Chicago

Lets you ease into a decision. You can come in, chill out in the main bar, have a beer, while you consider whether to fork over the cash for the live music downstairs. Nice when you're just looking for a drink, not a big guy at the door demanding a cover charge before you've sampled the goods. Extra points for the lighting — not a white bulb in the place. The downstairs performance space has a long red vinyl seat that wraps nicely down two back walls. If you can get the corner with your sweet baby, you're golden.