Beech Street Parlor

412 NE Beech St., 946-8184, beechstreetparlor.com. 5 pm-2 am Monday-Saturday.

If drinking at home can be depressing, why does drinking at the homey Beech Street Parlor feel so nice? This converted 1906 foursquare house, with its variously decorated rooms, Victorian couches and old-timey portraits on the walls, has all the wonderful warmth of home, with the added perks of a pretty decent pierogi plate, 12 taps and rosemary- and beet-infused alcohols (the latter makes for an excellent, earthy martini). There's a lovely front porch, a DJ spinning vinyl beneath the stairs and, apparently, a house cat, though I have yet to spot it. Even the wallpaper has more personality than many bars can muster in their entire beings. REBECCA JACOBSON.

Happy Hour: 5-8 pm daily. $1 off draft beers and house wine, $3.50 wells, food specials.
Entertainment: DJs, board games, front porch.