Andrew's Pub & Lounge
1434 Blake St
303-825-1111

Like a beacon in the storm, the lights of Andrew's Pub and Lounge beckon, and the arrow inlaid in the sidewalk directs passers-by through the entrance into a cozy, darkened atmosphere. Andrew's is the choice this snowy evening, with warmth and happy hour drinks. The happy hour special at Andrew's offers $2.50 wine, well, and drafts Monday through Saturday, 2-7 PM, and all day on Sunday. Happy hour on Sunday? Try it.

At Andrew's, this equates to a small but very friendly service industry crowd. Those who didn't know each other walking in the door had made new acquaintances by the time they left. The predominately 20-something male crowd is casually dressed, and by the conversation, many are nursing headaches from the night before. Five TVs scattered throughout the up and downstairs are tuned to MTV or Howard Stern, and there are random conversations of psycho girlfriends and new lusts.

Andrew's is set up as many of the pubs downtown are, with a long narrow bar area and booths for diners toward the back. Andrew's has a quaint little elevated lounge area in the far back, which is a steal for whoever realizes it is there and stakes their claim first. With couches and love seats in this elevated area as well as its own TV, one could forget they are not in the privacy of their own living room. Downstairs houses four pool tables, two of the TVs and a foosball table, as well as a jukebox and other random video games. Another couch tucked into the far corner literally envelops one as they sink into it with another draft. Monday through Wednesday nights, starting at eight after the happy hour special, Andrew's offers free pool and $1 beers. Simply switch to a bottle of Dos Equis, Rolling Rock or Asahi and start shootin' some stick.

Andrew's has a rather upscale atmosphere without being pretentious. Jeans and Dockers seem to be the preferred attire. The dark wood and mirrors give the place class with no trendy flashing lights and plastic accessories as distractions. There is a rather eclectic piece of art hanging above the door made up of saucers and broken plates which fits right in with the mosaic tile effect surrounding the entrance. As the evening wears on there is a steady trickle of people coming in. The newness of daylight savings time might have something to do with everyone's late start. The ratio of men to women starts balancing out, but if you are looking for young men in the hospitality industry as a potential liaison, this is a fertile pool. There are even representatives from Boulder present.

Andrew's is a fun, young local's bar with taste. I was delighted to see Yo, Flaco! and Yellow Bike Design stickers in the bathroom. The patrons are obviously active and in tune with the local scene. The conversation heard is engaging and educated with a polite and tasteful pickup feel to it. B