Happiness can be economical, special

As soon as it became too hot to enjoy outdoor patios, we started a new search for our favorite happy hours. Traditionally, happy hours are usually sometime between 4-7 p.m. featuring discounts to entice the after-work crowd, but they can be offered any time of day or night. We quickly discovered that with so many options “happy” is relative to the person looking.

When many people hear the term, they think cheap deals on well drinks and pitchers of draft beer. However, after a few visits around town, I realized that my happy hour type seems to be somewhere between the Mos Eisley Cantina in “Star Wars” and a swank joint from a classic film noir.

Regardless of whether I am in the mood for a fun, lively bar or a quietly classic venue, I am always interested in a quality drink and appetizer at a good price and good customer service. If they have live music that is moderated enough to let us enjoy conversation but interesting enough to grab our attention instead, even better. Not much to ask, so let’s see what we found.

Although I have many favorites, Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge hit the trifecta. The owner, Ernest Palmisano, has a generosity of spirit that shines through in this classic venue, and all of their very personable staff work to ensure patrons have an enjoyable experience. Their Clubroom offers specials Tues. through Fri. from 5-7 p.m., including $5 cocktail specials, domestic and Great Raft Beer $2 and imported beer $3. However, my favorite indulgence is their AB Freeze, a delightful ice cream drink blended with Cream de Cocoa and amaretto. It’s like drinking desert.

They also have one of the best bar menus available. For between $4-$8 each, enjoy sharing plates of Ernest’s Famous Marinated Crab Claws, special cheese toast, shrimp remoulade, fresh hot tamales, and my favorite sliced steak bites and mushrooms in Joe’s (makes me want to lick my plate) Steak Sauce served over French bread – all enjoyed while pleasantly serenaded by an accomplished guitarist from Nashville, Stephanie Jackson. Just be careful not to fill up on the baked bread steeped in hot melting garlic butter that the server brought while you were waiting.

Superior’s Steakhouse offers several happy hour (4-8 p.m.) specials throughout the week. On Monday, margaritas are $5 any flavor, including the pineapple jalapeno our waitress recommended. It had a pleasant little kick. If my sip of fresh peach-infused vodka is any indication, their Friday Fusion Cocktail Happy Hour would be a great time to visit, too.

We arrived early, so the elegant piano bar area, which is usually quite the buzz, was quiet. The items on the limited bar menu served before 5:30 p.m. are a bit pricier than other venues ($11.95-$36.95), but the chargrilled oysters were the best I’ve tasted in a restaurant, and the guacamole was delightfully fresh.

Vintage Wine & Spirits features House wines, and $4 martinis from 4:30-6:30 p.m. each week day. The Pom-Pom, Cosmo and Citrus Heavenly are quite good, but we quickly discovered our favorite is the traditional Gordon’s Gin martini done dirty. Bourbon flights – a paddle with four one-ounce samples ordered by categories from The Social $16 to The Thrill Seeker $24.75 – were a fun change of pace, too. Then if I am feeling indulgent – and let’s be honest, when am I not – I order the Vintage Champagne with a touch of Absolut Citron, lemon and Chambord.

For a vibrant change of pace, Blue, Southern Comfort Food and Ice Cream Parlor hosts happy hour from Tues.-Sat., 4-6:30 p.m. The Appletini, Razzmatini, Dirty Martini and Lemon Drop cocktails for $5 are wellmade. Even more notable, all wines in their admirable collection typically served by the glass are also $5.

In addition to her brick-oven pizzas, new appetizers will include hot water cornbread stacked with crisp pork belly, spinach, salsa verde, tomatoes and quacamole; salmon martini infused with smoke surrounded by capers, grilled lemon, horseradish, la crema and arugula with honey dressing; and PB&J ribs, raspberry bourbon short ribs with a Thai peanut sauce.

Cantina Laredo is another lively venue with a good happy hour. Margaritas $5, including banana, which made me smile. 

My cheeks got tight and quick; that’s a good thing.

They also get high marks for appetizers. Pork sliders with peach salsa and goat cheese, and Sope de Barbacoa similar to shaved steak on bruschetta were my favorites ($5 each). Also, their apple pie is a must try, enough said.

Whether you come just for happy hour or stop in before seeing the latest great indie film, Abby Singer's at the Robinson Film Center is always a fun happy hour venue. Enjoy the latest movie-inspired cocktail specials and Artini awardwinning martinis, along with half-price appetizers such as shrimp remoulade over fried green tomatoes or duck over wonton nachos with a goat cheese cream.

If you feel like dancing while kicking back your cocktails, we really enjoyed the newly opened Aura downtown. In addition to 50-cent lady’s night drinks that actually taste good, they have a separate specialty bar where they create classic masterpieces and updated drinks using smoke infusion and fresh ingredients. Watch their Facebook for the latest happy hour drink specials and live entertainment being offered.

From well drinks to well-crafted cocktails, Shreveport Bossier has a lot to offer. Enjoy discovering what “happy” hour type works for you.