The other at America's oldest Tavern, the Bell in Hand I noticed signs all around the bar notifying patrons of a $25 minimum for credit card purchases. After ordering two beers ($10) I realized I was short on cash and handed my plastic over to the bartender. She shook her head and pointed to the sign. Explaining I didn't have any cash to pay I again offered her the card and said I'd talk to the manager if she was really going to enforce this ridiculous policy.

Something doesn't seem right about this.

Everybody else, however, might want to avoid TC's Lounge on Haviland Street, Jason Feifer reports.

The now closed Dot. Ave bar, that is:

... The drinks were stiff and cheap, and served up in clear plastic cups. The bartenders had Irish brogues. The DJs played standard Top 40 hits, and the dancefloor would get packed by a pretty diverse crowd of Irish folks, Dot natives, and black kids. ...

Mike Ball puts his liver on the line, so you don't have to, as he and a friend sample some of Jamaica Plain's bars that aren't named Doyle's. They started with the Drinking Fountain and continued on through Griffin's and J.J. Foley's Fireside, all within an easy stagger of the Forest Hills T stop.

None calls out or even whispers, "Enter, yuppies!" Of course, that's a major point, eh? From external, and as we found, internal, appearance, this are purposeful potable places. Drinkers welcome.

DrinkBoston hoists a brew in honor of the Independent:

... The Independent in Somerville's Union Square is kind of like that middle sister who, after an awkward adolescence in which she was often overshadowed by her older and younger siblings, grew up to be the attractive, smart girl who's really easy to hang out with. ...

Susie reports that if you've been out of college for more than a couple years, Joshua Tree on Comm. Ave. is a great place to go to feel really old:

... After having awkward convos with several groups of guys, I looked at my friends and said, "You know you're in trouble, when every single person you talk to asks you where you go to school." And they did. When we replied "We're not in school," they looked at us like we were delinquents or something...maybe we decided not to go to college? Or maybe we were still in high school? No, we must have misunderstood the question. "Sooo, do you, like, go to BU?" ...

Krissy critiques every last live-music venue she's been to of late:

Harper's Ferry — despite being in Allston, all of the shows I've been to there were free of that fratty crowd. It's a cool place with good bands that go there…lots of jam bands. However, Harper's Ferry has three strikes against them. 1) They will not give you a glass of water. They force you to purchase bottled water. 2) They have a dress code. The bouncers may or may not enforce it. 3) Surly employees. The bartenders are sometimes too busy gossiping with each other to serve you. A lot of the bouncers are twerps on a power trip.