Hula’s Island Grill
622 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey
(831) 655-4852, www.hulastiki.com
Most happy hours around town follow a similar template: fried food and beer for about a dollar off the usual menu price. Hula’s does something different, and it’s great. They offer truly tasty stuff (Hawaiian ceviche, crispy coconut shrimp rolls, their always terrific basket of sweet potato fries) and some potent, well-made cocktails (Mai Tais, Dark and Stormys) for just $5 a pop. Add in that Hula’s happy hour (2-6pm Wed-Sat and 4-6pm Sun-Mon) are more like happy afternoons (on Tuesdays they last all day) and it’s no surprise at all the fun, island-style restaurant was singled out by readers as Best Happy Hour in the county.