COCKTAILS AND DREAMS PART DEUX: HAPPY HOUR

In today’s world the term Happy Hour applies to the late afternoon hours after work when one heads to a local watering hole to kick back and relax with some friends or colleagues, have a few drinks, laughs, maybe some appetizers, and get "happy" before continuing on home to dinner. Who cares if it is basically a marketing strategy used by bar/restaurants to drum up business during the slow weekdays? You’re offering discount prices on booze and food? Count me in!

The history of the term Happy Hour however, has nothing to do with cosmos or potato skins. It actually comes from an American Navel term used during the First World War that described the allotted period of time that the sailors were given to take part in forms of entertainment and blow off some steam, thus breaking up the drudgery of life out at sea and boost morale. Alcohol wasn’t even part of the program- just some organized boxing, wrestling, or other athletics that could be done on a ship.

During the darkest period in American Drinking History known as Prohibition, from 1920-1933, the manufacturing, sale, and transport of any alcoholic beverage was illegal. This attempt to dry out our country of course completely backfired. Americans are a wily and crafty bunch who don’t like it when you mess with their hooch, so our country’s citizens found ways to consume more spirits than ever before. One way was to gather at secret speakeasies or to stay home and pre-drink and get “happy” on the sly before heading out to dinner.

Thankfully, the days of Prohibition are long gone and at Dug’s Dive you can order up an array of specialty cocktails to wet your whistle, and you don’t have to wait until the late afternoon to do so. We naturally offer an array of wines and bottled beers, but may we tempt you with one of our Signature Cocktails this summer? Consider sitting outside, watching the boats go by and sipping on a Margarita, Piña Colada, or a Strawberry Daiquiri…Or try one of our own original concoctions. Feeling fancy? There is the Tidal Wave: Laird’s Applejack Brandy, orange juice, and a splash of cranberry juice; or the Buffalo Boardwalk: Buffalo made Lockhouse Vodka, Peach schnapps, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, and a splash of pineapple juice. These two cocktails are served up-in martini glasses…Or maybe you are more of a Toasted Fisherman: Crown Royal, amaretto, sour mix, and a splash of 7-Up.  For those who crave show stopping colorful drinks, we have the Ocean Breeze: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, blue curacao, and pineapple juice; The Grand Island Iced Tea: Vodka, rum, tequila, gin, triple sec, sour, and a splash of curacao; and the Scorched Sunset: Bacardi Torched Cherry Rum, Fireball Whiskey, lemonade, 7-Up, and grenadine.

Come on down to The Dive and let us mix you up something refreshing and make any hour a happy one this summer!

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