Blue Cue
1004 28th St., Sacramento
(916) 441-6810
Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. daily
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday
The real steal: Enjoy $2 domestic pint beers and $3 premium beers, house well cocktails, and select appetizers such as the house favorite mini-burger sliders, crispy mac 'n'cheese and chicken tacos, to name a few bar snacks available during happy hour.
The vibe: The color scheme is elegant and relaxed, with shades of blue and brown throughout the restaurant. The entrance is via a staircase off 28th Street. There is a mosaic-top bar with classic barstools in the center of the restaurant; exposed piping and wooden beams add to an industrial and urban feel.
Signature drink: Beer is a pretty popular choice at the Blue Cue, and currently the $3 Rubicon Monkey Knife Fight is the drink of choice. This pale ale is pretty light and refreshing, making it a great drink whether you are seated at the balcony patio, at the bar or playing one of the many billiard tables around the restaurant.
Bathroom break: Tucked away behind the bar, this bathroom leaves you with just enough space to freshen up before going back to the bar for another round or finishing up your game of billiards.
Alternative libations: If beer isn't your go-to drink, the $3 house well cocktails are sure to please. One of the most popular combos is the classic vodka-cranberry, giving you a sweeter yet stronger alternative to a pint of premium or domestic beer.
Something extra: Happy hour works all over the restaurant. However, the patio tends to be the most sought-after seating in the house. This patio is actually a balcony, giving you a slightly elevated view. The patio has a bar ledge around the perimeter of the balcony, as well as benches and plenty of space to spread out. There also are heaters and fans to keep you feeling comfortable at all times, and a patio cover to keep you safe from the sun.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 Night Life. Email sacbeenightlife@gmail.com.
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED BARGAIN
Nishiki Sushi
1501 16th St., Suite 111, Sacramento
(916) 446-3629
www.goodfoodsacramento.com/nishikisushi
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight Thursday through Saturday, 5-10 p.m. Sunday
Happy hour: 2:30-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 p.m.-midnight Thursday through Saturday
The deals: Select from $3 Sapporo beer and sake bombs, $3.50 well drinks and $4 house wines during happy hour. It also has appetizers such as gyoza and mixed tempura for $3, or a barbecue albacore salad for $5, and on weekends it offers half-off select rolls from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 5 to 10 p.m. on Sunday. There are a few different rolls during late-night happy hour that also are half off.
Blackbird Kitchen and Bar
1015 Ninth St., Sacramento
(916) 498-9224
Hours: 4-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Happy hour: 4-6 p.m. daily
The deals: Choose from $2 Miller High Life, $3 draft beers, $4 Michelada, which is Tecate with hot sauce and lime, $4 red or white wine or the $4 punch that changes daily or weekly. It also offers bar appetizers such as $4 pan-blistered shishito peppers, $5 fish tacos or the popular $1 Marin Miyagi Oysters or brown butter popcorn to munch alongside with your drink.
Village Pizza and Grill
403 G St., Davis
(530) 750-0100
http://daviswiki.org/Village_Pizza_%26_Grill
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday
The deals: Get a dollar off all wines by the glass and appetizers such as fried calamari, bruschetta and fish tacos. If you prefer beer, all draft beers are available for $3 during happy hour.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
• Read more articles by Paris Ryan
Order Reprint
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.