Happy Hour Hot Spots

As the long work week comes to an end, sometimes you just want to meet with friends, grab a drink and relax. Knowing where to go to grab a good deal on beverages and bar snacks is key to starting your weekend off right.

If you like oysters, Luke in New Orleans is the spot for you. Owned by celebrity chef John Besh, Luke offers half-priced cocktails, like a New Orleans sazerac or a frozen absinthe frappe, along with 50-cent oysters from the Gulf.

In Seattle, Poppy offers two happy hours so you won’t miss out on the fun. Running Sunday through Thursday, happy hours are from 5–6:30 p.m., and then again 9:30–11 p.m. There are $6 signature cocktails and $5–6 bites, like fried mussels, tandoori chicken, short rib sandwiches and cauliflower kofta.

For something more adventurous, DGS Delicatessen in Washington, D.C., offers up a unique grilled beef tongue Rueben slider for $4 and $7 cocktails like the Mensch — rye whiskey, bitters and blood orange juice.

Uchiko offers a sake social hour. Select sakes are only $3 with bar snacks priced $6 or less. This Austin restaurant snack menu includes grilled beef tongue nigiri and Hamachi sushi rolls containing melon, coconut and curry.

For $15, you can buy a drink and food at Comme Ca (http://www.mecarestaurant.com/) in Los Angeles from 5–7 p.m. Dishes include shrimp cocktail, steak tartar and a chef’s choice of meat and cheese. Sip on a refreshing El Rancho with tequila, lime and cucumber to pair with your shareable snacks.