Ibiza at Hotel Andaluz

After a long, tough week at work you deserve a cocktail. Sometimes you need tequila poppers and bar food and sometimes you need a fancy martini and want to feel like a VIP. If you're looking for option number two, Ibiza at Hotel Andaluz is a great choice.

Picture a rooftop patio overlooking the city, the pink sunset on the Sandia mountains and beautiful people sipping beautiful drinks. This is what you'll find during happy hour at Ibiza. (Note: The beautiful people here are not the "beautiful people" you'll find at ridiculous places like Imbibe. Ibiza caters to the downtown professional types. The popped collar and ghetto folks aren't the clientele.)

The specials tonight included $4 drafts, $5 well drinks and $6 Pomegranate Cucumber Martinis. Now I know that sounds strange but the martini was crisp, refreshing and just tart enough. We also moved from the patio to sit at the bar and were pleasantly surprised by the great service and enthusiastic staff inside as well.

Later in the evening Ibiza also doubles as a nightclub. More research on the nightclub aspect coming soon.

If you want to go a little more low key Andaluz has an open lounge area and cabana seating in the downstairs lobby. The lounge is open during the week and the cabanas can be reserved for special occasions. These are great for small groups. It's a quiet, intimate setting where you can actually hear the person sitting next to you. They also offer entertainment in the lounge. Check out the schedule here.

All in all, I'm really impressed with Hotel Andaluz and Ibiza. I'll definitely be recommending this for future outings.

Virgin Happy Hour- Limited Time Only!

SO I just found out that Starbucks is currently doing a Frappuccino Happy Hour promotion - half price Frappuccinos every day from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. through May 16.

BONUS- Starbucks has recently made Frappuccinos more customizable for those of us who don't want 500 calories with our mid-afternoon icy caffeine treats. So if your liver needs a break from our traditional happy hour recommendations, and you can get off work before 5:00, head to your local Starbucks for a creamy, fatty, frozen treat.

IN OTHER NEWS we ventured to Nob Hill Bar and Grill for Happy Hour- Cinco de Mayo edition, but I promised MG I'd let him post on that experience. So, to MG- hurry it up already!

happy cinco de mayo!

via someecards

annnnnd we're back.

Spring is here (sort of…. we won’t count that snowstorm this past weekend) and therefore happy hour has returned! There was really no good excuse for its disappearance, and we all had plenty of happy hours in those dark winter months…. I really have no good excuse for my ten-month blogging absence.

Anyhow, I was inspired to revive Happy Hour 505 after visiting Nob Hill Bar and Grill last week between the hours of five and seven. My group of three enjoyed 6 drinks and our tab was a mere $16. I decided I must return for further research with my co-bloggers, MG and Mirevj. Unfortunately, our adventure led us here:
Being Monday, we ventured across the street to Mirevj’s familiar Monte Vista Fire Station. I’ll be honest- I’m not usually a huge Monte Vista fan. When I’ve been there at night, it’s usually dark, crowded, and too loud to carry on a conversation. Today, though, the bar was empty when we walked in just after 5:30. The sunny, quiet open space was perfect for catching up over 75 cent tacos (a special every Monday). The bartender made me a delicious margarita while Mirevj played it safe with a Shirley Temple and MG enjoyed a Blue Moon. After a margarita, three Blue Moons, two Shirley Temples, and ten tacos, our bill came to $22.

Verdict: Monday Happy Hour at Monte Vista = success. Hopefully we'll make it back to Nob Hill soon....

HHR: A

Grape Kool-aid, a Throwback to Your Childhood

It's been too long. I know we've missed each other. Let's celebrate another post on the HH505 website (yes, it finally happened) with learning how to make a Grape Kool-aid.

1 shot(s)	Grape Pucker
1 shot(s)	Triple Sec
2 shot(s)	Vodka
1 splash(es)	Sprite

Mix together in a glass and drink. Tastes just like grape kool-aid.

And there we have it kids! Childhood memories with an adulthood twist! Now let's have some drinks.

sum sum summertime

Due to the overwhelmingly packed summer schedules of Mr. Green and Mirevj, we're pretty behind on our group happy hour outings. I, on the other hand, have been keeping up with my commitment to happy houring in the 505. From Tuesday wing nights at Monte Vista to Wednesday $2.50 pint nights at Copper Lounge, I've been out there-- just neglecting to blog about it.

It's been especially hot in the 505 these days, so my current number one recommendation is a cool drink on the patio of Blackbird Buvette. As Mirevj noted earlier this summer, Blackbird has a charming patio and a lovely menu. Try the brie quesadilla with a pint of Marble Wildflower Wheat. You won't regret it. Gecko's in Nob Hill also has a nice patio, but you may have to wait for a table. O'Neill's has a great patio, but expect high prices and interesting clientelle. If you're feeling somewhat ritzy, I'd recommend Seasons rooftop Cantina. It's affordable during happy hour (Monday - Friday 4:00-6:30 and again from 9:00-10:00) and the calamari is delicious.

In other happy hour news, I'm dying to try out Artichoke Cafe's new happy hour deals. Artichoke has always been my favorite fancy dining location in Albuquerque. Hopefully my Happy Hour 505 co-bloggers will get their priorities straight soon and we'll check it out for you all. Until then, happy patio-ing!

The New Happy Hour in the 505 Tasty Treats

Since the poor blog has been a wee bit neglected I'd like to add a new little piece to our reviews.

As a former bartender, I believe the savvy bar hopper should not only know which places to go to throughout the week, but should also know how to make their favorite beverages at home. So, I'd like to start posting one drink recipe each week along with bar reviews (Yes, there will be a new one soon. I promise!!).

This week, I'll start with one of my favorite things to drink and to make. It can be shaken and strained to make a shot or strained over ice to make a tasty little drink.

Red-headed Slut
1 part Jagermeister
1 part Peach Schnapps
2 parts Cranberry Juice
*I like to finish mine with a squeeze of lime but that's just me.

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain to make a shot or pour over ice to make a drink.

Sweet, fun and a little crazy- Just like we like 'em!