On tap: Michelob Lite, Michelob Ultra, Bass, Guinness, Woodchuck, Miller Lite

A few bottles: Murphy’s Stout, Newcastle, PBR tall can, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday

The deal: $2 8-oz. burgers after the restaurant closes.

Where: 3203 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke

Call: 774-6776

HOW TO FIND IT:

The bar sits under the restaurant Blue Magnolias on Brambleton Avenue. It's not marked by any sign and everyone inside calls it by a different name. This facility, the original Brambleton Deli, has gone through a slew of names, most of which stuck. Known by many as Brambleton BBQ, the Burger Joint, the Joint, Blue Magnolias and sometimes the Basement, the intimate, comfortable bar boasts the same owners and bartenders since its inception 11 years ago.

WHO YOU'LL MEET:

Boogie and Bubba, the Joint’s bartenders, are as central to the bar as its pool tables, dart board, video games, jukebox and "To Hell with Iraq, Let’s Bomb Hollywood" bumper sticker. Boogie and Bubba greet customers by name and make a delicious Bahama Boogie or Bahama Bubba as the case may be, revised versions of the Bahama Mama, made with tropical rums.

THE REGULARS:

Bubba cites the clientele as "friendly and nonjudgmental" adding that the "later it gets, the younger it gets and the busier it gets."

Boogie later seconded those sentiments, saying, "Nobody gives anybody a hard time." Boogie, Bubba and a regularly sporadic regular, Billy, each individually compared the bar to the one where everybody knows your name.

Bubba is quick to point out that although the bar is a neighborhood-type establishment, it is not exclusive. The regulars are intermittent in their regularity, which lends itself to a sort of grab-bag, sundry crowd on any given night.

THE VIBE:

Boogie theorizes that people like the Joint because it’s an extroverted version of someone’s rec room. The two pool tables, pinball machine, myriad video games, widescreen TV and a glowing, neon Tabasco sign create a sort of active basement feel that attracts all kinds. "Heathens, punk rockers, old people, young people, white people, black people . . . we get ’em all," he declares.

When you’re just walking in, this casual, comfortable environment makes it difficult to discern who knew one another prior to coming to the bar and who’s just striking up conversation.

NUTSHELL:

Blue Magnolias by any other name will continue to embody Roanoke’s most likable traits. It is an unpretentious, inexpensive and genuinely good time.

BARTENDERS: Boogie and Bubba

HOUSE DRINK: Bahama Boogie, according to Bubba. Bahama Bubba, according to Boogie

RECIPE: Classified, according to both

ANOTHER HOUSE FAVORITE: Apple martinis

BEST THING ABOUT THE BAR ACCORDING TO BOOGIE: "I love my job; I’d rather work . . . I’ll see all my friends out."

BEST THING ABOUT THE BAR ACCORDING TO BUBBA: "When the door opens, people don’t turn to stare at whoever walks in. They don’t care."

TARGET AGE GROUP ACCORDING TO BOOGIE AND BUBBA: Diverse, varying, a broad range

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BOOGIE AND BUBBA: They’ll remember your face, if not your name. So be nice.