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Even when acts aren’t onstage at this bar-cum-performance space, patrons can snack on comfort-inspired small plates with a backdrop of works by artists such as Chuck Close. And while food isn’t the headliner, it makes a more-than-worthy opening act. The crostini plate, with crunchy, golden olive-oil-brushed toasts, comes with three little pots of fresh-tasting toppings: pesto, tomato bruschetta, and black-olive tapenade. Tofu and hearts of palm, rolled into a crêpe, nicely combine for a healthy bite, and a Parmesan crisp creatively lends texture to truffled macaroni and cheese. The bar gets busy at night, but the red-and-black edged basement doubles as a great spot for lingering with the laptop (there’s free Wi-Fi). The $5 menu (tater tots, grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly) comes in handy later, when customers can pocket the change for drinks, or better yet, tickets to a show. — Kathleen Squires

Tater tots, $5; truffled mac and cheese, $9; crostini sampler, $12; vegetable crepe rolls, $11.