Close-Knit and Casual

To say this is a family bar would be an understatement. This is a place where the regulars welcome you as if you’re a long-lost relative. By the end of the night, not only will you know their names, you’ll know where they live, their Social Security numbers, mothers’ maiden names. . . .

THE SCENE: The place is small, with booths on the left, tables in the middle and the bar to the right. A game area is in the front, with one pool table, two dartboards, a pinball machine and several video games. Two TV sets hang on either end of the bar area and a small stage sits at the far end of the room.

THE CROWD: Strictly an after-work, blue-collar crowd, meaning lots of jeans, flannel, sweat shirts and T-shirts. Although you’d only need two hands to count the number of people this particular Wednesday, the group was lively in its conversations at the bar, as well as enthusiastic about the live entertainment.

MUSIC: A jukebox is available to fill in the lulls between the live entertainment ranging from blues to rock. Karaoke is featured Tuesdays and Sundays, live bands Thursdays to Saturdays. Wednesday nights belong to bluesy-folk singer/musician Mary White. She is a favorite among the regulars, who often request her original tunes.

THE GOOD: Tom Baetz, 43, has been a regular for eight years. “This is an oasis for me after a long day of working for the state,” said the Van Nuys resident. “I can come here and feel like it’s home. It’s my ‘Cheers,’ but don’t you dare say I’m Norman.”

THE BAD: The dance floor, if that’s what it is, has room for maybe five couples if they’re willing to keep their movements to a minimum. Also, there’s only one pool table.

THE WORD: “I used to like that song until I heard someone do it on karaoke night,” said a patron at the bar.

McRed’s Cocktail Lounge, 13235 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys. Open 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. No cover. (818) 980-2845.