By Cindy Anderson

We are truly blessed in Portland. Yes, there is the beautiful scenery and all that, but I'm talking about happy hours. From $1 beers to gourmet nibbles for just a few bucks, from after work to late night, you could probably live on these drink and food specials every day of the year.

I'm often asked about my very favorite happy hours in all of Portland, and it is nearly an impossible question to answer; there are so many exceptional ones around that I can't choose. And why should I? It's the variety that keeps things interesting. But if I was stranded in bizarre-o world and could only go to ten, I'd need good drink specials as well as good food, so would pick these extra-happy happy hours:

Aura
Happy Hour: Wed - Sat 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Food specials: $2 - $5.50
Drinks: $3-$4 select wine, beer & mixed drinks
Atmosphere: Retro-sleek nightclub
Enjoy Aura's glowing bar with abstract light screens and the mellow afternoon vibe well before the dancefloor gets fired up for late-night fun. Try their pizza or salads, hummus plate, fondue, quesadilla or mini burgers with fries. It may sound silly, but don't miss the see-thru bathrooms!

Bartini
Happy Hour: Mon 4:00pm - 12:00am, Tues - Sat 4:00pm - 6:30pm/9:30pm - Close & Sun 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Food specials: $2 - $6
Drinks: Half-price martinis (choose from a select 20 concoctions)
Atmosphere: Dim, sultry lounge
Small and very dark with its black walls and soaring ceilings, Bartini's clandestine lounge is perfect for enjoying a wide range of colorful cocktails. Their food menu changes seasonally, but includes fancier and healthier choices like salads, mussels, salmon mousse, soup and fondues from next door sister spot Urban Fondue.

La Calaca Comelona
Happy Hour: Mon - Sat 8:00pm - Close
Food specials: $2 - $6.50
Drinks: Rotating bartender's choice discounts
Atmosphere: Festive, fun, unique
Finalmente! This is true, delicious Mexican food in Portland: pork & pineapple tacos (plus other varieties); grilled cactus, spicy potatoes, quesadillas, taquitos and grilled grasshoppers! Take a Mexican vacation to this Day-of-the Dead-inspired taverna whose name translates to "The Hungry Skeleton." The bright colorful walls, Mexican-style folk art at every turn, and the delightful beer garden will make you feel like celebrating.

Dragonfish
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00pm - 6:00pm & 9:00pm - Close
Food specials: $2 - $4
Drinks: Drafts, hot sakes and creative cocktails around the $3 mark
Atmosphere: Casual, Eastern décor and downtown energy
A wall of Pachinko game machines starts off the fun while looming metal art sculptures of sea creatures deck the ceilings and shoji screens set the mood. Head for the corner couch area to enjoy sushi and nigiri or small plates like potstickers, lettuce cups, ginger chicken or BBQ ribs.

Oba!
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Food specials: $4.50 - $7
Drinks: $3.50 wine & $3.75 drafts, fresh fruit margaritas, cosmos & lemon drops
Atmosphere: Swanky, yet welcoming and colorful Latin American style
A perennial favorite happy hour in Portland thanks to a fun and trendy bar scene and delicious deals — like the generous fresh fruit margaritas. Enjoy south-of-the-border specialties like grilled salmon tostada, jerked fries with spicy aioli, coconut prawns, tacos, salad, or spiced pita chips.

Salty's
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 4:00pm - 6:00pm, Sun 4:30pm - Close
Food specials: $2.00 - $5
Drinks: $3.25 micros, $4 well, $4.25 margaritas and Bloody Marys & $5 wine
Atmosphere: Upscale Nautical right on the river
With its deck and floor-to-ceiling windows, Salty's is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Columbia and Mt. Hood. Order the blackened salmon Caesar salad, prawns, fish & chips or their seafood chowder.

Siam Society
Happy Hour: Update - Happy Hour everyday, all day!
Food specials: $ 1.75 - $7.50
Drinks: $2.50 draft beers, $3.50 wells, $4 house wine
Atmosphere: Industrial & trendy
Thai food abounds in Portland, but this is some of the best — and at such great prices! Cabbage wraps, grilled prawns, satay, spring rolls, ginger & tom yum soups, pad thai, on and on. And the setting is one of the coolest in Portland: big city award-winning design in a lofty old power station. Plus a back patio when the weather turns nice (though Happy Hour is only served there during the late-night hours).

Silk
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00pm - 9:30pm
Food specials: $5 - $7
Drinks: $6 specialty cocktails & $22 bottles of wine to share
Atmosphere: Spacious, contemporary Asian in the heart of the Pearl
Gorgeous white and natural decor blending contemporary hard lines with silky flow form the backdrop of a great happy hour date spot. Gourmet artistry is on display in their wide variety of Vietnamese mini-dinners including salad rolls, ahi tuna, noodle dishes, soups and lemongrass chicken.

Three Degrees
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Food specials: $3
Drinks: $3 draft beers, well & specialty cocktails
Atmosphere: Upscale, riverside, Northwest-style interior
Three is the magic number here: 3 o'clock start time, $3 food specials, and $3 drink deals, too. And choose from over 20 gourmet-style selections like crab cakes, pumpkin ravioli, fondue, grilled prawn skewers, fresh salads, clams, sandwiches and burgers. This spot is romantic, upscale perfection, complete with river views and a fireplace.

The Uptown Billiards Club
Happy Hour: Tues - Sun 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Food specials: $10 prix fixe rotating menus or half off A-la-Carte menu
Drinks: $10 wine pairings
Atmosphere: Rich, old-world poolhall
Wow! This place is in a class all its own with five impressive and delicious courses. Each menu is designed around a certain country and paired with select wines to match both the theme and each course. Past presentations have included "Spring in Chile" and "The Rain in Spain." Uptown also stands out as a high-class pool hall, with luxurious appointments while the billiards room is tucked away and non-smoking.

*Prices and times are subject to change