Janet Jay <p>Wanna play some fun and games? Get yourself to the Highball, a grown-up's playground that also looks like a swanky retro hotel.</p> <p>The Highball is that rarest of birds – a bar that presents itself as vintage that makes the effort to actually <em>be</em> vintage. But don't take my word for it. The eight lanes of bowling tucked into a corner of this ginormous bar are original from 1959 and have been fully restored. If bowling isn’t your thing – or if you just wish the ball wasn’t so goshdarn heavy – four vintage “classic model” skee-ball machines beckon nearby. The prizes include belt buckles, flasks, shot glasses, Pop Rocks and cufflinks, so there’s ample motivation to shoot your best.</p> <p>If you’re in a singing mood, the Highball has seven themed karaoke rooms, spanning musical styles from country, hip hop, disco, heavy metal, psychedelic, new wave and more. Each room includes a box of accessories to get you in the mood. The new wave room, for example, comes with a keytar, a Flock of Seagulls wig, skinny keyboard tie and Devo hats. You can hole up in a karaoke room with three to 19 of your closest friends while the imitable staff keeps you supplied with the finest of libations. In a single night you can sing Lady Marmalade under the fish-netted ceiling of the Tiki Room, spend some quality time at the bar, and end the night singing “Sweet Child of Mine” with a room of new friends, light sparkling off the shards of mirror in the heavy metal room.</p> <p>As for the bar at the Highball, there are a few important things to mention: watermelon liqueur, pepper vodka, vanilla vodka, mango rum, cucumber gin, citrus vodka, cherry bourbon, and chai vodka. Those huge glass urns filled with fruit that you see over the bartender’s shoulder? Yeah, they hold that wildly inventive selection of liquors. One bartender recommended her favorite cocktail, the Spiced Russian, an interesting concoction of chai-infused vodka, Kahlua, Tia Maria and cream. Besides the custom drink menu, the Highball offers a wide variety of premium liquors, as well as beer and wines. Executive chef Trish Eichelberger, who formerly worked at Austin’s iconic Alamo Drafthouse, has created a menu that comfortably straddles the line between down-home Americana and modern inventiveness. She reimagines the diner staple Meatloaf Sammy, for instance, as bison meatloaf on sourdough – not a radical change, but enough to make it fresh and interesting.</p> <p>As if the karaoke, skee-ball, bowling, food and drink weren’t enough, the Highball also hosts concerts, pub quiz, dance parties, variety shows, and seemingly anything else that sounds interesting. They also host private events, which surely range from corporate events to family reunions to Zombie Proms. That’s the beauty of the Highball: there’s something for everyone.</p> 2010-03-08T12:47:51-08:00 2010-03-09T02:13:20-08:00 Austin 823 right Meet me at the Highball. Janet Jay / RumBum.com highball-austin.jpg Austin, The Highball Gabrielle Sierra <p>The Charleston is a classic old school Williamsburg watering hole. Located a stones throw from the Bedford Ave L train stop, the bar features the tried and true dive bar atmosphere as well as the ever enticing cheap drinks and live music.</p> <p>One of the best features of The Charleston is that every Tuesday at 9pm, they have “Trivial Dispute” during which the DJ takes the mic for a few hours of game playing. Sheets are passed out and teams established; the experience levels range from newbie walk-ins to die-hard players, who show up each week ready to win prizes. The questions stretch from movie trivia to current events, and there is even an audio round. If you choose to pass on the writing portion of the game you may still walk away lucky and/or drunk from the “Shots Rounds”, during which the answers are simply shouted by the fastest mind and instantly rewarded with a shot.</p> <p>Another big pro of heading to The Charleston is that they offer a free personal pan pizza alongside every beer, with the option of dropping an extra dollar for toppings. The pizzas are large enough to appease any hungry belly, and if you are in need of another helping simply order a second drink. Since this bar is far less populated than its fellow free pizza givers (Crocodile and Alligator Lounge), the wait for food is half as long and you are guaranteed a piping hot pie.</p> <p>When it comes to atmosphere The Charleston possesses all the dive bar decorations but without that run down dirty feel or smell. On the street level the taped up booths wrap around gratified wooden tables. Dirty mirrors reflect half-lit sconces and bathe the space in that so dark everyone looks attractive glow. Odd emblems decorate the walls, bearing images of shovels and arrows and other such random stone-cutter-like symbols. Small out of place touches like low arches, a long and thick bar, and fancy ceiling detailing give The Charleston some ‘new Williamsburg’ (clean, contrived, designed, hipster) feeling, without shifting from the old school attitude.</p> <p>The downstairs space is nothing short of a dungeon; dark and small with very little means of escape. This is where The Charleston showcases a plethora of unsigned local bands and hosts “live band kareoke” nights.&nbsp; Although the quarters may be less than ideal this space provides young talent a low-key place to improve their performance skills, test new songs, and gather a new fans. Of course this also has its drawbacks- some of the acts are less than desirable and thanks to shoddy acoustics the entire bar is permeated by whatever noise is going on downstairs.</p> <p>The Charleston’s crowd is a melting pot of all Williamsburg types. Metal guys in leather jackets take a seat next to hipster chicks in headbands while across the bar they are getting the eye from hippie musicians. There is no sense of a contrived atmosphere or attitude, just a group of young people aiming to have fun and take a break. The staff is in their own world but generally friendly and accommodating to whatever domestic beer you choose to indulge in. Best bet is to go with a friendly low matinance group and get sloppy on the cheap.</p> 2010-03-02T12:47:26-08:00 2010-03-04T02:46:27-08:00 NYC 809 left Gabrielle Sierra / RumBum.com the-charleston-pub.jpg NYC, Brooklyn, The Charleston, Patrice Grell Yursik <p>Winter in the Chi ain’t like winter in most other US cities. In most US cities, inches of snow can mean paralysis and power loss. Here in Chicago, we call that February and we keep it moving. It takes a helluva lot for the city to call a snow day, and Chicagoans find ways to have fun during even the chilliest weather. That usually involves strong drinks and amazing food. Here are 5 places to while away the hours when the weather outside is frightful.</p> <h2>Eleven City Diner</h2> <p>If flurries in the air makes you dream of your mother’s homemade matzo ball soup, you need to know all about the Eleven City Diner. Half diner, half deli, all awesome – this establishment is known for generous portions and a family ambiance. Roll up for Sunday brunch and you’ll probably find a line snaking out the door, but the warm reception from the owner’s parents should warm you up. And if that doesn’t work, be sure to order one of their ridiculous Bloody Mary’s, which come loaded up with a garnish of Swiss cheese and deli-cut salami.&nbsp; Affordable, delicious, down home – this diner has drinks to stave off the chill and food to warm the soul. Get the latkes. Thank us later.</p> <h2>Mercat de la Planxa</h2> <p>Maybe downhome and kitsch isn’t your thing. Maybe you’d rather indulge in a grand winter escape. In that case, there’s Mercat de la Planxa. Located in the chic Blackstone Hotel on Michigan Avenue, this place will sweep you away with sumptuous cuisine and breathtaking views of Grant Park. Executive chef and recent Iron Chef winner Jose Garces serves up high end tapas like you wouldn’t believe. Dates wrapped in bacon, stuffed with almonds. Wagyu steak. Garlic shrimp and scallops, all served with more bacon than you might consume in a month of brunches. Spring for the $55 chef’s selection, it’s totally worth it.</p> <h2>Hackney’s</h2> <p>When the wind is howling down State and Michigan, this historic Printer’s Row staple makes a perfect respite from the cold. Hackney’s is one of those very traditionally Chicago establishments – a 50-year-old family owned neighborhood mecca that is renowned for hamburgers, fried fabulousness and an array of brews that’ll make your head spin (in a good way). The ambiance is invariably packed and gregarious. You can swig your winter blues away with any cocktail you like, but for these cold days they’ve been offering a variety of yummy hot toddies that make for drinkable desserts.</p> <h2>Roy’s</h2> <p>Chicago might be the geographic, climactic, and cultural opposite of Hawaii in most ways, but the spirit of Aloha is alive and well in both cities. You can find warmth, incredible island-style cocktails, and unique only-in-Hawaii eats delicious enough to convince you that you’re actually enjoying that ocean ambiance. Alas, chilly reality awaits outside. All the more reason to order another pina colada. When you’re at Roy’s, don’t eat like a landlubber. The steak is awesome, but their specialty is seafood and the poke (ahi style tuna served Hawaiian style) is calling your name. Roy’s is one of few places in the city that serves this spicy fish dish.</p> <h2>ShowPlace at&nbsp;Roosevelt&nbsp;Collection</h2> <p>The stretch of Roosevelt Road near State Street is a haven for big box everything. But between the Target and the Whole Foods, there’s a new destination for couples that yearn for an elegant night at the movies. The movie theater screens and sound are state of the art, but the snack bar is even more impressive. Two words – bacon popcorn. Nuff said. You can reserve your seats in advance, and if you’re 21-and-up you can enjoy VIP balcony seats and the tres classy balcony bar. There’s something about enjoying a Jack and Coke and a grilled proscuitto and arugula sandwich that takes the moviegoing experience to a whole ‘nother level.</p> 2010-03-01T14:03:02-08:00 2010-03-03T02:59:53-08:00 Chicago 806 right Chicago may "celebrate" winter longer than most - but it's not as bleak as it looks. Patrice Grell Yursik / RumBum.com Chicago-winter.jpg Chicago, Eleven City Diner, Mercat de la Planxa, Hackney's, Roy's, ShowPlace at Roosevelt Collection Janet Jay <p>Dinner and a movie? Please. How passé. Dinner <em>during</em> a movie? Definitely cooler. Dinner during a movie where you can consume plentiful amounts of your favorite alcoholic beverage while watching both first-run movies and cult classics? Score one for whoever planned this date.</p> <p>Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is a beloved Texas institution, with four theatres in Austin, two in San Antonio, one in Houston and another in nearby Katy. It’s rare for a chain to be able to hold onto its indie cred, but Alamo has done it. Besides first-run movies, Alamo screens oldies and cult classics. But the theatre doesn’t just screen them; it plans entire evenings around them. R</p> <p>ather than just showing Dirty Dancing, for instance, Alamo has set up a brunch and mimosa event to “optimize your Patrick Swayze viewing.” Different locations offer different events throughout the year: Alamo Lake Creek, for instance, hosts the annual Zombie Film Festival (Dismember the Alamo), while the South Lamar location host Fantastic Fest, a week-long event dedicated to screening “cult” horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films. A few of the many events Alamo offers include the Austin Air Guitar and Air Sex competitions; Terror Tuesdays and Weird Wednesdays; Quote-Alongs and Sing-Alongs; and Master Pancake Theater, where films are screened while a live panel mocks them a la Mystery Science Theatre. Alamo Drafthouse also hosts events where famous actors and directors introduce their films in person and answer questions.</p> <p>Then there’s the food. Don’t think the food is an afterthought here – it’s really good. Customers write their orders on slips of paper during the previews, which are then picked up by stooping waiters and spirited away to the kitchen. Any of Alamo’s pizzas are a good bet – this reporter usually defaults to their delicious “Moonstruck” margherita-style pizza, although she’s never actually had anything at Alamo that wasn’t good. An utterly unscientific poll concluded the following:&nbsp; Alamo employees prefer the Sesame Seared Tuna Salad and the sandwiches, vegans like the Constant Gardener grilled portobello sandwich and the falafel, and unapologetic carnivores go for the “Porky’s” pepperoni pizza. <em>Everybody</em> likes the red pepper hummus.&nbsp;</p> <p>Both food and drink specials are usually movie-themed. Somehow James Bond’s Vesper Martini tastes better than its less creatively-named counterpart, and for times “when you just need to abide” there’s nothing like The Dude’s White Russian. There are almost 20 beers on tap and another 14 bottled, as well as a respectable selection of red and white wines. If you really want to impress your date, you can ply her with champagne, sangria, mimosa or 10 year old port. There’s a good variety of desserts available too, but it would only be cruel to describe their deliciousity to anyone not near enough to partake.</p> <p>There’s a reason that Alamo Drafthouse is beloved throughout the great state of Texas: movies can only be improved with good food and drink. (Drinking Arrogant Bastard while watching <em>Where the Wild Things Are</em> felt so, so right.)&nbsp; Alamo’s embrace of everything classic, cult, and all-around crazy earns it the respect of even the most judgmental of scenesters. But really, everybody has good things to say about the Alamo Drafthouse. Your date will.</p> 2010-02-22T13:25:14-08:00 2010-02-25T03:14:10-08:00 Austin 777 left Alamo Draft House, Austin Matt Lancashire Alamo-Draft-House-Austin.jpg Austin, Alamo Draft House Gabrielle Sierra <p>Lets face it; we all get a little hungry sometimes, especially after a late night out on the town. Those 3am cravings are hard to ignore, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of grabbing greasy pizza or fast food. But just because the sun is starting to rise doesn’t mean you have to compromise your pallate, and New York City has a plethora of tasty late night eats to hold you over until your eventually pass out time.</p> <h2>If You Are in: Chinatown, Head to: Wo Hop</h2> <p>Wo Hop is one of the few remaining Cantonese restaurants amongst the sea of Ramen, Dim Sum, and Vietnamese joints that dominate China Town. Most places in this hood close around nightfall, yet Wo Hop only begins to hit its peak hours as the sun starts rising (they don’t close their doors until 7 a.m.). The post-clubbing crowd is often rowdy and always hungry, easily dominating (or passing out over) gargantuun portions of dumplings and chicken and with oyster sauce. But be sure to brace yourself for the harsh lighting; that breakdancer you picked up may just turn out to look a bit different off of the dance floor.</p> <h2>If You Are in: Little Italy, Head to: La Esquina Brasserie &amp; Tequila Bar</h2> <p>Sure it may be 1:30 in the morning, but that doesn't mean you have to slum it with street meat. Keep it classy and roll on over to La Esquina Brasserie, a small and greasy Mexican food joint upstairs and an elite bar/restaurant downstairs. Once inside the street level, head to the peeling "Employees Only" door, and beg/sweet talk your way past the large bouncer or/and bitchy door-woman. For some this may elicit an immediate "hell no" but for others its just the New York elitism that keeps their nights going. Once inside the cavernous downstairs area, enjoy a night-capping (or night renewing) margarita while perched next to a few models and order up some mini-tacos, guacamole, or fresh tuna and shellfish ceviche. The food is light and reasonably priced – a deal considering the company you will be keeping and the scene you will take part in.</p> <h2>If You Are in: The East Village, Head to: Lil' Frankie's Pizza</h2> <p>It's rare to find a delicious full menu-restaurant that is open until 4am, but Lil' Frankie's fits that bill. The deceivingly large space offers garden seating in the summer, a full bar and wine selection, music, and a young swank crowd. The food is cheap and easy to share, however; after trying a few bites you may feel the need to bogart the goods for yourself. Their wood oven churns out pizza, fired eggplant, roasted chicken, pizza sandwiches, and garlic bread, while the kitchen dishes large salads and steaming bowls of pasta. Sure indulging in a full meal may not be the healthiest way to end a night, but this hot spot makes it hard to resist. The exposed brick walls, low lighting, trendy staff, and wooden booths contribute to the busy yet welcoming atmosphere. Although you may run the risk of encountering a wait at 3 a.m., you can sooth your grumbling belly with a drink at the bar and a few minutes of chatting with fellow creatures of the night.</p> <h2>If You Are in: The West Village, Head to: Mamoun’s</h2> <p>Any and every good New Yorker knows to get their two dollar Falafel Sandwiches at Mamoun's. With two locations (one in the West on Macdougal Street, and the second in the East on St. Mark's Place) these little spots are packed with patrons no matter what time of day or night. Offering fresh and fast falafel, lentil soup, spinach pies, shawarma, kababs, and hommus, Mamoun’s is an easy crowd pleaser. Despite the trend of price raising and menu altering, this place sticks to its low prices and original recipes, stuffing their sandwiches with veggies and offering Turkish sides with every platter. Mamoun's stays open past all of the pizza places on the block, keeping their doorway jammed until after 5 a.m. There isn't much room for seating, but hey, by that point you'll probably want to take your food to go anyway. Besides, nothing beats a hot fresh late night snack while watching others choke down congealed pizza or stale leftovers.</p> <h2>If You Are in: Chelsea, Head to: The Donut Pub</h2> <p>Your sweet tooth can strike at any time, and the people at Donut Pub understand this uncontrollable urge. Open 24 hours a day every day, the Pub offers drunken sweet seekers the chance to fulfill their cravings and worry about the fatty regret in the morning. Founded in the early 1960s, Donut Pub's design is reminiscent of an old fashioned coffee shop or diner with its stainless steel stools, long counter, and white tiled walls. The shelves boast something for everyone, from crullers to scones to black and white cookies. The donuts are light and flaky with sugar coatings, and if you so chose you can indulge in a snack that oozes with cream, or is stuffed with jelly or fruit.</p> <p>So keep your dancing shoes on and don't be bummed when the bars shout last call- there are many places to keep the party going while also getting your eat on.</p> 2010-02-19T13:54:28-08:00 2010-02-22T03:52:41-08:00 New York 773 right Gabrielle Sierra / RumBum.com donut-pub-nyc.jpg NYC, Late Night Eats Andrea Barrack <p>LA. Friday night. 2 a.m. You've been out all night after a full week of work and now you must...have...food. Time to hit the food trucks, LA's latest culinary phenomenon. So instead of landing at a humdrum brick-and-mortar food joint that sells sloppy slices or droll chicken wings, hunt down one of the following – our picks for the best late night food trucks in LA.&nbsp; Better yet, plan your night around where they serve.&nbsp; (Just check their Twitter page before you bounce.)</p> <h2>Downtown Dogs (Twitter handle: @downtowndog)</h2> <p>Dogtown Dogs provide grass fed, nitrate free hot dogs like you’ve never tasted. Locally cased, these <span><span class="articleImage right" style="width: 240px;"><img class="none" title="Now that&amp;#39;s a dog!" src="/images/postattachments/1986/medium/downtown-dogs-2.jpg?1265757322" alt="Now that&amp;#39;s a dog!" width="240" height="180" /><span class="copyright mceNonEditable">&copy;&nbsp;Andrea Barrack / RumBum.com</span><span class="caption mceNonEditable">Now that's a dog!</span></span></span>dogs can come wrapped in applewood smoked bacon and topped with a fried egg (Morning Commute Dog, $5), avocado, arugula, tomatoes, fried onions, and basil aioli (California Dog, $6) or homemade chili and crumbled Fritos (Trailer Trash Dog, $6).</p> <p>The dogs themselves are savory and hearty, knocking the Dodger Dog outta the park, and the toppings add a deliciously creative and flavor-packed edge. Jonathan, the man behind the magic, often flies solo and has a knack for friendly chit-chat.&nbsp; Plus, I’m a sucker for good design, and as far as food trucks go this one’s teal starburst motif with mandarin cowboy font takes the cake.</p> <h2>FrySmith (Twitter handle: @Frysmith)</h2> <p>Remember the last time you had nachos, but all you did was grab a fork and devour the thirteen different condiments towering above them? At FrySmith, you’ll get so lost in <span><span class="articleImage right" style="width: 240px;"><img class="none" title="You might want to share." src="/images/postattachments/1987/medium/FrySmith.jpg?1265757329" alt="You might want to share." width="240" height="180" /><span class="copyright mceNonEditable">&copy;&nbsp;Andrea Barrack / RumBum.com</span><span class="caption mceNonEditable">You might want to share.</span></span></span>your toppings, you’ll forget there’s fries under there. Lightyears more than your average onions and relish, these ingenious accoutrement are certainly worth it.</p> <p>The Rajas Fries ($6) are smothered in shawarma-marinated steak, fire-roasted poblano chiles, caramelized onions, and melted jack cheese. They’ve even upgraded the Chili Cheese Fries ($5) with Angus all-beef chili made with beer and chocolate, topped with diced red onions and lots of cheddar. Both selections surpass my taste test and, though the fries themselves are quite oily and mushy, they’ll certainly satiate any post club craving. Plus, they earn extra points for carrying sweet potato fries. Make sure to wash it all down with an uplifting bottle of ginger beer. With that flavor punch, who needs alcohol?</p> <h2>Get Shaved Ice Truck (Twitter handle: @getshaved)</h2> <p>Food trucks also come through when you just won’t head home without satisfying your sweet tooth. LA <span><span class="articleImage right" style="width: 174px;"><img class="none" title="The perfect late-night treat." src="/images/postattachments/1988/medium/Get-shaved-ice.jpg?1265757335" alt="The perfect late-night treat." width="174" height="250" /><span class="copyright mceNonEditable">&copy;&nbsp;Andrea Barrack / RumBum.com</span><span class="caption mceNonEditable">The perfect late-night treat.</span></span></span>locals know that gourmet cupcakes and pastries are a dime a dozen (and a dozen for $36), so instead, venture your taste buds to the Get Shaved Ice Truck for an exotic treat straight from the Hawaiian islands.&nbsp; (Fun Fact: Get Shaved Ice often tails <a href="http://rumbum.com/706-follow-that-truck" target="_self">Kogi</a> at night, so if you seek out this chilly treat you might be in store for a twofer.)</p> <p>Pick your shaved ice masterpiece from flavors like Cherry and Dreamsicle to Blue Vanilla and Tiger’s Blood.&nbsp; I couldn’t get enough of my POG – passion fruit, orange, guava mix – combo, and heeded the advice to ask for a vanilla ice cream base and sweet cream drizzled on top ($4). Even on the chilliest of LA nights you'll willingly dive in to a brain freeze.</p> 2010-02-09T14:57:47-08:00 2010-02-10T04:45:36-08:00 Los Angeles 738 left Downtogs dogs does the night. Andrea Barrack / RumBum.com downtown-dogs.jpg Los Angeles, Food Trucks, Get Shaved Ice, Frysmith, Downtown Dogs