Fire, The

Under-exposed live-music venue/dive bar reels 'em in from all over the city.. In Short
The Fire almost feels like your friend's basement, if your friend had the space and the wherewithal to invite chill bands over to perform for the benefit of a bunch of friends drinking beer and Jack n' Coke poured by a mellow bartender. Signs plaster the walls advertising liberal political candidates and politically correct causes, and hand-painted artwork makes one ask if they are, in fact, at a coffeeshop instead of a grungy yet friendly bar. Bands play almost every night of the week and have included some jaw-droppers for such a small space: Bill Kreutzmann (from the Grateful Dead), John Legend, Jason Mraz, My Chemical Romance, Dr. Dog, Damien Rice and Antigone Rising. Cover charge is usually just a few bucks, but if even that's too steep, hang out at the bar in the ante-room and watch the musicians on a closed-circuit TV.…

Corner Bar Feel. This is the place when I'm a grizzled ol' timer I'll sit and reminisce. Or I'll do that now. Perfect place to sit back and have a pint with your friend, while not paying to see whatever band's on (though still catching them on the TV's overhead). Crowded at times, but not to the point where you can't stand. Beer selection is ehh, but you can find at least something you like. Or just drink Scotch and start fights. Plus I'm always up for places that put twinkly holiday lights over the bar.…