Bar Review - The science behind Gravity

Located on the edge of trendy East Atlanta Village, the Gravity Pub feels more like an after-hours spot than your average Atlanta watering hole. Unlike its larger, rowdier counterpart the Earl, this is the place to go out and not be seen. Although situated within spitting distance of Flat Shoals Road (East Atlanta's sedate version of Bourbon Street), you would never know it by walking in. The ambience is chill and unpretentious, featuring dartboards and an alarming absence of hipsters.

Ergonomics and relativity: The decor is eccentric, yet understated — automobile impound-release signs and minimalist, black-and-white photographs adorn the royal blue walls. The circular booths are some of the coziest in town. Epitomizing this mish-mash of styles is the bar's most noticeable piece of art — a large Soviet constructivist painting of Ted Turner which hangs at the back of the pub. In true Soviet fashion, Mr. Turner is modeling a spiffy hammer and sickle armband.

Matter and anti-matter: There is no house special to speak of, but Gravity is one of the few bars in Atlanta that serves Tullamore Dew — Ireland's answer to Jack Daniel's. Mixed drinks are stiff and affordable. Gravity also serves one of the cheapest regular-priced beers in town; (Canada's Carling Black Label is a paltry $1.50). The usual suspects can be found amongst the draft beers: Guinness, Bass, Harp, etc.; however, the bar also features Abita, Tetley's English Ale and Woodchuck cider, along with regional favorites Sweetwater 420 and Dogwood.

The food is run-of-the-mill pub grub: burgers (of both the carnivorous and herbivorous variety), chicken fingers, wings and tater tots. Tuesday nights feature bingo (for all you wanna-be geriatrics) and dollar tacos. Wing Wednesdays offer above-average wings for 25 cents a pop.

Phonon Vibrations:

No pub is complete without a good jukebox, and the Gravity passes with flying colors. It has almost all the bases covered: John Lee Hooker, Tom Waits, Richard Hell, the Pogues, Circle Jerks, the Pharcyde, Billie Holiday, Hank Williams, Leonard Cohen and the Velvet Underground, just to name a little more than a few. It's like having your record collection shipped to the pub, sans postal fees.

Zero Gravity: There is also a downstairs, which may as well be a completely different establishment. The unfinished concrete floor and musty aroma make this subterranean level feel like your best friend's creepy uncle's basement or a fallout shelter, complete with its own significantly inferior jukebox (think Skynyrd as opposed to David Byrne). A pool table, air hockey table and pinball machines add a rec room quality to the space. In lieu of tables and chairs, this dungeon provides an assortment of dirty couches, where couples can often be seen groping and making out.

Gravity Pub. Mon.-Thurs., noon-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat., noon-whenever. Sun., noon-midnight. 1257 Glenwood Ave. 404-627-5555.