“Omigod, you totally came,’’ a perky blonde wearing a tight M3 Bar & Lounge shirt squeals as we walk through the door of M3 on a Saturday night. “I never thought you would!’’

My sister and I exchange confused looks before realizing that she's talking to two Scottsdale preppies behind us. Luckily, we don't encounter any other Scottsdale Valley girls and we definitely don't see anymore preppies. Otherwise we would have fled the bar. We breathe a sigh of relief and take in the scenery at the south Scottsdale haunt, which has been open for three years.

There is a crowd of about 20 people in their 20s and 30s inside the blink- and-you-may-very-well-miss-it bar, which sits on the east side of Scottsdale Road, just south of Thomas Road in a former Pizza Hut building. The guy-to-girl ratio is in our favor. Aside from the attractive women working behind the bar, there are only a few other girls here. The guys vary. We see everyone from punk rockers to jocks. It's an interesting crowd.

J-Kwon's "Tipsy" is loudly blaring, and a few people bob their heads to the catchy jam while a group of guys play pool in the center of the room. We also hear Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg and Quarashi tunes. Drinking at M3 is similar to drinking in a log cabin with a slew of your closest pals. There's wood everywhere and it's dim inside with lots of cushy seats, which gives it an intimate feel. The highlight of the bar? Drinks are always $3 — except for happy hour when well drinks and domestic bottles are $2. On this night, people are drinking mainly bottles of beer and well drinks.

The bar recently added a decent-sized patio, which faces Scottsdale Road. There are tiki torches which illuminate the patio and a woman manning a beer tub. Though we think the drink prices and eye candy are the best aspect of M3, customer John Fontz says it's all about the atmosphere.

“I like that there's a pool table,’’ he says. “It's pretty casual. The only problem with this bar is that it's away from the others. I think it would do better if it was in downtown (Scottsdale).’’

There is no denying that M3 is a destination bar, but one that we think is worth stumbling upon. After all, where else can you drink in Scottsdale where everything is $3?