McMenamins’ Cap Hill location offers cheap eats and frothy ale.

Do you ever have one of those, “I’ve always walked by that place and never gone in,” moments? I get it. It’s raining outside and you don’t want to travel far, so just go to the usual spot and be done with it. Well, for people who live on Capitol Hill, own a car or can afford cab fare, consider Happy Hour at Six Arms on Pike Street an open invitation to step inside and shake off that umbrella.

Must-Have Grub: I firmly believe that less is more. Too many options create confusion and waste time. This is why I love Six Arms’ simple HH food menu. The most expensive items are the quarter-pound cheeseburger and hammerhead garden burger at $5 apiece. To get the starch flowing, hummus with pita bread ($3.50), fresh-cut fries ($2) and Cajun tots ($2.50) are also available.

Must-Have Libations: Since Six Arms is a McMenamins operation, the drinks – specifically, the beer options — are extensive, yet still affordable. McMenamins’ seven house ales (IPA, Hammerhead, Ruby, Terminator Stout, Porter, Wheat and Gold) are priced at $3.25 per pint. I’m partial to the Terminator Stout – it’s creamy, coffee-flavored and smooth. The Ruby is no slouch, either; each batch incorporates 42 pounds of fresh raspberries. Other beverage options include house red and white wine ($5.50 per glass) and well drinks ($3.50 each).

Happy Times: The HH food menu is offered daily from 3 to 6 p.m., and again from 10 p.m. until closing time. Drink specials are available from 3 to 6 p.m., and then again from 10 p.m. to midnight. Please note there are no substitutions, additions or to-go orders.

Six Arms  |  300 E. Pike St., Capitol Hill  |  (206) 223-1698