Stripper Pole. Check. Multiple airy outdoor patios. Check. Huge martinis, addictive mac n'cheese, Beatles karaoke night. Check, check, check.

Rush Street may just be the most well-rounded spot in town. Recently bursting onto the burgeoning Culver City scene, this roomy, lively spot introduces the concept of nightlife to this dining dominated area.

Finally! A real live bar in Culver City!

Living up to its famous namesake- Chicago's Rush Street strip- Rush Street pulses with a welcoming vibe of casual sophistication. Replete with sweeping ceilings, brick walls and exposed wood beams, the décor and versatility of the space is perhaps its' greatest strength.

Perch up at the mezzanine bar to scan the soft horseshoe-shaped, licorice hued leather booths of the dining room below for your next true love. Wander out onto the breezy front patio to watch the world stroll by, or tuck away to stargaze or snuggle on the more secluded, candlelit back patio or low-lit upstairs lounge.

Feeling a tad more lively? Take advantage of some liquid courage in the form of sparklingly yummy cocktails like the back nine (grey goose citron, limoncello, and iced tea) and dive into the pretty crowd at the tremendous 35 foot molded main bar. Even better, team up with the DJ and take a twirl on that shiny stripper pole in the ‘star room'. You know you want to.

Matching the general aura of cozy elegance, the menu offers up a host of gourmet comfort food. Delicate mini crab cakes, buffalo chicken lollipops and tataki nachos are winners amidst the creatively refined, bar-centric bevy of snacking options. Entrée's delve deeper into a fresh and hearty world with everything from marinated bistro steak frites to lobster thermador ravioli. I inhaled the stuffed chicken breast: a tender, juicy blend of ricotta, spinach, and sundried tomato. And the baked macaroni and cheese, with it's oozing, perfectly golden blend of farmhouse cheeses, continues to haunt me daily.

There's just something in the air at Rush Street.

Everyone- from the staff to the cheerful, eclectic crowd- seems ready to make friends. And at the end of the day, isn't that what we go out to do? Refreshing sense of possibility and inter-connectivity where you'd least expect it. Check.

Story by Alyssa Lloyd.