Well, I have a few nominations. However, picking a bar is just as hard as picking a place to eat. It depends on the mood you're in, Who you're with, and sometimes what you're wearing....You can't really narrow something like this down. There are too many variables involved. On any given night, any bar could be the best (or the beast) it just depends. With this in mind, I'll give you my favorites.(In no particular order)
Jack's Lounge, I may be a little biased about this pick but everything about this place seems RIGHT! From the cozy feel, the level of service, and the quality of the drinks and food, you can't pick a better place to go for just about any occasion.
The O'Malley's Corner Complex(Every Kind of Theme you can think of!!! ) vs. Phoenix Hill/Jim Porter's(Cracker Barrel with Booze), Sticking to tried and true fomulas(for better or worse), these places have something to offer anyone. It's hard not to have a good time at any of these hot spots!!! All of these places offer live music, plenty of atmosphere, and ample people watching opportunities that would be hard pressed not to top any list of bars in the city... or for that manner in the country. On any given night, You could feel like, act like, or be in the presence of real life rock stars!!!!
Cahoot's, Still the hipster hangout after all these years. No longer a place to see live music, (ala.. Tewlegan's back in the day, I saw some of the best shows of my life there)you can play a friendly game of pool. Not to mention one of the places where you can get a tasty bite very late!
And last but not least... The Riverview Lounge down at Turner's on the river... Horseshoes while the sun's goin' down on the Mighty Ohio...I don't think I need to say any more about this wonderful spot.