Prime time: The place hums most week nights; regulars toss back Amsterdams and watch the game, or perhaps Crossfire - depending on the regulars at the time. Things get livelier from Thursday night on through the weekend, when drinkin’ aficionados show up to soak up the Wide Open atmosphere.

At the bar: Anything fancier than a Molson Dry will raise eyebrows; no Appletinis or colourful cocktails here. Your best bet is one of the several premium brews (Heineken, Stella Artois, Coors Light), offered in bottles, or Amsterdam on draught if you want something exotic.

upshot: On a good night at Wide Open, the sound system is cranking out a Eurythmic’s cover, you've got a seat at the bar and a cold bottle - yes, a bottle - of Blue in hand.

On a great night, there's all this, plus a spread of beer nuts, CNN and your 49 (maximum capacity) new friends getting pleasantly unshackled in this little spot. - B. J.