In dive bar heaven, the streets are paved with peanut shells and golden lager rains daily. But until you reach that poorly lit tavern in the sky, Ollie's Lounge can satisfy your earthly needs.

There is nothing terribly spectacular about Ollie's as far as dive bars are concerned.Yes, there is a cooler where you can buy your own forties of Old English if the Bud and Miller oligarchy doesn't do it for you. Its dark hallows are spacious, and the pool table certainly looks inviting. And indeed, the clientele and bartender are quite friendly.

In terms of convenience for Northsiders, Ollie's can't be beat. You could count the steps needed to reach the front door from the Berwyn Red Line on two hands. Okay, maybe two hands and two feet, if you took big steps. Also unbeatable are the drink specials. Bring two dollars with you any given night, and you're bound to be able to drink something—Bud on Mondays, High Life on Tuesdays, Old Style Thursdays. Signs on the wall claim that a DJ spins at the bar on Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday is free pool day.

But unless you consider yourself a connoisseur of dive bars or you live in Edgewater, it might be difficult to drum up reasons to make the trip here. Not to mention the fact that it closes ridiculously early, between 10 and 11 p.m. most nights.

Centerstage Reviewer: Eden Robins