Formerly: Based on the copious amber bottles of Miller Lite, and the neon sign over the backbar that says, "Anything can happen when it's Miller time at the Gin Mill," this spot should probably be renamed "the lager mill."

On any given weekend night, this refuge for Michigan State alumni and recent college grads acts as your run-of-the-mill Lincoln Park neighborhood spot, a lair of dark woods, exposed brick and green paint, a nod to the MSU crowd and faux Irish pubbiness. The Abercrombie-clad bar-hoppers rub up against each other to pulsating beats, and by closing time, it's a good bet somebody's done a drunken version of Riverdance up on the bar top.

During the weeknights and lazy weekend afternoons, while the regular crowds nurse hangovers, the Gin Mill transforms into the spot in Chicago for Michigan transplants and paunchy middle aged beer leaguers to gather for a dose of Detroit Red Wing Hockey. Rather than watching games sleepily on the plasma screens while some DJ rips a set over the action, the bar actually taps the sound from the game directly into the sound system.

Centerstage Reviewer: Michael Nagrant