Archive Casbeers at the Church gets you in the spirit of informality and features some of the best bands around.

What: Casbeers at the Church

Where: 1150 S. Alamo St.

The digits: (210) 271-7791

On the Web: casbeers.com

Get your drink on: 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. Happy hour is 5-7 p.m. weekdays (except Monday). There’s a gospel brunch one Sunday every month; the next is Aug. 24.

Hotties quotient: Medium. It all depends on the band. There’s live music every day except Mondays, and the type of audience is a direct correlation to who is playing. Either way, this isn’t your upscale bar or trendy nightclub crowd. Young or old, professional or dressed down, people are here for the music.

Wallet hangover: Low. Red and white wines range from $4.50 to $6.50 a glass or $20-$30 a bottle. Domestic beers are $3, and imports are $4 (prices drop to $2.25 and $2.50 during happy hour); well drinks are $4, call drinks are $6 and premiums range from $7 to $8. Margaritas are $4 on the rocks and $5 frozen. The kitchen boasts a tasty menu of burgers, sandwiches, nachos, desserts and Lucille Casbeers’ famous enchiladas, to name a few. The best part? Everything is less than $10.

The 210 take: Casbeers at the Church is a unique venue: It was built in 1912 as the Alamo Methodist Church and until recently was used for stage productions under the name Church Theatre and Bistro. The main bar, small stage, restaurant and patio are all on the lower level. The main stage is in the 160-seater sanctuary upstairs, and a smaller cash bar is set up in the entry during shows.

This isn’t the place to come if you’re trying to pick someone up. This is the place to bring a date if you want to impress him or her with your knowledge of live music. It’s equal parts bar, restaurant and listening room, with zero trace of pretentious dance club. Don’t walk in wearing your man-trap outfit or three-piece suit. The casual kids will think you’ve lost your mind.

Stefanie Arias | 210SA contributor