InvadeNOLA

This entry is part of a 5-part series on the top 10 drink specials in the Big Easy. New Orleans offers such an extensive array of bars and clubs it can set your head spinning. Let this series guide you through the best of the best, the bars that keep tourists at an arm’s length and take pity on the recession-stricken drinker. There are specials for beers, wines and cocktails at places that offer great food, music and ambiance. Take a break from the neighborhood bar and try out one of the featured hangouts – your wallet will thank you!

Nacho Mama’s Mexican Grill

3240 Magazine Street

$3 House wines and two-for-one house Sauza Margaritas, 3-6 p.m.

It’s hard to find a good Mexican restaurant in the land of Cajun food, but Nacho Mama’s seems to have the Uptown stronghold a great fiesta. Drinkers can enjoy a nice day people watching on the Magazine Street porch or warm up to two margaritas inside for the price of one. Wine drinkers are also catered to, as long as they’re not too picky, with $3 glasses of house wines. Mix it up with some chips and salsa or guacamole, or take your drinking seriously and pound back the margaritas – two at a time, of course.

Bruno’s

7601 Maple Street

www.brunostavern.com

$2 night: $2 cocktails, bottles and draught beer on Tuesday 5 p.m. until 6 p.m.

There’s nothing like a $2 beer to break the monotony of any given Tuesday; except, of course, a $2 cocktail as well. Bruno’s Tavern on Maple Street is next door to three other bars with similar environments, but it stands a head above the rest by offering a Tuesday happy hour that even the most down-and-out drinker can afford. Don’t worry about digging out your Tuesday best, either; Bruno’s is a laid back atmosphere perfectly suited to the jeans-and-tee crowd, just as long as they can scrounge in all five pocket of their Levi’s for eight quarters.