Editorial Datebook Review: Juice Editorial Review: Happy Hour at Down Under

By Chris Weishaar:

Special to Metromix

September 17, 2008

The bar: Down Under is designed for sports watching, with ample table space and two walls with a multi-screen setup (one big screen next to four smaller TVs). The bar also offers pool tables, dart boards and video games, as well as a large patio. The expected neon bar signs and Cyclone and Hawkeye memorabilia adorn the walls, but aren't overdone.

The crowd: The 6 p.m. weekday crowd consisted of older folks shooting the breeze. While there were some loners or duos, most were in groups of four or more, filling up tables closest to the bar. One group had a laptop out working on what appeared to be a fantasy football league.

The specials: Bartender Andy Hoffman said the most popular drink is beer. A no-brainer. From 2:30-7 p.m., Down Under offers $2 bottles, $1.50 draws, $2.50 wells, $5.50 pitchers and $4.50 glasses of wine. Most nights food is free between 5 and 7 p.m. with everything from pizza to burgers to hot dogs to cheese trays. I stopped in on Tuesday - free pizza night - to find an impressive spread. I tried the spicy "The Inferno" pizza and slices of the hamburger and cheeseburger pizzas.

Are we happy? With free appetizers, which consist of a large variety of hearty choices, and a special pizza night which delivers on the goods, I left plenty happy. And, for beer drinkers, there are some good deals on that front as well. Just make sure you hit the sweet spot, 5-7 p.m., and you too should leave happy.