Mountain View happy hour is looking less and less like a quiet glass of wine and more like a shot pounded on a Friday night in the Mission. Castro Street wants to be Silicon Valley’s buzziest downtown: a host of restaurants and bars have opened, apartments are going up and the city fathers are considering closing off the east end of downtown to limit traffic. Beat the Googlers to the bar and earn yourself a cheap (well, it’s relative) shot, oyster or burger. Here are our top picks for the best Mountain View happy hour deals on offer right now.

St. Stephen’s Green

Settle in at St. Stephen’s Green, an Irish sports bar and restaurant on Castro Street where you can watch any sports game to your heart’s content. Oh, and the $3–4 draft beers and $4–6 wines don’t hurt either. If you’re hungry, choose from a variety of $4–8 light bites including buffalo wings, fries, and chicken strips. Looking for an early dinner? The happy hour menu also provides larger dishes such as shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and the Stephen’s Burger. Even if you’re not into sports, St. Stephen’s Green offers evening entertainment with trivia night every Monday, DJ every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and Latin nights every fourth Saturday. // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 3–6:30 p.m., 223 Castro St. (Mtn. View), ststephensgreen.com

Cascal

Get your fill of classic Spanish and Latin American cuisine at Cascal’s daily Mojito Madness happy hour. Try out the speciality cocktails including $4 strawberry sangria, margaritas, red and white wines, and $3.75 draft pints. Food specials range from $4–6 with choices of seafood tacos, lamb, and calamari. // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri. 3:30–6:30 p.m., 400 Castro St. (Mtn. View), cascalrestaurant.com

Shell Shock

Fresh oysters in Mountain View? No, you’re not dreaming. They are the pride of Shell Shock and a must-eat if you’re in the area. To get the best deal ever (we’re serious), go to the first happy hour for $1 oysters, which are only available from 4:30–5:30 p.m. Complement them with your favorite $3 beers, $5 wines, $6 cocktails, and $4 spirits and if that isn’t enough, you can return for more at 9 p.m. Yes, that’s right. Shell Shock offers two happy hours Thursday through Saturday each week. If that’s not a good deal, then we don’t know what is. // Happy hour: Mon.-Thurs. 4:30–6:30 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 3:30–6:30 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. 9–11 p.m., 124 Castro St. (Mtn. View), shellshockrestaurant.com

Paul Martin’s American Grill

With a daily happy hour twice as long as others, Paul Martin’s is perfect if you’re craving the classic American grub: meat, potatoes, burger, and fries. There are no frills, no fuss, and no extravagant displays. Beers, cocktails, wines, and small platters range from $5-$9 and all wines are served at a generous 7 oz. pour. For a $14 entree, you can also have a draft beer or any $6 wine on the house. // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri. 3–7 p.m., 545 San Antonio Rd., (Mtn. View), paulmartinsamericangrill.com

Bushido

For a Japanese-themed happy hour, gather at Bushido Izakaya for $4 wines, beer, and sushi rolls, and $5 cocktails and sake. Add to that $3–8 small plates of habanero wings, fries, karaage buns, and edamame. The decor changes seasonally to reflect the beauty of the Japanese landscape and under the guidance of Executive Chef Isamu Kanai, the menus are always boasting inventive, seasonal dishes informed by respect for tradition. Kanai’s creations have been showcased at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the California Academy of Sciences. // Happy hour: Tues.-Fri. 5–6:30 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. 10 p.m.-12 a.m., 156 Castro St. (Mtn. View), bushidoizakaya.com

Scratch

If you’re grabbing drinks with coworkers or a group of friends, try out Scratch in downtown Mountain View. This traditional American restaurant is sleek, warmly lit, and offers a handful of light bites from the Taco of the Day ($5) to the SK Burger ($10). Draft beers are $4, wines are $5, and cocktails go from $5-$9, but with one of the most unique menus around, you may as well try the Squid Ink Michelada ($7). It includes Barrelhouse IPA, Michelada Ice, and Tajin Rim. Plus, it just looks cool. // Happy hour: Tues.-Sun. 3–5:30 p.m., 401 Castro St. (Mtn.View), scratchmtnview.com

Xanh

With one of the most stylish happy hours in town, this trendy Vietnamese restaurant is the place to go for a celebration of any kind. With the bar separated from the dining area, you won’t be disturbing other guests and the patio is always open. Beers are priced at $3–4, wines at $5–7, and signature cocktails from $5–6. Many of the appetizers are also half-priced ($5–7), which you can enjoy in the cool lounge ambience. Here, happy hour is not just for cheap drinks. It’s for birthdays, reunions, anniversaries, social gatherings, and any excuse you can come up with. // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri. 4:30–6:30 p.m., 110 Castro St. (Mtn. View), xanhrestaurant.com