If you ever come across this dive bar located way out in the west side of the city (any more west and you'd probably end up in the suburbs) don't hesitate to come in. Maria and company are extremely welcoming to new faces and the regulars will automatically integrate you in their conversations. One named Clinton loves to joke around about having a certain commander-in-chief as a brother.

The drinks are very cheap. Domestics go for $2.75 while imports are $3.50. But if you happen to be served by Maria herself, she'll sometimes charge you for less, like a glass of Okocim for $1.75. Okocim accompanies PBR as the most popular beers because of the area's large Polish population. If you don't speak Polish, this could be a great place to learn. One regular, whom Maria asked to help carry a full keg from the back to the bar, would mix in a few Polish words or two when talking to a Polish regular.

The decor is what you'd expect: neon lights, placards of street signs, two old TVs that can only show channel 7, a jukebox and one pool table. But Maria's is not about fancy decorations or a dark dance floor. Almost all who enter this dive bar go straight to the bar, sit on a stool, buy a cheap drink and join in the current conversation.

I suppose that's really what makes a so-called "dive" bar so special. There's little fear when it comes to diving in to these kinds of places whether with friends or alone.

Centerstage Reviewer: Kimber Solana