50 S. 6th St., Mpls. • 612-333-2277 • www.theoceanaire.com
If you don't feel like dropping $35 on a fish, then post up in the bar at this swank seafood joint during its weekday happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Part with just $4 and $5, respectively, for select taps and wines or sip $6 and $7 specialty cocktails and martinis while noshing $5-$8 bar bites. You might feel like you're sticking it to the man, paying so little, but in reality he's probably sitting next to you.
410 Saint Peter St., St. Paul • 651-222-5670 • www.meritage-stpaul.com
We understand if your wallet starts trembling anytime you walk into a fine-dining French restaurant. But at Meritage that doesn't have to be the case. Enjoy a weekly rotating $30 prix fixe menu on "Recession Sundays" from 5-9 p.m. With the discount, you should have no trouble tipping triple the unemployment rate.
26 S. 6th St., Mpls. • 612-339-0909 • www.murraysrestaurant.com
After closing for its first major renovations in nearly 30 years, the home of the Silver Butter Knife reopened this month with a bit of a facelift. Most notably, your grandpa's favorite steakhouse now boasts a sleek new horseshoe bar fit for Manhattan-sipping. Its weekday happy hour doesn't offer any deals on food, but half-priced rails, $3-$4 taps and $5 wines make for an affordable first look.
