of tortilla chips) for $5 and deep-fried pickles, a decidedly pub-style treat, for $4.
4TH STREET GRILLE
400 L St., Sacramento
(916) 448-2847
Happy hour: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday- Friday, 5-7 p.m. Saturday (bar only)
The deals: Pick and choose from the appetizer menu, featuring such items as grilled artichoke, potstickers and Baja fish tacos, all priced at $5.95. Well drinks and premium drafts are $4, Pabst Blue Ribbon drafts are $2 and Skyy-flavored vodka cosmopolitans are $5, as are the house chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.
MIKUNI
Elk Grove, 8525 Bond Road, (916) 714-2112; Sacramento, 1530 J St. #150, (916) 447-2112; Fair Oaks, 4323 Hazel Ave., (916) 961-2112; Roseville, 1565 Eureka Road #1A, (916) 979-2112; Davis, 500 1st St. #11, (530) 756-2112
Happy hour: 5-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, Elk Grove; 2-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 12-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sacramento; 2-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Fair Oaks; 2-5 Monday-Friday, Roseville; 4:30-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, Davis
The deals: The list of deals takes up an entire page. $3 bites include sunomono salad, gyoza and select hand rolls. For $4, veggie tempura and agedashi tofu are just a couple of the things you can try. $5 will get you, among other things, sesame chicken or a spicy tuna roll. Select specialty cocktails, such as Godzilla's Cherry Bomb and the Banzai Bellini, for $6, while draft beers are $3 and select sakes are $7.Do you know of a bar that has amazingly good deals on drinks and food? Share the scoop with The Bee, and we'll highlight it as part of this new Night Life feature. E-mail sacbeenightlife@gmail.com.
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