Night Life

The restaurant name derives from the idea that the couch is the most comfortable spot in the house.

The dining side of this laid-back, family-friendly restaurant is filled with plenty of booths and tables. Neutral-colored walls are covered with painted canvases in shades of red, orange, yellow, and hints of black.

On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina 3521 Truxel Road, Sacramento (916) 928-0867 www.ontheborder.com

A Chicago chic is created through exposed wood beams and black ductwork, brick and maroon walls, black bar stools and chairs, depictions of the Windy City and a faux fire ladder and balcony. Two flat-screen TVs let you catch up on the news, and a staircase leads to the wine cellar.

The "Sizzle, Swizzle & Swirl" happy hour offers appetizers such as the spicy lobster, the steak sandwich with fries, or the prime burger with fries

Most of the décor in this cozy restaurant is recycled and refurbished, giving it an eco-friendly feel.

his family-oriented restaurant feels cozy from the moment you enter. Saucepans dangle from lamps and other kitchenware-inspired decorations help give the place the feel of home.

KBAR has a very downtown, business feel. It draws professionals who drop in for an after-work cocktail and college students who come to watch a game on television.

Drinks such as Kaizen's four draft beers and Geikkekan hot sake are $3.50. Domaine St. Michelle sparkling wine and Beringer Founders Estate wine, as well as house wines by the glass, are $5. For $7, Kaizen offers chilled Sho Chiku Bai Nigori Sake, which is unfiltered, and Haiku Chilled Sake, which is filtered.

The light-gray walls and the contrasting dark wood, the white marble bar top and matching bistro tables, and the slightly darker gray bar chairs add to the elegant vibe.

Typically, Night Life highlights happy hours around the region. This week, however, we have rounded up deals at Sacramento bars and restaurants without designated happy hours, but with deals at all hours.

The provocatively named Purgatory, which features a "nice" upstairs restaurant and "naughty" downstairs nightclub, starts with a serene indoor patio with its own bar.

The Roseville restaurant opened in August, and like the Sacramento location, features work by artist Ernesto Cruz of Jalisco, Mexico

The original Buckhorn restaurant sits in a building that is more than 120 years old. The walls are red brick. Mounted on those walls are animal heads including deer, moose, caribou and boar. White string lights add a warm glow to the rustic feel.

The Grange is part of the Citizen Hotel, in a building constructed in 1926. The two-story restaurant is open and airy, elegant yet laid-back, offering ample windows from which to view the downtown street scene.

The Melting Pot offers a relaxed, upscale atmosphere. A waterfall trickles behind the front counter. Light music and dim lighting add to the elegant, romantic vibe, as do dark, wood-paneled walls.

You can't beat the prices on appetizers during happy hour. Tacos, housemade four-cheese mac 'n' cheese, chili, hot dogs, corn dogs and nachos all are free.

You can spot the restaurant from down the street. A bright-red door greets you, while the ample windows give you a peek inside the inviting space. Once inside, the atmosphere is fine dining, but with a family and neighborhood feel.

Enter the Pour House and step back in time to the Prohibition era.

Select from $3 draft beers and well drinks, and $5 select wines by the glass and martini cocktails. Snacks are $3, $5 and $7.

If you're too cool for a tryst on the beach, break the ice with a raspberry ice pick

Happy hour is called "a taste of Paul Martin's" since it covers a lot. All hand-crafted draft beers are $4, cocktails are $4 or $8, and wine by the glass and appetizers are $4, $8 or $12.

This laid-back restaurant has a sushi bar and an alcohol bar against the back wall. Multiple flat-screen TVs play in the background. Stone-topped tables match the stone-topped bar.

Select from $3 draft beers, $3.50 premium draft beers, $4 wine by the glass and well drinks, and the rotating $6 daily cocktail. Appetizers range from $1.50 to $6.95, including house favorites such as the togarashi crispy prawns and fresh-shucked oysters.

This Prohibition era-influenced restaurant mixes industrial chic and old-world glamour. The exposed brick walls, unfinished-wood ceiling and bare light bulbs hint at hidden 1920s speakeasies, but the large booths and high tables add polish to the thoughtful design. The spacious layout gives plenty of room in which to drink or eat.

It's just one flight up and worth it, especially for the Pink Ginger drink. The Level Up Lounge and Thai Basil are in the same building, but have separate menus and separate kitchens.

oxy has a Paris-meets-ranch theme with intricate crystal light fixtures, a carved wooden bar, Brazilian cowhide booths and some western-themed paintings

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.

Whatever you do, you must try the basil Sapphire martini

The beers and ciders constantly change so you can try a plethora of new drinks such as strawberry lemonade, raspberry, blood orange and watermelon ciders.

Stone carvings of Greek mythological characters hang on the walls and Greek music plays in the background while two flat- screen TVs on either end of the place show sports

Regular and late-night happy hours offer the same drink deals; however, the food specials are only from 9 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, and from 10 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday and Thursday.

The two wine-by-the-glass offerings are the Sawbuck Malbec and Stellina Di Notte Pinot Grigio.

Select from all draft beers, hot sake and sake bombs for $3, house wine by the glass and $4 well drinks; the Peach Paradise goes for $5 during happy hour.

Artwork at this laid-back restaurant is selected in Mexico for an authentic feel.

This upscale yet rustic lounge on the corner of the Residence Inn Marriott is filled with large windows. Tea light candles in tall silver stands are placed around the almost circular granite-top bar.

Multiple fun with PF Chang's Triple Happiness Happy hour offers a break on drinks, dim sum and street food and other happy hours on the cheap.

Monsoon has a big-city feel with a splash of traditional Indian décor. Large windows let in natural light and the walls are decorated with imported artwork.

Select from 16 appetizers ranging from $1.50 to $9 during happy hour. The house favorites are the oysters on the half shell; five-piece barbecued albacore, and "Better than Sex," an albacore sashimi with chili oil, ponzu sauce and jalapeños.

This historic building in Old Sacramento mixes a blend of a sports bar with just a hint of an island oasis. The restaurant's red-brick walls and black industrial piping complement each other.

The real steal: During happy hour, also known as Social Hour at Ernesto's, select from $2 beers, $3 sangria and a $4 house margarita.

This laid-back restaurant is filled with bright colors such as orange, green and brown walls. There are always fresh flowers and a lighted tea candle on each table, and you'll hear anything from a Spanish love ballad to upbeat salsa music softly playing in the background.

The Porch feels homelike. Wood floors, wooden tables, and a black bar top with contrasting white walls give the restaurant a laid-back feeling.

Select from $3 draft beers, $5 well drinks, $7 featured wines, $8 specialty martinis and half-price appetizers at Dawson's Bar inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel.