Located across the street from St. Francis Health Center, Chuckster's is a warm and friend neighborhood bar that aims to take care of its customers. Stop by the full-service bar for a cold beer or mixed drink -- perhaps even a signature Funky Monkey. If you're hungry, try a pork tenderloin sandwich anytime or a grilled ribeye steak Friday or Saturday evening. (Updated 7.28.09)

Where can you enjoy a daily drink special and the great outdoors at the same time? Jax, of course. Tucked away in the Walmart, I-470, water tower neighborhood in south Topeka, Jax offers awesome drink specials -- starting with $1 off anything over $3 on Mondays -- as well as an outdoor recreation area featuring volleyball, horseshoes and basketball. A tasty food menu will curb your appetite.

Veterans both young and old mix in this relaxed setting where cold beer is the perfect accompaniment to war stories or a game of Keno. Texas Hold ’Em and karaoke alternate as entertainment on Thursday nights. Mostly, it's a place where regulars can meet up -- an elite group that has the shared experience of foreign service.

It doesn't get any better than sports and strippers, and Topeka Sports Cabaret features both. The wood-paneled, 8,200-square-foot club (formerly Snafu's) boasts a 30-foot bar, two stages for dancers, two VIP rooms and a 15-foot big screen among its array of TVs. There are daily drink specials, a food menu ranging from corndogs to ribeye steaks and a Friday food buffet ($7) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Once the most popular dining, drinking and dancing destination in the city, the Moose Lodge remains a vibrant social and service club with nearly 1,300 members. It offers full-service dining and live bands three nights a week, bingo three times a week and karaoke on Sundays. The Moose supports veterans activities and the JROTC program at Topeka High. And, yes, there's a moose head in the ballroom!

Pull up to the bar and chat up the locals by the soft glow of neon bar signs. Poor Bill's offers daily specials from its full bar. The White Russians are especially popular, but pale in comparison to beer's draw.

Fancy a pint? Find a bit of Ireland in this cool limestone storefront in downtown Topeka. This bar serves all the great Irish beers -- Smithwicks, Harp and Guinness -- from a long wood bar. Fill your belly with Irish classics like shepherd’s pie or a Reuben sandwich. The Fox draws a varied crowd, from area regulars to state lawmakers. It also books parties.

The strip-mall space got a facelift two years ago and is a great place to catch big games. Just about everything looks good on the two new 60-inch HDTVs. (There are four other TVs, too.) The 20's West replicates much of the original place but with food. Don't overlook the 10-ounce KC Strip with salad, baked potato and roll for only $10. (Updated 7.22.09)

One of the cleanest bars in town, hard wood walls, flags over windows, neon lights, darkened ambience, and lots of interesting characters of all walks of life, including cowboys, attorneys, blue collar workers, lots of working men. Bartender Jennifer Falley has 13 years of experience and knows how to take care of customers.

Brrr. Tailgators boasts the coldest aluminum bottles of beer in town -- downright frosty. Watch the big game in a smoke-free environment on one of 18 TVs, including a 6-foot projection screen. No need for smokers to feel left out. Tailgators offers a heated and air-conditioned patio. When the weather is nice, the glass garage doors on the patio are opened. Food and drink specials every day.