The Happy Hour Hop

“Hey lets go out tonight”

“Where are we going to go? I don’t have a lot of money”

“I don’t know, I can never think of anywhere”

“Neither can I”

Wanting to go out, but not knowing where to go and then not having money to spend when you get there is one of the biggest problems the average college student faces on a Saturday night. There is always going to be that restaurant that has such high prices you are afraid to order water, or bar that looks like so much fun, but then the words tab come into your mind and you cringe. I have two words that solve this dreadful problem: happy hour.

Sacramento has so many restaurants and bars and most of them have a happy hour. Knowing where the good deals are is one of the easiest ways to find something to do. Happy hours aren’t only on Saturday night; they are on everyday of the week. You just have to find where and when.

It’s Monday night, feeling like sushi? Head over to Tokyo Fros for their Economic Stimulus Plan, between 3 and 6pm. They offer half off sushi and cocktails. This place has a fun atmosphere. They also have 1 dollar Coors Light and 5 dollar appetizers and rolls during Monday Night Football.

Later that night go out for drinks. A really good late night happy hour is at TGIFridays. You have to sit at the bar for the deals, but it will be worth it. Here you will be able to get 5 dollar long island iced tea, strong enough to make you feel your money’s worth.

Tuesday night if you feel like Italian head downtown to II Fornaio between 5 and 7pm. Here you can get free appetizers including pizza, deviled eggs and Italian rolls. Plus, 1 dollar off well drinks and drafts, also 6 dollar glasses of wine. This place makes you feel like you’re in Italy. If it’s a nice day sit on the patio.

One of the most popular restaurants is The Cheese Cake Factory, so Wednesday why not go there. They have a happy hour between 4 and 6 pm, you can get chicken pot stickers and Caesar salad for $3.50 and avocado egg rolls, sliders, shrimp summer rolls and fried macaroni & cheese for $3.95. Eating at your favorite place can still fit your budget.

There are so many places that we pass by everyday and think, I want to go there, well you can. Tex Wasabi has a happy hour between 3 and 6 pm then again from 9 to 11pm. Joe’s Crab Shack has one from 3 to 7pm and Roxy Restaurant & Bar has one from 2-9pm.

The most surprising restaurants to offer a happy hour are the upscale ones. Ruth’s Chris Steak House a pricey restaurant, by Fair Oaks blvd, has a Happy hour from 4:30-6:30pm. They have 2 for 7 dollar appetizers or 3 for $10.50. There drink specials include 3 dollar bottled beers and 5 dollar well drinks. Another surprising find is The Firehouse in Old Sac. Thursday this would be a great place to try. They have a happy hour between 2:30-6pm. This is a fine dining restaurant where you can get 8 dollar appetizers at the specified time. This is a restaurant where dinner for two will start about $150 including drinks so the inexpensive happy hour is a real deal.

After the Firehouse hop over to the River City Saloon, on Thursday nights they have no cover and 99 cent Captain's and cokes or Corona's. If you’re looking for a good night to go to a bar Thursday night is a popular night and you will be able to find the best deals. The River City Saloon has a cool atmosphere and some of the best deals around.

Almost every restaurant has a happy hour, but they are usually only on certain days of the week or at certain times, so next time you are trying to think of something to do on Saturday night or any other night of the week be creative and you won’t have to spend much.