Absinthe
Happy hour functions on a lunar calendar at this Hayes Valley institution, which hosts an event called Pickled on the last Monday of each month, 5:30-10 p.m. Look for $4 snacks from Justin Simoneaux, plus inventive cocktails, such as the one made with green-tea smoked rum, lime juice, and agave nectar. 398 Hayes St. (at Gough St.), S.F., 415-551-1590
Il Cane Rosso
This popular sandwich spot turns into a bar Monday-Thursday, 5-7 p.m. There's a short menu of $2 snacks, such as lavender almonds and deviled-egg crostini, and $3 drinks, including a housemade peach wine spritzer. Ferry Building Marketplace (Embarcadero at Market St.), S.F., 415-391-7599
Fifth Floor
Morgan Young took charge of the bar at this venerable hotel restaurant late last spring and upgraded to Happy Hour 5.0. Daily from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., she offers five drinks—two beers, two cocktails, and one type of wine—for $5 a glass. 12 4th St. (at Market St.), S.F., 415-348-1555
Locanda da Eva
Happy hour rolls around twice a day at this new Italian restaurant in Berkeley: first, 5-6 p.m., when the bartender knocks $2 off the price of speciality cocktails; then 10 p.m.-midnight, when, in addition to reduced-price drinks, pizzas go for just $10 each. 2826 Telegraph Ave. (bet. Oregon and Stuart Sts.), Berkeley, 510-665-9601
The Corner
Double up on happy hours at this Mission Street bar: 4-6 p.m. for early birds, then 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Draft beers are $3, bottles $2.50, and glasses of wine $5. But the best deals are the $6.50 not-so-small plates, such as fried chicken, a burger and fries, and a bacon-wrapped hot dog. 2199 Mission St. (at 18th St.), S.F., 415-875-9258
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