Editorial Juice Review: Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company

The Bar: A staple of downtown dining, the nightlife here is laid back. You're going to get a locally crafted micro brew, and whether you order dinner or appetizers or the seasonal, the service and experience will probably be as smooth as the beer in your hand.

The Crowd: I stopped in during the Mug Club party for the release of the seasonal Pumpkin Ale, so the place was packed with regulars who all had individual, numbered mugs hanging from the ceiling of the bar area. They were munching on free appetizers and even drinking the brew from a giant pumpkin. Definitely a jolly after-work atmosphere going on. There was also a bride and groom in the restaurant area - that's a hardcore regular to come into a restaurant and bar in a top hat and tux and wedding dress.

The Regulars: I struck up a conversation with Mug Club member and Drake grad Trevor Arnold, 27, who now lives in Denver but was in town for a visit. When he moved away six months ago, he considered bequeathing his mug (No. 487, although he used to be No. 11), but decided to hold onto it. Arnold said when he was in college he and his buddies figured it only takes something like six visits for the membership to be worth it.

Are We Happy? Definitely. With Arcade Fire playing on the sound system, a room full of beer lovers and a giant plate of extremely hot wings (worth it for the $5 you'd pay at happy hour, but pricey without the special), this isn't the cheapest happy hour in town, but it's not watered down. Split two appetizers with a friend and you're set for dinner without setting yourself back too far. Plus, with a crowd like this, you might just make a friend.

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