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You'll either be pleasantly surprised or mildly let down that Gossip Bar's sleek neon and black-wood exterior gives way inside to a fairly traditional Irish pub. Once your joy (or disappointment) wears off, settle into a leather banquette or barstool and pick your poison—there are twenty beers on tap, or ask the friendly staff about drink specials, including "hurricane martinis" and other lethal-sounding elixirs. The menu is hit or miss: Stick to pub-food classics like buffalo wings and a truly heart-attack-worthy spinach and artichoke dip, or a standout appetizer of tender, meaty BBQ baby back pork ribs. Avoid the parma and ricotta flatbread, a tasteless option that lacks any note of the promised truffle oil, but generous entrées (including U.K. classics like shepherd's pie and bangers and mash) might inspire you to settle into your seat for another round. On game days, the semicircular booths are great for TV-watching, and ample space plus a lack of crowds makes this a great option when other neighborhood spots are packed. — Megan Creydt

Happy hour Monday-Friday 4-7 p.m., Wednesday-night trivia, Monday-night wing specials, second floor for private parties up to 175 people.

BBQ babyback pork ribs, $18