Jeff, Lindsay and I carpooled down Clinton Street to Mandy’s Cafe at 6 p. m. on a brisk Thursday. Since we were operating on a tight budget, we headed out earlier than usual to take advantage of the Happy Hour specials. A kind, older bartender approached us right away and poured a pitcher of Budweiser for $7. The pitcher arrived with two frosted pint glasses, which was a nice touch. I ordered an Absolut vodka and tea for Lindsay and a double of Jamison whiskey for $9.

The perimeter of the wood-paneled bar was at full occupancy with couples in their late 40s and mid-50s hoisting a few after work or complaining about their spouses. The three of us opted for a raised table away from the hustle and bustle at the bar. Jeff dove on a basket of free popcorn as soon as he spotted the machine in a far corner.

We all grabbed a smoke on the enclosed patio to the side of the building along with another group of friends relaxing at one of the picnic tables outdoors. The patio had a small television bolted into an upper corner broadcasting the nightly news.

AC/DC played over the jukebox upon our return, followed by Billy Joel. A trio of ceramic parrots presided over the hard liquor. Five televisions lined the bar perimeter broadcasting baseball, college football and ultimate fighting. As the Buffalo Sabres’ game time approached, the bar started to fill up considerably. A rowdy group in front of us traded a series of spirited hunting anecdotes and Hockey Hall of Fame stories. An intimate couple with two glasses of boxed red wine stared meaningfully into each others’ eyes. A man with inordinately long muttonchops flirted with a woman in a paisley denim jacket.

A hand-written neon-lit menu board advertised a host of unusual specials such as Beef On Weck Soup and Hot Pepper Cakes. The smell from the kitchen was tantalizing, but we had eaten before we came. Based on the amount of take-home Styrofoam containers going out the door, the food must be good.

Jeff and I embarked on our second cigarette break while he complained about the current state of the Bills and Sabres season. We ordered a second round (pitcher of Budweiser, double of Jamison and a plain iced tea for $12) and the bartender called me “honey” when she took my order and “doll” when I laid down a $5 tip. Jeff and I noticed a bartender from a neighboring establishment sitting with his girlfriend and said a quick hello.

Throughout my travels in West Seneca, Depew and Cheektowaga, bartenders have recommended Mandy’s for its food, atmosphere and prices, and bartenders (in my experience) sample the night life more often than most. With an all-ages crowd, everyone seemed to blend effortlessly. As a locals hangout, it made a nice alternative to party bars, club scenes or expensive downtown restaurants.

Mandy’s Cafe

3796 Clinton St., West Seneca

771-1553

Scene: Locals’ hangout with a full-service menu catering to sports fans and industry insiders.

Drinks: Five 8-ounce beer-can bucket specials for $6 during football and hockey games. Four beers are on tap, including Budweiser and Samuel Adams. Generous-sized mixed drinks.

DressCode: Casual— Hawaiian shirts, denim jackets and muscle shirts.

Music: Classic rock on an Internet jukebox.