A couple of blocks south is The Oil. It specializes in Jack Daniel's, Guinness and rock music. It has fake retro ads and neon signs. The first time I entered, there were two old timers nodding their heads to prog rock. It's the antithesis of everything I like.
But I loved it. The bar thrives on the charisma of the boss, Shu.
"You should be ashamed of such lousy Japanese" was his unorthodox greeting on my first visit, and I warmed to him immediately. Shu loves Jack Daniel's. I don't. We can agree to disagree.