ISO:Friday Happy Hour in Ann Arbor

[yoful]

Any favorites? We are looking for a place that has a great beer selection and some yummy munchies. I know there's a new place called the 5th quarter. Anyone go or hear anything about it? Thanks for any help!!

[Summerfield]

Cafe Habana has a happy hour from 15:00 - 18:00 AND from 22:00 - 24:00 with complimentary chips and salsa. They do have beer, but I personally recommend the mojitos. The last time we went, Wife-enstein and I had some tasty choices from the appetizers menu.

[charlesbois]

Ashleys has a great beer selection and decent munchies
Old Town is just a great bar in general and the spot for locals
The Den is Grizzly Peak's bar spot, as opposed to a restaurant atmosphere
The Earle has great happy hour deals and upscale munchies

If you're feeling adventurous, head out to Sidetrack in Ypsi, where it will probably be a lot less crowded than Ann Arbor on Friday after work. They have an awesome beer selection, terrific munchies and a very laid back atmosphere.

If you go to 5th quarter, let us know how it was!

[Jim M]

Further observations: At Ashley's you'll be with the college kids--potentially an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on your outlook.

Every time I've been to the Sidetrack lately at peak hours it's been packed. It is quite good, however, and has some great local beers and burgers.

They have also gone nonsmoking until 10 p.m. The same can't be said of the Old Town, which is smoky even in nonsmoking sections. There is, however, a picture of Franz Schubert on the wall, which gives you an idea of how long it's been the townie hangout.

A new choice: Guy Hollerin's at the Holiday Inn at Plymouth and U.S. 23. An ordinary hotel bar/restaurant, but they've started having live blues bands, and I think some of them are specifically at Friday happy hour. The place is nicely laid out so that you can dance, listen, or talk depending on what you want.

[charlesbois]

Just thought of another one, the Rathskellar underneath Heidelburg. I think they may still do free munchies on Friday nights. They don't have a fabulous beer selection, but they do have Warsteiner Dunkel on tap (or at least they did last time I was there).

[Jim M]

Yeah, they've got a lot of German beer . . . real old basement German bar. Haven't seen freebies, but the appetizers aren't expensive. Lots of people drinking after work on the main floor these days, too--it's sort of the nonsmoking section. German food is still decent.