Happy Hour: Good deals on tapas, $1 drinks at Tidbit Bistro

HAPPY HOUR |

Tidbit Bistro is a taste of Spain and Italy on small plates, located on the edge of Capitol Hill. But the main reason folks want to know about this place now is its $1 happy-hour drink menu with wine, gin-and-tonic and other well drinks.

But it's not a lets-get-smashed kinda place.

It's a casual tapas joint, menu safe and familiar. A tortilla española or a plate of chorizo and manchego cheese on the happy-hour docket one night. Maybe some crunchy morsels the next. Usually about seven happy-hour items are offered each day.

Tidbit does better with the simple, crunchy bar bites: some buttery ham-and-cheese sandwich wedges. Some sauteed mushrooms, parmesan and mozzarella on top of toast. If you're lucky, you'll pop in when arancini gets served during happy hour — deep-fried saffron risotto balls with gooey mozzarella in the middle.

That $1 drink menu: The table wines featured were surpringly better than many of those wine-by-the-glass happy hour deals at other bars. That $1 well-drink special also means you'll see a share of rum-and-coke and vodka tonic go down when happy hour rolls around.

Tidbit is comfort food, as simple as you can get. It's a good deal for bar bites on a budget, with enough $2-$4 crunchy or deep-fried bites to fortify you for several rounds of $1 drinks.

Tidbit Bistro, 1401 Broadway, offers happy hour Tuesdays-Fridays and on Sundays from 4-6 p.m., and again from 9 p.m. to closing on Tuesdays-Fridays. Specials include $1 glasses of wine and $1 well drinks, (gin, vodka and rum) and a rotating tapas menu and finger food (206-323-0840 or www.tidbitbistro.com). Free validated parking at underground garage off Broadway, shared with QFC.

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