First look: Bar Seven

The look and feel

Six of Bar Seven's bars are in the main room, while the V Lounge, run by Vertical Junkies' Blaine Tomita and Russ Inouye, has its own unique, golden-hued space with wood decor in the front room. (You might remember this area from Venus.)

The main room is lit by hanging lamps and neon tracks. Each bar has a new flatscreen hanging behind it, with a hodgepodge of TV programs playing, from sports to news. The overall look hovers between classy and casual. All the bars, with the exception of the main bar, have sophisticated marble or wood tops. But the partly cement floor and '60s retro furniture give the feeling of hanging out in a friend's garage.

Although the bars are owned by different people, mostly local promoters, it's difficult to distinguish one from another. They all look fairly similar and have the same drink offerings. Unless the bars start establishing their own identities, patrons probably will just go to whatever's nearest.