HAPPY HOURS mean vastly different things to different people - and at different stages of our lives. But the concept of a happy hour is hard to argue with, whether you are looking for cheap drinks, spirited company, filling (even free) food and mondo screens showing multiple sporting events.

The key to a good happy hour is knowing what you are looking for and where to find it. That's where this week's installment of Covered by Steven Friedman comes in. He did the exhaustive research - hey, someone had to make the sacrifice - and came up with great local happy hours in six categories, including where to meet a group, best place to see and be seen and the best fancy grub, of course.

Speaking of bars, our resident bartender-philosopher explains why a diversion sometimes is the best thing he can serve to a couple who are not seeing eye to eye.

Let us know what you think of here. E-mail me at editor.here@gmail.com.

- Vicki Larson, here editor