Named after a man who was divorced three times, lost all his money gambling and died of cirrhosis of the liver, Augie's is a contradiction. Though an odd tribute to one man, the trade guys who fill the bar in the afternoons often call it Ozzie's, after the current owner, who opened it in 1994.

Ozzie, manager Javier and the rest of the staff support their motto, to "booze and schmooze." If you follow the super long bar out through the back you'll find the sand volleyball court, which hosts leagues Monday thru Wednesday and is open for play the rest of the time (and home to see the younger, white-collar complement to Augie's clientele). Along with the volleyball area, the wide street-side beer garden gives Augie's as much outdoor as indoor space.

A shot and a beer sports bar, Augie's sponsors more than 25 softball teams, a golf league in the summer and an annual benefit to raise money for Misercordia. The 10 TVs show sports, even the two that are set in the floor. Sometimes your head just gets too heavy.

A standard bar menu (choose steak fries or tater tots) supports the most reasonably priced drinks in Lincoln Park—$3 domestics, $4 imports and $6 Jager bombs. Yes, Augie's has changed with the neighborhood. Inside, a novelty train runs overhead, though, to my buddy's dismay, it doesn't serve.

Centerstage Reviewer: Robert Duffer