Step one to a good night in Athens, GA: Sample the seasonal craft brews at Creature Comforts. Step two: Take a one-minute walk over to Seabear Oyster Bar, which features not one but two happy hours specials per day—from 3 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. until midnight. Freshly shucked bivalves are $1.50 a piece and creative cocktails—like the dangerously smooth Negroni slushie or the Santa Fe Shakedown (chile vodka, Aperol, Amaro di Angostura, roasted corn simple syrup, lime, cilantro)—top out at $9.

Since man cannot live on oysters and booze alone (at least not for very long), Chef Patrick Stubbers has drawn up a tempting menu. Parker House rolls slathered in brown butter, salt, and raw sugar are a revelation. Follow these with a basket of crispy fried clam strips, seared okra, and maybe a scallion pancake topped with sweet rock crab, spicy mayo, radish, and micro greens. And FYI, if you’re as serious about absinthe as green fairy monster Marilyn Manson, know that Seabear is the only spot in town with a genuine drip setup and bottles from Switzerland, France, and Austria.

297 Prince Ave., Ste. 10, Athens, GA; 706-850-4367.