U-31 Cocktail Lounge

This North Park Irish bar with the suspiciously crude name dates back to the 1940s and keeps its patrons happy with pool tournaments and plenty of band and DJ entertainment. Now called U-31 but, drawing a mixed crowd of all ages, races and occupations, Buster's has a reputation for being a friendly, no-hassle place for single women. There's sports on the TVs, a pool table, old school hip-hop on Wednesdays, reggae on Fridays and live music on Saturdays. You can dance to the music while enjoying a Guinness or anything from the full bar. Note the framed Irish poetry and the vintage photos of old North Park that line the walls. Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest, and parking may be limited on University Avenue. Venture down the nearest cross street, Illinois Avenue, for side street parking.