Drinking on the cheap

It's almost the end of the week. Thank goodness.

After getting through a stressful pile of work, errands and hearing about your cube mate's failed love life, it's time to give yourself a little TLC.

And by TLC, we mean an ice cold adult beverage.

Sure,gas prices are a huge pain in the you-know-where,which means you need to be quite selective with your, er, disposable income (or drinking money).

Across the Upper Valley there are a few watering holes on our side. So after you've clocked out, loosen your tie or kick off your heels and head on over to the following:

1. Tico's Bar (Inside Tico's Mexican Café)
5000 N. 23rd St., McAllen
1424 E Ridge Rd, Pharr

This is a secret not worth keeping. Domestic drafts (12 oz) are $1 all night long and 24 ounce, $2. Both locations get pretty busy but well worth the company.

2. Agave Azul
2005 W. Nolana, McAllen

Happy hours are definitely happy here. Not only because they run Monday through Saturday but this bar comes equipped with a great atmosphere, plenty of flat screen televisions and oh yeah, $1 drafts ($2 imports) until 9 p.m. Beer not your cup of tea? Try a signature well for $3.

3. Monster Car Wash
2702 E. University Drive, Edinburg

The only place in the Valley serving 34 ounce "Monster" size beers (think Logans on Sixth Street in Austin big) for $5. A couple of these and you'll be begging for a hose down. Be sure to bring a Designated Driver.

4. Chili's Grill & Bar
All locations

Two words: Margarita Madness. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., margaritas are $3.25. Granted, they're not top shelf Ill Niño's (wow) but they'll quench the thirst just fine. Heck, maybe you can splurge and get one of those, what seem like, bottomless Niño's ($8).

5. Edinburg Stadium
920 N. Sugar Road

Take me out to the ball game ... take me out ... to where I can get an ice cold beer for $2. Thirsty Thursdays are back at Coyote Stadium. All 12 ounce bottled domestics are $2 all night long. Grab a group of friends and head on out ... but be careful these nights usually creep into Friday morning.

If you know of great drink specials, we'd like to hear from you. Drop me a line at mramirez@themonitor.com.

Editor's Note: The Monitor encourages readers to please drink responsibly. Have a designated driver.