With a twist: Josephine's proves martini bars don't have to be showy

Josephine's Martini & Wine Bar is proof that cocktail-centric spots don't need to be pricey and pretentious. The excellent and affordable drinks, attentive service and comfortable space make it a great place to savor some sweet or strong drinks with friends or a date.

Motif: The small space is kept dark, with a few overhead pink and red lights and some sparkly, rainbow-hued hanging lamps. Flat screen TVs in the corners and behind the bar are tuned to sports and the staff will take requests if you want to watch a different game. The paintings on the walls are constantly changing as the owner shifts out works from his collection purchased from local art fairs and auctions, with pieces ranging from nudes to landscapes. Roman-style sculptures are arranged throughout, and the bar is so into Halloween the staff never took down a set of three skulls that rests on a high shelf.

You can grab a space at the large square bar or relax on a plush chair or pillow-strewn couch. There's a small fireplace with fur rugs near the dance floor, which takes on some cheesy lighting late at night when the disco turns on. The building was once a bank and you'll walk past a huge vault door on the way out to the beer garden. The large fenced-off space has wood-planked floors, potted plants in the corners and lights around the edges. You can sit on a plastic chair around one of the small tables and enjoy the weather while you drink or play a game of bags.

Service: The owner, Frank Czech, is a true character. He has stories for everything and is eager to tell them as he mixes and serves up drinks. He loves sharing his favorite martinis if you're new to the bar, quickly replacing anything you don't seem to be enjoying and making sure to toss out suggestions for a follow-up to a finished glass.

Liquid consumption: Josephine's martinis are one of the best deals around. For $5 you can get a variety of 20-ounce cocktails that are mixed strong and delicious. The Pretty Woman, a mix of melon vodka, peach purée and champagne, tasted like a sweet Bellini. The French Kiss, with UV cherry vodka, Chambord and pineapple juice, managed to taste like a cherry lollipop without any of the medicinal taste that cherry-flavored drinks often get. The mai tai had a strong coconut flavor, and the pineapple crush was a refreshing tropical sipper, mixing pineapple liqueur, rum and pineapple juice. The cocktail menu goes up to $10 for premium cocktails, but there are so many great, cheap options that there's no need to shell out more. The owner also likes experimenting with joke drinks. His latest is the Oil Spill, which starts out as a glass filled with lovely Blue Curacao and blueberry vodka before he adds a mess of chocolate syrup and some floating Goldfish crackers. The bar currently offers 12 wines by the glass and the selection is set to expand in the fall. Bottled beer choices include Harp, Goose Island Honkers Ale and Rolling Rock.

Food: The kitchen is temporarily closed, though customers can order or bring in food from nearby restaurants. Dining service is expected to resume in September, with a selection of upscale small plates like seared ahi tuna and shrimp cocktail, plus more traditional bar food.

Music: There's no live music but the bar's soundtrack is truly eclectic, with Frank Sinatra and disco giving over to pop music and '90s tunes to appeal to the younger crowd later at night.

Crowd: Business has been slow this summer. When we were there around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday there were just a few older regulars having drinks and watching sports at the bar. Josephine's has been a popular spot for bachelorette parties and women's groups who like to hang out on the couches and enjoy the drinks. Still the owner said you're more likely to see middle-aged men swinging from the dance pole then any of the ladies.

Parking: Free street parking is available nearby.

Overall: A place where you can spend the night relaxing and drinking without emptying your wallet.