the West Side Guide
What you're missing by not crossing Iowa St. By Mike Bauer and Carlos Centeno, Jayplay writers
The Mediterranean Market and Cafe 3300 W. 15th St.
Delicious combinations of the north and the south make this Mediterranean spot a close encounter with exotic dishes at a reasonable price. If the muse comes down and inspires you to make the dishes yourself, there is a Mediterranean market two steps away from your chair with a wide array of Arabic food and other rare ingredients.
Shenago Lounge 2907 W. 6th St.
photos: Brent Carter
Everything about this bar is low key, from the dimly-lit interior to the location; it's almost hidden behind Imperial Garden. You won't find many college kids in the small, intimate bar, as most of the patrons are older folk. The music is a bit older too, with many
CDs by various blues and country artists. Shenago is also one of the few bars in town that chills its shot glasses along with its mugs and pint glasses.
75th Street Brewery 3512 Clinton Parkway
Just because you moved to West Lawrence doesn't mean you have to drive all the way to Free State Brewery to have great local microbrews. Located in what used to be Emerson Biggens, 75th Street Brewery offers four freshmade brews, from pale ales to stouts, served in mugs, pint glasses and half-gallon jugs to take home for $9. The large bar has plenty of seats and TVs, which could be next season's hot spot during March Madness.
The Pool Room 925 Iowa St.
When you absolutely, positively must play pool while drinking, head to The Pool Room, it has 28 pools tables to show off your skills in Cutthroat or 9-Ball. Although the selection isn't anything fancy, the beer supply is plenty to wet your whistle whether you're schooling your friends or getting schooled. It also has a digital jukebox with a variety of
artists from Audioslave to Ween. For those wanting to shake your tail feathers, stop by on Thursday nights for Maracas, located in the back room of the bar.
Henry T's 3520 W. 6th St.
Join the crowds every Monday after 6 p.m. for the fresh made two-for-one burger special. If your flow's low, bring your partner here for the best for your money. The Burgundy burger blends the strong scent of Burgundy (a red wine from East central France) with a juicy, thick piece of meat that together with all the veggies and tennis-raquet potato chips is a blessing from Burger God for less than $5.
601 Kasold Drive
It's interesting enough to eat raw fish with rice, but it's rather an exhibition to see the cooks at Kokoro work their pans on the fry. Watch your vegetables and meat go flying only to end on the grill, chopped and ready for a dish steaming in heat. Bring your friends for a good night of Sake Bombs (a drink that entails dropping a sake cup in a beer glass after a peculiar chopstick structure is assembled on top of the glass).
Kokoro
The Moon Bar 821 Iowa St.
Enjoy Asian ambiance without having to go to a sushi restaurant every time. Try some Asian beers such as Sapporo, Tsingtao or Asaki at the marble-top bar, view the illuminated Asian illustrations on the walls and play some pool. After you've had a few and are in the drunken mood to sing, wail your heart out in one of the bar's five karaoke rooms, available on an hourly basis.
— Mike Bauer can be reached at mbauer@kansan.com. Carlos Centeno can be reached at ccenteno@kansan.com.
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Jayplay 5.06.04