Ri Ra Irish Pub Mandalay Bay
Odyssey number: 58
Date, time, place: 1 August, 1:40 pm, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes 27 seconds
4.0, Beer
3.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
10.0 Total
Authentic plush Irish bar, with TV screens kept to a minimum. Was told not only were the four medium size crystal chandeliers hanging above our half of the long counter brought over from Ireland, but most of the wood frame structure, various décor, and pictures as well.
Sue and I started off with two Harp beers. First rate, tasted great. My next choice, Warsteiner. Thought I knew my beers, but apparently this was not only a pilsner, but dunkel—which, to my astounded chagrin, I soon found in front of me. I didn’t want a dark beer. Now what? Basically, two options. Sit there and sulk for a while, then politely ask for a replacement. Or, keep my ungrateful mouth shut, and drink whatever one of the busy staff gave me to drink! Fortunately, the beer gods had mercy, providing me with an alert bartender who noticed the silly pouty frown on my face, and adroitly switched my drink to a delicious Smithwick’s. Much better, while excellent Irish tunes pleasantly played for the duration of our visit.
This lively afternoon featured our first encounter with a robot busser, named ‘Paddy,’ which could be loaded with dishes, beer mugs, and utensils, then automatically maneuver them back to the kitchen. Real cutting edge. Not only that, both bartenders, Wally and Kashia, and one of the servers, Cameron, requested signed copies of the beer book. Yes, I will admit. After all the effort, and drinking, that went into finishing it, always nice to find new readers. Plus, Wally handed Sue an unexpected bonus—drink coasters from two Dublin pubs, Mulligan’s on Poolberg Street and Bowes on Fleet Street.
Happy hour is from 3-6 pm daily. We were early, but no regrets. And, by delaying for a big glass of ice water, we did manage to stick around long enough to split one last Harp after 3 pm, just on principle. Furthermore, this was a perfect International Beer Day!
HAPPY HOUR ODYSSEY 2025
Scores based on four priorities:
Beer, 4.0
Music, 3.0
Other stuff, 2.0
Atmosphere, 1.0
Maximum total, 10
Endless quest for best Happy Hours in Vegas—and beyond!
Beer and a tune, life is good. That so damn much to ask?
John Kruxhammer, author of Beer and Everything Else
Know of any great Happy Hours? Let me know immediately!
Distill
Odyssey number: 57
Date, time, place: 21 June, 3:24 pm, 7790 W. Cheyenne Ave.
Elapsed time for first beer: 3 minutes 27 seconds
3.0, Beer
2.5, Music
2.5, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
9.0 Total
Why not give the local corner bar a chance? Interesting coincidence. The elapsed time to receive my first beer same as exact time of day. And even more unusual, the friendly bartender not only noticed the beer books, and bought one, she enthusiastically showed it to other patrons at the bar. Looks like we came to the right place!
I started with Mango Cart wheat draft and Hurricane Sue opted for a reliable Michelob Ultra. Although, after she tried mine, Mango Cart became her second choice later. While I went on to Elysian Space Dust IPA. They weren’t super great, but pretty good. The music was mostly classic rock, which I enjoy, although I would like it louder. Or, maybe I just don’t hear so good—except for which beers are on special for Happy Hour. At any rate, no complaints. We had a good time.
This spacious establishment offered two pool tables, two electronic dart boards, and one, Big Buck Hunter shooting game. I didn’t know something like that even existed. Other than we’re in a hot desert, far from any woods, and nobody wearing camouflage outfits or bright orange vests, just like the real thing! Sure, it’s all fun and games. Until someone opens the wrong door and half a dozen angry deer rush in to pummel and stomp those lighted arcade machines all to pieces. If you ask me, after a couple good beers, much better off just swapping ‘Big Buck’ for one of those games with a colorful selection of strippers—which this town has plenty of. Much less damage, too, when they’re the ones who come running through!
Slater’s 50/50
Odyssey number: 56
Date, time, place: 12 June, 3:15 pm, 7511 W. Lake Mead Blvd.
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes 55 seconds
3.5, Beer
2.5, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
9.0 Total
Decided on Dogfish Head Grateful Dead, while Hurricane Sue chose Rebel Spirit Golden Ale. She didn’t like it and they were out of mine. So, I drank hers and she got something else, Kona Big Wave. No problem. Afterwards, my second choice on the list was also not available. Then I figured out what the problem was. I forgot my purple feather drinking fedora. Went back to the car, then came back wearing it for ordering a Ballast Point Sculpin IPA. Problem solved!
Beers were great, but no coasters. Good thing we bring customized emergency backups. This polished granite topped bar had room for about a dozen drinkers. Plenty more dining area, well-decorated, but a long line of 50 beer taps from behind the bar had my full attention. Scorching hot day in Vegas. So nice to be back where we belong, sheltered inside, with cold brews, mostly good music, plus essential, comfortable, air conditioning. Reality can wait.
Sue and I enjoyed sharing a terrific bison burger. Washed down with another first-rate selection, Karl Strauss Red Trolley Ale, from San Diego. And, once again, I was happy to learn something new while enjoying a tasty brew. According to our friendly bartender, Tarek, not only are there Ciccerone certified bartenders, but one level down there are also ‘certified beer servers.’ That’s wonderful, and I admire the effort and ambition required for either one. However, only thing best for me is a ‘certified beer drinker’!
Mission Control
Odyssey number: 55
Date, time, place: 23 May, 3:10 pm, 4450 N Tenaya Way Ste 115, LV, NV
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes 40 seconds
3.0, Beer
2.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
8.0 Total
The first time Hurricane Sue and I visited, this place was great. Second time, great again. But this time, uhm, not so great. They have a Happy Hour/Golden Hour from 3 to 6 pm, Monday to Thursday. This was Friday. The DJ for tonight’s entertainment was doing a soundcheck. So, music alternated between complete silence and a full chaotic sonic assault. No wonder the beer didn’t taste so good either, Lunar Dunes American Lager for me, and a Solaris Aureum for Sue. But to be fair, let’s just average out scores for all three times. The co-owner Raj served us our drinks and we enjoyed talking with him over the intermittent racket, though we also missed Jess, who is exceptionally friendly and a bibliophile. Framed oversized pictures of two astronauts reclining in rugged foldout chairs on the lunar surface, with the bright Earth above a distant horizon, was dominant décor above the bar. My kind of place, outer space.
However, as the only patrons in there, we deviated this odyssey to an alternate microbrewery, Beer Zombies on Bonanza Road, not too far. A number of punk rockers were in attendance, due to an annual festival downtown, all right! Much more lively at this early hour with excellent songs blaring uninterrupted, including Black Flag and Ramones, mindful of my younger years. Later on, when about to leave, a guy named Ed, a lawyer from Philadelphia, strolled by our high top table and offered me a cold can of IPA from the display cooler, brewed by Tree House. Well, can always drink it later. Meanwhile, these new beer shirts are really paying off. And he gladly accepted my unexpected book in exchange for his unexpected gift. Finding a new reader is always satisfying, and especially appropriate with finest brews. Eureka! Not only name of that IPA, but just how I feel whenever out exploring, discovering, and pleasantly escaping from any problems back on planet Earth.
Timing is everything. No place is always great, and all places are sometimes great. Our Happy Hour mission continues, often unpredictable but always worthwhile. This journey might not reach the stars, but we’ll take new surprises in all the best bars!
Crafthaus Brewery
Odyssey number: 54
Date, time, place: 10 May, 4:05 pm, 7350 Eastgate Rd, Henderson, NV
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes 8 seconds
4.0, Beer
3.0, Music
1.5, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
9.5 Total
Blame it on government regulations, but sign for this place barely noticeable, and from the outside looks more like just another office space. You can’t hide a fine brewery from me! Boldly stepping inside wearing our new customized beer shirts immediately transformed Sue and I from a mundane urban environment into a magical realm of happy people, friendly bartenders, spacious surroundings, and cold beer. That’s more like it!
First choice, Czech Plz – LUKR Handle, while Hurricane Sue drank a golden ale Rebel Spirit. Okay, I drank some of hers too, for quality control purposes. Both were excellent tasting brews. My second one, BrickHaus American Amber Ale, also fantastic. Good relaxing rock tunes played at just the right volume, without having to shout.
In this unadorned desert warehouse district, we found shelter in an oasis of hope and humanity, with framed beer awards and plaques, plus half a wall of orange and silver cuckoo clocks with a big dark brown one in the center. A solid, reliable, polished grey marble bar provided seats for up to a dozen fortunate drinkers. Just two TVs, off to the sides how I like it, while providing a prominent view of beer vats through a window at the bar. Other tables and chairs had room for about 50 more people. They also serve food, but I forgot to confirm when they have Happy Hour. Darn it, will just have to go back soon and find out. My only complaint? No coasters. Before I can grumble about it, Sue pulled out customized backups from her purse. But come on, after all the effort and artistry that goes into a top-quality beer, show some respect!
Does that mean I am criticizing bartenders or brewpubs in any way? Of course not. They have done their part, exceedingly well in most cases. But for any customer not bringing their own coaster? That’s their own fault. Which is another reason I have my beer books available. When not being read, they can also go under not just one, but two full beer mugs! You’re welcome. That way, couples don’t have to fight over whose brew gets neglected. Perfect. Forget about home repairs, self-improvement, and cooking categories, that’s what I call a useful book!
Pismo Brewing Company
Odyssey number: 53
Date, time, place: 29 Apr, 4:30 pm, 500 Cypress s2, Pismo Beach, CA
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes 45 seconds
2.5, Beer
2.5, Music
2.0, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
7.5 Total
To celebrate new release on Amazon of Beer and Everything Else, All Roads Lead to Foam, Hurricane Sue and I made the long drive to Pismo Beach. It has other attractions like the Monarch Butterfly Grove and a long scenic pier, but what makes any trip truly satisfying for me, is the beer. So, after some relaxing sightseeing, I led Sue straight to Pismo Brewing Company. We met the bartender, Valerie, during a lull in business, no one else there for a while. Kind of a small place, with limited selection. Music was enjoyable classic rock, though volume could have been a notch higher. We were there during Happy Hour, from 4 to 6 pm. I got a few chuckles from original sayings posted on the walls, such as: ‘The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.’ And, ‘Let me drink about it.’
I tried the Pismo Pale Ale. It was okay. Same for Sue’s Bootlegger Blonde Ale. I grew wary when the bartender also took a while pouring my second beer, using plenty of water squirted from a plastic bottle to eliminate foam spilling over top of the glass. Since they were out of their IPA, I shared one more Blonde Ale with Sue, which tasted average at best. We enjoyed talking with Valerie, but the sundrenched outdoor seating soon beckoned us elsewhere. At a place nearby, we found more of a lively group and better beer. Always good to keep exploring!
Evolve Brewing Aces and Ales
Odyssey number: 52
Date, time, place: 18 Apr, 3:45 pm, 8680 W Sunset Rd E100, LV, NV
Elapsed time for first beer: 4 minutes 25 seconds
3.5, Beer
3.0, Music
1.5, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
9.0 Total
Fancy microbrewery, spacious, with lots of outdoor seating. Pleasant light rock music at good volume. Only a few video poker games at a long bar counter. Silver beer vats are displayed just beyond the bar behind shiny glass windows. Sure, there’s still pesky TVs, but not right in your face, while a long line of beer taps and booze bottles are easily visible in their rightful place as center of attention. The bartenders and staff dress predominantly in black. Only drawback, no seats for two at the bar. So we observed enviously from exile at a high top table.
Started with Russian River Mind Circus, while Sue chose Evolve Holy Water, a hazy Czech Pilsner. Pretty good IPA, first rate pilsner. We were there during Hoppy Hour, from 3-6 pm daily, $2 off beers. My second choice, Evolve Noon Juice Blood Orange Wheat, American Pale. Nice blend for a fresh new taste. I liked it. Before leaving, had a small 4-oz portion of Pliny the Elder. Out of many contenders, this beer is hard to beat.
Lapa Lounge at Rio Casino
Odyssey number: 51
Date, time, place: 14 Mar, 3:05 pm, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, LV, NV
Elapsed time for first beer: 3 minutes 8 seconds
3.5, Beer
3.0, Music
1.5, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
9.0 Total
Plush environment by the main entrance lobby, with wide open views of casino gaming floor. Gold-gilded monkeys and leopards adorned the ceiling. From our comfortable stools at the bar, we could observe a long line of travelers waiting to check in at the counter. For some reason that gave me a guilty pleasure. Even better, that first sip of Big Dog’s Las Vegas Lager, while Hurricane Sue chose Kona Longboard from a bottle. Excellent rock and soft pop music played at a good volume. The ‘Blood Moon’ total lunar eclipse last night was a good omen—bartender named Tracy came through with a couple 2-for-1 drink coupons. First time we seen that!
The glass marble lighted bar counter was impressive. Only three beers on draft though, which led to my next selection of reliable Voodoo Ranger IPA, from a bottle. Just a few other patrons, so mood wasn’t quite dead, but very relaxed. No official Happy Hour, but good enough. Nearby Luckley’s Tavern & Grill had one, but mainly food specials. So, we made the right choice at Lapa Lounge. Bartenders friendly, had a great time.
College Street Brewhouse
Odyssey number: 50
Date, time, place: 17 Feb, 4:15 pm, 1940 College Dr, Lake Havasu City, AZ
Elapsed time for first beer: 9 minutes 8 seconds
3.5, Beer
1.5, Music
1.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
7.0 Total
Large restaurant, including outdoor seating, with a U-shaped bar for about 25 patrons, completely full. Hurricane Sue and I had to wait a few minutes to be seated at a high top table. Prefer being at the bar, but remained vigilant to pounce at the first vacancies. After an hour, not a single stool became open. Impressive. We somehow carried on from our distant exile. Sundowner IPA for me, Street Light for Sue. Both had fantastic taste and quality, exactly as hoped for on my birthday, although did take longer than usual to receive them. And no coasters for the mugs, just plain black napkins.
Stone floors and walls magnified conversations, usually drowning out the music. Scenic views west towards Colorado River and a desert mountain range on a sensational warm sunny day. Also liked seeing huge gleaming beer vats through floor to ceiling windows inside. Mood was bustling and chatty. My second choice, Animal House Amber, pretty good, but needed help from better music. More than a dozen people were waiting for seating by the time we left. They have Happy Hours here daily from 3 to 6 pm.
595 Craft and Kitchen
Odyssey number: 49
Date, time, place: 7 February, 2:30 pm, 4950 S. Rainbow #100
Elapsed time for first beer: 4 minutes 17 seconds
4.0, Beer
3.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
10 Total
Pleasurably consumed a Beechwood Infinity Isle IPA from New Zealand. Hurricane Sue’s Smog City Little Bo Pils American Pilsner was also excellent. For further enjoyment, later tried ISM Beach Boys blonde ale, another fine recommendation from the bartender, Matt. Who not only has strong connections to the regional brewery scene, but also described how they regularly clean the tap lines, rotate selections for freshness, and painstakingly do all they can to provide outstanding beer quality. Sure tasted like it to me.
The bar had seating for about 15 beer lovers, with large beer placard paraphernalia up on the walls. Amazing tap selections for every taste, including iconic Pliny the Elder, which I tasted a sample of before leaving. This well-worn bar counter has character, no damn video poker, and only one smaller-size TV up in each corner, not distracting from the colorful beer menu. In other words, perfectly how I like it. A mangy friendly dog kept popping his head up over the counter from the far corner, the business mascot named Conrad. That’s a new one.
I liked the music, which could have been louder, but conversation with other patrons made easier that way. When I asked Matt what ‘595’ stood for, it’s simply the highway name for Rainbow Boulevard. See? You can learn a lot by going to bars! They have a Happy Hour here Monday to Friday, 3 to 6 pm. We’ll definitely be back.
Neon Desert Brewing
Odyssey number: 48
Date, time, place: 25 Jan, 3:30 pm, 7380 Eastgate Rd., Henderson, NV
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes 12 seconds
4.0, Beer
2.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
8.5 Total
I tried two beers, Czech Mate in 3, a fresh tasty pilsner, and Heaven in Helles, a Munich style lager. Both were excellent. Bartender Cassandra was very friendly, along with a nearby patron named Chris. Music was too low at first, but better later. No slots, no TVs that I noticed. In other words, perfect. Decorated with some Chinese letters around the small bar area, with plentiful basic seating in this warehouse district location. Jimmy the owner brewer chatted with us for a while as well. Had a good time. Limited Happy Hour from Monday to Wednesday, 4-6 pm.
Brewskes Bar & Grill
Odyssey number: 47
Date, time, place: 10 January, 3 pm, 3645 S. Durango Dr.
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes 20 seconds
3.5, Beer
3.0, Music
1.0, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
8.0 Total
A long spacious bar counter mostly had standard video poker machines, but I found one without. The Elysian Space Dust IPA was excellent, although served with no coaster. Rock music to my liking played at a satisfying volume. Lots of dark wood décor, mindful of an Irish bar. Not much interaction with Amanda the bartender. Too many TVs, as usual, but they were mounted high enough to be easily ignored. Good idea.
Second beer, Stella Artois, tasted good. Just a few other patrons, mood not quite dead, so let’s just call it ‘relaxed.’ On the way out, I confirmed with Amanda there is a Happy Hour, but not today on Friday, of course. It goes from Monday to Thursday with a discount for selected beers and glasses of wine.