(Hotel restaurants are not eligible in this category)
Happy Hour
RIBS-N-RITA'S
8245 W. Sahara Ave.
Perhaps nothing symbolizes the growth of Las Vegas more than this category, in which runner-up TGI Friday's -- five years ago the place singles would mingle after work -- was dethroned by this Mexican restaurant newcomer. They offer attitude adjustment with two-for-one well drinks, call drinks, draft beers, house wines and margaritas to wash down a half-price appetizer menu, all from 4 to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
Our Pick:
PEPE MULDOON'S
4341 N. Rancho Drive
We had a tough time with this one. As the city grows, there's no longer just one or two places where everybody knows your name. After some extensive field research, we finally opted for Pepe Muldoon's, another relative newcomer, because of its dollar drinks and free buffet of chicken wings, Swedish meatballs and other goodies each Monday through Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Weekends are happy enough for Pepe to pull his free eats, but there's still more than 20 beers are on tap ranging from $1.75 to $2.50.