Someone please buy the critic a drink ...

It's weird to write about bars for a living when ... um ... I'm actually not that big on most bars. That's why my bar reviews tend to be so diplomatic. One man's dive is another man's Club Paradise. But there are bars I actually do like and hang out in frequently on my own accord and not on the company's dime.


Azul, 1514 Wall St. Alley

Azul (Wall Street Alley): My friend AJ of Gigantic Vintage/Soulsteppers/Mod dressing fame DJays there some nights, they have indie rock bands and pretty much only have beer, but it's a wide beer selection. Yeah for beer. Plus the owner is nice, the atomosphere is nice and I actually like it better than the place that used to be where Azul is now -- Paco's Tacos.

Mama Roombas (Wall Street Alley and Eye Streets): I've already been there at least 10 times and it's only been open a little more than a month. I need to start pacing myself but I love the chef and I love Victor and I love the servers and I love the bartender. I love the way the place is decorated. I love the food. Damn those empanadas are good. I already announced my intensions to marry the place and have it's hot chile flavored babies, so ... um ... I guess I like it there.

Syndicate Lounge (Eye Street): Cigars? Coffee? Beer? Wine? Who put all my vices in one tiny place? (Soon to be one big, cool ass place.) I like the Syndicate because I like the owner. I like the high class atomosphere. I like the hot dogs she serves at lunch. I like the smoker's lounge area because it's super secret and cool and she let me get a sneak peak of the expansion and, man, that place is going to be one hot bar when it finally opens. It looks great already.

Hmm ... notice how my three favorite places are all within staggering distance of each other? Coincidence I say!

Oh, and I love ...


Shake it, baby! Shake it at Xanders!

Xander's Grill (19th Street, east of Chester Ave.): They have a bar in their basement and it is ultra cool. It can get a little pricy in Xander's but I've made some good memories at that place and it hasn't even been open that long. Plus you can dance and there's no cover charge.

If I had my way I would just review these four bars over and over (along with Gumbeaux's, Fishlips which I've chatted about before and Shogun -- man, I love Shogun. That sushi chef lady is crazy!) But those are the places I like. Where do you like to get a little drinky poo?