There’s a specific viral epidemic intertwining itself into the fabric of our nightlife that you should be aware of.



It’s also something that’s great news for people like you and me.



If you open your pretty little eyes wide enough, you’ll start to see a common dollar sign throughout our fine city.



$5, $5, $5, $5! Cha-ching!



It’s a $5 happy hour craze that’s spreading like the bubonic plague. They typically run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and they often kick back in from 9 p.m. to close. What an absolute steal!

But on a much larger scale, I’ve been taking note of an overall shift in the preferences that you hipsters are subtly dictating.



When you’re out with your friends, you’re usually less interested in traditional, sit-down, drawn out meals.



You want the swank without breaking the bank.



You’re adventurous, and you’d rather dibble and dabble in a little bit of this and a little bit of that as a part of your experience.



For this reason, a tapas (Spanish for appetizer, lame-o) mentality has become king, and the restaurants that can master this art of offering premium food at such reasonable prices are likely to be favored by the young and young-at-heart consumers.



Better still, it’s giving each of us an all-access pass to posh or party places regardless of the size of our paychecks.



Here are some establishments that are rocking affordable happy hour snacks and samplers exceptionally well.

The Pacific Grill

The happy hour here was one of the first to make me stand up and pay attention. It’s so cinch and such a delight to drop a measly $20 to share quad combinations of meat candy (one of the only things that really matters to me), cheeseburger sliders, olives and almonds, and chicken wings. Executive Chef Gordon Naccarato is the mastermind of creative cuisine. 1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.3535.

The Matador

Give me nachos even if it gives me death. Other full-serving $4 menu items include chicken or steak tacos, Tex-Mex spring rolls (perfect for nibbling), blackened fish tacos, and awesome chili. 721 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.7100.

Meconi’s Pub & Eatery

Spinach and artichoke dip are $5; calamari and fried zucchini are $4; and sweet potato fries and beer battered onion rings are $3. 709 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.3388.

Vin Grotto Cafe & Wine Bar

This café and wine bar boasts menu items including beef, keilbasa and blue cheese meatballs, a hummus with veggies and toasted naan plate, and the house salad and three mini turkey sandwiches with mango chutney that I love so very dearly. And all go for five bones each.  813 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.722.5079.

Doyle’s Public House

The affordable happy hour menu that Doyle’s recently started includes chicken quesadillas, potato wedges, bruschetta, a hummus plate, and jerk chicken wings — all less than five bucks. But it’s not like anybody needs another excuse to go to Doyle’s. 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468.

West End Pub & Grill

The eats here are always treats, and the buffalo wings, potato skins, mozzarella sticks, and bacon cheesy fries come in under $5 during happy hour, and the nachos with chicken or steak are only $5.95. 3840 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.2896.

Alfred’s Cafe & Bubble Room

A full, delicious pepperoni pizza for just five bones. 402 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.5491.



So grab a wad of Abe Lincolns and have a blast!