Khalil's

This place has good food and a nice drink collection. They have an robust list of beers including good selection of Boulevard beers (like the brewery). They have a small but well-designed whiskey collection (Scotch like Aberlour; bourbon - my favorite - like Booker's and Knob Creek; American Whiskey including Jim Beam Black and White). They are apparently the only ones in the area who carry 5 Crown types, including Crown XR. The waitress I had this evening kindly steered me away from Crown XR ($20/shot) towards the Reserve.
Only drawback: this place allows smoking. Everything else (wait staff; food; ambiance) was excellent. It was pretty heavy with smokers tonight, but I also knew that coming in.

If you are looking for a fun bar experience with karaoke galore - By all means, go to Khalils. I've been to a few gatherings here, and we typically have a good time.

However, if you want a delicious meal, you may decide to skip Khalils.

For one, this is one of the few places to smoke indoors - and smokers take advantage of it! Even in the "non-smoking" section, the smoke comes seeping in and is pretty disgusting for us non-smokers. Also, although the menu is quite extensive and has some interesting options - I'm not sure anyone actually eats here...which makes me suspicious.

We walked in a while back and the hostess was VERY surprised to hear we wanted to have dinner. In fact, she could only find us one menu. We were (literally) one of two tables there for dinner. It was very awkward, as no music was playing, and our waitress disappeared. Another waitress was in the corner talking on her cellphone, and a third came in and was very surprised to see us. Despite this, no one came back to the table to take our order. So we left.

They have a huge space, in which only 25% of it or so is really being used. I'd recommend they nix the restaurant altogether and turn it into a larger bar, as that seems to be their strength.

Very smokey and very empty. I guess the lack of people should have been my first warning sign. The bartenders are nice and the waitresses are barely noticeable. Decent beer selection and no atmosphere. The owner, Khalil, is very rude and does not like his patrons to enjoy themselves. Be careful at how excited you get when watching a game, Khalil will have 'talk to you,' even if you are only cheering. I guess he doesn't like his warbling karoke to be disturbed. The food was sub par and I think that mine had sit out for a while before being served, mine was lukewarm and very rubbery. Not worth it. There are so many good bars that are within blocks of this hole, that I will NEVER have to return like so many others. Pure garbage.

West End, Markham Street Pub and the bar inside the Embassy Suites put this place to shame.