Don't be fooled by its below-the-L location: The Blue Line is no dive. Trussed up to look like a dining car from the days when "traveling clothes" meant jaunty hats and matching parasols rather than sweats and flip-flops, martinis are the beverage of choice here.

Labor over the menu of more than 30 dreamy options like the favored French Kiss (Bacardi razz, Chambord and pineapple juice), the Cajun (Peppar with tomato juice, tabasco, Worcestershire and a jalapeno-stuffed olive) and the milkshake-like Espresso.

Fabulous garnishes like nutmeg, chocolate sticks and graham cracker crumbs make the drinks all the more special, but what's really spectacular is that the $7.50 cocktails cost $4 on Wednessday nights. Check out additional drink specials like $3 sangria on Tuesdays. The bar keeps no beers on tap but has a pretty sizeable collection of bottled brews (generally $3-$6, with a Frambois Lambic capping the list at $10).

Food runs from bar to standard American fare: Burgers, sandwiches, blackened tuna, steaks and sides like sweet potato fries. If you plan to just chill at the bar, take your pick from snacks like cheese-stuffed pot stickers, a lobster chimichanga, breaded olives and other deep-fried delights.

The place is reasonably full all week long, and the crowd is late-20s-to-30s and friendly, with much mingling around the curved bar. Music is standard Top 40, and plasma screens play pop favorite movies, sports and the like. Make new friends and indulge your competitive streak on Mondays, when the bar hosts Board Game Night featuring classics like Battleship, Operation, Scrabble and Uno.

Centerstage Reviewer: Julia Steinberger