Inside: Star Bar

Little Five Points is the brand name for eccentric Atlanta nightlife, that much is an easy call. But within those five prickly points wages the important war of "best bar." No, it isn't a subject taken lightly. Star Bar, for one, is definitely near or at the top on most five pointers' lists. Metromix takes a peek inside to see just how bright this star shines in the nightlife scene. Which is exactly why Metromix decided this would be the perfect venue to host our New Year's Eve bash.

The spot: Located smack across from that skull-encrusted infamous burger/biker bar in L5P, Star Bar keeps real bar hours. No lunches or soft drinks here, pally. If you're looking for it, just follow the star atop the roof and step through the convenience store-style doors. Once inside, you'll find that the entire bar is basically a big and open wooden (dance) floor flanked by two lengthy bars on either side. The stage looks you straight in the eye, and is usually decorated with Christmas lights no matter what time of year it is. How's that for simplicity? This bastion of local music and bar fly good times has been around since the early '90s, and has always been locally owned and operated. You will probably be boozing next to an owner when you decide to pull up a chair.

The drinks: PBR is $2. Always. Other than that, the prices stay cheap on mixed drinks, a decent helping of on-tap and in-fridge domestics and imports and hard liquor from the well or the mirrored shelf up top.

The calendar: Star Bar is known for its nights and its nice helping of local music. The regular "nights" bring locals in with open mic comedy on Mondays, DJ Romeo Cologne's Dance Funk Party and cheap/free shows on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The bar also hosts the best in Atlanta music scene shows with favorites like Y-O-U, The Nerd Parade, Modern Skirts and Rantings of Eva. Star Bar also put on various local fests, including the great music discoveries that are the Bubbapalooza and Big Trouble in Little Five shows.

The word: Almost every week there are a handful of unique shows at Star Bar, sporting lineups of top local music banding together on a great bill and sometimes even for a good cause. The crowd is also a good mix of all the folks -- from hippies to yuppies and back to hipsters -- that make Atlanta, and especially L5P so darn sweet. Plus, any place offering PBRs at recession prices gets our vote.