The neighborhood pulse was felt when Wicker Park live music venue, The Note, closed and re-opened as The Flat Iron. Some devoted patrons of The Note plainly pounded their hearts twice. Some very devoted patrons quickly spread the canard that The Flat Iron was going to be a neighborhood sports bar. (It’s not. It's OK. Shhhh …)

The rumor's initial buzz had Nick Novich (owner of Nick’s Beer Garden, Nick's Uptown, and Nick's on Wilson) cocking his head in question – until it amused him. "That’s great, people will be surprised when they first walk in," Novich said. He also added that he wished there were more sports bars like The Flat Iron. I agreed.

Any covert sports theme is artfully hidden (literally) by four long walls of urban sketches by seven Chicago artists. The finished cartel is as diverse in color cast and technique as in subject. Some sketches are cleverly playful, some are dramatic; all are very serious.

The Flat Iron is easily another place to grab a PBR and play pool after most other taverns close. More abstractly, the venue is a muster for the latent essence that defined Wicker Park a decade ago: art exposed. The décor has the composite of an enormous body covered in tattoo.

The Flat Iron isn't for the artsy alone. I wasn’t condescended with questions about the art I don't make. I wasn't surrounded by elitists with cigarette extensions bashing marketable art. Not just because smoking was banned in Chicago, but because the patron vibe was light, unceremonious and fun.

As a non-art person I fancied the nightly drink special (a PBR can and a well shot for $5), pool tables and Internet jukebox. Rumors of live music at The Flat Iron haven’t circulated yet, but music is clearly valued.

Centerstage Reviewer: Kate Anderson