Happy hour martinis: Shay's Grill Pub

Ah, scratch that. You wait on me for a change and I'll happily write about it.

Bartending and waiting tables has been my main profession for most of my life. When I couldn't bear working another night of karaoke and waiting on the lovely Logan, my good friend Amy (that's the last time I call her that- she's Punchy to me) offered to share the bar guide and I jumped at the chance.

For my first assignment, I thought I'd start small.

Shay's Grill Pub, located on Monument Square, is just that - a grill pub. Walking in, we were immediately greeted by a friendly, casually dressed waitress and told we were next in line for a table. Pretty lucky for a Friday night, especially considering the limited seating: eight tables and eight seats at the bar.

I saddled up to what my friend claimed was a bamboo bar and checked out the beers on tap. Draught beer choices included PBR, Geary's Seasonal, Longtrail Ale, Guinness, Allagash White, Stella Artois, Dogfish Head IPA (holy 9% alcohol volume- not a good way to start my night, unless I want it to end soon). I chose a Rogue Dead Guy Ale for $5 and settled in to get a feel for my surroundings (read: people watch).

With a single huge TV in the corner, Shay's is decorated with retro paraphernalia and local artwork. The clientele seemed fairly business/casual and most in attendance were in their late 30s. All to be expected for a prime spot for happy hour in a heavy business district of Portland.

Being a happy hour hot spot, Shays boasts $5 martinis everyday, all day. Choices include cosmos, Bourbon Lemonade Martini and a questionable choice- the Bleu Martini. That's right folks, it's a vodka martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives and the waitress told me people love it. (What is wrong with you people?)

The bottled beer selection is as vast as their drafts and includes Corona, Shipyard, Miller Lite, Heineken, Bud and Bud Light, Michelob Ultra and Red Hook Long Hammer IPA. Prices range from $3.25 to $15 for a bucket of five Long Hammers.

If martinis or beer are not your thing, Shay's has a wine list, a full bar and a drink menu with plenty of suggestions. Glasses of wine range from $4.25 to $8 per glass and they have many available by the bottle. Drinks also vary in price: $5 for a Mojito to $20 for a Fish Bowl (think Scorpion).

The food is unpretentious in price and variety. The buffalo chicken quesadilla ($7.99) or a mozzarella salad ($7.99) makes great starters. They have a huge selection of burgers, paninis and wraps for under $9 and "pub meals" like haddock picatta ($13.99), pan seared gnocchi ($12.99) and braised short ribs ($14.49). All are only $9 on Wednesday nights after 4 pm. Fresh food and a homemade touch make all of these choices good picks. While the menu is not current, you can check out their items here.

Reaching out to the night crowd, Shay's is now offering a late night menu available Thursday, Friday and Saturday after 9 pm. Well drinks ($3.75), PBR drafts ($1.50) and $3.00 house wines are offered, along with snacks to satiate your craving for munchies like wings and club wraps.

Thanks, Shay's, for the tasty, strong beer, dessert-worthy chocolate martini and that fantastic burger. Thank you for the friendly staff and for being quiet enough to chat with friends, yet comfortable enough for my big mouth to laugh so loudly. You are a happy, homey place… Too bad I had to leave.

See you on the other side of the bar.