After a busy holiday season, with all the money spent, it seems only appropriate for students to treat themselves to a few drinks.

Drinks that are affordable, that is.

Fortunately, restaurants within the Sacramento area have picked up on this idea and many offer discounts on drinks and food items during their “happy hour.”

Although the term “happy hour” can be misleading, happy hour isn’t a specific hour of the day – it is whenever a particular restaurant decides they would like to draw in clientele.

Therefore, it is important for members of the Sacramento area to know what happy hours are offered, when they’re offered and where.

The key to a good happy hour, said senior family and consumer science major Sabrina Gomez, is a tasty drink.

“The cocktails are what I really look for, and if it is not too pricey. I look for a really good margarita,” Gomez said.

One place to find cheap margaritas is at Zocalo restaurant located on the corner of 18th Street and Capitol Ave.

Zocalo’s happy hour takes place Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Zocalo offers Mexican cuisine and features a happy hour menu which has $5 to $7 margaritas, which are normally priced anywhere from $8.50 to $10.50, that come in many different flavors such as strawberry, blackberry, mango and even pomegranate.

Dominique Gonzales, bartender at Zocalo, said the restaraunt’s margaritas are a favorite because of their fresh taste and high-quality ingredients.

“We offer a quality drink for a cheap price. We use agave nectar from the tequila plant to sweeten the margarita instead of sugar and that gives a fresher authentic taste,” Gonzales said.

In addition to Zocalo’s drink specials, the restaurant also offers food deals on the happy hour menu like their $2 tacos.

Another restaurant located downtown which offers a happy hour menu is Lucca Restaurant and Bar located on 1615 J St.

Lucca offers happy hour prices from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 3 to 10 p.m. on Thursday.

One of the most popular drinks on Lucca’s happy hour menu is its $3 cucumber mojito made with organic vodka.

The happy hour at Lucca not only includes unique flavors and tastes in drinks, but also in dishes as well.

Lucca offers zucchini chips priced at only $2 a plate and a half grilled artichoke with aioli that is only $1.50.

Chris Aust, bartender at Lucca, said his personal favorite is brie with apple chutney and walnuts for only $2.50 during happy hour.

Aust said the happy hour menu offers their guests a chance to try out all their different varieties of food without paying the full price.

“Ian Macbride is the chef and has put a lot of effort as far as giving the guests good food with a budget,” Aust said.

Jenny Medina, graduate nutrition major, said when dining out she looks for any affordable menu, which normally ends up being during happy hour.

With this economy, she said she couldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s expensive when drinks range from $5 to $10; I could be using that money on books for school. It is always nice to veg out and relax over a few drinks though,” Medina said.

Bartender Sarah Thompson of Hangar 17 Bar and Grill, located on 1630 S St., thinks having an affordable happy hour is essential for the food industry today.

“It is really competitive and everybody wants a good happy hour that is cheap, especially with this economy. We offer good food and good well liqueur that is just that,” Thompson said.

The happy hour at Hangar 17 takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers $2 well drinks, $2 domestic beers, $2 selected wines, and dishes like the margherita and veggie pizza for only $5.

Hangar 17 offers daily specials Monday through Saturday. On Saturday, for example, bottomless mimosas are offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Andrea Lee, bartender at Bistro 33, located on 1020 16th St., said the bistro’s happy hour is more popular than other happy hours in the area because they market toward young college students.

“I think it’s great that it is from 4 to 7 p.m. every weekday. It draws a lot of young professionals and we hope to attract more students,” Lee said.

Bistro 33 also offers a happy hour that is exceptionally cheap, up to 50 percent off selected items on the menu.

She said Bistro’s happy hour pulls students in because it offer simple foods that college students like and want to eat on a daily basis.

“I would go with beer and the yummy snacks. The sweet potato fries and empanadas that we offer on the happy hour menu are really good,” Lee said.

Bistro 33 offers not only the sweet potato fries but also pesto fries, dungeness crab and artichoke dip that are normally cost $10.95 but are 50 percent off during happy hour.

Then there is The Corner Restaurant and Bar, located on 5641 J St., which is closer to Sac State and is always broadcasting sporting events.

Dave Seva, bartender at The Corner, said that keeping a happy hour menu that ischeap is always important.

Seva said the menu must have good food that people would want to eat and an environment that people want to eat in.

“This is a more laid back place where people can enjoy their food, drinks and sporting events,” Seva said. “A lot of places with happy hour don’t always have sporting events to watch but The Corner Restaurant does, it’s special.”

All appetizers at The Corner are $2 off from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some of these appetizer dishes include fries, sliders, fried shrimp and party wings.

The corner offers all beer on draft 50 cents off during happy hour and they hold a special for Rolling Rock beer on tap which is only $2 during happy hour.

“Business is really competitive and everybody has a happy hour right now to survive in this economy,” Seva said.

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