Pete's Restaurant and Brewhouse
5540 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay
(916) 797-4992
Hours: 11 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and for Granite Bay High School's varsity football home games on Friday nights they are open until 11 p.m. during the months of September and October
Happy hour: 2- 5 p.m. daily
The real steal: For just $9, enjoy a pitcher of beer plus a half order of knots for free. Knots are rolled pizza dough either covered in cinnamon sugar or in a buttery, garlic Parmesan cheese. The half order includes about six pieces, perfect to enjoy alone with the beer or to share as an appetizer. You also can get a large, one-topping pizza for $9.99 or order a one-topping personal pizza for $3.99. If you prefer appetizers, try the $5.99 combo platter that consists of onion rings, chicken strips, jalapeño poppers, and mozzarella sticks; for $3.99 you can get garlic fries. You also can get $1.25 off pints and $2 off a glass of wine.
The vibe: Laid back and relaxed, Pete's Restaurant and Brewhouse is spacious and filled with oversized booths, a couple of flat screen TV's, and a view of the pizza bar where you may be able to catch a glimpse of pizza dough being spun in the air.
Signature drink: Firestone Walker Brewery in Paso Robles brews six different beers specifically for Pete's: Pete's Wheat Bavarian Style Hefeweizen, Midtown Pale American Style Pale Ale, Broadway Brown American Style Brown Ale, Old Town Red Ale, and the two most popular – the Skinner's Horse India Pale Ale and Uptown Blonde. Pete's also has seasonal beers, such as the Sierra Nevada Life and Limb beer, with a maple syrup finish and 10 percent alcohol content. Try this unique beer before it's gone!
Bathroom break: The bathroom is small but spacious and has a large canvas of wine bottles on one wall and another sign saying "Laugh" to help add a little color and fun. It's hidden away from the restaurant in a narrow hallway that is close enough for those dining on the patio to not have to walk all the way across the restaurant.
Alternative libations: If you're not interested in beers, you can enjoy $2 off any wine or try specialty virgin drinks such as an Arnold Palmer, Roy Rogers, Shirley Temple, or a root beer float. And about once a week, at random, the staff makes three to four pitchers of sangria – a customer favorite. See if you get lucky and make it on one of those days.
Something extra: The plush, oversized booths are a perfect place to people watch, with the large windows next to the seating. They also leave plenty of room for two to four people to sit and enjoy a meal. If it's pleasant outside, the best seating is at the patio overlooking the Quarry Pond. Tables are covered with umbrellas and have a view of the water. It's the perfect way to enjoy a drink, a date, or just a good time with friends and family. And on Saturday nights in the summertime, local musicians perform from 7-10 p.m. on the patio as well.
Mary's Pizza Shack
711 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville
(916) 780-7600
Hours: 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 p.m.- close daily
The deals: Try one of the four draft beers brewed in-house – Hefeweizen, red amber ale, dark lager, or the pale ale for just $3. Well drinks also are just $3, and all wine by the glass is $2 off except for the house wines. Mary's Cocktails and "Shackatinis" – unique cocktails you will only find at an individual Mary's, are $5.50. Some of the popular "Shackatinis" are Island of Ischia, which is similar to a Long Island Iced Tea; Mary's Punch; Blue Patron Margarita; or a Pomegranate Martini. All appetizers, including pesto breadsticks, calamari, lemon herb buffalo wings, chicken strips and garlic French fries, are half price. Split a whole loaf of garlic bread for $5.50 or try plain breadsticks for just $2, and you definitely don't have to feel guilty with your indulgence.
Sauce'd
879 Embarcadero Drive, El Dorado Hills
(916) 933-3729
http://saucedcocktailhouse.com/
Hours: 3 p.m.-2 a.m. daily
Happy hour: 3-7 p.m. Monday through Friday
The deals: $2 Coors Light, $3 well drinks and house wines, $2 off mixology drinks, and $1 off premium draft beers. Mixology drinks are unique cocktails served at Sauce'd, and popular options are the Hot Italian, the Chipocluda Margarita, which is served with a chipotle salt ring, and the Smokin Kitty. Sauce'd offers lots of food options, including $3 garlic knots, $4 for five chicken wings, and $4.50 for the chef's choice pizza by the slice.
Vintner's Cellar Custom Winery
12401 Folsom Blvd., Suite 204, Rancho Cordova
(916) 985-2675
Hours: Noon-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon- 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Happy hour: 2-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
The deals: Enjoy $2 off any glass of wine and half-price appetizers (between $3 and $7.50.) Try the baguette with dipping oil or Vinter's Platter, which includes a variety of cheeses, dried Italian salami nuggets, black pepper-coated salami slices, a sliced sourdough baguette, roasted sea salt almonds, dried fruit and fresh grapes. If neither of those appetizers whets your appetite, there are more appetizer and dessert choices at a reasonable full price. And if you are very interested in wine, Vinter's Cellar offers classes and a chance to work with a winemaker to make 24 to 32 bottles of your own custom wine.
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. Email sacbeenightlife@gmail.com.
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