There's a place you can go where everybody knows your name - and no, it's not Cheers. It's the Standard Lounge, which opened earlier this summer with the goal of offering a comfortable, retro hangout everyone will want to frequent. Located on Monroe Avenue in the former stomping grounds for Spike's, the Standard Lounge has given the space a vintage makeover, breathing new life into the former dive.

When I first walked into the joint, I noticed all the familiar adornments - a huge pool table, a couple dartboards, and of course, the long, rectangular bar - but my attention quickly shifted to a few of the unusual accoutrements: an old-fashioned popcorn machine and giant neon jukebox in the corner. The jukebox, which looks more new millennium than old school with its rainbow-colored neon lights, cranks out everything from classic rock (Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and AC/DC all have slots in the machine) to Frank Sinatra.

The bar is also equipped with an intimate, cozy lounge area, complete with plush leather couches, a fireplace, and flatscreen TV. There are two other TVs - one at each end of the bar - which manager Errico Mannoni says were all tuned to CNN and E! News the day the bar opened (coincidentally, it was the same day both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson died).

"It was kind of a surreal way to open the Standard Lounge," he says. "We ended up listening to Michael Jackson songs on the jukebox the whole night. The crowd loved it."

Between the movie theater aroma, eclectic mix of music, and friendly atmosphere, it's no wonder the place has already caught on with a local, loyal crowd. I spent the night chatting with some of the "regulars" - a 30something computer technician, a middle-aged business man, his 20something tattooed daughter, and, of course, Mannoni - and even played a couple games of billiards with some fellow 20somethings. Mannoni says he hopes that the bar will become a regular stop for Monroe Avenue revelers.

"We've only been open a few weeks, so it's hard to gauge where we're at right now," he says. "Friday and Saturday nights are usually busy. We get a pretty good crowd here."

The crowd, which is mixed but friendly, usually starts streaming in steadily around 10 p.m., and will stay right up ‘til last call, and sometimes even a little past it, Mannoni says. Mannoni keeps ‘em coming back for more with what he calls "economically efficient" drinks: you'll pay as little as $1 to $3 for selected drinks on any night.

The Standard Lounge is located at 655 Monroe Ave. and is open daily 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Call 473-2451 for more information.

The wild party

As a kid, there was one time of the year I always looked forward to (two if you count Christmas): summertime. A time for vacation, playing outdoors, and just enjoying being young. Now as an adult, there's nothing better than being a kid again. And that's where the Seneca Park Zoo's Madagascar Party comes in.

The annual event, which will be held Saturday, August 8, 6-11 p.m., is one of the zoo's biggest fundraisers, and combines the best things about being young and being older. Attendees can sip cool adult beverages while checking out all the animals like an excited 5-year-old. There will also be food, live music, games, raffles, and a silent auction.

The zoo is located at 2222 St. Paul St. Tickets to the Madagascar Party cost $10, and can be bought at the Zoo's gift shop, or online at senecaparkzoo.org. You can also call the zoo at 336-7200 or visit senecaparkzoo.org for more info.