Royale

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene
Another 99-cent store bites the dust as this souped-up drinking hole hits the south Slope like a wrecking ball. Irish owners (also involved with Atlantic Avenue's Last Exit) gutted the place and built it with their own hands, working from rough designs they sketched on the bare walls. The look is vintage Vegas, and then some--the back room showcases booths and flicker-flame hoop chandeliers. DJs spin weekends and the Puma-ed out crowd could be a print ad for an Urban Outfitters nightlife line.

The Draw
The back room fills up fast: Patrons perched on benches opposite those booths eye them like a coveted seat on the subway, ready to make their move. Fill 'er up from one of the cocktail servers or the good-company bartenders. Just don't take the place too seriously--the cheese-factor is playfully intentional.