When the original Lava Lounge closed its doors a few years ago, citing liquor licensing as a major problem, rumors swirled that its second incarnation would appear soon enough. Still, we wondered if the place would retain its original vibe or if would lose itself in the changing face of Wicker Park.

Thankfully, old fans of Lava and newcomers can rejoice—the vibe is the same, although the space has changed. The new Lava is small, maybe even smaller than the original but, with keen attention paid to detail and design, it feels more spacious. Owners Ty Fujimura and Phil McFarlane turned to Suhail (Sonotheque) to give the place a modern, lava/rock-inspired style. Red, black and gray are the dominant colors here. A few gray leather couches and tables (which can be reserved for private parties) rest near the front window overlooking Milwaukee Avenue. As for lighting, sparkling spheres hang directly over the bar, and red, plastic moldings above the dance floor resemble balls of fire. Even the bathrooms feature large, white rocks embedded into the floor and granite sinks.

Beer remains the alcohol du jour, with 30 brands ranging in price from $3 (PBR) to $12 (Lindeman's Framboise). But if beer isn't your thing mix drinks are reasonably priced at about $5 for well liquor (and be sure to ask about nightly drink specials). DJs rotate nights here on a weekly basis, meaning you may hear house one Saturday and hip-hop the next, so call ahead before you go out looking for drum 'n' bass.

Centerstage Reviewer: Maya Henderson