Jeanne P.
Yelp
I have had a love-hate relationship with Happys for many years. As with most bars, they have excellent servers mixed with those who just won't cut it. The servers are all females whose uniforms are very skimpy usually with their rears hanging out, and the bar backs are males. Being mostly a beer bar, I am always surprised when asking about recommendations of their new beer rotations or about what type of beer something is, there are always several of the girls who say they don't drink beer so they can't answer -- probably need to learn to adapt to the taste to help your customers make selections. Most of the ladies are good at the bar, though, and that helps when it gets really backed up. They adjusted during the pandemic and did table service for a short while, but thankfully that was short lived because that did not work out. Additionally, we have had issues on nights with large expected crowds (Live After Five on Fridays, Happys Running Club on Tuesdays) where they did not schedule enough people to work. I get staff shortage, but this has always been the case, and the girls who do show up are sometimes very unhappy about it and complain a lot to customers.
i won't judge them for running out of beers (primarily Guinness all the time) as of late (pandemic time and on) because I am aware of the supply issues out there, but I find it annoying when they open the outdoor bar and don't test the taps. Several popular events happen throughout the week, and many times I have walked up as the bar just opened to request a beer and it sputters because the keg is tapped. Testing the taps would be helpful and lead to less frustration for the ladies as the line grows and they're flipping a keg out. Most of the time, a manager or bar back is nearby, but when it's multiple going out, the line can grow quickly.
They have a pretty steady menu of beers inside, but their outside bar has the rotating taps. They have some great selections most of the time. Go during the week, and it's 2 for 1 (read: big cups of beer), and that's what makes it worth it for me. If you need to really loosen up, get a Happy Hooligan, their signature blue drink - i don't ask what's in it, but it's good.
If you haven't been in a while, during the pandemic they updated the outside patio. A cover was added with a lot more (unbroken so far) picnic tables. Patio tables and chairs were added as well as some high tops. It looks a lot better and more welcoming, but it holds the sound in and the smoke from people's cigarettes and cigars. They added some TVs as well, and with the cover, they're out there even in cruddy weather. I didn't like it at first, but it's grown on me.
They have a side bar with a couple of pool tables and some seating if you want to get out the way. The bathrooms in this area are a lot nicer too than the main one. I think you can rent that area out as well.
They have live music most weekends with a cover to get in. I try to avoid the weekends there because it gets way too crowded and way too loud. I guess that's a sign I'm getting older, but I really never have liked a weekend there.
