The County Pub may be an Irish bar, but don't come here looking for shiny dark wood tables or that dark stout called Guinness. We're in America, after all, and although this Rogers Park watering hole does pay homage to its Celtic heritage, it is definitely a Chicago place loyal to Ye Olde Stateside Lagers (those being MGD and Budweiser, of course).

The green walls are the most striking indicators of Irish heritage at the County Pub; beyond them, the decor is fairly standard: a cozy one-room space with room for only a few tables. The action of the County Pub takes place at the bar, which beckons out from the center of the room like an island of friendly chitchat and reasonably-priced ales. This is where to find the action, as well as the best seats in the house; or, if you're in a more playful mood, take a few shots at the single pool table at the back of the room, where you're sure to find a partner. This is a condensed, close meeting place; don't come here for the decor. The County Pub is a smoke-filled, dingy dive, replete with stale carpet and sticky tables. But it's got frothy pitchers and a vibe so laid-back that one could imagine divulging the details of the most sordid of trysts to the understanding barkeep. This is the kind of place where you let fly the dirtiest of secrets; it's for certain that the County Pub has seen, and heard, worse.

Centerstage Reviewer: August Evans