It's the middle of the week. And you need to unwind.

But you also have a 9 a.m. conference call the next day. An important one. You can't be off your game.

Instead of downing a glass of wine with your microwave pizza while watching "Seinfeld" reruns, you can now hit one of a slew of new pau hana happenings around town, geared mostly toward professionals who need after-work release.

And with enough time to get home — and still get eight hours of sleep.

"With the economy the way it is, it's not easy," said Russell Tanoue, who created Zensation at Bonsai Restaurant & Lounge. "Before, you could shout out $2 drinks and fill a room with decent professionals. (You need) a happy hour that pampers the 9-to-5."

So put down that bottle of cabernet, round up your co-workers and hit one of these weekday events:

JAZZ THURSDAY

THE DETAILS: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Diamond Head Grill, The Lotus at Diamond Head (formerly The W). 342-8232, 922-3734. Reservations recommended.

THE DAMAGE: $10 music charge, $3 valet parking.

THE GIST: There's a reason reservations for dinner on Thursday nights at Diamond Head Grill are hard to come by. The restaurant features live jazz starting at 6:30 p.m., and already the event has drawn a following. On a recent Thursday night, nearly every table was taken over by sharply dressed jazz aficionados, sipping on glasses of Pio Cesare moscato d'asti or feasting on one of the restaurant's decadent desserts. It's the perfect place for unwinding to some of the island's best jazz, with a breathable dining area, warm decor and that relaxing vibe that takes you right into the weekend.

"There are lots of other things for people to do on weekends, and lots of jazz musicians are occupied with other gigs on the weekends, so this gives us access to musicians to provide something for people to do on a weekday," event organizer David Rohner said. "It's early evening, and you can dine or have pupu and drinks and still get home and get a good night's sleep."

To appeal to a broad audience, Rohner provides a range of jazz styles — everything from the Gypsy sounds of the Hot Club of Hulaville to the smooth, sultry vocals of Sacha Boutros. So far, there are 350 people on Rohner's mailing list who receive weekly newsletters announcing upcoming lineups.

ZENSATION

THE DETAILS: 5 p.m. every first and third Wednesday, Bonsai Restaurant & Lounge, Restaurant Row. 525-5080, www.bonsaihonolulu.com.

THE DAMAGE: No cover, and validated parking

THE GIST: Sometimes all you need after a long day at work is a massage and a dirty martini. That's the premise behind Zensation, a networking event held every first and third Wednesday at Bonsai Restaurant & Lounge. Instead of just offering drink specials and a venue to hang, Zensation boasts mini massages, eyebrow waxing, discounts on fashion and a nice pupu spread. Since its launch in June, the event has lured a wide range of professionals, from cosmetologists to restaurant owners, all interested in unwinding on a Wednesday night. "It's all about pampering your senses and indulging in the moment," Tanoue said.

CURATORS OF HAWAIIAN MUSIC

THE DETAILS: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Thursdays through August, Monarch Room, The Royal Hawaiian hotel. 921-4600, www.royal-hawaiian.com.

THE DAMAGE: $39 per person (kama'aina rate) with a two-drink minimum. Special rates for dinner packages and children. Validated parking.

THE GIST: After a much-needed $85 million renovation-restoration to the iconic Royal Hawaiian, the hotel launched a weekly, cocktail-style event that brings back the romance and nostalgia of old Waikiki. "Curators of Hawaiian Music," held every Thursday, is a throwback show that features award-winning performers such as Cecilio and Kapono and Maunalua. Through the month of August, slack-key master Makana will take the stage in the Monarch Room, a place rich with memories and melodies of Hawai'i's legendary performers. "There is tangible ether in the Monarch Room I can feel, like the air is heavy with notes, chords and voices from the past," said Makana, whose latest album, "Venus and The Sky Turns to Clay," will be released next month. "For both the musicians and the audience, being there is a timeless experience. The music carries itself, and the halls echo effortlessly. It is truly a surreal experience."

'AHA 'AINA: A ROYAL CELEBRATION

THE DETAILS: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Ocean Lawn, The Royal Hawaiian hotel. 921-4600, www.royal-hawaiian.com. Reservations recommended.

THE DAMAGE: $175 adults ($150 hotel guests and adult kama'aina), $75 children 5 to 12, free for keiki under 5. Validated parking at the Sheraton Waikiki.

THE GIST: Hardly your typical Hawaiian-Polynesian show, this Monday celebration includes a gourmet, sit-down meal with selections like Kona lobster and kalua osso buco on smashed taro. The show, produced by Tihati Productions, is a spectacular presentation of history and storytelling through music, dancing and theater. The finale — the Samoan fire knife dances — is a fitting end to an exciting production. This is a weekday event definitely worth splurging on for that special occasion.

COCKTAILS ON KALAKAUA

THE DETAILS: 4:30-6:30 p.m. daily, Wolfgang's Steakhouse, Royal Hawaiian Center. 922-2600, www.wolfgangssteakhouse.com. No reservations needed.

THE DAMAGE: No cover. Cocktail and drink specials range from $4 to $7. Pupu specials range from $5 to $7. Validated parking.

THE GIST: If you're craving a well-prepared rib-eye steak and a cold beer after work, Wolfgang's Steakhouse in Waikiki hits the spot. Its new happy hour boasts drink and pupu specials, including hamburger and steak sliders, shrimp and lobster cocktails and 'ahi tartare. Starting in August, the restaurant will offer a taste of New York during its happy hour. For $34.95 you get a 10-ounce, bone-in dry-aged New York steak served with creamed spinach and mashed potatoes and finished with a sample of the world-famous Junior's cheesecake. "We're trying to introduce the dining room to people who might not come (to the restaurant)," restaurant manager Bill Nickerson said. "We find that sometimes it's hard for locals to come into Waikiki, and we're trying to invite them back, give them a good deal in a nice atmosphere."

STAGE BAR HAPPY HOUR

THE DETAILS: 5-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Stage Restaurant. 237-5429, www.stagerestauranthawaii.com.

THE DAMAGE: No cover. Half off the bar's cocktail menu. Free parking.

THE GIST: If all you need is a drink — and believe me, we know how you feel — head to Stage Bar's new happy hour, with discounts on its specialty drink cocktails. Some of its latest creations include "Hey! Get In Lime" (Patron Silver Tequila with cranberry, raspberry and lime juices over crushed ice in a li hing mui powder-rimmed cooler glass) or "Your Cabana or Mine" (Skyy Pineapple Vodka, Sprite and pineapple juice over crushed ice). Pair those with the restaurant's signature dinner items — Kona lobster salad, seared Japanese hamachi, garlic 'ahi or grilled kurobuta pork chops — and you'll be ready for that three-hour meeting the next day.