Photos by Sam Nslven

Anyone who hits the casinos knows not every bet can be a winner. Luckily, you won’t have to gamble on these gaming-centric happy hours.

Blue Coyote Café
at Talking Stick Resort
9800 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale
480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

Blue Coyote’s Southwestern moniker might evoke images of burritos or fry bread, but the happy hour draw of this casino eatery is half-price sushi rolls including tempura shrimp ($3.13), California ($2.88) and unagi-cucumber ($4.13). Wash your surprise down with $2 domestic drafts and $2.75 bottled brews or a glass of house wine ($5). If you’re worried about missing the Keno action upstairs while you’re busy imbibing $4 well drinks, tear yourself away from the attractive pool view and tune in to the flat-screen TVs for broadcasted gaming results. 4-7 p.m. M-F.



The Turf
705 N. First St., Phoenix
602-296-5043, theturfpub.com

Don’t let the trompe-l’œil cathedral mural outside The Turf fool you: The only praying here happens over a betting slip. The pub’s dark and stout interior matches the 20 oz. pints of Guinness and Harp you can score for four bucks each during happy hour. All the tasty appetizers are half-price, including mozzarella sticks ($3.25) and seared ahi ($3.38), but the reuben dip with crispy pita chips ($3.25) wins by a nose in our book. The Turf also offers off-track betting on-site for horse racing aficionados, along with $3.50 well drinks and $5 glasses of house wine so you can drown your sorrows quickly and cheaply if your prize-winning stallion behaves more like a circus pony. 4-7 p.m. M-F; reverse happy hour 9 p.m.-1 a.m. M-Th (drinks only).



Marc’s Sports Grill and Nightlife
4494 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale
623-842-1053, marcssportsgrillandnightlife.com

Marc’s is proof that some of the best gems in Phoenix are diamonds in the rough. Ignore the well-worn checkered linoleum at this homey watering hole and focus on the freebies offered by husband-and-wife owners Mark and Marcia, from billiards (2-4 p.m. daily) to Buzztime trivia. Happy hour deals include $1 off cocktails of call and such domestic brews as AmberBock and Fat Tire. The only discount grub available on weekdays is a rotating daily special, but hot wings cost just 50 cents during Saturday’s all-day happy hour. Another safe bet is Marc’s VIP happy hour – sign up and earn a $20 gift certificate for every $300 you drop. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. M-F.