Since 1957, The Lodge has been proving that some things are simply timeless. For example, decades after Prohibition was repealed, the urge to drink is still significantly increased when access to alcohol is restricted. Case in point: You never want a beer more than after the bartender announces last call. The Lodge has the treatment for this ailment, in the form of a narrow corridor dubbed by regulars as "The Alley." After-hours drinkers are corralled into this passage and can sip on the sauce until seven in the morning—hours after the main bar closes.

Another timeless art is sanctioned by The Lodge, that being the art of, well, harassment. Witness the presence of countless conventioneers, tourists and middle-aged suburbanites doing their damnedest to pick up every lady who walks through the front door. This element makes up the majority of The Lodge's clientele, along with a devoted group of regulars and the occasional students.

And then there's the decor. This enduring staple of the Rush/Division bar scene is indicated by a log-cabin facade and shingled rooftop mounted by olde-English letters. Inside, you'll find an extra-long Dutch oak bar, gorgeously embellished. The basic array of beer and liquor choices is complemented with copious amounts of free peanuts. The popularity of this ubiquitous bar snack can be felt on the floor, which is always carpeted with a soggy layer of peanut shells.

Centerstage Reviewer: K. Tighe