The Perfect Pub?

1:45 PM -- Essay question: Is there a such thing as the perfect pub?

This "saloon" across the street from my office makes a pretty good run at being all things to all drinkers.

It's rugged, yet it has game(s). It's got WiFi and a decent "Internet connected" jukebox (though that's a little out of place given the bricked streets and sawdust floors).

It opens at 11 a.m. and has a 5-hour happy hour.

It has some decent beers on tap. And best of all, no one would think to come looking for me there.

I'm not saying the Showdown Saloon is the greatest ever, but it's a good place to start the discussion. What qualities do you think, besides good brew, make for a memorable watering hole?

Need it be legendary and unique, like San Mateo's Prince of Wales? Or just local and lively, like the 221B Baker St. chain?

Weigh in on the boards below or drop me a line. There are no wrong answers.

— Phil Harvey, Cocktails Editor, Light Reading