That shining hour
Dollar drinks and free pool – S.F.'s happiest happy hours.

By Mitchell Anderson and Daniel Rodriguez

MANY GRAVE AND seemingly insurmountable differences divide humans from one another, but most share one attribute – a yearning, if you will, that stems from the remotest regions of the animal spirits: the desire to drink cheaply while enjoying the pleasures of a free game of pool. Eager to do our part, we scoured San Francisco for bars whose happy hours live up to and hold sacred this innate desire. We set the standard high. Only establishments offering dollar(ish) drinks and free pool made the cut. The results – dauntingly few in number – are as follows:

A cool little bar in the Richmond District, the 540 Club always has a little something special going on, such as $1 well drinks on Monday nights and $2 cocktails on Tuesdays. Art by locals adorns the walls, there's a smoking patio, and pool is free from 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays. Tightwads take note: the 540 serves $2 draft pints of Pabst Blue Ribbon, a nice change of pace from the usual cans. Check the Web site for parties, trivia nights, and other events. 540 Clement, S.F. (415) 752-7276, www.540-club.com.

Over the past few years, the Hemlock Tavern has evolved from a neighborhood dive with the decor of a Midwestern hunting lodge to a happening scenester bar with live music and, surprise, the identical decor. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. daily, with drinks ranging from $1.50 to $3, and free pool for the hustlers is on offer Sundays. There's also a nice little smoking patio for all you addicts and delicious bags of hot peanuts for a buck. 1131 Polk, S.F. (415) 923-0923, www.hemlocktavern.com.

At the Lexington Club, a hole-in-the-wall dyke hangout in the heart of the Mission District, Dolly Parton-esque golden locks hang from an old chandelier above the bar, and the jukebox is loaded with punk rock. Happy hour is 3 to 7 p.m. daily, with specials varying from $1 PBR cans to $3 Jim Beam shots. Pool is free Mondays. 3464 19th St., S.F. (415) 863-2052, www.lexingtonclub.com.

A violet gas flame sheds light on the veined rubber penis hanging like the sword of Damocles over the heads of hardworking bartenders at the Powerhouse. On a recent Monday night, on TVs throughout the spacious leather bar, naked men performed to the sounds of Paul Simon and other talented musicians. If that doesn't sound like enough to light up your happy hour, $1 Miller drafts and free pool Mondays and Wednesdays should do the trick. 1347 Folsom, S.F. (415) 552-8689, www.powerhouse-sf.com.