Bristol Lounge may look like an ordinary neighborhood bar, but it has the best free bar food in the city. Forget pretzels or popcorn or Chex mix: the bartender here brought out plates of ham sandwiches on rye, fresher than anything you've ever eaten (and not paid for) at a bar before. Draft beers can be ordered in a small 0.3 liter glass or a larger half-liter glass, but the large glasses appear to be the favorite. In case the free ham sandwiches are scarce and you get a little hungry, the limited bar menu includes hot dishes, cold dishes and soups at less than five big ones. (Try the ham sandwich, seriously.)

A long bar runs along the left side of the narrow space, while two pool tables, a dartboard and some video games reside on the right. Though most of the patrons here speak Polish, the jukebox plays an odd mix of Bob Marley, Neil Young and Tom Petty. Middle-age men play pool while wide-shouldered guys in their twenties watch whatever soccer game or other sporting event is going on. Another TV plays Polish news for anyone interested in what's going on back home. The bar's patrons are mostly neighborhood regulars, but newcomers are cheerfully welcomed.

Centerstage Reviewer: Aimee Hall