Rough Draught

Oblivion Taproom (5101 E. Colonial Drive, obliviontaproom.com) From the vibrantly colored walls to the rambunctious rock blaring through the space, Oblivion conveys the youthful sense of adventure and cool aesthetic of the craft-beer scene right from the entryway. The oft-rotating selection of taps contains old standards and small-batch limited runs, and often at surprisingly low prices. (Seriously, Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout on nitro for $4? Get your fool mouth on that.) Throw in some creative bar food, pool tables and beer flights designed to play with your palate, and you’re going to be inspired to drink as many different beers as you can before you die.

Who’s it for? Readers of Beer Advocate, as well as anyone curious about what Jai Alai IPA tastes like when paired with buffalo-sauced pork cracklins.

Frank & Steins Eatery & Pub (150 S. Magnolia Ave., frankandsteins.com) Frank & Steins works because it’s a fun hangout. It’s stocked with board games, billiards, shuffleboard, even skee-ball – and you get rewarded with free hot sake just for showing up, as long as there are four people in your group. Oh, right, and there’s lots of beer (more than 300 to choose from), and it’s fairly priced for downtown – lots of drafts for just $5.

Who’s it for? Average people who like regular bars but want above-average beer.

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