Good times and great deals at local bars

Tests, quizzes, homework, bills, car payments, etc: the hectic pace of student life can get intense at times, especially for working students.

For those of us of legal drinking age, it's nice to sit back, relax, and have a cold one without breaking the bank.

If you want to socialize, not drink alone in your dark home, it's good to find a place that has a good happy hour and drink specials that don't break the bank to go along with the social atmosphere.

Uncle Monkeys has probably the cheapest drinks you can get, barring a trip to Circle K for that 40 ounce in a paper bag.

Every day they have a "power hour" from 10 - 11 a.m., with one dollar mixed drinks and domestic bottles, and their happy hour runs from 5-7 p.m., and features dollar mixed drinks, two dollar large mugs and small pitchers, and four dollar large pitchers.

For the vocally talented (or not so much) they have karaoke every night from 9 to 2 p.m. Three dart boards and three pool tables are set up to entertain yourself while you tie one on. For the ladies, every Tuesday they have $2 you-call-its from 7 p.m. to close.

RTO Sullivans on Alma School and Main has happy hour from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, featuring half priced appetizers and food.

They have a vast array of televisions set up, and advertise that they play "every game, every day", including pay per-view events.

They have food deals almost every day to keep the booze munchies at bay, including two for one burger Tuesdays, $1 tacos on Wednesday, and a Friday fish-fry.

For the beer lovers out there, Old Chicago just might be the best place to go in west Mesa. With 34 beers on tap and plenty of foreign and domestic bottles, they are guaranteed to have a beer for every palate.

They feature the "World Beer Tour"; it's a chance to try various beers from around the globe and get a t-shirt and your name on the wall.

"They have a great atmosphere and beer variety," Allen Sweetsir said while bellied up to the bar. He was the first customer at the establishment, and has done the Beer Tour 14 times.

"The staff is wonderful, always very friendly," Sweetsir said. "If you want to try different kinds of beer, this is the place for you."

No matter what your looking for in a bar or in a drink, be responsible; don't overdo it, and don't ever drink and drive.