The good news is that the jukebox at Upper Kirby bar the Owl is free to play. The bad news is that among the host of universally loved college-era hits, there reside more than a few land mines. For example, the sort of person who chooses a Black Eyed Peas song on a bar jukebox should be back-charged the dollar in reparations.

The truly excellent weekday deals can either exacerbate or relieve the situation, depending on whether a cherry cheesecake shot will trigger you to select the Far East Movement’s Like a G6 from the jukebox, or help you to not hear sound. Every Wednesday is Ladies Night, which means $5 martinis and half-off wine and Thursdays feature $1 Lone Stars and $3 Jager. But the best deal of the week falls on Tuesdays, when all beers are only $2.50 — that includes an impressive selection of craft and Belgian beers such as Dogfish Head and Duvel.

The dance-floor appropriate songs that do occasionally pop up mostly seem at odds with the rest of the surroundings. Between the vintage-looking owl decorations and brick walls and archways, the Owl could be mistaken for a quaint English pub in another setting. Free popcorn and some extremely affable bartenders complete the neighborhood hideaway picture. But this is America and people are free to play whatever jam they so choose. But there are unspoken rules to jukebox play and there is no better place to dispute them than a bar.

The Owl
3200 Kirby
5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays-Fridays
7 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays
713-526-3535