Las Vegas Lounge Icon Cook E. Jarr Has Died

If you lived in Las Vegas in the 80's, 90's, 2000's - you knew Cook E. Jarr.

When I first moved to Las Vegas, and started working as a young comedian, Cook E. Jarr and the Krums were the show to see. At that time, Las Vegas lounge shows went from 8pm till the sun came up.

After our shows at Catch A Rising Star (originally at Bally's, which is now the Horseshoe), or The Comedy Stop at The Tropicana, or the Riviera Comedy Club, we'd all head over to The Continental (now the Silver Sevens), because Cook E. Jarr was playing. It was one of the first real residencies.

A local comic friend of mine took me to see Cook E. Jarr the first time I saw him. We walked in, and I thought, "no way. You can't be serious." Some extremely tan guy with longer jet black hair, big Elvis style sunglasses, and a half unbuttoned shirt showing off his chest, and a Mr. T batch of gold chains. My friend said "wait till you hear him do Toni Braxton's 'Unbreak My Heart." Ok. Sure.

Well, sure enough, I hear the intro to 'Unbreak My Heart,' and then I hear Cook E. Jarr. He could sing! But he also did some of the most fun shows you'd ever see. Taking the 'Love Train' through the casino with dozens of audience members in tow. From 'My Girl' To 'Hot In Here' - he had it down! Tip Jarr, and all.

I probably saw him a dozen times after that, and he went on to represent nothing but good times and fun in my life, and so many others who saw him. And if you met him, you saw that he was the real deal, and as authentic as they come.

Sadly, Antonio Giuseppe Pettine passed away at the age of 83, after a lengthy hospitalization. You knew him as Cook E. Jarr.

Originally from Philadelphia, he made a huge name for himself in Las Vegas. And we will never forget him!

Where are the best happy hours in Las Vegas?

It's always five o'clock somewhere, right? Especially in Las Vegas. But when it comes to happy hour, let's face - you want a bargain. You want to save a little money on that drink, and those nachos.

The Las Vegas Strip isn’t exactly known for its bargains these days. Gone are the days of cheap drinks, and 99 cent shrimp cocktails. So let's leave the Las Vegas Strip, and be a true local.

There are some great happy hours in Las Vegas, and you don't have to go anywhere near the strip. Some of your favorite restaurants offer a great happy hour, that you may not have even known about.

In Las Vegas, restaurants with some of the best happy hour menus are no where near the Las Vegas Strip. They are in neighborhoods, strip malls, or your favorite brewery. Yes, of course, many resort restaurants have happy hours. But as a local, we're not going to the strip, or even necessarily a casino -unless we have to. Or, those cousins are visiting from Milwaukee, and they have to get a yard of margarita, and see the KISS street performers, in ass-less chaps.

You can thank the US Navy for Happy Hour. In the 1920s, after World War I, happy hours were periods of time on naval ships where sailors could participate in relaxing activities, so they could remove themselves from the toll of life at sea. Those activities were supposed to be morale boosting - mostly boxing, and other athletics.

Of course the US was in the midst of prohibition. But Americans got around that (shhhhh) by going to speakeasies to get a drink before dinner. Happy hour as we know it today!

These are just 5 of the better happy hours in Las Vegas - at least some of my favorites. Remember though, happy hour deals change often, so be sure to check the restaurant’s website or social media for updates before popping in for a drink.

Great 'hoppy' hour specials include $5 LVBC drafts, $13 LVBC flights, $5 house wine, $6 well drinks. Sloppy Joe Sliders, fried pickles - that are AWESOME - and a really great "pubcuterie." I'm not the biggest beer drinker, but this place has some of the best beers in Las Vegas. Do a flight, and try a few!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/D3fbda77Y85kPssBA

The Spot has some GREAT food! And one of their favorites, and mine, is offered on their happy hour menu - their pork belly burnt ends. YUM!!!! Six chicken wings for $8. Happy hour is in the bar only, of course, and they do it from 3pm-6pm, AND again at 9pm-close.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/g4wUdypZ61HvMh9aA

Yes, the Cheesecake Factory. They have always had a great happy hour menu! Sliders, pot stickers, hot pretzel bites, spinach and cheese dip, fried zucchini, a happy hour burger, and tons more. Several delightful cocktails for $8.50, draft beers $4.95, bottled beer $3.95. Seriously - you can't go wrong! Try the fried zucchini - just like my grandma's!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zZCVFTo4LpRVKoGr7

Lazy Dog is just a fun place overall - and you can bring your dog! Happy hour lettuce wraps, crispy brussels sprouts, buffalo cauliflower. $4 wine, $1 off their draft beers. Woof!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2dYo9a83JBBtmvaF6

Echo & Rig is one of the best off strip steakhouses in Las Vegas, and in my opinion - still fairly reasonable. Their happy hour food menu is small, but mighty! A $3 Hotdog - the best hot dog ever! $4 Steak and egg, and Butcher fries with prime steak, homemade teriyaki, and scallions. Half off all draft & bottled beers, half off premium well liquor, $5 house wine, and always a $3 cocktail! It's great, but get there early, it gets busy!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/sjAGMT4w7XbXqzfm9