BY VICTOR FIORILLO

Don’t forget to get yourself over to our first-ever Weekender Happy Hour tonight at the brand-new bar/restaurant/lounge Square 1682 inside the Hotel Palomar (at the corner of 17th and Sansom). We’re kicking things off at 5 p.m. with deeply discounted drinks (like the $3 whiskey punch), free snacks from the kitchen (I’m crossing my fingers for those roasted dates), and a complimentary glass of bubbly stuff for the first 25 guests who mention the Weekender. I’ll be there. Philly Mag food editor Ashley Primis will be there. Various other gadabouts will be there. And you should be, too.

BY VICTOR FIORILLO

When was the last time you had a Mai Tai? You know, the rum-drenched, umbrella-and-cherry-topped drink that you always see listed on the retro placemat-menus at your favorite Chinese restaurant, where you would never actually think to order a mixed drink. Well, after a very long sabbatical, I had one last week at Marty Grims’s new place, Chew Man Chu, and I’m hooked. I suggest you get yourself over there sooner than later, order some salt-and-pepper shrimp and a Mai Tai, and take a trip back to the 1970s, minus the polyester, coke and rampant promiscuity.

Chew Man Chu, Symphony House, 400 South Broad Street; 215-735-8107.

BY VICTOR FIORILLO

Recently, I sat down for a leisurely lunch at Supper, Mitch Prensky’s restaurant at the corner of 10th and South. I daydreamed as my waiter ran through the specials, but my ears quickly perked up when he said something about bringing me a Bloody Mary menu. Now, when it comes to wine, I tend to drink that green stuff from Portugal. And as for beer, while I’m a champion of all the great work the local crafties are doing, I’ve also been known to throw back a Banquet Beer. The point is, I’m not terribly picky. But make me a watery, bland Bloody Mary, and you’ve made an enemy for life.

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BY BRIDGET SALMONS

In this town, Happy Hour isn’t just about the drinks. We rounded up 13 restaurants that are serving some seriously good eats at some seriously discounted prices. Go on, get happy.

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Emeril Lagasse’s first-ever Burgers and More by Emeril spot is minutes away from opening at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, and they’re giving away a free dinner for two. Restaurant Club members should click here to e-mail by 5 p.m. on Thursday for a chance to win. (Winners will be selected at random.) A few details: The dinner will take place on Monday, November 30th, at 5 p.m. While that may seem early, it’ll be worth it, because you’ll get to meet Emeril himself (Bam!) and get a copy of his new book, Emeril 20-40-60: Fresh Food Fast. Transportation will not be provided, and both diners must be 21.

Bonus: Bethlehem is well known for its crazy Christmas events, and the Christmas City will be in full swing on the 30th. If you head up to the new spot, spend some time in town at these fun holiday events.

BY VICTOR FIORILLO

Whatever you’ve got scheduled for Wednesday, November 18th, from 5 to 7 p.m., cancel it, because you and your friends need to come get silly with me, our lovely food editrix Ashley Primis, and a host of other characters at the first-ever Weekender Happy Hour. Where, you ask? The brand-new Square 1682 at the Hotel Palomar. There will be the $7 Bell Pepper Smash (the bar’s signature cocktail), $5 wines by the glass, the $3 Tropical Whiskey Punch, and a selection of complimentary bites from the kitchen. Plus, the first 25 of you who mention The Weekender that night get a glass of bubbly on us. Put it on your calendar. Now.

Square 1682 at the Hotel Palomar, 17th and Sansom streets; 215-563-5008.

BY VICTOR FIORILLO

Like cask-conditioned ale? Then get thyself to Northeast Philly’s Grey Lodge Pub this Friday for their Friday the Firkinteenth celebration. Starting at noon and running all day and night (well, until they run out of beer), they’ll tap seven firkins at a time, with as many as 30 different beers representing, from Dock Street’s Rye IPA to Nodding Head’s Anomaly to Sly Fox’s Chester County Bitter. There’s no admission. You just pay for what you drink. I’ll see you there.

6235 Frankford Avenue; 215-825-5357; greylodge.com.

BY VICTOR FIORILLO

Last Saturday, I showed up at P.Y.T. at 11:59 a.m. (they open at noon) so I could be the first person to try their new breakfast sandwiches, announced the day before via e-mail, Facebook, text, and probably subliminal message by P.Y.T.’s viral-marketing-addicted owner, Tommy Up.

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BY CRISTINA PERACHIO

Looking for a Thanksgiving dinner that doesn’t involve stress or drama or dirty dishes? Then leave it to one of these area restaurants that offer special Turkey Day menus.

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BY VICTOR FIORILLO

Next Wednesday, South Philly’s Royal Tavern gets its weeklong seventh-anniversary party going with a night of vegan and vegetarian blackboard specials and something that their invitation describes as “cruelty free” cocktails, which got me wondering: Are liquor companies battering seals to make gin? Using koala bear paws in whiskey?

I called Royal’s event coordinator, who seemed foggy on the whole thing, saying that the cocktails would just be “themed as vegan.” But it turns out, at least according to my preliminary research, that fish bladders are sometimes used in the production of beer and wine, and that many vodkas are filtered through bone charcoal, making them off limits for those hemp-wearing herbivores. The good news is that Campari, which used to be a vegetarian no-no thanks to the bugs used in the coloring, is now artificially colored (wait, since when was that a good thing?), meaning you can go ahead and have a Negroni with your seitan burger.

Royal Tavern’s vegetarian and vegan night takes place starting at 5 p.m. on November 11th; 937 East Passyunk Avenue, 215-389-6694. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to PAWS.

P.S. If you really do want a Monkey Gland, here’s a recipe.