Stella's Lounge, our new "downtown dive," is a mixed bag of sorts. The food - with more vegan than meat options - is incredible. The beer is cheap, with a limited selection, but the menu has more than 200 whiskeys to choose from. The wait staff, hired based on personality, is tattooed, dread locked, pierced and witty. You can play a number of classic arcade games in the back, and the jukebox has its share of Talking Heads, The Clash and The Ramones - in fact, it might be the one bar left in all of Grand Rapids that Gaga doesn't have in her glittered fist. But the hidden gem of your libations list might be the Sangria. When you order a Sangria at Stella's, you get it in a mason jar and that suspiciously sweet, surprisingly delicious flavor is none other than Mad Dog 20/20. I had vowed never to drink Mad Dog again after learning that even if you are declared the victor, no one really wins the Last Man Standing contest when Mad Dog is involved. However, Stella's has somehow made America's favorite bum wine into something not only tolerable, but desirable. Equal parts "Red Banana" and "Grape" mixed with sour, juices and house red wine (Big House Red, if you were curious), it's like spiking a punch bowl all over again. The best part: $4. Always. - J. Bennett Rylah

Sangria is available year-round at Stella's Lounge, located at 53 Commerce Avenue in Grand Rapids, for $4. (616)742-4444, stellasgr.com.