This reminds me of my East LA dives, except not scary. It almost has that incognito speakeasy feel, but is more along the cozy side.
The real reason I love it is authenticity-- when we were there the first time, a group of uppity girls were complaining about not getting their drinks fast enough. They picked a verbal fight with the bartender, and he actually threw them out (as in pointed the way to the door). It was awesome! In an age when money rules, it goes to show that being polite never goes out of style no matter whether you're a hipster or an up-towner.