Tucked in the southwest corner of Ames, in an upscale hideaway that is reminiscent of another place, stands the Greek restaurant, and cocktail lounge, Cafe Northwest.

The scent of olive oil and fresh flowers permeate through the restaurant and seep into the bar, where patrons looking for a quiet, classy atmosphere enjoy happy hour.

“It’s a place for anyone to come and grab a table and sit down and have a drink late at night,” manager Darren Wanek said. “It’s not too fancy, but it’s definitely not a dive.”

Cafe Northwest was established in Ames in 1990 when owners George Papouchis and Ron Vannimwegen decided to branch from the Mason City location.

Since then, the original Cafe Northwest, which was located in the northwest corner of Mason City, has closed.

For many of its patrons, Cafe Northwest offers an atmosphere to relax at the end of a long day and attracts the businessmen and businesswomen of Ames as well as college students and families.

“It’s the only bar in town with a Greek aura,” server Carma Reinert said. “The bar is also in a sun room so people can see the view.”

With seating for approximately 60 patrons, the lounge also serves as a place for people to relax before enjoying an authentic Greek dinner.

“It’s more of a grown-up bar where you can sit down and enjoy drinks,” Jamie Goebel, senior in advertising, said. “It’s more of a relaxed atmosphere and is different of typical campus bars.

“I like the fact that it doesn’t attract every member of the Iowa State community that you would normally see,” Goebel added.

Dan Timmons, senior in accounting, agreed with Goebel.

“It’s a good, quiet, low-key place to go before you go out,” Timmons said. “They also play good music — pop, alternative and jazz. It’s a nice, enjoyable place to go and has good drink specials.”

Happy hour at Cafe Northwest is Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., and offers appetizers for half- off and several drink specials during this time.

Monday’s special is $0.75 domestic draws; Tuesdays offer Long Island Iced Teas for $3.25; domestic pitchers for $3.25 are offered on Wednesdays; Thursday’s special is $1.25 margaritas on the rocks and $1.25 pucker shots are on Fridays.

The lounge also offers half-off buffalo wings from 10 p.m. to midnight on Fridays.

The weekends also feature several specials, including $1.75 well drinks and $3.75 domestic pitchers on Saturdays and $1.75 Bloody Mary’s on Sundays.

There are also dart machines, a video game and three TVs as well as occasional bellydancers for entertainment.

Cafe Northwest is located at 114 South Duff Ave.