The first thing you notice when you walk into Sally's is a gargantuan taxidermied marlin that hangs behind the horseshoe-shaped bar. It’s right above a placard that says "Hi, Honey." Turn around and find a second sign tacked to the door that reads "Bye, Honey!" How sweet, right? Grimy, quiet and comfy, Sally's is a rough-necked joint where folks will mostly let you mind your own business, and regulars will take calls on the bar phone from their respective spouses.

A few diversions abound, with a pool table and a Twilight Zone pinball machine taking up some floor space, but there’s usually plenty of room at the bar to get right down to it. What Sally’s lacks in glamor she makes up for in economy: Domestic bottles are just $2.75. Some selections require a trip to the back cooler; take a peek over the bar and you’ll see where some of the out-of-order bar fridges reside. There's nothing on tap, either though the kegs would go bad long before enough traffic came through to drain the barrels.

All the same, Sally's Lounge is one of those small, family-owned neighborhood taverns that are finding themselves rarer and rarer. Even though it might seem a little intimidating and gritty from the outside, with its red clap-board and cinderblock exterior, stop in for a quick one if you’re winding your way up Western.

Centerstage Reviewer: Karl Klockars