Kasey Richter/For the Review
McMenamin’s Rooftop Bar
310 NE Evans St.
Happy Hour:
4-6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight daily
Pricing:
The beer is priced at $3.40 a pint, $10.20 a pitcher and customers receive 50 cents off wines, liquor and other drinks during happy hour. The food is cheap, ranging from $2.35 for a bowl of soup to $4.50 for a cheeseburger and tater tots.
Happy hour prices do not differ enough from regular menu prices to make it worth the trip. You might as well go whenever is convenient for you and not sweat the $1 you will save on a pitcher of beer.
Drink quality:
The two most popular beers are the Ruby, a light and refreshing raspberry ale, and the Terminator, a coal black stout. For an out-of-this-world concept, combine the two and order a Rubinator.
For the cocktail lover in all of us, Rooftop is sure to please. Whether your drink of choice includes gin, whiskey, vodka or tequila, Rooftop has something for you. You might want to stay away from the Cosmic Tai and the
Mexican Mule, unless you like a lot of liquor with a little mixer, or if you are prepared to walk home.
Food quality:
No trip to Rooftop is complete without sampling its legendary corn dog and tater tots, and if you are adventurous, order your tots Cajun style for an extra punch. If the spice is not for you, the spinach and artichoke dip is to die for.
Overall:
Perfectly placed between the flashing lights of the Blue Moon and the unobtrusiveness of the Deluxe, McMenamin’s Rooftop is a refreshing escape for college students. The intimate indoor-outdoor setting is appropriate for a classy date, 21st birthday or for dinner with the parents on Family Weekend.
There is no such thing as a happy “hour” at Rooftop. Service is inexcusably slow for such a compact space, and it is nearly impossible to get your money’s worth unless you show up exactly at 4 p.m.
So, if you are prepared to spend a few dollars and a few hours at this classy establishment, it’s worth the trip. Otherwise, head toward GVB or some of the dive bars located down he street.

Cassey Saunders/Business manager
Tequila Grill
325 NE Highway 99W
Happy Hour:
3-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Pricing:
There are no discounts for food during happy hour. Regular margaritas are $3.50, and giant margaritas are $5.95.
Drink quality:
The margaritas are strong and definitely worth the price.
Food quality:
Best Mexican food in town. You get unlimited beans, salsa and chips for free. The entrée portions are huge, and there are plenty of options to choose from.
Overall:
It’s relaxed and casual. Unlike most restaurants, you do not have to sit at the bar to enjoy happy hour, so your friends who are younger than 21 can join you in the fun. Also, they have space for large groups of people.
Service is amazing, and Rody, the manager, will take care of you. He is a great guy and will make sure you have everything you need.
Happy hour at Tequila Grill is optimal for those who are looking for a drink that is worth their money. It is usually expensive to go out for drinks, but if you go for happy hour at Tequila Grill, you are definitely getting more for your money.

by Amber McKenna/Editor in chief
El Primo
825 SW Baker St.
Happy Hour:
4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday
Pricing:
$5 for fresh lime mojitos, lemon drop martini, cosmopolitan; $4 for El Primo margarita, Acapulco mai-tai; $3 for wells, Dos Equis lager beer on tap, Corona; $2 for domestic beers on tap; $4 for
nachos primos, mini flautas, primo burrito, taquitos rancheros, quesadilla; $3 for cheese crispi; $2 for pico de gallo
Drink quality:
Strong but good. Make sure you put in a request if you want your margarita blended.
Food quality:
Tastes awesome but might leave you feeling heavy and greasy.
Overall:
Friendly, bright and open. You can ask to watch a certain TV channel, and, unless it’s a Friday, it’s not busy at all. Service is quick to get drinks and food, but there are no check-ins, and you must request the check. However, they don’t mind splitting checks. The best deal is the free chips, salsa and bean dip; the waitress keeps them coming! Happy hour at El Primo is definitely recommended.

by Dominic Baez/Editor in chief
Blue Moon
310 NE 3rd St.
Pricing:
Relatively cheap, especially for the amount you receive, these drinks will knock you on your ass at half the price.
Drink quality:
Again, they weren’t bad, though some might consider them a bit too strong, especially if you have to drive home afterward. However, if you have a sober driver, drink up; you’ll be feeling good in no time.
Food quality:
In the last health inspection, Blue Moon, it received critical marks. However, I’ve heard its burgers are good, so good luck to those who are brave enough to venture.
Overall:
This place was, well, it felt dirty. I don’t feel as though it is the type of place I would go to alone, even though I did this time. It has an air of danger around it. I felt as though I might get into a fight there, and trust me, I’m not a fighter.
Despite the uneasy atmosphere, the staff and service are pretty decent. It wasn’t busy when I went, which might explain it, but the service was quick and efficent. The staff was polite and answered my naïve questions. They weren’t in your face, either. They notice when you are done with your drinks and came to take them, but leave you alone as you enjoy your alcohol.
It is probably better to go somewhere else, but I will admit this: If you are looking for cheap, strong drinks to down after a hard day at work, this is your place. Just remember to bring some antibacterial soap, and you’ll be fine.

Lizzie Martinez/Senior reporter
Jae’s Landing
2121 NE 27th St.
Happy Hour:
3-6p.m. Monday-Friday
Pricing:
$2 for beers on tap. $3 for specialty beers. $4 for a glass of wine. Higher prices for hard liquor or mixed drinks. There are no happy hour specials, but the prices are always low. Food ranges from $4-$10 for appetizers and entrées.
Drink quality:
The drinks are definitely better than the food. They have a decent selection of beers, from light to dark ales, in addition to the usual brands such as Budweiser, Coors, Miller and Corona. Even the wine isn’t a bad choice if you prefer a lighter drink. They also sell Mike’s Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff’s.
Food quality:
The selection is pretty standard for a sports bar: a few salads, burgers, fries, chicken strips, pizza and steak. The quality is average. Don’t go there if you want a nice dinner or a great burger, but it’s not bad food to accompany your drink. The chili comes from a can, and the Spicy Cajun Burger is all spice and no flavor, but the onion rings and fries were decent.
Overall:
It’s little slow to receive the food, as there was only one waitress. But she was amenable to splitting checks and was attentive throughout our meal.
If you’re looking for a low-key sports bar, Jae’s Landing is the place. The bar is about average in every respect – a decent drink list, decent food and a decent setting. The best part of Jae’s is the view from the floor to ceiling windows, which look out into a wooded area of McMinnville, creating a cool atmosphere for drinking.
If you’re looking for a place to watch sports, Jae’s has five televisions, all tuned to different channels, and is open to changing the channel to a preferred station.
Jae’s is a great place to find cheap beer on tap with a and enjoy a low-key evening playing pool with a few friends or just gazing out the large windows.

by Dominic Baez/Editor in chief
GolDen Valley Brewery
980 E 4th St.
Happy Hour:
3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close every day
Pricing:
$1.50 for house beers; slightly more for seasonals.
Drink quality:
The house beers are amazing for the price; the mixed drinks are better, and they pack a punch.
Food quality:
The food is always amazing at GVB. Although some may consider it overpriced, you get what you pay for.
Overall:
The place was calming, and it was nice to relax and just enjoy drinks. The bar is quiet at 4 p.m. but got louder as the day progressed. Though the service was slower than desired, the staff was amazing. They were courteous and knowledgeable about all brews and drinks on their menu.
GVB is a place to take anyone to, whether it’s a date, parents or just friends who want to go out for a drink. The staff is friendly, the bar is well-stocked and the food is excellent. Overall, a definite must.