Any recommendations?

[Singejoufflue]

The boy is coming to visit in a couple Fridays and I need a great place to go.  MJ, I know y'all have some thoughts.  

Preferences:
Bar must have great beers (he's a total snob) or Yuengling. Liquor means nothing to us.
It must have a good, chill vibe.
It can't be too yuppie/too hipster/too pretentious.
Would prefer it not to be so crowded we have to yell/can't sit.
Needs to be close-ish to Arlington.
Pool tables would be icing on the cake.

For reference, one of our favorite places was the Old Town Ale House in Chicago, http://www.flickr.com/photos/queen_of_subtle/3600840607/, very divish, quaint and a great place to have a good chat.  Half naked politicos optional.

[ChriswUfGator]

Can you live without the Arlington requirement?

If so, there are lots of places downtown, and in Riverside. Otherwise, you may be out of luck.

[Overstreet]

The boy is coming to visit in a couple Fridays and I need a great place to go.  MJ, I know y'all have some thoughts..............

Where do you go when he's not coming?

[Singejoufflue]

I am willing to "go" somewhere, just not through hell's half acre. So, if your favorite place is at the beach or OP, not going to happen.

I haven't been out since moving back (I just got a job!) other than to Casbah for dinner and some gay bar in Brooklyn.  But, I used to live at Forbes and King so I am familiar with Riverside, albeit from 6 years ago.  When I lived in Rside I liked Starlight in 5 Points and Art Bar (but that was because it was convenient to the house).  My main issue is I need a place that is chill enough to chat and not have any undue distractions, i.e., slutty women dancing to pop music, obnoxious hipsters.  I thought about Kickbacks, but I hear it gets PACKED on Friday nights...

He's a "blue collar" kinda guy (Scranton) if that helps...

[tufsu1]

well Kickbacks along King in Riverside is a great choice....

downtown is a bit closer to Arlington....would suggest Dos Gatos or Northstar Substation

Generically, Ale House (both at Regency and Tinseltown) are also pretty good

[Live_Oak]

Cliff's on Monument.  It's a laid back bar.

[ChriswUfGator]

well Kickbacks along King in Riverside is a great choice....

+1

Also Walkers and The Loft are great...

[RiversideLoki]

As someone who has been burned by their food service several times, I begrudgingly submit Kickbacks. European street is my close second.

[BridgeTroll]

Might I suggest starting at Bold City for a sampling of their micro brews...

http://www.boldcitybrewery.com/tap-room.php

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Simple:

1.)  Bold City Brewery - have a sampler, then a pint 'o two of your favorite
2.)  13 Gypsies (Make Reso's, don't gorge yourself, but share the risotto and 2-3 other plates)
3.)  5 Pts - catch a movie, bar hop, etc..
4.)  Yesterday's - have a few Yuenglings - a few games of pool
5.)  Kickbacks - Finish the night off with beer perverseness and greasy (yet somehow always delicious) barfood - served until......
6.)  Enjoy the cabride back to Arlington or sleep under the stars at Memorial Park (it's been done, trust me)

All of this is within 3 miles of one another once you get there.