Blue Nami
330 Palladio Parkway, No. 2045, Folsom
(916) 983-3388
Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday
Happy hour: 2-5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday
The real steal: For just $4, choose an appetizer such as tempura, deep-fried oysters, pot stickers or fried calamari. And for just $2 enjoy a 14-ounce beer such as Sapporo, Asahi, New Castle, Blue Moon or Coors Light. Blue Nami also has specials that change each day.
The vibe: Blue Nami means blue wave in Japanese. The Folsom location is spacious and modern, with high ceilings and even an upside-down uprooted tree hanging from the center. An Oregon redwood tree root is at the very front entrance. Perch on a black leather chair and view the kitchen through a glass window. The laidback sushi bar also has two flat-screen televisions, two semi-private rooms (the red and blue rooms) to dine in, especially if you have a private party, and an outdoor patio, where you can take in all of the Palladio. (Locations in Roseville and Orangevale have different happy hour specials.)
Signature drink: Even though sake is full-priced, it is the perfect drink to have at any Japanese restaurant. Try a popular sake bomb (small house hot sake and pitcher of beer) or a twist on it, the Tornado Bomb (Shoju cold sake and a pitcher of beer) for $14.50.
Bathroom break: Tucked away between the red room and the main restaurant, the bathroom has plenty of space to freshen up.
Alternative libations: If you prefer to go the nonalcoholic route, try one of their teas. They have both hot and iced green tea, the perfect drink with any Japanese meal, as well as regular iced tea. These are not a part of happy hour but range at a very low price between $1 and $2.50.
Something extra: Blue Nami has two separate rooms – one blue, one red – that can be reserved when you have a big party. Each is free to reserve, but if not reserved, guests are welcome to fill them up. The blue room (actually a rich purple) features a giant glass window filled with fabric butterflies and flowers, as well as colorful, changing lights. The red room has a glass window full of mini wooden masks from Japan and Korea, and on another wall has a giant wooden mask overlooking the diners. The red room is perfect in the afternoon, with the sunlight shining through the window, for people-watching while keeping your privacy intact.Elixir Bar and Grill
1815 10th St., Sacramento
(916) 442-0693, www.facebook.com/pages/ ELIXIR-BAR-GRILL/119340298094601
Hours: 4 p.m.- 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.- 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 4 p.m.- 2 a.m. Sunday
The deals: That Facebook address reads like a mouthful, but you'll want to go there because you'll find that friends get even better deals. Pay $2 for well drinks and domestic bottled beer, $3 for draft beers. The food – fish and chips, chicken wings, handmade pizzas and calzones, or gourmet burgers, for instance – range from $5-$15. On weekends, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Elixir's brunch features $12 bottomless mimosas.
Thunder Valley Casino
1200 Athens Ave., Lincoln
(916) 408-7777
www.thundervalleyresort. com
Hours: 24 hours a day (Alcohol is not sold from 2-6 a.m.)
Happy hour: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday
The deals: The specials here constantly change, so ask your server or barkeep. Until the end of the football season, check out the Football Tailgate Mania on Sundays and Mondays at Falls Bar. Watch the NFL Ticket and have $2 draft beers (select varieties), a $2 hot dog with a bag of chips, or a $2 six-piece wing plate.
Coach's Classic Bar and Grill
3443 Laguna Blvd, Suite 150, Elk Grove
(916) 226-2695
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Happy hour: Hours recently expanded to 11 a.m. -7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
The deals: Strike up your appetite by knocking down pins. Then enjoy half-price wings in a barbecue, mild or spicy sauce for $2.50-$10. Get a 7-inch one-topping pizza for $4.99 or an appetizer such as chicken tenders or cheese bread for $4. Quench your thirst with $3 domestic draft; $3.50 import beer; or, for $4, a margarita, a house wine or a well drink. On Tuesdays, there is an all-day deal of $1 tacos and $2.50 margaritas.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 Night Life feature. E-mail sacbeenightlife@gmail.com.THIS WEEK'S FEATURED BARGAIN
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