THE PURSUIT OF HAPPY HOUR

NEIGHBORHOOD BARS: Downtown

Office Party

The downtown L.A. suits--bankers, lawyers, developers, apprentices--take their happy hours seriously. If you worked with other people’s money all day, wouldn’t you? You don’t have to put on a necktie or pantyhose to party with the “Ally McBeal”-meets-”The Apprentice” crowds. Just be warned that parking in the central business district can be as scarce as a $2,000 bill.

Weiland Brewery

Where young administrative assistants like to hang around the jukebox. For workers in need of serious attitude adjustment, there are two happy hours: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. House beers are $2.50 a pint, and garlic fries just $1.95. 400 E. 1st St., (213) 680-2881.

Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse

Venerated by would-be The Donalds and suitably located in the Wells Fargo building. Happy hour is from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, when mini-burgers are $2 and specialty margaritas and martinis are $1 off. 330 S. Hope St., (213) 680-0330.

Pete’s Cafe & Bar

Known for its 1906 mosaic tile floor and blue-cheese fries. Though frequented mostly by residents of nearby lofts, it is in the Old Bank District. Well drinks and beers are $1 off 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. 400 S. Main St., (213) 617-1000.

Ciudad

Latin flavors on the menu and yellow-green paint on the walls. Happy hour drinks, including the house mojito, are $4 from 3 p.m. (really, who gets off that early?) to 7 p.m. weekdays and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. 445 S. Figueroa St., (213) 486-5171.

Bordello

Serious neighborhood bar on the eastern end of the Civic Center. And yes, the building used to house a brothel. Men show up these days for $5 draft beers and well drinks. 901 E. 1st St., (213) 687-3766.

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NEIGHBORHOOD BARS: Newport Beach

Nipping & Tucking

You’ll notice that the women who dart from bar to bar in Newport Beach tend to attract men with Mediterranean tans. Don’t worry if yours comes from a bottle. Just remember that this school swims fastest midweek--and never, ever on Saturday, which is date night.

3-Thirty-3

Where patrons look as if they’ve just stepped out of a Banana Republic ad. The ever-evolving list of cocktails includes the 333 margarita (with Citron, orange, pineapple and pomegranate juices) for $13. On weekends, you can make your own Bloody Marys for $6.95. 333 Bayside Drive, (949) 673-8464.

Roy’s

For a taste of the islands. Bright red faux lipstick marks the frosty glass of the $10 Hawaiian martini (vanilla vodka and coconut rum) and free small-plate dishes from the kitchen of Roy Yamaguchi are served during “Shock and Awe,” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday. 453 Newport Center Drive, (949) 640-7697.

French 75

The glasses overflow during “Bubbly Hour” from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Champagne cocktails are 50% off and the hors d’oeuvres are free. 327 Newport Center Drive, (949) 640-2700.

Bayside Restaurant

Chic and hip. Little bites are $4.95 during “Tapas Happy Hour” daily from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. And on Thursday night from 5:30 to 7:30 there’s a wine tasting for $15. 900 Bayside Drive, (949) 721-1222.

Gulfstream

Favorite gathering place as the night winds down. There are Adirondack chairs and a fire pit on the patio. A dozen oysters on the half shell will set you back $25. 850 Avocado Ave., (949) 718-0187.

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NEIGHBORHOOD BARS: San Pedro

On the Waterfront

They all look as if they coulda been contenders, from the dockworkers either ending or starting their shifts (you never know) to the slightly disheveled bohemians who’ve turned the moribund commercial district around Angels Gate Cultural Center into a burgeoning art colony. This is where to hang if you’re feeling Tom Waits-ish, or just want to wear your peacoat.

The Whale & Ale

Faux-Victorian English pub where locals, cruise-ship workers and arty types choose from the beers on tap, including Newcastle and Smithwick’s. The food’s not half bad (if you like lamb kidneys), and draft beers are just $3 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 327 W. 7th St., (310) 832-0363.

San Pedro Brewing Company

Large bar with dark wood and red brick of, say, a Boston pub. Happy hour is from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Specialty martinis are $6 (and worth it) on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to closing. 331 W. 6th St., (310) 831-5663.

Godmothers Saloon

Where you’d find Charles Bukowski, if he were still among us, playing pool and sucking down $6.25 boilermakers (a shot of whiskey with a beer back). There is no designated happy hour because, as management says, every hour is happy. 302 W. 7th St., (310) 833-1589.

22nd St. Landing

Relatively upscale, with the main selling point a view of the Cabrillo Marina and its deep-sea-fishing charter boats. Appetizers, such as fried calamari, and draft beer are a buck cheaper than usual from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 141 W. 22nd St., (310) 548-4400.

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NEIGHBORHOOD BARS: Burbank

The Back Lot

Even grips and gaffers seem vaguely familiar at watering holes where the pickup line is likely to be, “Wait a minute, aren’t you somebody?” Well, yes . . . and no. You might overhear talk that tends toward lamentations similar to the lines delivered by Ricky Gervais in the HBO send-up “Extras.” A perk: Some of these joints have been stars on the big screen. The Blue Room, for instance, was in both “Memento” and “Heat.”

The Blue Room

A combination swank cocktail lounge and dive bar. Studio execs who enjoy good pours from gregarious bartenders sprawl across the turquoise vinyl booths. Put 50 cents in the jukebox and order a domestic beer for $2.75 or Key Lime Pie martini for $7.50. 916 S. San Fernando Blvd., (323) 849-2779.

Bar 21

Cozy (just a single room). Slip into one of the booths from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and relax with shot specials and $3 well drinks. There’s no kitchen, but local restaurants will deliver food right to your seat. 4108 W. Magnolia Blvd., (818) 972-3990.

Dimples

A karaoke bar and restaurant that, for better or worse, draws lots of “American Idol” hopefuls. Drinks aren’t cheap but you’ll probably need one (or three) before you get up there and belt out “Don’t Cha.” 3413 W. Olive Ave., (818) 842-2336.

Burbank Bar & Grille

With brick walls and open rafters and 21 television sets broadcasting every game imaginable. The clean-cut crowd (think ESPN sports analysts) enjoys $5 Stoli martinis, $4 imported draft beer and $5 hot wings from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. 112 N. San Fernando Blvd., (818) 848-9611.