Nothin' Fancy -- Just the Way We Like It: Tom's Bar & Grill

Kristen Klempert

The Hours: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday

The Deal: $2 domestic drafts and bottles, $3 premiums (e.g., Blue Moon, Bass, Guinness), $10 five-bottle buckets and $3 well drinks. All appetizers half off.

The Scene: Your typical blue-collar-bar layout: wooden high tops, multiple TVs and neon beer signs. Happy hour attracts a lively crowd, especially on nights when the Cards are playing. The staff is friendly and professional; they get you what you need before you have to ask for it.

Food comes up quickly, served on Styrofoam plates with paper napkins and plastic utensils. Not exactly eco-friendly, but Tom's doesn't cater to a green crowd. The grub's nothing fancy, but cheesy, greasy, fried bar food has its place -- and happy hour's it. An order of chili-cheese nachos will lay down a solid after-work base for the evening to come. And when all's said and done, you can easily have gotten out of Tom's with an appetizer and a few drinks and only parted with $10 or $15.

Why You'll Go Back: Because you want a beer or three without hassle. The place practically screams come-as-you-are-and-enjoy-yourself.

The Verdict: Any card-carrying happy hour aficionado needs a go-to place like Tom's to keep in his or her back pocket.