Rye Bar

A dive bar on par with the greats of New York City, this is literally underground and the couple who runs it is cultivates an engaged crowd, interesting conversation, and a level of drunkenness that is rare. This place has an edge. Never seen music there, but at 11PM on a Monday, this is the best place to be. Heads up: Smells vaguely like puke, chose your company accordingly.

The fact they haven't fixed it up is a bonus for me, this is completely what it is intended to be - and a much more fully realized version of it than I've seen outside a major metro.

In the space where DT's Down Under used to be, Rye Bar is bigger than you might think at first.  That being said, it's more claustrophobic than I'd like.  Low ceilings and several vertical poles creep in on your personal space the more crowded the place gets.  

The negative side of Rye Bar:
1. The first time I visited was a night or two after the place opened.  "Oh," thought I, "they opened the doors even though they haven't painted or really settled in yet."  A year or so later, the owners/management don't seem to have done much to make the place their own.  It feels like a miniature, bare warehouse or something.  Not the best atmosphere.
2. Aforementioned claustrophobia-inducing environment.
3. You walk down very steep stairs to get there.  Scary when drunk or sober.
4. The bottom of the stairwells is a smoker's haven, and the folks who work at Rye Bar tend to keep the front door open all the time.  Smoke just wafts right into the bar, which is rather unpleasant for a girl like me who's really sensitive to cigarette smoke.  
5. The music is too loud!  (Man, I sound like an old lady!)

The positive side:
1. It's a fun, really intimate space to see a band.  If someone you like (or think you might like) is playing there, check 'em out.  
2. It doesn't seem to get crowded too often, which makes it rather pleasant for hanging out with friends.
3. Friendly bartenders who like to give impromptu specials to customers!