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

More Wine on a Monday Night!

All dressed up and nothing to do on Monday night? Take your self over to the bar at Scalo Northern Italian Grill in Nob Hill!

Picture from http://www.virtualalbuquerque.com

Scalo's Monday happy hour makes my inner wine snob jump for joy. Along with great food specials, like $5 bruschetta and $4 Calamari (the best I've had in years), Scalo offers a half-priced bottle of wine special. This means we can actually afford to get those $50 bottles we've always wanted to try, and with financial times like they are it feels good to splurge without breaking the bank.

My brother and I found a seat at the bar with some old friends and enjoyed great wine, food and coversation the whole evening. The bar and waitstaff were knowledgable, friendly and very welcoming. Sitting at this bar was almost reminiscent of my favorite place down the road... (it rhymes with Fonti Mista).

Our bartender (I didn't get his name) was like the fabled bartenders of old Vegas- he knew a martini and cosmo, opened bottles of wine and champagne with the greatest of ease and was quick with a nice word and a refill of your drink.

I will definitely be back for Wine Mondays and their other daily specials. They also have live music throughout the week including local favorites like Chris Dracup and Felonious Groove Foundation check their schedule for upcoming events here.

Ready to dance after that wine? Check out Double Time Dance Studio on Morningside for an $8 beginning Salsa lesson and open dance after you stop at Scalo.

The two apostrophes in O'Niell's make me nervous.

Love of my life Mista G did a nice job expressing our notes on O'Niell's. But I feel they are worthy of being posted in their original form.

Overall O'Neill's Happy Hour Grade (HHG): C-

Hello and Cheers!

This whole idea started after my wonderful friend Natalie suggested we start a blog about one of our favorite subjects, happy hour! So here it is:

This blog will cover the great places and evenings for happy hour in Burque along with our other various escapades.

A few things to note when reading this:

1. I am unabashedly biased toward my favorite place of all time, Monte Vista. It's like Cheers, everyone knows your name, the bartenders are nice, Fridays have good music and they have great drink and food specials.

2. I am a Nob Hill girl. Rarely will you see me venture out of the Nob Hill/Downtown/Old Town area, but when I do the Uptown and (once in a blue moon) the Heights is where you'll find me. (NEVER on the Westside sorry vecinos!)

3. It's all about having a good time and- you drink, you drive, you lose... call Greg with Yellow Cab- he'll come get you! 505.489.8216

So welcome and happy reading!
Cheers!
ME


*** IF YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AN EXCEPTIONALLY WILD NIGHT DO NOT EAT SPANISH RICE. IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA.***