At Pieces: party dresses and shimmery accessories. Photos by Eric Reichbaum.

With $3 drafts and afternoon-long happy hours, Prospect Heights is a small sliver of Brooklyn where the drinks alone should be a cheapskate draw. But with some mouth-watering daytime fare, sale racks that overfloweth and well-stocked knick-knackeries, the neighborhood isn’t a find only for the pocket-change imbiber. Desperate, hungry shoppers, read on too. Here are my Prospect Heights picks from beer glass to last-minute stocking-stuffer.

FIRST, THE DRINKS Why are there so many places to drink in Prospect Heights? Maybe it’s the wide selection from plain and simple to ultra fancy that keeps all the neighborhood bar stools warm. For every delicate Aviation or Rye Cobbler cocktail ($11 each at Weather Up, 589 Vanderbilt Ave. between Bergen and Dean), there’s a $3 Green Flash IPA at Washington Commons (748 Washington Ave. at Park)—at least during their exhaustingly long happy hour (3 to 8 p.m). I also like Sharlene’s (353 Flatbush Ave. between Sterling and Park Pl.), which inhabits the Guinness-soaked premises of the former Mooney’s Irish Pub and also serves $3 draft beers, in this case til 7.

On draft at Washington Commons

NEXT MORNING’S FARE When it comes to breakfast in Prospect Heights, Upstairs, Downstairs is an easy game to play. At Blue Marble Ice Cream (186 Underhill Ave. between Sterling and St. Johns), the delicious Bergen Bagel with butter and a cup of free-trade coffee will set you back $4.25. But travel a few northeasterly blocks, and a lower-brow version of the same is only $1.50 at Washington Bagel Café (621 Washington Ave. between Dean and Bergen). Or break your fast, and treat your local self, at Café Shane (794 Washington Ave. between Sterling and St. Johns), where neighborhood businesses, seniors, teachers and students get a 10 percent discount. Ask for mango or chocolate chips in your Belgian waffles for an extra $1.25.

But the prize for best breakfast/brunch in the neighborhood may go to Le Gamin (556 Vanderbilt Ave. between Bergen and Dean). Their crepes and moules are killer, and the prix fixe is a true bargain: Monday through Thursday, it’s just $23 for three courses and a drink.

A killer crepe at Le Gamin

A HAPPY-HOUR BURGER SPECIAL On to the later end of the meal spectrum, there’s James (605 Carlton Ave. at St. Marks), where the grass-fed burger is half price ($7.50 with cheddar and fries) if you can find a stool somewhere along their dark, beautiful bar between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

CLOTHING SALES GALORE On your feet now, fashion forward: The sale racks are overflowing this month at Red Beri (319 Flatbush Ave. between Park and Prospect) and at Pieces (671 Vanderbilt Ave. at Park Place). Both shops carry women’s dresses, denim, warm things and accessories. Pieces has men’s and boy’s clothes too—and this week, they’ll wrap your gifts in colorful fabrics recycled from old clothes (no, you don’t have to buy the gift at their store) for $3 to $10, depending on the size. The Pieces web site has 15 percent off everything, and Red Beri is about to start selling old stock online too, for as much as 80 percent off.

HOLIDAY ANTIQUE SALE Find that last-minute whatever at The Forest Floor (659 Vanderbilt Ave. between Park and Prospect), a rare gem of a knick-knacky antique shop that goes all-out this time of year with sparkly decorations and oversized candles. They’re taking 20 percent off all holiday-related gear. Check your list twice if you think you don’t need a pair of three-foot-tall, full-color wooden nutcrackers, because they’re just $40 apiece.

Photo by Adam Macchia

To bowl or not to bowl… is that ever the question? Well, it should be, and the answer is “bowl, especially on weekday evenings in November.” For the entire month, Brooklyn Bowl is offering “A Very Happy Hour” of free bowling, and free shoes, Monday through Thursday evenings, 6 to 7 p.m. No catch, except a four-person minimum. And… if you happen to take up the offer this week, stay a bit later and watch the remaining World Series game(s) for a chance to win the “Strikes & Pitchers 2 Good 2 Be True” giveaway. Each game night, enter to win a free party with two lanes, for two hours, with two pitchers of beer and two French Bread pizzas.

Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., 718-963-3369

Prospect Park sunset, photo by Tim Beckett.

Move over, First Saturdays—Third Wednesdays are here. This Wednesday, October 21, from 6:30 to 9, Prospect Park’s Picnic House will be the locale for the Lullwater Lounge Third Wednesday: a monthly pop-up happy hour where you can spend an evening looking out on the long meadow, drink in hand. Or shall we say drinks: tickets ($20 in advance/$25 at the door) are good for an entire night’s worth of open bar (sponsors include Brooklyn Brewery and The Famous Grouse whiskey) and snacks from Mambo. But we’ve wangled a free pair for one randomly-selected Brokelyn reader who joins our very own email list between now and Monday midnight. So sign up for our weekly blast of brokester scoops, and you may be toasting your good fortune at the Lullwater Lounge.

Photo by Stefan Tonio

Lee Avent, the author of this post, is the kind of Brokelyn reader we love: when she noted a dearth of coverage of her own neighborhood, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, she didn’t merely complain—she gamely volunteered to fill the gap. We now know where to find a $4 margarita, 24-hour jerk chicken, a fast and good tailor (here are some in other neighborhoods too). BTW, we also discovered a handy PLG blog called Hawthorne Street. Hit it, Lee…

Happy Hour on Lincoln Road
You’ve got only two hours, but that’s more than enough time for your cheap, end-of-the-workday beverage at Fly Fish or Café Enduro. Fly Fish (formerly Whiskey Sunday) is part seafood shack and part St. Louis-style BBQ joint, and you can smell the smoked ribs, beef brisket and cheddar biscuits a block away. What you can’t smell are the $5 happy hour specials: spiked lemonade, fresh mint Mojitos and frozen cocktails. And if you’re having a really tight week there’s always a $2 can of PBR. Right next door is Café Enduro with its classic Mexican fare and Mex-spiced American  dishes. It’s also one of the few restaurants in PLG that offers brunch (with outdoor seating at that). But more important is the $4 house Margarita on the rocks during happy hour.

Fly Fish, 47 Lincoln Rd., between Flatbush Ave. and Ocean Ave., 718-282-7098: happy hour everyday, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Café Enduro, 51 Lincoln Rd., 718-282-7097: happy hour Mon. to Fri., 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Photo by Stefan Tonio

The $5 Jerk: Morning, Noon and Night
Peppa’s Jerk Chicken was voted “Best Jerk Chicken” by the Village Voice in 2007 and it still holds the title for a good many reasons (though speedy service is not one of them). Even if you’re not a fan of extreme Caribbean spice, try this place out—they don’t over-do it.  You’ll probably find it’s just the right marriage of flavor and kick. And if you need a good cry, their super spicy hot sauce is always on hand.  The $5 jerk chicken special is almost a half chicken—more than enough for one person’s dinner (or lunch, breakfast, whatever).

Peppa’s Jerk Chicken, 738 Flatbush Ave., between Parkside Ave. and Clarkson Ave., 347-712-9341, open 24 hours

The Fast and Furious Tailor: Mohamed of MBJ Tailoring
Mohamed Jalloh has been keeping my wardrobe intact and in shape for the last two years. Don’t be distracted by the African movies sold in the front of the store. In the back you’ll find Jalloh, with his sewing machine, keeping PLG residents looking natty, one pant hem at a time. He charges half the price of dry cleaner/tailors in the area (Pants/Dress Hem from $8, Repairs/Patches from $7, Taking in a shirt/dress from $12) and his turn-around time has me in constant awe.

MBJ Tailoring, 54 Lincoln Rd., between Flatbush Ave. and Ocean Ave., 718-954-5444

Photo by Stefan Tonio

The Store for Everything: GEM Super Value
It might lack the pizazz and celebrity clothing lines of Target but this store will serve your every need from bed to bath and beyond. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but my entire life has been outfitted by this store. It has met needs I didn’t even know I had. New to the neighborhood and need the move-in basics? Old to the neighborhood and realize you really only have two drinking glasses left? Need a microwave, cleaning supplies, a fresh set of wife-beaters and a glue trap? Leaving town to visit family and want to arrive bearing gifts for your adorable little niece? Get a new suitcase for $22.99 and a Snow White costume for even less.

GEM Super Value Store, 726 Flatbush Ave. near Parkside Ave., 718-469-9626, Mon. to Sat. 9 to 9, Sun 10 to 7