If you're looking for a place to drink with no pretension and plenty of seating, Lange's has more lounge (think the dark and dive-y type, not the kind with Vegas singers) than you could ever hope for. You might not even notice it at first; it's tucked on a busy corner of Southport, but it blends in so well against the landscape of brightly lit bar signs it seems imperceptible. It's not swanky, and it's not trying to be, which makes it a nice addition to this bar-coated neighborhood.

Down-the-street-neighbors like Schoolyard Tavern and Justin's work the theme angle; Lange's is just a quiet place to sit back and have some beer around the long, center-of-the-room, square-shaped bar. Lighting is low, and so is the general din, even on weekends. Beer is the standard beverage; the clientele is older locals. You're almost always guaranteed a seat here, and if you're hungry, there's a Chinese restaurant across the street as well as the occasional obligatory dive bar tamale guy walking around.

Centerstage Reviewer: Erin Brereton