With all the douchey bars in town populated with douchey people, the Downtown Pub is a peaceful respite.
The bartenders are great, there's plenty of seating, pool tables in the back, a projection screen for sporting events and an internet jukebox up front.
The music is usually kept to a moderate level so it's easy to have a conversation without straining your ears or shouting over bar noise, which seems to be a rarity in this town.
Downtown Pub is the perfect place to hit after work with a few friends, though it can be a very smoky environment. They even offer a snack table on some evenings with a nice assortment to choose from.
If you're looking for a place to chill out and have a beer, this is the place to go.
I really love this place. Many of the bars in Tuscaloosa are populated by chirpy undergrads or scary-looking locals, but the DTP attracts a cool mix of grad students, young professional types, and people who go to a bar just to hang out. There is none of that "see and be seen" garbage going on here.
The drink prices are good, and the beer selection (for Tuscaloosa) is pretty good. I enjoy coming here because it's a place where the grown folks can come wind down from a busy week without worrying about some sophomore in 6" stilettos spilling her amaretto sour on you.