The pure, unadulterated joy of a good dive bar cannot be overstated. The cool, dimly lit interior. The musty, beery smell. The regulars bellied-up to the bar, watching the local news on a weekday evening. Marie's Riptide Lounge has all of these things and more. It's always 1961 at this small, friendly bar (well, except for the prices, which are standard for today); not much has changed since the year of its founding, and Marie wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, the founder's still around (she lives upstairs), though she no longer regularly serves patrons their bottles of beer (no taps) and mixed drinks. That is left up to the friendly bartenders, who keep the regulars' thirst at bay and welcome newcomers with a smile.

The best time to visit the Riptide may be around a holiday, any holiday, because Marie loves to deck out the place with streamers, cardboard cut-outs and whatever else the occasion requires. But really, every day seems like a mini-celebration here, the festive interior a far cry from what customers might expect when looking at the drab facade outside. Vinyl-covered stools and a row of tan, padded booths line the bar and walls and a legendary jukebox lurks in the corner, waiting to dazzle with its eclectic and kitschy tunes. In the Riptide's alternative world, Engelbert Humperdinck and Poison sit next to each other in harmony, and either can provide ample fodder for a late-night sing-along (thanks to its 4 a.m. closing time, the bar only really starts to get packed after 2 a.m.). There's also a vintage skeet-shooting game.

The Riptide is cash-only, so make sure you hit the ATM before you come. A small parking lot next to the building fills up fast, and street parking is never a safe bet; chances are, you shouldn't be driving anyway.

Centerstage Reviewer: Beth Dugan