The Capital Grille Happy Hour. The Strip

The bar at The Capital Grille pours the same quality wines and spirits as the dining room, just at happy hour prices, which is the angle worth knowing at this Fashion Show Mall steakhouse. You get the polished steakhouse feel without committing to a $300 dinner.

The deal runs Monday through Friday, 3 to 6pm, in the lounge. Select cocktails are $10 and wines by the glass are $8, with shareable plates that run roughly $8 to $16. Two or three of those plates alongside a couple of glasses of wine turns into a legitimate early dinner for a fraction of the full menu.

The room is dark wood and white tablecloths, the chain steakhouse look that reads the same in any city. The lounge carries a looser energy than the dining room, and jeans are fine there. Happy hour pulls in a mix of conference attendees killing time, locals who know the value, and couples doing the nice-but-reasonable date. Service stays professional and does not make you feel like a bargain hunter.

Tuesday through Thursday are the calmest days. Get there near 3pm for a lounge seat, or closer to 5pm if you want more buzz. It is on the third floor of the Fashion Show Mall, so mall parking is straightforward and free, a rare thing this far up the Strip.