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Dark Room co-owner Jason Baron blessed LES indie rockers by transforming the nightspot formerly known as Eleven into a classic tavern via mahogany paneling and pressed-tin ceilings. Gone is the coveted basement: The focus is now on the stage. Here, buzzed-about bands are swarmed by lights that exaggerate the somewhat narrow room's capacity. Smoke machines make it (theoretically speaking, of course) easy for nicotine-cravers to light up while pounding draft pints in one of the spacious U-booths facing the bar, or better yet, in an attic-like balcony nook where the soundboard produces a crisp, wall-rattling aural experience. Instead of keeping a fixed schedule, Baron aims to book major acts for secret, spontaneous shows. Even so, there's usually live music on Saturdays during Tiswas 2.0, the long-running party that's been graced by performances from the Strokes and DJs like Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. — Daniel Maurer