Tired of sticker shock when the check arrives? Then head north, to Longmont, where happy hour at the lovely Sugarbeet [2] is a steal.

Wednesday through Sunday, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Seth Witherspoon's cozy, farm-to-table restaurant offers generously proportioned small plates for only $5. Choose the braised pork belly, served with a slightly sweet apricot-and-tamarind glaze and piled high with sautéed onions and Hazel Dell [3] mushrooms. Or order the silky chicken-liver mousse, served with a stack of golden toast points, cornichons, enormous caper berries, and a drizzle of aged balsamic. My personal favorite is the whole, slightly smoky roasted poblano draped over quinoa and topped with beautifully textured walnut crema and pomegranate seeds.

Bonus: Pair your dishes with a generous pour of nicely matched red and white vintages for only $4 a glass, or add a draught beer (think Oskar Blues [4]' Mama’s Little Yella Pils) for just $3.

101 Pratt St., Longmont, 303-651-3330