Rudyard's Upstairs   

In any major city, bars and restaurants seem to come and go like a summer rain shower. It's refreshing to find a bar that has stood the test of time. Rudyard's British Pub began in the late 1970s as a small bar on Kipling Street -- so you don't have to be a literary expert to determine how the bar got its name -- and has had several different addresses, much like the British Nobel Prize winner. The present two-story establishment on Waugh is a friendly beer-lovers' bar and dart players' haven downstairs, while the upper level hosts bands six nights a week. In addition to serving a cornucopia of local brews, import beers and mixed drinks, Rudz (as it's known by patrons) also serves a satisfying selection of pub grub. As for the bands, the music is not for the faint of heart, ranging from a plugged-in jug band to heavy-metal maniacs, with entertaining names such as Jug o' Lightnin', Poor Dumb Bastards and Fatal Flying Guilloteens. -- Sandra Cook