Happy Hour: The time has come, at The Walrus and the Carpenter, for an oyster-rich bar menu

HAPPY HOUR |

It used to be that when you spotted bar-hoppers around the south end of Ballard Avenue Northwest, it's likely they had just parked their cars or were heading back to get them.

There's ample parking, because not a lot goes on down here. You park on the south end, but you dine or imbibe on the north end of this street.

But this summer, the south end landed some impressive tenants in the Kolstrand Building: an oyster bar, The Walrus and the Carpenter, from Renee Erickson of Boat Street Café; and Staple & Fancy Mercantile restaurant, from Ethan Stowell — both established chefs.

Both brought buzz to the south end of the street. Happy hour is available now, too, at The Walrus and the Carpenter. Craft cocktails cost less than $10. Oysters are half off from 4-5 p.m. and 25 percent off from 5-6 p.m.

There are sweet and slightly fruity Kumamoto and some meaty Kusshi oysters, both popular with and agreeable to the mainstream palate, a good deal at $1.50 before 5 p.m. They come with some sinus-clearing grated horseradish, lemon wedges and Champagne mignonette.

The oysters aren't as cheap after 5 p.m. (50 to 75 cents off), but some good deals are available if you steer away from the mainstream favorites. Effingham Inlet oysters from British Columbia, plump and briny, are the best deal. Also good: sweet and musky Barron Point and some creamy Eagle Rock oysters.

The Walrus and the Carpenter, 4743 Ballard Ave. N.W., offers happy hour 4-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays with half-price oysters from 4-5 p.m., and 25 percent off oysters from 5-6 p.m. Also, $2 off on cocktails, $1 off on draft beer and on Muscadet (206-395-9227 or www.thewalrusbar.com).

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or tvinh@seattletimes.com