From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
North Broward
All Stars Sports Bar and Grill
Catch a variety of sporting events on more than two dozen TVs at this lively neighborhood tavern, which also features pool tables. The living room area provides an intimate, quiet spot to work someone's action. Every Tuesday is karaoke night, and women drink free 10 p.m.-2 a.m. every Wednesday.
Happy hour: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
Recommended drink: Jägerbomb, a mix of Jägermeister and Red Bull
Locations: 2201 W. Sample Road, Pompano Beach (954/968-7777); also 5280 N. State Road 7, North Lauderdale (954/733-0990); Allstarssportsbarandgrill.com.
Archie's West
This laid-back neighborhood bar features enough pool tables and dartboards to host casual gamers and tournament players alike. Two big-screen televisions and about 20 smaller ones are situated throughout the bar. A $1 buffet is served at happy hour, and the menu offers burgers, wings and Philadelphia cheese steaks. Smokers are welcome.
Happy hour: 5-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 8 p.m. Friday
Recommended drink: Jäger bomb, containing Jägermeister and Red Bull
Location: 6303 W. Commercial Blvd., Tamarac (954/721-0020)
Big Tomato Market Grill
Every hour is happy hour at the festive Big Tomato, where pizzas and pastas are accompanied by two-for-one drink specials during the evening. Martinis cost $3 Wednesdays, and five-bottle buckets of beer are filled for $8 on Thursdays.
Happy hour: 4-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 4 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday
Recommended drink: Berritini martini, vodka infused with pineapple and strawberry
Locations: 8300 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines (954/704-0100); and 9457 W. Atlantic Blvd., Coral Springs (954/753-4244; Bigtomatomarketgrill.com)
Bonefish Grill
Swim upstream to this restaurant that specializes in the freshest fish available. Kick back with a cocktail while nibbling on the bang-bang shrimp appetizer, or have a glass of wine with some Chilean sea bass or rainbow trout, served with a choice of sauces.
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. daily
Recommended drink: Aphrodisiac martini, a sexy mix of Skyy Vanilla vodka and passion fruit juice, garnished with a watermelon icicle
Locations: 321 N. University Drive, Plantation (954/723-9660); and 1455 N. University Drive, Coral Springs (954/509-0405; Bonefishgrill.com)
Bru's Room
Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Bob Brudzinski is the namesake of this ultrapopular sports bar, which serves delicious chicken wings and features all the big (and some not so big) games on its televisions. The place offers plenty of specials: kill the keg for $10 Wednesdays; Finlandia drinks for $3.50 Thursdays; sex on the beach for $4 Fridays; and a bucket of five domestic beers for $10 Sundays, plus half-price drinks during happy hour.
Happy hour: 10 p.m.-close nightly
Recommended drink: Absolut Vanilla white Russian or Smirnoff-tinis
Locations: 35 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach (561/276-3663); 1333 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach (561/739-9332); 235 S. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, (954/785-2227); 123 N.E. 20th Ave., Deerfield Beach (954/420-5959); 5466 W. Sample Road, Margate (954/968-3663; Brusroom.com)
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Offering casual Italian dining that doesn't seem as if it comes from a chain restaurant, Carrabba's provides an atmosphere of dark wood, hanging grapevines (OK, they're plastic) and a wood-fired oven that could make an Italian grandmother sing, "That's Amore." Try the Mezzaluna ravioli or the Italian chicken pizza, which takes your taste buds to a place Domino's never will.
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. nightly
Recommended drink: Carrabba-rita, a margarita made with Sauza Gold tequila, amaretto, Triple Sec and fresh lime juice
Locations: 2224 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach (561/615-8900); also in Plantation (954/423-2214), Pompano Beach (954/782-2688), Coral Springs (954/345-4600), Boynton Beach (561/734-5152), Delray Beach (561/266-9393) and Miami Beach (305/673-3525; Carrabbas.com)
Cielito Lindo Dos
This venerable restaurant supplements its large servings of Mexican fare with half-price margaritas, well drinks and domestic beers during happy hour. Mariachis perform every Wednesday, and margaritas cost 99 cents with dinner.
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. daily
Recommended drink: Niño margarita, made with Patrón tequila and Grand Marnier
Location: 4480 N. Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point (954/941-8226)
Circus Bar and Grill
You won't find creepy clowns piling out of cars here, just laid-back folks looking to have a drink or two over games of foosball, pinball, darts or pool. The chicken wings, which are served extra wet or slathered with garlic, are the greatest show at this place, which opened in 1978. Domestic beers and well drinks cost $2 Saturdays and Sundays; all-you-can-drink drafts cost $5 after 9 p.m. Mondays.
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday
Recommended drink: Crackhouse, with Black Haus blackberry schnapps and cranberry juice
Location: 1461 S.W. 30th Ave., Pompano Beach (954/973-1483; Circusbar.com)
The Cove Restaurant and Marina
This legendary happy-hour haven overflows with singles on the make after a day at the office. The Intracoastal locale provides a waterside dock with a view of boat traffic and the Hillsboro bridge. Live music is featured nightly after the two-for-one happy hour ends. Reggae artists perform from 3 to 10 p.m. Sundays. Lunch and dinner menus are replete with fresh local seafood.
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday
Recommended drink: Planter's punch, mixed with three rums and a secret blend of fruit juices
Location: 1755 S.E. Third Court, Deerfield Beach (954/421-9272; Thecoverestaurant.com)
Crabby Jacks
A favorite of the Florida Atlantic University set, Crabby's happy hour offers beers for less than a buck and $2 domestics. Beach Party Sundays offer three-for-one drinks for ladies from 3 to 5 p.m. and $2 rumrunners from 3 to 9 p.m.
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday
Recommended drink: $2 rumrunner Sundays, 69-cent Miller Lite every Monday-Friday
Locations: 1015 S. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach (954/429-3770) ; and 7001 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton (561/999-9895)
Doc McNab's New England Bar and Grill
Boston pride is alive and well at this Pompano Beach bar. Customers order bowls of "chowda" (says so on the menu) and a Boston sports team -- Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox or Pats -- is always on the tube. Stop in for stuffed quahogs, lobster rolls, whole belly-fried clams or the bar's signature fluffernutters. Happy hour offers varied options like two-for-one drinks, draft specials and $3 wine.
Happy hour: Noon-7 p.m. daily
Recommended drink: Sam Adams
Location: 360 E. McNab Road, Pompano Beach (954/942-5203)
Europa Martini Bar and Grill
Eclectic, globe-spanning dishes and signature drinks from more than 20 countries offer lots of variety at this casual spot. Nights are reserved for such diversions as Latin dance, wet T-shirt contests and kill-the-keg specials.
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. daily
Recommended drink: The Italy martini made with Pearl pomegranate vodka, champagne and cherry juice
Location: 2445 N. University Drive, Coral Springs (954/341-0445; Europamartinibar.com)
Ganey's Bar and Restaurant
This bar and eatery takes an American approach to Spanish tapas by serving little plates of mac and cheese and mini shrimp cocktails. On Wednesdays, the bar boasts a lively college night. Thursday's ladies' night offers martinis for $5. Happy hour rewards patrons with $2 domestics and $3 well drinks.
Happy hour: 4:30-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Recommended drink: Killian's Red or a martini
Location: 2301 W. Sample Road, Deerfield Beach (954/974-0251; Ganeysbarandrestaurant.com)
G.W. Sharkey's Raw Bar and Grill
Named after former owner Greg Wentworth, who had a thing for sharks, this rustic sports bar supplies casual fun and, according to the staff, is much like Cheers, where -- yep -- "everybody knows your name."
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday
Recommended drink: $2 Washington apple shots, including whiskey, Pucker Sour Apple and cranberry juice
Location: 2388 N. University Drive, Coral Springs (954/341-9990)
John L. Sullivan's
This Irish restaurant has cozy booths, a large bar area and patio seating for filling up on Old World portions of corned beef and cabbage. The bar features about 30 televisions, including a dozen flat-screens. During happy hour, well drinks cost $2.50, domestic bottled beers $2 and domestic pints $1.50.
Happy hour: 2-7 p.m. daily
Recommended drink: Guinness, what else!
Location: 4460 N. Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point (954/781-9669)
Kahuna Bar and Grill
Frozen tropical drinks, live reggae and a generally sunny disposition make this seaside bar a happy-hour favorite. Happy hour is good for half off drinks while a late-night surf club offers in-the-biz specials.
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday
Recommended drink: The Red Bull hurricane, the traditional frozen tropical drink spiked with Red Bull
Location: 249 N. Ocean Drive, Deerfield Beach (954/725-0244)
Mulligan's Neighborhood Grill and Raw Bar
The open-air bar at this bistro makes for great people-watching and gazing at the ocean. Sip a cool cocktail, hear live island music and imagine you're in the Bahamas.
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday
Recommended drink: Frozen piña colada
Location: 101 E. Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (954/351-1900; Mulligansrestaurant.net)
Mythos Taverna
For a cocktail hour of mythical proportions, try this tasty Greek eatery that serves libations in honor of Greek gods and goddesses. Happy hour is offered at the bar only, but the menu is worth a trip to the dining room.
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. daily
Recommended drink: Aphrodite's martini, made with Absolut Raspberri vodka, DeKuyper Triple Sec and cranberry and pineapple juices, shaken and chilled
Location: 2864 N. University Drive, Coral Springs (954/345-9559; Mythostaverna.com)
The Original Steakhouse and Sports Theatre
Sports and red meat are the attractions at this chain. Nine large-screen TVs are perched theater-style at the bar, and tableside speaker boxes allows you to listen to games from a booth or table. The service is as energetic as the onscreen action.
Happy Hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday
Recommended Drink: Stealth martini, a mix of Stoli and orange juice with a splash of Sprite
Locations: 550 S. Rosemary Ave. (CityPlace), West Palm Beach (561/833-1400); Plantation (954/382-1018), Boca Raton (561/488-1131), Coral Springs (954/757-5575) and Miami (305/593-8852)
Roy's Sports-Bar
This neighborhood hangout features live bands, good bar grub, televised sports, pool tables, darts and electronic games. Ladies night is every Wednesday, 9 p.m.-midnight.
Happy hour: Noon-7 p.m. Monday through Friday
Recommended drink: Malibu lifesaver, featuring all three flavors of Malibu rum mixed with grenadine and orange juice
Location: 8000 W. Sample Road, Margate (954/255-8108; Royssportsbar.com)
Southern Comfort Lounge and Grill
This bar boasts Southern hospitality by way of friendly service, great food, pool tables and nightly entertainment. Live bands like the Spoon Benders and the Funkabilly Playboys play Thursday through Sunday, and Offkey Karaoke happens every Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The kitchen serves everything from meat loaf to "not-yo-nachos," and happy hour offers half-price drinks and $5 appetizers.
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. daily
Recommended drink: A shot of Southern Comfort
Location: 1406 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach (954/786-6008; Socolounge.com)
The Whale's Rib
This place is probably what everyone from up north thinks a South Florida honky-tonk should be. It offers shabby-chic sea-shanty décor, great seafood, reasonable drink prices, and customers dressed in bikinis, baggy shorts and flip-flops.
Happy hour: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Recommended drink: The Whaler, with Bacardi Limón and cranberry and pineapple juices
Location: 2031 N.E. Second St., Deerfield Beach (954/421-8880)
Wings 'N' Ale
Raspberry, "hot 'n' honey" and "volcano eruption" are just some of the ways wings are ordered up at this popular, decade-old chicken haven. Besides the draft deals, happy hour offers $1 off appetizers.
Happy hour: 3-7 p.m. daily
Recommended drink: $1.25 draft beer
Location: 4685 N. University Drive, Coral Springs (954/344-6644; Wingsnale.com)
Your Place Lounge
If there's one good thing in Margate, Your Place Lounge is it. This smoker-friendly hangout has pool tables, darts, big-screen TVs, live music and a friendly bar staff. Sunday is In the Biz night, and Tuesday offers two-for-one drinks. Wednesday is ladies' night. A lingerie show is held every Friday, with a full buffet during happy hour.
Happy hour: 12-7 p.m. Friday
Recommended drink: Jäger bomb, Jägermeister mixed with Red Bull
Location: 1021 N. State Road 7, Margate (954/933-0059)
Copyright © 2008, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
