Happy hour at T. Cook's Bar worth a visit

The courtyard at T. Cook's. (Credit: Suzanne Starr/azcentral.com)

Rarely does one who writes about nightlife wonder what George W. Bush eats if and when he finds himself in a bar.

But while checking out the new happy hour at T. Cook's Bar, I remembered that the former president stayed several times at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix while in office.

Naturally, the mind wanders.

For example, I can see him going for the rustically but enigmatically named Holes & Sticks, which, it turns out, is just a dish of asparagus fries and onion rings with lemon aioli.

Likewise, it's not hard to see him reaching for the braised beef and tepary bean chili, or the build-your-own Turkish short rib sandwiches.

Regardless, you, too, can dine and drink like the leader of the free world through the end of September, as the bar at the elegant T. Cook's offers half-priced appetizers and specialty cocktails from 5 to 7 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays.

Appetizers including mussels and French fries, lobster bisque with lobster and fennel foam and a chef's selection antipasto palate, range from $5 to $8 each.

Drinks included in the offer, which teetoatler Bush would have avoided, include several that you can only get at this super-luxurious resort.

Some should be considered just on their names alone: Cosmo de Mexicano, Green Gargoyle, Sudden Death and the Grape Lemon Drop.

Drinks range from $5 to $7, unless you order the Margarita Presidenciale Noche, made with Partida Elegante Tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime and Grand Marnier, $49.50. And while the drink does have the word Presidenciale in the name, it was not named to honor a particularly special night spent by the former president, rather the word refers to the fanciness of the tequila.

Details: 5200 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602-808-0766, royalpalmsresortandspa.com.