Club Cafe   

There's an old-timey ambience to Club Cafe, the hot little joint just a block from the business of Carson Street. The humble stage, the tastefully glittering walls, the elegantly backlit bar -- it's like a Rat Pack fantasy in here, just big enough to entertain a crowd, just modest enough to feel cozy. When musicians arrive from across the country (past acts include scores of big names; indie rocker Jill Sobule released an album here), no guest sits more than 30 feet from the stage. Club Cafe resembles an old-school piano bar (albeit with state-of-the-art amplifiers and recording equipment); wine is sipped, the menu is elegant, and the ovations are enthusiastic. When a live act isn't on stage, the club converts to a Steelers-worshipping sports bar, complete with overhanging TVs and boisterous fans. Compared with South Side's riotous nightlife outlets, though, Club Cafe is uniquely refined, a rare combination of club excitement, cafe flair and retro chic.