The Scene
At the Star Bar, a nice tattoo trumps a fat wallet any day. Pleasantly rowdy crowds toss back shots from paper medicine cups, keeping at least one eye on the small stage, which generally hosts honky-tonk, punk and alt-country acts. Hints of kitsch--old signs from around the South, a photo booth--reach peak levels in the Grace Vault, where votive candles flank a shrine to Elvis, complete with kneeler and all-Presley jukebox. Double doors lead downstairs to the dark, snug Little Vinyl Lounge, where old-school country bounces off red leather everything. Service is generally friendly, unless you happen to catch someone on an off night

The Draw
Most plan their visit around the diverse calendar. Monday night karaoke attracts those who don't mind singing an off-key rock-and-roll song. Dancers squeeze under the disco ball on Tuesdays during DJ Romeo Cologne's funk party. Other nights, live music provides the soundtrack to unrivaled people-watching

When to Go
Insiders know to head to Star Bar around midnight on Tuesdays for a dance party courtesy of DJ Romeo