Opal Divine’s is perhaps one of the friendliest places in a city renowned for its friendliness. There are game-time wing specials, Monday burger nights (buy one get one half off) and Belgian beer specials, $3 margaritas and half-priced apps from 4–7pm weekdays, bar trivia Tuesdays, and $2.50 Texas beer all day Wednesdays. Best of all is the drink menu, which, in addition to the flippant cocktails you’d expect (Lynchburg Lemonade, Stoli “martinis”), includes an extensive list of spirits with some educational basics on each. It underrepresents the small-batch spirits discovered by zealous mixologists, but it’s a goldmine for anyone looking for a safe, inexpensive place to get into single-malt Scotch, Bourbon, Tequila, or Belgian beer. (Forget about the terrible wine selection, which we can’t exactly lament, given this cuisine.)

Consider the food an accessory to the leafy good time of the Sixth Street location, or the view-happy patio of the Penn Field spot. Among the yellow-lit Olde English touches of the original, it’s hard to argue with cheesy, Sysco-truckish nachos, but do avoid black-pepper-heavy queso. Think Bloody Mary-shrimp cocktails served in martini glasses; meat-and-two-veg plates; mango salsa’d tacos—that sort of thing. We recommend well-constructed salads (just don’t expect local or seasonal vegetables). Burgers are fine, if bready. It’s all just there to support your drinking education.