Lincoln Station does its best to blend into a neighborhood of bars you never really set out to go to but inevitably end up in. That's not to say it's a bad place, just that with neighbors like Irish Eyes, the Gin Mill and the Red Lion (okay, the Red Lion is really nice, but it's the exception, not the rule), what's a bar to do? Offer up decent beer and seating (booths and tables, take yer pick) and plant itself near DePaul (college kids, natch) and some eateries (Clarke's anyone?).

Still, Lincoln Station has tried to diversify from the strip of bars: It offers pool, numerous TVs for the sports lover in you, a jukebox (which makes any bar 100 times cooler), a full menu of sandwiches and the like, and all draft beers come in pitchers (like one of Guinness for $14.50).

Centerstage Reviewer: Erin Brereton