This cozy neighborhood hideaway, tucked below street level down a short flight of stairs, is just the place to settle in and wile away a chilly evening in front of the fire. Its obscurity is maintained by the unassuming sign and dingy windows on the street; in fact, I passed right by it twice before finally identifying it. I took this as a good sign.
Once inside, I slid onto a bar stool to wait for my friend and joined in the communal game of Jeopardy being played by a group of regulars gathered at the bar. They were very welcoming and even tolerated my embarrassing wrong-answer shouting until my friend arrived. The bartenders were attentive and friendly, the jukebox had an extensive collection of great '70s and '80s music, and the fireplace gave the tiny den a warm, relaxed ambience.
Beer seemed to be the most popular beverage (though there was a full bar), with six or seven brews on tap and several more available in bottles. By the time my friend and I had killed a few, we had settled in so comfortably that we decided to make an evening of it and order some food. It turns out that All State is famous for its burgers, and for good reason. I didn't feel even a little bad about getting cheese AND bacon on mine.
With good beer; great burgers; a cozy, friendly atmosphere; and everyone from Dire Straits to David Bowie making their rotations through the jukebox, how could you not love this place?