If you can come to terms with visiting Tony Roma's and not actually ordering ribs, happy hour at the national restaurant chain's Aiea location is one of the best deals on the Leeward side of Oahu.

From 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays, some of the most popular appetizers on the menu here are discounted more than 50 percent off regular prices. The only catch? You have to sit at one of about 10 bar stools at the bar proper. Happy-hour drink specials, on the other hand, are available to all customers in the restaurant.

Even if you weren't planning on sitting at the bar, once you discover the perennial Tony Roma's favorite, the Onion Loaf ($4), is on special, you won't want to sit anywhere else. And when you realize the Kickin' Shrimp ($4) and Red Hot Buffalo Wings ($4) normally cost $8.99 and $9.99, respectively, you'll end up staying put at the bar.

Can't make it out that early in the day? Head to Tony Roma's between 9 and 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and all the same specials will be in effect—just keep an eye on the time, since most of the employees are focused on getting a jump on cleaning up the place at the end of the night. On Fridays you'll get an extra hour to cruise, thanks to an 11 p.m. closing time.

While there might be more true barlike environments in the surrounding neighborhood, the convenience of having a quiet place to sneak away for a drink and some pupus makes Tony Roma's a viable pau hana pick.

Happy hour:
» 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays; also 9 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 to 11 p.m. Fridays
» $3 domestic drafts
» $3 Skyy vodka
» $3.50 house wine
» $3.50 well cocktails
» $4 import drafts

Pupu picks:
» Onion Loaf ($4)
» Kickin' Shrimp ($4)
» Red Hot Buffalo Wings ($4)

”;Pau Hana Patrol”; is a weekly look at Honolulu bar and restaurant happy hours. E-mail happy-hour tips to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).