Depending on what kind of scene you are looking for, a sports bar, good hamburger/sandwich joint, or a place to drink beer outside on a nice summer evening, Mickey's has something for everyone. Having dropped the "Snack Bar" part of its name and gained a new owner, Mickey's is stepping it up a notch. The bar's draw definitely remains the elevated outdoor patio, but the inside shouldn't be passed up. Though the multi-colored suede panel walls, comfy blue-suede booths, and techno music are more reminiscent of a dance club, the plasma screen TVs broadcasting sporting events make it clear that this is a casual joint.

Judging by the bar's weekly specials, including 25-cent wings on Mondays and $2 domestic drafts during college football Saturdays, Mickey's caters to the college and sports-fan crowd looking for a more stylish locale to watch the game. But its Lincoln Park location and large patio also brings in a fair share of families and tourists looking to dine alfresco.

The menu is your typical bar fare, from chicken sandwiches to a variety of specialty burgers. Despite the alterations to the bar since its renovation and change in ownership (including getting rid of karaoke nights and its rock-and-roll diner decor), it's unlikely to lose its cachet in the Lincoln Park scene since the patio and the better-than-average bar food is what really draws the crowds.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Ann McDonald