Housed under the Green Clinton L stop (the new line), and tucked in the corner of the historic, 3,000-square-foot Chicago North Western Railway power plant (the old line), sepia-tinted railroad nostalgia prints play transitional host to mostly happy hour peeps at this third venture from the team behind Southport Lanes and the Daily Bar & Grill.

Aside from the natural shape of the place, a straight 20-yard dart of cobalt bar and oak high-tops, and a cocktail dubbed the Boxcar Charlie, the locomotive theme eventually gives way to a streamlined sports pub. ESPN blares in HD on a handful of flat screens, competing with a grab bag of party rock tunes as a token disheveled, flannel-donned mixologist keeps up with patron orders.

The tracks fuse well, though. The kitchen slings classics like chicken Caesar salads and hot wings, but also cabrales-crusted flat-iron steaks and buffalo meatloaf.

Bottles of Bud are backed by Tripel Karmeliet and Matilda drafts. Regular "skinny" bar fries or New Line Tavern cuts are tossed in asiago, garlic and butter. The New Line train keeps rolling. Hop on or get off.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Gavin Paul