The Bar

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene
Around town, slick lounges are fast replacing dives as the places to get stiff drinks, rock out or simply kick it. This geographically apt named venue used to be Raji's--an establishment straight out of a Bukowski novel. While the exterior has been only lightly touched up, the new owners have completely renovated the inside. The narrow, yellow-tinted space resembles a vintage parlor with its deep-brown color scheme, wall sconces, flickering candles, hanging fans and high ceilings. A fire-engine red, rock-and-roll-packed jukebox sits next to the well-stocked bar. Outside, a bamboo-lined smoking alley outside shares a wall with the St. Moritz Motel.

The Draw
The brooding crowd prefers to sip drinks, silently stare at the coquettish bartenders and nod their heads in tandem to the sounds of the Ramones or the Hives than to meet and greet with other patrons.