LET'S CELEBRATE THE HALFWAY MARK >>>

In our youth, the Weekly Volcano was under the false impression that "hump day" was the day that, you know, you humped. Having outgrown much of our catholic school misleadings, we now know that hump day is really the day you start to drink your way through the rest of the work week. Here are five Tacoma joints offering drink specials tonight:

El Gaucho

The new 18-item happy hour menu sports items in the $3-$14 range, including the El Gaucho burger, tomato-basil-mozzarella salad, seasonal chef's ceviche, baby back ribs and mac and cheese. Happy hour beers and wine range from $3 to $5 with an $8 bartender special. Happy hour 4-6 p.m., 9 p.m. to close Sunday-Friday; 10 p.m. to close Saturday; 2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1510

Indochine Asian Dining Lounge

Swanky bars and restaurants can be intimidating. You know, the hostess in a pantsuit, the expensive looking votives, the dim lighting. Oh God, the price tag. But sometimes you get all the swank without all the intimidation. Indochine in downtown Tacoma is certainly known for its swank. Luckily, they offer a happy hour Monday through Thursday that has "big beers" priced at $4.75. Big beers. Down a couple of those bad boys and the pyramid bar with the excruciatingly expensive top shelf loses some of its scare. Not all, but some. Happy hour 4-10 p.m., 1924 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8200

Asado

John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra and Paul Newman. Cool, cool cats. And these cool cats wouldn't suckle off the Wednesday night $1 PBR special. They went for top shelf. Single malt. They went classy. The best of the best. Fortunately for us cool cats in training, Asado of Tacoma has a weeknight happy hour that keeps the classy cocktails at a reasonable price. Every weeknight from 2:30-6 p.m. Asado offers $2 off any of the specialty cocktails. Not to mention $1.50 off draft beer. Because even the classiest of us crave some hops from time to time. 2810 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7770

Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe

For the last two years, Weekly Volcano readers voted the Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe the best bar in Tacoma. This was due in no small part to their well drink Wednesdays. $1.50 well drinks after 7 p.m. Are you kidding? That's, like, riding the train to funkytown for only eight bucks. Yes, please. Cheap well drinks starts after 7 p.m., no cover, 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1502

The Hub

Usually, the Weekly Volcano feels pretty cool when we order drinks. James Bond clicking opening his cigarette case as he orders his martini kind of cool. We imagine we just kicked ass in our tuxedo and call for our libations with pride. Unless, it's early Wednesday evening after we put the newspaper to bed. Then we dragged our tired asses to The Hub. The bicycle-themed neighborhood joint serves $3 Sex On The Beach, Sex On the Bar and wells every Wednesday. Yes, those naughtily named cocktails, so beloved by bachelorettes, frat boys and others who are but a few years beyond drinking age, are tasty cheap - and match our demeanors perfectly. $3 specials 6 p.m. to close, 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.683.4606

What are your favorite Wednesday night hangouts?

LINK: South Sound happy hours tonight