Happy Hour

Harbor East's Lancaster Street has seen some welcome additions recently. Ouzo Bay's seafood program has impressed many Baltimore diners. Townhouse Kitchen and Bar has settled in as an upscale sports bar with a notable selection of beer. Both of these new restaurants have filled voids in the flashy neighborhood. So what does latest newcomer Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant add? It was a question I kept circling back to during a recent happy-hour trip, with no clear answer. The atmosphere was amiable, our servers were attentive and the beer selection was adequate.

In today's B, we itemize some of Baltimore's outdoor bars : Woody's Rum Bar and Island Grill, The Bay Cafe, Mt. Washington Tavern's Sky Bar, Bourbon Street's The Terrace, and, of course, the Tiki Barge, where no potted palms were humped when I stopped by July 4. I'm also fan of Kona Grill's urban outdoor bar, which faces Pratt Street. Kona Grill manager Michael Haas says the bar offers "a different view of the metropolitan scene than the Inner Harbor. " The bar is enclosed by glass doors that stay open most of the time unless it's raining.

Nothing says old fashioned and simple quite like the Hot Toddy. Whether you're using it to treat your flu or cold symptoms (not doctor recommended, but probably by your grandmother) or preparing to hit the hay, it's the perfect evening drink. Thames Street Oyster House makes theirs with a light flavor and a local twist. Manager Candace Beattie explains: "We try to keep all of our drinks light and locally sourced whenever possible, even our happy hour is local. " To wit, the Thames Street Toddy is composed of Maryland's crown jewel of rye whiskey Pikesville Rye, mint, lemon and sweet orange tea - and it's the pinnacle of relaxing.

After a long day basking in the sun, you might be thinking it's time to cruise to a happy hour to grab a little grub and a tasty beverage. If your newly bronzed skin and sandy hair have you feeling ready for a night out, we have the spot for you. Coconuts Beach Bar and Grill, located outside of the Castle in the Sand Hotel on 37th Street ocean-side, provides beachgoers with the perfect start to an evening's festivities. Coconuts is truly on point with its happy hour. It starts at 5 p.m. on-the-dot and ends at 6 p.m., and offers a two-for-one drink special.

If happy hour marks a release from the 9-to-5 office routine, what happens when seemingly the whole office shifts over to the same bar?You can get a pretty good idea over at Michael's Cafe in Timonium, which in recent months has attained CEO rank among happy-hour watering holes.This is very much a white-shirt-and-tie crowd at happy hour, with many of these prosperous people comfortably into their 40s and 50s. And the happy hour itself stretches out to accommodate their varied and busy schedules, running as it does weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.The layout -- a central bar island ringed by booths -- gives you plenty of meet, greet or just-glance options.

The Greene Turtle, Towson The classic Maryland sports bar staple with a little Towson twist: The food and furnishings remain the same, but the nightlife can be slightly younger than you'd find at the franchise's other area installments. Where -- 408 York Road, Towson Call -- 410-825-3980 Web site -- greeneturtle.com/towson Notable -- With $1.99 domestics and rail drinks and tasty half-price appetizers such as pub fries, crab dip and cheeseburger sliders, the Turtle is a great place to meet some friends for happy hour after a long day at work.

So many people in Baltimore know LaRian Finney that it's a wonder he doesn't seek public office. But the 37-year-old businessman - not to mention party-man - has other things on his mind right now. Namely, as president/founder of the Visionary Marketing Group, Finney is building a niche creating, holding and promoting events geared toward the city's young, successful and hip - particularly African-American professionals. "We like to expose our folks to different venues and establishments in Baltimore," says Finney, who has placed the VMG stamp on everything from Democrats for Ehrlich fund-raisers to coordinating top acts like Brian McKnight for the city's African American Heritage Festival (formerly AFRAM)

Are you a busy parent and "techie"? Do you change diapers and blog, build apps and warm bottles, take kids to soccer practice and run your own startup? You may want to join our group: Baltimore Tech Parents. We're on Facebook and Meetup.com . Last night, the Baltimore Tech Parents held its inaugural happy hour meetup, at Heavy Seas Alehouse in the city. It was a pretty good turnout for a first event -- 15 or so people showed up. The guest speakers were Jay Steinmetz, CEO and founder of Barcoding Inc., and Mia Redrick, a "mom strategist", author, blogger and vlogger.

It's only 2 years old, but Tatu just got its first face-lift. The pan-Asian restaurant in Power Plant Live, which opened in September 2010, reopened in October after a renovation and menu revamp. The new space is dimly lit, with a mix of high and low tables taking the place of traditional dining tables and chairs. Loud music and glamorous decor send the not-so-subtle message that Tatu aspires to be a nightclub - you won't see a giant sculpture of a topless mermaid or mirrored tables at your neighborhood sushi joint.