After watching their biker bar in Emmett go up in flames in June 2009, Jona and John Rupnicki found a new location for Ruffnecks Bar in downtown North Topeka. With plenty of cold beer on tap and Jona's Indian tacos featured on Mondays, there's no better place to unwind. The bar's pace picks up with karaoke on Fridays and live music once a month on the weekend. (Updated 11.24.09)

Take in a deep breath of hickory-smoked barbecue and head to the small bar to make the wait more bearable. Check out the drink menu including the "Blue Ribbon" drinks, ranging from the Famous Margarita (topped with a brandy float) to the spicy Devil's Spit Bloody Mary. There's a full bar and plenty of beer to go with the barbecue, from domestics to area brews from Tallgrass and Boulevard.

This roadhouse honky-tonk serves cold beer and a complete lineup of cocktails and mixed drinks at its full-service bar. The Thirsty Camel is big on Karaoke and Pool with 5 pool tables. We offer pool leagues and nightly pool tournaments. On Friday and Saturday, Karaoke starts at 7pm.

Midwest Elks Lodge 1441 has been in Topeka for more than 55 years. Members must fill out an application and pay dues. There are regular club meetings, and women's section and men's section. The nonprofit organization has talent contests and fundraisers for scholarships.

Opened in May 2008, this sports bar has TVs, poker, karaoke, live bands on occasion, a pool table, ice cold beer, several beers on tap and pizza. Janice Tidwell is the owner.

Lane's Barbeque closed on Dec. 11, 2009.
Warm up by one of two fireplaces and add fire to your belly with Lane's special chocolate-covered cherry shot, a house specialty since the BBQ joint added a bar in early 2009. Play pool and jam to local bands or get cozy on one of Lane's couches. Look for the same menu full of finger-licking BBQ. Owner Harold Lane is a state legislator.

In addition to having eight beers on tap, 22-ounce drafts, every liquor you can think of and daily drink specials, there's live entertainment on Friday nights. The food menu features Creek Stone Black Angus beef from Arkansas City, and state workers receive a 10 percent discount.

Sip on a glass of wine or beer from the full-service bar at the Brick Oven Courtyard Grille, an upscale restaurant with a bar. The Brick Oven is uniquely positioned between the heavily themed casual dining restaurants and the fine dining white tablecloth dinner houses. Stop in for breakfast and sample a mimosa or other special drink from the champagne bar.

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.

Varsity Blues became the College Hill Tavern in March 2010.

If one of the best beer lineups in the city doesn't convince you try College Hill Tavern, the food menu will. Their motto is "Come as you are to our neighborhood bar."