El Patrón Bar and Grill
6601 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento
(916) 455-8945
Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday
The real steal: On average, expect to spend about $3 on a drink. Well drinks and domestic beers are $2 during happy hour, import beers are $3, and the house margarita is $4. You also can enjoy free chips and salsa. If you are a little hungrier, five clams will buy appetizers such as nachos, queso fundido – a Mexican fondue of sorts – or the quesadillas. Tacos are just $1 each.
The vibe: Overall, El Patrón has a casual atmosphere of friendliness and fun. Tables and booths line up against the windows of this laid-back restaurant. Red glass lamps dangle above the high tables in the center, and a classic bar takes up the back wall. You'll get added comfort of back support at the bar stools. A straw palapa covers the patio for shade on sunny days.
Signature drink: The "Who's Your Papi?" margarita inspires talk and giggles, making it the most popular choice at El Patrón. It is pricier, at $9 instead of $4 for the house margarita; however it is made with Patrón Citronage, Patrón Silver and lime juice.
Bathroom break: The bathroom goes for the same sunniness as the restaurant with bright yellow walls. It is cozy, with a large mirror over the sink and two stalls, and it is tucked away close to the exit.
Alternative libations: Try their sangria. They have both a red and a white. Either is $6 during happy hour at El Patrón.
Something extra: Happy hour works all over the restaurant, but the best seating would have to be the rounded oversize booths. There are only three, so get there early to grab one. (By the way, the restaurant will also unveil a private room, the Grand Patrón, in a couple of months.)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. Email sacbeenightlife@gmail.com.
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED BARGAIN
Formaggio Restaurant and Taverna
11211 Point East Drive, Rancho Cordova
(916) 267-6755
www.formaggiorestaurant.com Hours: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Happy hour: 4-6 p.m. daily
The deals: Located inside the Marriott Hotel in Rancho Cordova, Formaggio offers $3 domestic beer and $4 specialty beer, as well as half off house wine and well cocktails. The house wines are $3.50 a glass, and the well cocktails are $4. If you're hungry, they have full-sized appetizers for $3 – bruschetta, fried zucchini sticks and mozzarella sticks among them.
The Couch Sports Lounge
7431 Madison Ave., Citrus Heights
(916) 961-3342
Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-midnight Sunday
Happy hour: 3-7 p.m. daily
The deals: This upscale sports bar provides couches for lounging. During happy hour, appetizers range from $3 to $6, while salads and sandwiches are $4 to $7. Big sellers include the $4 stuffed portabella mushroom, which is covered in parmesan and cream cheese. The couch potatoes, their homemade fries, are priced at $3 to $5, depending on the toppings. As for happy hour drinks, specialty adult beverages range from $4 to $6. The top-shelf martini is $4.50 and the Dirty Mary specialty cocktail, $5. Well drinks are $3.50 and beer ranges from $2-$10. Wine by the glass is $4. Every night offers up a different special. On "Industry Night" on Sundays, anyone who works at a bar or restaurant can get their first well drink for a penny, and happy hour is all day.
Mimi's Cafe
1104 Galleria Blvd., Roseville
(916) 780-2646
850 Groveland Lane, Lincoln
(916) 434-5116
2719 East Bidwell St., Folsom
(916) 984-4940
2029 Alta Arden Way, Sacramento
(916) 614-9278
3511 North Freeway Blvd., Sacramento
(916) 575-9501
9195 W. Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove
(916) 683-4377
Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday though Thursday, 7 a.m.- 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Happy hours: 4-7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 4-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
The deals: Talk about making things easy. Everything on the happy hour food and drink menu is $5. Try select red and white wine by the glass, or a wine flight, which consists of three 2-ounce tastings of either a red or white wine. Looking for food? Barbecue pork or beef sliders and crispy zucchini parmesan are among the appetizers.
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