Sharing a Drink and a Laugh

Happy hour isn't just about cheap drinks, says local happy hour aficionado Cindy Johnson.

It's about the food and the company.

Johnson is sitting at the Kona Grill bar on a recent Wednesday, talking with a friend and enjoying a cosmopolitan. She can be found here about once a week, she says, but does the happy hour thing about five days out of seven.

"I always eat out," she says. "I don't eat a ton of food so the happy hour servings are just right. It's fast and you can get like 20 things, cheap."

We've rounded up 10 happy hours from across the valley, concentrating on the more unique offerings. The list isn't inclusive and the information can change without notice.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or (702) 380-4564.

FERRARO'S

5900 W. Flamingo Road

Happy hour: 5-7:30 p.m. weekdays in the lounge area only.

Drinks are two for one; prices range from $5 to $10. Select appetizers $5, including calamari, several salads, meatballs and sausage platters. Some entrees are $10, including gnocchi pomodoro, chicken sorrento and chicken piccata (364-5300).

CAFE BA BA REEBA

3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South in the Fashion Show mall

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 4 p.m. to close Fridays and Saturdays. Sangria is half-price, $10 for a pitcher and $3 per glass. Select wines are $3 per glass. Some tapas are $3, including bacon-wrapped dates, meatballs and empanadas (650-5186).

RA SUSHI

3200 Las Vegas Blvd South in Fashion Show mall

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. weekdays. Select sushi rolls are discounted, including the $3 California roll and the $4.75 shrimp tempura roll. Some appetizers are discounted, as well, including spinach gyoza ($3) and spicy sesame wings ($4). A variety of beers and mixed drinks are discounted, including hot sake for $1, Bud Light for $2.75 and Kirin for $4.50 (696-0008).

CROWN AND ANCHOR PUB

1350 E. Tropicana Ave.

Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Drink specials include $1 off all draft beer ($4 for imports, $3 domestic). Complimentary homemade chips are served (739-8676).

OSAKA JAPANESE BISTRO

10920 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson

Happy hour: 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. More than 30 dishes are available during happy hour, including California rolls ($4), tuna sashimi ($3.90) and spicy tuna roll ($4.60). Appetizers range from $1.50 to $6.95 and include miso soup, dumplings and squid fritters (616-3788).

FIREFLY ON PARADISE

3900 Paradise Road

Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. All drinks except bottles of wine are half-price. Sangria costs $3, mojitos, $3.50; beers are $2.50 for imports, $2 domestic. Glasses of wine range from $3.75 to $4.50. A tapas tasting consisting of tortilla espanola, wrapped dates and meatballs comes with each drink purchase (369-3971).

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S

335 Hughes Center Drive

Happy hour: 3:30- 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9:30-11 p.m. at the bar. Select items are $1.95, including a half-pound cheeseburger, fish tacos, oyster shooters and steamed mussels (836-9000).

PANEVINO

246 Via Antonio Ave.

Happy hour: 4-6 p.m. weekdays in the lounge.

A variety of specialty cocktails, such as the Orange Drop and bellini, $11. Featured appetizers include chicken tenders, calamari, crab cakes, pizzas, bruschetta and other items; prices range from $5 to $12 (222-2400).

BIG DOG'S

1511 N. Nellis Blvd.

Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. weekdays. Beers are $2 while appetizers, such as mozzarella sticks and chicken wings, are $2 off; prices range from $5.50 to $8.50 (459-1099).

KONA GRILL

750 S. Rampart Blvd.

Happy hour: 3-7 p.m. weekdays; 10 p.m.- midnight Mondays through Thursdays; 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays in the bar and patio area.

Seven appetizers are half-price, including avocado egg rolls ($4.13) and chicken satay ($4.25). Ten-inch pizzas are half-price and cost from $4.40 to $4.75. Half-price on select sushi rolls, such as spicy tuna and California roll; prices range from $2.75 to $3.25. Drink specials include draft Budweiser Light, $3; Kirin sake bomber, $6.50; Sam Adams seasonal ale, $4.25 per bottle. Cosmopolitans and appletinis cost $4. Margaritas are $3 for women, $4 for men (547-5552).