Gingerman, despite its Wrigleyville locale, doesn't give a damn about sports. Its front door opens up to a nice view of the stadium, but it prefers to keep things low-key and thrive on its proximity to the Metro located one door south. That's not to say it doesn't get packed on game days, but it does so without pandering to the throngs of fans stumbling along the great Wrigleyville Way.

When you move past the usually-crowded front bar and squeeze through the bottleneck by the restrooms, you’ll find a spacious and welcoming back room. Two pool tables and a jukebox entertain patrons, and a second bar opens on busier nights. With a comfortable and happenstance feel, the minimalist decor fosters sociability without talkin' sports stats. A few signs hang on the walls, one for the Gingerman Raceway in Michigan, and exposed ductwork lines the ceiling.

The friendly staff serves up $3 pints of PBR, as well as 50 beers by the bottle, mixed drinks and draft beer selections like Rogue Dead Guy and Guinness. Sometimes sporty, sometimes neighborhood locals and sometimes fans of the band playing next door, the crowd at Gingerman varies, but you'll have to go elsewhere to find the testosterone-laden set typical of the 'hood.

Centerstage Reviewer: Karl Klockars