here’s an antidote to these current disheartening times and frigid where’s-the-summer blues - drink until you’re warm, and you’ll soon believe that everyone likes you. It won’t be hard at Joe, where it really is warm and everyone does like you - or at least they put on a very good show of it.

Though not the most sophisticated nightspot in town, Joe’s patrons look and feel so good (I would too if I got into the club using a fake ID); it's typical to look upon the somewhat frat-boy surroundings and view them as charming. Joe occupies the carcass of the ill-fated Whiskey Saigon and attracts virtually the same crowd - U of T students, model-wannabes and the 905 area-code types - and entertains them in significantly upgraded surroundings.

The strict door policy has become a bit more lax, maintaining that attractive, yet eclectic group, and a "feel as good as you look" vibe. The doorman admits the public into the first level, at that point there are a few options. The first floor introduces to a coach check line where music is loud and drinks are potent.

The second level gets more interesting as it’s a drinking den in a wheat field kind-of-feel - at times. A projected revolving series of scenes illuminates one full wall, so you could be in the Prairies, at the ocean-front or in a moment’s notice, Etobicoke. This level sees the traditional pub upgraded a design notch. Lighthearted, but still low down fun, as it should be for making us sit at those the hard wooden tables and pews.