Fresno Famous

By big city standards, getting drunk in Fresno is cheap. You couldn't spend $10,000 on a martini here if you tried- you'd have to travel to the Algonquin Hotel in New York for that. Nevertheless, a night on the town in the No can still put a dent in your wallet. Happy Hour is usually the way to go, but several bars in town have great evening and weekend specials. We spent weeks checking out bars across town to present you with our Top Ten drink special hotspots. Cheers.

1. Acapulco Mexican Restaurant Y Cantina

I recently had a near-death experience at Acapulco. I resolved then and there that I would not let a tortilla chip fragment get the best of me, and ordered a margarita to celebrate my second chance at life. You can celebrate nine times or more, because on Mondays regular or frozen margaritas are only $2. We know it's a chain restaurant, but $2 margaritas all day and all-you-can-eat chips and salsa can't be beat. Acapulco also has a regular happy hour Monday through Friday from 4pm to 7pm, which features $3.75 margaritas, $2.95 drafts, $2.95 well drinks, $1 tacos, and half off appetizers.

Acapulco is located at 3966 N. Blackstone, at Griffith. Phone:221-6739

2. Zapp's Park

Not a place for the snooty, Zapp's is a dive bar at its best. Named for the amusement park that used to be located across the street, Zapp's has a great happy hour every weekday with $2 domestic beers. Other specials vary from day to day on the whim of Sandy, the bartender. The drinks at Zapp's are generally super cheap, but there's a 50 cent surcharge if a band is playing.

Zapp's Park is located at 1105 N. Blackstone. Phone: 266-0334

3. Santa Fe Basque

Santa Fe Basque's "pre-Tower happy hour" runs during the prime drinking hours of 8pm to 10pm. Drink specials abound, but the highlight is Miller Genuine Draft. Finally you can purchase it at the fair price of $1. The house specialty, Picon Punch, is quite strong and only $3. More than a restaurant, Santa Fe serves as community center for the Basque population in the valley. They have an outdoor patio behind the bar that easily rivals those of the more frequented "patio spots" like Livingstone's or Elbow Room, and feature karaoke on Thursdays.

Santa Fe Basque is located at 3110 N. Maroa Ave. Phone: 226-7499.

4. Avalon Billiards Club

Avalon's 3:30pm to 6:30pm happy hour will give you $1 off draft beer. A better deal is Saturday night, when KRZR presents its battle of the bands and Budweiser sells its wares for $2 a pop.

Avalon is located at 1064 N Fulton. Phone: 495-0852.

5. Livingstone's

The Livingston's/Starline hipster vortex is not accidental. Decent drink specials, a large patio, and a long history of being the Tower's bar of choice packs Stones nearly every night of the week. Weekly drink specials- in addition to regular happy hour- make it easy to imbibe. Mondays are "Martini Mondays", with $3.50 martinis. "Shooter Tuesdays" will call you a cab with $2.75 Smirnoff flavored Kamikazi shots. "Well Wednesdays" supply your favorite well drinks for just $2.50! Regular happy hour specials include $2.25 margaritas, Newcastles, and Widmer's.

Livingstone's is located at 831 E Fern. Phone: 485-5198.

6. Sequoia Brewing Co.

Fresno's own Sequoia Brewing Co serves cold beer on tap for $2.50 a pint, Monday through Friday, 4pm to 6pm. The popular weekend happy hour attracts an older, mostly male, sports crowd. Careful with those IPA's if you have anything else to do that day.

Sequoia Brewing Co is located at 777 E. Olive. Phone: 264-5521.

7. Lucky 13

This relatively new bar is indeed horror-themed, with skull knick knacks displayed in a curio cabinet and lovely skeleton couple guarding the bathroom entrance. Friday and Saturday enjoy live music and $2 Bud and Bud Light until 7pm (pay just $2.50 thereafter). Thursday night doesn't have any drink specials, but there is a DJ spinning 80's and "new rock". Friday night's band is all 80's metal covers, and Saturday night's features newer rock covers ("like Kid Rock" explained Adriana the bartender).

Lucky 13 is located at Golden State Blvd and Ashlan. Phone: 275-9900.

8. The Landmark

Another Tower favorite, this one holds happy hour from 4pm to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Take advantage of $2.50 Stella Artois, Samuel Adams, or well drinks!

The Landmark is located at 644 E Olive. Phone: 233-6505

9. Old Fresno Hofbrau

Whether or not you indulge in the bounty of the steam tray, the Old Fresno Hofbrau is a prime spot for happy hour or dinner (unless you're a vegetarian). Salty hot popcorn is dispensed at the bar, along with $1.50 domestic drafts and cheap pitchers. Giant TVs broadcast sports at all times.

The Old Fresno Hofbrau is located at 2820 Tulare St. Phone: 264-4014.

10. Club Brazil

The ultimate downtown happy hour spot. Club Brazil is a sleepy out-of-the way bar that can easily be dominated by you and your 5 coworkers. No drink specials- they don't need em! Bud and Bud Light drafts are $2, well drinks $3, and top shelf $4. There's plenty of parking out front on Tulare- free after 6pm.

Club Brazil is located on Tulare St, next to the stadium.

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