Tried Albert's awhile back, and while it had promise, it simply lacked something to get me to come back... well, they fixed that problem!
I've been meaning to stop by ever since they started advertising the new craft beer tap they installed (20 new taps in addition to the 8 the already had), and much to my surprise, they also brightened it up inside.
While its a smoking bar, half of the bar is designated as non-smoking and has a decently effective smoke elimination system that makes it bearable (even for an asthmatic). Beers are reasonably priced and the crowd represents a diverse mix townies and young professionals.
Overall, this is a good dive bar that fits the bill for a great place to drink with friends (pool table, etc.)... especially for those groups with a mix of smokers and non-smokers.