Thirsty Thursdays in Davis Square

It's Thursday night, and thanks to Tufts' bizarre block schedule, your classes are done for the week. If you're tired and don't want to venture far, fear not, as the diverse selection of bars in Davis Square is certain to have something for you. So put on your drinking cap, jump on the Joey, and get ready to live on a prayer, Somerville style.



PJ Ryan's (3 out of 5)

For a quiet evening with your sweetheart over a candlelit barrel, head to PJ Ryan's on the fringe of Teele Square (Highland Ave). This sleepy pub is a great place for a little more conversation, a little less action. The beer selection is small and on the expensive side, but PJ Ryan's does carry some off-beat imports such as the German hefeweizen Franciskaner. Thrills and chills include an open front and well-manicured window boxes. Make sure to brush up on horticulture before you go so you can show off to your date.



Orleans (2 out of 5)

The latest of Davis Square's attempts at trendiness, this fabric-ladden bar was almost certainly decorated by Enya and the interior design guy on the Discovery Channel. Drinks are pricey, and the food is too expensive for poor college students. Mixed drinks are sloppy and the beer selection is uncreative. With its wealth of draped fabrics, Orleans is a site more fitting for a brothel than a party _ but unfortunately, neither is happening there.

Be careful not to trip over the velveteen rope on your way out.



The Burren (4 out of 5)

Unless you've been living in the Tisch Library men's bathroom since your 21st birthday, you've likely experienced a lively Thursday night at The Burren. The pub is home to live Irish music several nights of the week, but on Thursday nights, the backroom is a mecca for those who enjoy singing along to '80s hair rock with a pint of beer in their hands. The Swingin' Johnsons _ a band of men clearly experiencing mid-life and grooming crises _ churns out a predictable but enjoyable selection of Bon Jovi, Journey, and more Bon Jovi beginning at 10 p.m. each week.

The frontroom bar has a larger beer selection than the back, so buy your beer there before venturing into the '80s oasis. The Burren offers a fairly standard selection of local favorite brews, along with a wide selection of bottled beers and girlie drinks. Avoid gambling on mixed drinks, as the quality is about as reliable as Tufts e-mail.

The Burren is a must-visit on your first Davis experience and a good site for 21st birthday debauchery. It's not the place for a heart-to-heart conversation, but do expect to see some lip-to-lip action on the dance floor.

But as with all bars in Somerville, points off for closing at 1 a.m.



Sligo's Pub (1.5 out of 5)

A slice of Somerville at its worst, this bar is smaller than your Wren single and probably has more bugs. It is the place to meet that trucker you've always been lusting after. But despite a less-than-glamorous appearance, Sligo's offers cheap drinks and a lively atmosphere. It features the classic beer selection (Budweiser, Sam Adams, Corona) at the lowest prices in Davis, and Sligo's punch is both tasty and guaranteed to give you beer goggles.



Underbones (3.5 out of 5)

If you're looking for large quantities of barbecued-meat or want to go out with a crowd of mixed ages, head downstairs at Red Bones on Chester Street to Underbones. The bar offers the best beer selection in Davis Square, and there is plenty of quirky artwork on the wall for you to make slurred comments about. They feature many local beers, seasonal favorites (like blueberry beer in the summer) and uncommon imports, as well as creative and high-quality mixed drinks.

The music is generally an eclectic selection of rap, hip, hop and modern rock with enough booming base to get the party started and keep it rolling. When you get the drunken munchies, pub food is available until 12:30 and can be ordered at the bar. While it is not the full red-neck dinner menu, the late-night menu includes the pulled pork sandwich, hushpuppies and nachos to die for.

Wait until at least your fourth drink before venturing into the oddly-shaped and brightly-colored bathrooms. If you are male, it requires a substantial amount of maneuvering to avoid peeing on yourself.



The Joshua Tree (4 out of 5)

For a look at what your life might be like in six years, head down Elm Street to The Joshua Tree. This mid-priced restaurant turns into a bar after 8 p.m., making it a great place to get dinner and hang out for a few beers with a late 20-something crowd.

The food, though not exotic, is better than wings and dippin's. Though the beer is expensive, the selection ranges from obscure favorites like Magic Hat Fat Angel and Pete's Strawberry Blond to popular favorites like Sierra Nevada Pale and Sam Adams.

With a wealth of big screen TVs, Joshua Tree is a great place to watch the game or pre-game with The Burren. The atmosphere is trendy but relaxed, and the crowd is social _ sometimes to the point of desperation