Heights Tavern
3377 Adams Ave. (Normal Heights)
619-501-3455
Happy Hour: 4 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday
Come On Get Happy! | Dr. Ink
Had I stumbled into Heights Tavern after slamming down a few too many tipplers elsewhere, I could have easily been fooled into thinking this latest addition to Normal Heights is True North Tavern in North Park. The similarities are striking, beginning with their huge open layouts, giant bars in the middle and dizzying array of flat screens angled overhead no matter where you sit. There’s even a large patio in back. The difference is that Heights Tavern offers less time to seize the bargains, which perhaps might change as the place grows into its shoes.
Since opening in late March, the tavern has held steady with a weekday happy hour featuring well drinks, select drafts and bulk wines for $4 a pop. It’s also when a rotating selection of nibbles are offered at $5 a plate.
Fronted by retractable, windowed doors and an elongated sidewalk patio, the beer handles come into quick view from the street. The deal on suds, however, applies only to those that are regularly priced at $6 or less, which still leaves you with about two-thirds of the list to choose from.
The draft selection mingles familiar local crafts with several big commercial brands like Bud Light and Blue Moon. With bright skies and summer warmth reaching into our raised, well-padded booth inside, a light-bodied Alesmith X Pale Ale seemed in order.
While I saved a couple bucks on the brew, my companion craved a Moscow Mule, which meant paying full price ($7) since with the combination of Skyy Vodka, Angostura Bitters and ginger beer, it isn’t considered a well drink. Surely if Dr. Ink were in charge, there would be at least one specialty cocktail, at least one day a week offered at a reduced price.
The wines that sell for $4 a glass are limited to Chardonnay or Cabernet; from Canyon Road we’re told. Given the lack of wine bars in Normal Heights, I suppose there’s no need to beef up the list and start worrying about competition. This is, after all, a casual bar where you’ll sometimes encounter varying sports games projecting from at least 20 flat screens. And as any bar goer knows, jocks and wine snobs rarely mix.
With dinner plans already made, we skipped eating here. But if you intend on munching, the happy hour grub can include everything from fried pickles and nachos to mini salads and grilled cheese sandwiches, depending on the whim of the chef. Or you can defer to the regular menu, which features burgers, beer-basted bratwurst, wings and more.
Additionally, brunch is held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, when $12 buys you all the mimosas and bloody Marys your body can handle.
RATINGS
Drinks: 3
Aside from the usual well drinks and tavern-grade wines, the beer selection offers craft picks by Rogue, Stone, Lost Abbey and Alesmith.
Food: 3
We didn’t eat, but bargain nibbles include run-of-the-mill items such as nachos, mini salads, fried pickles and sandwiches.
Value: 4
You’ll save about $2 on most drinks except for specialty cocktails, which are not reduced in price.
Service: 4
Based on a fairly light customer load, the bartender and waitress were quick to take our drink orders.
Duration: 4
The weekday happy hour schedule is adequate but weekend revelers are out of luck.
