By AnneMarie Ashburn

What's better than watching the Olympics? Getting cheap drinks while you're at it. Happy hour is now happy hours, as we cheer on our local Olympians + Baltimore's Michael Phelps. Here are a few places offering some gold medal drankin' deals starting tomorrow, July 27:

Blue Banana (3632 Georgia Ave., NW)
Starting with the opening ceremonies and continuing through the end of the Games on August 12, this laid-back Petworth watering hole will be offering various beers (draft and bottle) for $4 a pop. That's cool, but this joint gets on the podium for its new “Go for the Gold” special—$5 Cuervo Gold Shots and $3 Red, White & Blue shooters. Get pumped.

Ventnor's (2411 18th St., NW)
This bi-level sports bar in Adams Morgan is throwing open its doors three hours early during the Games, so cut out of work early and get here at 2 p.m. But first thing's first—the opening ceremonies, which will air at 7:30 p.m. Leinkugel Beer will be on hand offering give-aways all night. And don't miss this place on the weekends because the kitchen will start dishing out breakfast at 10 a.m.

Touchdown (1334 U St., NW) This U Street spot may be small, but its deals are mighty and its deal hours are even mightier. Over the Games, the bar will add four additional hours of drank-drinkin' joy to the regular happy hour, which already offers 25 percent off rail drinks, drafts and appetizers. Two of those hours will be tacked on post-work, and two more will begin after midnight. Plus, order a PBR, Miller Light, Bud or Bud Light at any time for only $3.

Nellie's (900 U St., NW)
Further east on U St., don't forget about the righteous behemoth that is Nellie's Sports Bar, where every minute of every day is a party. Starting at 4 p.m. this Friday, this multi-level gay-friendly bar will be celebrating the opening ceremonies by offering $4 Miller Light, $4 vodka drinks and buckets of five beers for $15.

Ireland's Four Courts (2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington)
Over in Clarendon, this TV-covered Irish pub is celebrating the London games with Heineken. Pints of the stuff will be offered for just $3.95. Plus it opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends, which is clutch for your daytime viewing necessities.

P.S. Don't forget about our Olympics drinking game. Not only is it fun for everyone, but it's the perfect ice-breaker to talk to the cute, sports-lovin' guy or girl on the next stool.