9 happenin' happy hours

Bosses say they care. They say their office door is always open. They say they understand that you're being asked to do considerably more for way less.

So why haven't they made a weekly happy hour a mandatory part of the work week?

Every over-worked, under-paid employee needs a chance to get their drink on for cheap - unless, of course, they've already had one too many even though it's not quite quittin' time. And around these parts it's not a real happy hour unless the food's cheap (or free!), too.

With the mental health and happiness of all 9-to-5ers in mind, here are nine great places to do happy hour:

DiMillo's on the Water
Where: 25 Long Wharf, Portland
How: 772-2216; www.dimillos.com
Hours of happiness: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday in Portside Lounge
Why go: When it comes to happy hour food, DiMillo's has no competition. There's always a free buffet featuring crudites, munchies and apps, plus 50 cents off all drinks. On Wednesdays it becomes a Super Terrific happy hour with the buffet open until 8 p.m. and discounted drinks until closing time.
What to know: Get there early to snag one of the leather chairs or couches near the fireplace. There's a $5 bar minimum for those wanting to dig into the buffet.

Snow Squall
Where: 18 Ocean St., South Portland
How: 799-0811; snowsquallrestaurant.com
Hours of happiness: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday
Why go: Half-priced apps, $4 house wine, $5 mixed well drinks and several draft beers for $2.50 in the lounge.
What to know: Opt for a seat at the bar, one of the pub tables or the leather couch near the fireplace. Some evenings feature bonus entertainment from local musicians.

Kon Asian Bistro
Where: 1140 Brighton Ave., Portland
How: 874-0000; www.konasianbistrome.com
Hours of happiness: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Why go: $4 well drinks and house wine, $2 drafts, $5 martini of the day and select $3 apps and sushi rolls at the bar.
What to know: It's off the peninsula but there's plenty of parking, a huge bar, a couple TVs and a decorative fountain to stare at.

Ri Ra
Where: 72 Commercial St., Portland
How: 761-4446; www.rira.com
Hours of happiness: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
Why go: All apps are half off during happy hour. Drink specials change each day and may include $3 16-ounce Bud Light bottles (Friday), $3.50 Sam Adams pints and $5 John Powers whiskey (Thursday) and $3.50 Newcastles (Wednesday).
What to know: There's ample space and cozy seating upstairs, plus an additional bar that usually isn't too busy during happy hour. Ri Ra often also has specials running from 5 to 10 p.m. Take advantage of half-priced burgers and chips all day on Wednesday.

Samuel's Bar and Grill
Where: 1160 Forest Ave., Portland
How: 797-6924; http://samuelsbarandgrill.com/
Hours of happiness: 2 to 6 p.m. daily, plus specials from 4 p.m. to closing Monday through Thursday
Why go: Because they make good pizza and it's 2-for-1 from 4 p.m. to close on Monday and Tuesday. Official happy hours also include half price on all draft beer and 50 cents off all other drinks. Get 50 cent wings from 4 to close on Wednesday and Thursday.
What to know: This place is small and always busy so don't be surprised to find yourself waiting for a table.

The Grill Room
Where: 84 Exchange St., Portland
How: 774-2333; www.thefrontroomrestaurant.com
Hours of happiness: 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Why go: It's a three-for-all with selected drafts, wines and appetizers all priced at $3.
What to know: Sit at the inner end of the hand-crafted bar and you'll have a great view of the open, wood-fired grill.

Portland Pie
Where: 51 York St., Portland; 869 Main St., Westbrook; 400 Expedition Drive, Scarborough
How: 772-1231 (Portland), 591-6248 (Westbrook), 510-6999 (Scarborough); www.portlandpie.com/
Hours of happiness: 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Why go: 10-inch specialty pizzas for $5.99 and a different drink special each day, like $3 Gritty's on Mondays, $3 Sebago drafts and $5 wine flights on Wednesdays and $3 beer flights on Thursdays.
What to know: The Scarborough location may be the coziest with a bar that stretches from the dining room into the lounge area, where there are TVs and a fireplace.

Rivalries
Where: 10 Cotton St., Portland
How: 774-6044; www.rivalriesportland.com/
Hours of happiness: 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday for food specials; open to close daily for drink specials
Why go: Because half-priced buffalo fingers, 2-for-1 wings and $1 off Long Trail, Shipyard and Sam Adams drafts are all good deals.
What to know: There's a different deal every day so check the website if you're dying for pizza or ribs. And if you need your sports fix any time of the day or night this place has too many TVs to count.

Margaritas
Where: 11 Brown St., Portland; 242 St. John St., Portland
How: 774-9398 (Brown Street); www.margs.com/locations/portland_brown_street 874-6444 (St. John Street); www.margs.com/locations/portland_st_john_street
Hours of happiness: 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday on Brown Street; 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday on St. John Street
Why go: Brown Street offers $2 20-ounce Coors and Bud drafts and $12 margarita pitchers; St. John Street has $5 house margaritas, $4 20-ounce Dos Equis and $3 20-ounce Bud Light drafts; both locations offer free complimentary appetizers during all happy hours.
What to know: Special deals for college students on Wednesday, and Thursday is Ladies Night with 40 percent off meals. The bar area in the St. John Street location is a little tight so grab the first table you see. At Brown Street, the larger bar area is fun, funky and colorful.