Night at the Park

What: The Tavern on Park

Vibe: Because the bar is separate from the restaurant's dining rooms, nightlife takes on a life of its own at this slightly upscale establishment. There's a large bar that opens onto a patio and balcony with plenty of seating, offering great breezes on warm nights. A $5 appetizer menu during happy hour features barbecue chicken flatbread, calamari, hummus, and oyster bruschetta.

Nightly drink specials abound: Monday is Pint Night ($2), Tuesday features Tavertinis, Wednesday and Thursday offer half-price bottles of wine, and look for a Bloody Mary bar on Sunday. Live music is the highlight on Friday and Saturday nights, and some of the area's most popular bands (Simplified, Lenny Federal) often play.

Who's There: The crowd is usually filled with couples or groups of couples, in addition to a few girls-night-out groups and some guys sitting at the bar watching a game. What Sets It Apart: It's a great late-night option inside Park Towne Village. The balcony overlooks a courtyard that is shared by a few places, including Hef's Bar & Grill and Blonde Lounge, which means you can easily change scenery if a different mood strikes you.

Where: 1600 Woodlawn Rd., 704-519-4740, thetavernonpark.com

Hours: The bar: Mon-Wed, 11 a.m.-midnight; Thu-Sat, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sun, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.