From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

South Palm Beach

Blue Anchor

Stepping through the doors of the Blue Anchor is like traveling back in time to foggy old London, when Jack the Ripper prowled the streets and Queen Victoria ruled the empire. Good thing times have changed. This lively and friendly British pub serves excellent food and an impressive selection of beers. The wait staff is cheery, and live music is played four nights a week.

Happy hour: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday

Recommended drink: Fullers, a hand-drawn British ale

Location: 804 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach (561/272-7272; Theblueanchor.com)

Boston's on the Beach

This casual oceanfront restaurant and bar has been packing 'em in for 20-plus years. New England-style seafood is a specialty, especially the clambake feast. Fuhgettaboutit Fridays offer primo drink specials and live music to help melt away the stress of the week. Island Sundays include Bacardi rum drinks for $2.50, Sam Adams lager or light for $3, and 10 top-neck steamers or chicken wings for $5. Live music is performed daily.

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, with free buffet

Recommended drink: The Bushwhacker, containing dark and light crèmes de cacao, Kahlúa, Coco López and half-and-half

Location: 40 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach (561/278-3364; Bostonsonthebeach.com)

Brasserie Mon Ami

College students flock to this bar and restaurant in droves, especially to the outer Skyy Bar, which specializes in -- but is not limited to -- an array of drinks made with Skyy Vodka.

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday

Recommended drink: Pineapple upside-down cake, with pineapple and vanilla vodkas, light crème de cacao, and pineapple and cranberry juices

Location: 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton (561/394-2428)

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); 5466 W. Sample Road, Margate (954/968-3663; Brusroom.com)

Bull Bar

An upscale, nautically themed hangout, Bull Bar features live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Wednesday is ladies' night. Smoking is permitted.

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday

Recommended drink: Mojito

Location: 2 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach (561/274-8001)

Buster's Bar and Grill

Stop by for live music Wednesdays and DJs Thursdays through Saturdays. Single ladies drink free 10-11 p.m. on the weekends, and happy hour is offered throughout the week.

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday

Recommended drink: $2 well drinks or $1 drafts

Location: 307 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach (561/266-6112)

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)

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)

Dada

Delray Beach's favorite house/restaurant makes tasty homemade gazpacho soup, steaks and fresh fish with jasmine-scented rice in the kitchen and delicious cocktail creations at the bar. Classic martinis are served with blue-cheese-stuffed olives, and bartenders pour the mojitos several different ways with ingredients such as blackberries and honey. Happy hour is just that: two for one on drinks for one hour only.

Happy hour: 5-6 p.m. Monday through Friday

Recommended drink: Nuts and berries martini

Location: 52 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach (561/330-3232; Respectablestreet.com/dada.htm)

The Duck Tavern

At this small Boca Raton bar, beer options read like passport entries from far-off places. More than 90 different brews from around the globe are offered at reasonable prices, and Wednesdays are good for bottomless drafts. In-the-biz specials run Mondays and Wednesdays, and live music happens on the weekends.

Happy hour: 3-7 p.m. daily

Recommended drink: Cusqueña beer from Peru

Location: 5903 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton (561/998-8288; Myspace.com/theducktavernbocaraton)

Duffy's Sports Grill

Regardless of your locale, a neighborhood Duffy's probably isn't very far away. This sports haven has plenty of big screens, and if you're nice, they even let you hold the remote. There's a game room for the kiddies, and during the day, Duffy's serves half-price lunch specials and tasty menu items such as rosemary chicken, baby-back ribs and a kick-ass spinach dip. The "U Call It" happy hour lets you choose whatever cocktail, beer or wine you want and the second one is free.

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. and 9 p.m.-close nightly

Recommended drink: Yuengling or Killian's Draft

Locations: 4746 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach (561/963-3234); 721 Village Blvd., West Palm Beach (561/688-1820); 6845 Okeechobee Blvd., Royal Palm (561/478-8852); 11588 U.S. Highway 1, Palm Beach Gardens (561/721-2650); 21212 St. Andrews Blvd., Boca Raton (561/869-0552); 6864 Forest Hill Blvd., Greenacres (561/642-6388); Duffysportsgrill.com

Falcon House

This Chicago-style bar applies the Second City code of liberally pouring freebies for customers when the mood strikes. According to Ted Keer, who owns the Falcon with Tim Baur and Stuart Hall, more than $1 million in "promos" were poured last year, with fine wines, margaritas and martinis among the house favorites.

Happy hour: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. nightly

Recommended drink: Flirtini, a blend of Stoli raspberry, cranberry and pineapple juices, Triple Sec and champagne

Location: 116 N.E. Sixth Ave., Delray Beach (561/243-9499)

Funky Buddha Lounge

This tea and hookah spot offers a laid-back approach to nightlife. The vast number of drinks on hand include organic wines and coffees, flavored sake, microbrew beers and ciders. Sushi and Thai food are served in the early evenings, and live music throughout the week includes drum circles and reggae, plus an open mike with a DJ on Fridays. Grab a hookah and choose from flavored herbal tobaccos like mint and apple. Happy hour gets you two for one.

Happy hour: 5:30-8 nightly

Recommended drink: Organic pear or apple cider

Location: 2621 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton (561/368-4643)

Gatsby's

The Boca Raton location of this cozy and sophisticated hangout for young professionals has about a dozen large-screen TVs, a billiards room with 11 pool tables, a sushi room and a cigar room. Smokers are welcome, and 25 wines are served by the glass. Happy hour features $4 pizzas and half-price drinks and pool.

Happy hour: 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday

Recommended drink: White-chocolate martini, made with Stoli Vanil, Godiva white-chocolate liqueur and a drizzle of chocolate syrup

Location: 5970 S.W. 18th St., Boca Raton (561/393-3900); 901 Village Blvd., West Palm Beach (561/686-7300); 1805 S. University Drive, Davie (954/476-0063); and 8575 S.W. 124th Ave., Kendall (305/412-2220); Gatsbysfl.com

GiGi's Tavern and Oyster Bar

Upscale and attractive describe the atmosphere and patrons at this Mizner Park restaurant and lounge. Sit in the main dining area, at the bar or on the patio and sip a specialty martini while letting oysters work their magic. Live music five nights a week adds to the ambiance.

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday

Recommended drinks: Dirty banana martini or Key lime martini

Location: 346 Plaza Real, Mizner Park, Boca Raton (561/368-4488; Gigis.com)

Gold Coast Seafood Grill

With fresh fish that's filleted daily in house, this seafood grill aims to please. Monthly wine dinners are offered at two locations, and happy hour offers discounted drinks from an extensive martini list.

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. daily

Recommended drink: Key lime pie martini made with Stoli Vanil, Tuaca liqueur, KeKe Beach Key Lime Cream Liqueur and lime juice

Location: 2200 W. Glades Road, Boca Raton (561/955-8884); and 8285 W. Sunrise Blvd., Plantation (954/625-6660; Goldcoastseafoodgrill.com)

Marriott Boca Raton at Town Center

Happy hour goes poolside as vacationers and natives hook up for drinks at the hotel's Wet Bar. Listen to the acoustic stylings of Jason K and Mark Riley every Wednesday while swigging $1.50 beers and two-for-one house wines.

Happy hour: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday

Recommended drink: $2 martini

Location: 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton (561/392-4600)

Michael's Pizza

Throughout the month of October, this new downtown Boca Raton eatery celebrates Halloween with "monster" beer specials. Rack up a bar tab under five bucks with 59-cent Miller drafts served during all hours of operation.

Happy hour: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.- midnight on weekends

Recommended drink: Miller Draft paired with a slice of New York-style, thin-crust pizza

Location: 217 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton (561/361-4434)

Murphy's Downtown

This is young Boca Raton's interpretation of a classic Irish pub. An open mike, karaoke and a college night to write home to the folks about keep the place crawling with 20-somethings most nights of the week. Choose from many types of beers on tap, flavored shooters and mixed drinks, or go for standard bar fare from the kitchen.

Happy hour: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily

Recommended drink: Draft beer

Location: 36 S.E. Third St., Boca Raton (561/447-6617)

On the Rocks

On the Rocks looks to lure new customers in as perhaps the one place serving gourmet wood-oven pizzas and a daily three-for-one happy hour. Tuesday night's B-sides offers two-for-one beers, $3 Skyy Vodka drinks and tunes from Bob Dylan and Os Mutantes.

Happy hour: 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday

Recommended drink: Martini

Location: 19-23 S.E. Fifth Ave., Delray Beach (561/274-0223)

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); also locations in Plantation (954/382-1018), Boca Raton (561/488-1131), Coral Springs (954/757-5575) and Miami (305/593-8852)

Ristorante Bova

This upscale Italian eatery for the young and fabulous Boca set has been visited by such local celebs as Andy Roddick. It's so popular, in fact, that weekend reservations carry a lengthy waiting list. Happy hour proves more accessible when guests devour light bites such as shrimp shooters and frito misto with two-for-one drinks.

Happy hour: 5-7 p.m. Monday-Friday

Recommended drink: KWV Roodeberg, a South African red wine

Location: 1450 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton (561/362-7407; Ristorantebova.com)

Silvana

Combining the names of the chef's mother and grandmother, Silvana offers Mexican dishes and drinks with an inventive flair. The kitchen sidesteps tacos and burritos for such dishes as banana chimichangas, pork chops with mango barbecue sauce and Chilean sea bass with tamarind sauce. Happy hour offers two-for-one domestic beers, house wines and sangría.

Happy hour: 5-7 p.m. daily

Recommended drink: Sangría

Location: 21073 Powerline Road, Boca Raton (561/479-2332; Thesilvana.com)

Sundy House

Built in 1902, this historic hotel includes three main areas: the Roux Bamboux Lounge, the Taru Gardens and the Sundy House Restaurant. Drinks, dinners and deep relaxation among the gardens make this spot a favorite destination for happy hour -- or any hour. If you do stop in for happy hour, choose from two-for-one daily drink specials such as the signature Sundy Cocktail.

Happy hour: 4-11 p.m. Thursdays

Recommended drink: Homemade sangría or mimosas

Location: 106 S. Swinton Ave., Delray (561/272-5678; Sundyhouse.com)

Turn 3 Sports Bar

By day, the hard-working blue-collar crowd stops here for brewskis and some food. At night, the young and the restless take over this neighborhood hangout. Live music rocks the crowd every Thursday through Saturday. Free pool is provided Sundays and Mondays, and an eight-ball pool tournament takes place Tuesdays. Other entertainment options include darts, video games and a jukebox that has more than 100,000 downloaded songs.

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday

Recommended drink: Laura's margarita

Location: 23032 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive, Boca Raton (561/483-1964; Turn3sportsbar.com)

Who's Restaurant and Lounge

In this large, two-level establishment with room for live music and dancing, the real star is televised sports, and TVs are perched throughout so you won't miss any of your favorite games. Karaoke takes place every Wednesday.

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday

Recommended drink: Jack and Coke

Location: 3035 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach (561/276-7888; Whosdelraybeachfl.com)

The Wishing Well

Close your eyes and make a wish at this neighborhood pub with a deep Irish accent. If you wish for an open mike night, you will receive one every Monday. If you wish for a college party, you'll get one Thursday. On Tuesday, ladies drink $1.50 beers while the weekday happy hour offers deeply discounted drinks. Live music is featured Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Happy hour: 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday

Recommended drink: Magners Irish Cider

Location: 111 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton (561/750-5208)