Bar & restaurant deals: Savings by any name

MICHAEL RIETMULDER | Updated 8/17/2012

The bar scene is never static -- name, ownership or menu changes are commonplace. Here's an update on what a few recently remade establishments have to offer.

Social House

Keeping up with the name of the restaurant at the corner of Lagoon and Hennepin avenues can be challenging. But the deals at the Zeno-turned-Fusion-turned-Social House locale are steadier than its signage. Every day from 4 to 6 p.m. (and 9 p.m. to midnight Mon.-Wed.) the eatery serves half-priced drinks, starters and select maki rolls, along with $4 house sake and wine.

Uptown Tavern & Rooftop

Despite the rebranding of the former Drink, Uptown Tavern's myriad promotions and specials, including a Thursday beer pong party, indicate they'll continue catering to a frat-house clientele. But bargain drinkers of all stripes can appreciate $2 import and specialty taps from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, or a $3 weekend Bloody Mary bar (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Plus, if you can stomach the smell of Axe and Jäger-bombs, that rooftop big screen ain't bad on game day.

Bullwinkle Saloon

It was a sad day when the Seven Corners staple Bullwinkle's was shuttered last year. But new ownership has revived the working-class watering hole, now called Bullwinkle Saloon. While other specials are in the works, a 4-7 p.m. weekday happy hour featuring $1-off drinks and $2-off apps will do just fine. Late-night carousers can pop in for two-for-one domestics and rails from 9 p.m. to midnight Mon.-Thu.