The Beer Thirty Guide

It’s called “happy” hour for a reason.  A discounted cocktail and appetizer are a great way to brighten up any weeknight.  If you’re wondering where you should head this week, here is a rundown of some of the best weeknight happy hour options around town.

Monday

If you haven’t had a chance to visit Bistro Foufou, Monday night is an excellent night to do so.   This Classic French bistro in downtown Traverse City features ½ off all bottles of wine.  Their selection is comprised of wines from various regions of France, as well as some Michigan wines.  Paired with an appetizer, it’s a proven remedy for a “case of the Mondays.”

Monday night is also “$10.95 Pitcher & a Pie Night” at Kilkenney’s Irish Public House.  A pitcher of beer and a hand-tossed pizza for $10.95?  Kind of an outrageous deal.  Additionally, it’s Team Trivia Night from 7-9, followed by karaoke from 9-1.  So if you’re looking for a less than low-key Monday night, why not start the week off with pizza, a pitcher, and an embarrassing rendition of “Gangnam Style”?

Tuesday

Liven things up midweek at Red Ginger.  From 3-6:30, take advantage of $6 martinis, $2 off beer, and $1 or more off wine pours.  Even better,  food specials on appetizers/sushi include discounted edamame, spring rolls, shrimp tempura, spider, and spicy tuna rolls. It’s also your last chance to take advantage of their feature for Tuesdays in October – 20% off all bottles of wine.

Tuesday is also “Martini Night” at the Beacon Lounge.  Commonly known as the “Top of the Park,” the lounge is located on the 10^th floor of the Park Place Hotel.  Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Traverse City and a specialty cocktail for a very low price.  Martinis are $5 from 5-midnight.

Wednesday

Fire Fly Cafe and Lounge offers great specials all week long, but Wednesday “Ladies’ Day” tops the list for me.  Featuring 1/3 off the entire menu, $5 burgers (including a tasty veggie burger), $1.75 well drinks, $2 house wines, and $1 off all other beverages, you can’t really go wrong.  Sorry fellas.

And it must be mentioned, Wednesday night is $1 pint night at Dillinger’s and Bootlegger’s from 9-2.  Enough said?

Thursday

“Weekly Ethnic Eats” at Left Foot Charley is one of the most unique weeknight options in Traverse City.  Each Thursday from 5-7, Left Foot Charley features a single dish menu as part of a “world tour” of cuisine.  Some dishes featured include Cuban, Mexican, Cajun, Indian, and Lebanese.  Grab a plate with your choice of wine or cider for $15, or $12 without a beverage.

Friday

As the weekend approaches, the quantity/quality of happy hour options seems to decline.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover a fun and distinctive option on Friday at Cherry Republic.  Each Friday they host a “Happy Hour for All Ages” from 5-7, featuring live entertainment, special cherry drinks, appetizers, and kids activities.

Honorable mention –

I have to add that there are several places which offer great happy hour options, Monday–Friday.  To name a few –

Stop by the bar at Union Cantina from 3-6 to take advantage of $1 off top shelf liquor, $2.50 – $4.50 microbrews, or $4 sangria, mojitos, and margaritas.  They also feature discounted appetizers including $4 nachos and $4 guacamole dip.

If you’re looking for an after-work brew, Mackinaw Brewing Company offers 18 oz. drafts for $3 and 9 oz. drafts for $1 from 4-6.  The newly re-opened Right Brain Brewery hosts “Super Fantastic Happy Hour” (I dig the title) from 3-6 with $3.50 pints and $3.75 mug fills for members.

Cheers!

Suttons Bay Floatilla

We welcome Zane Schwaiger, author of amabellen.blogpost.com for this guest post on the Suttons Bay Floatilla.  Kudos to her for bringing this local event to us even with her two kiddos in tow!  It’s not an easy task (and definitely not a clean one) to occupy kids while photographing an event. 

A huge mass of kayaks and canoes were out in Suttons Bay today, floating together as “one large raft” in an attempt to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.  It was quite a sight—even from the shore.  My daughters and I watched kids, parents, grandparents, and friends in all combinations paddle out to join an enthusiastic swarm of boats.  Around 1:00, a resounding cheer came from the group as all paddles were raised and an aerial photographer passed overhead.

The buzzing question of the afternoon was, of course, how many boats were out there?  I asked the officials of the Suttons Bay Floatilla after the event, and they said to check back for the official count on their website this Wednesday.  Among the conflicting opinions I heard were: “Well over 1,500” and “At least 1,800.”  The current world record is 1,902 kayaks and canoes held together only by hands on Fourth Lake in the New York Adirondacks.  At this time, we are still held in suspense wondering if our little northern town surpassed that number and will make Guinness Book of World Record fame. . .

Photo credit: Zane Schwaiger