Though it technically sits at the western edge of already-hip Midtown Alley, I'm declaring Field House a victory for the Grand Center neighborhood.

The arts district that's home to the Fox Theatre and the Kranzberg Arts Center has lacked nontheater destination spots for a while now, and this big, friendly sports bar is just what the neighborhood needs.

I'd been looking forward to visiting Field House since it opened earlier this year, and I finally stopped in for dinner and drinks — before heading to the theater, appropriately — last weekend.

The bar's modest exterior features two large garage doors, which had been rolled open in nicer weather just a few days earlier. Sadly, it was snowing when I visited, so they were closed.

Inside, Field House is huge. Casual pub tables surround the bar, and the other half of the room is a slightly more formal dining area. TVs and St. Louis University sports memorabilia line the walls, and the bar subscribes to a number of televised-sports packages, so they're probably showing your game.

Field House has 20 beers on tap, so I ordered a local Six Row Strong Porter ($4.50) with my buffalo wings (delicious). Dark, malty and full of sweet, chocolatey flavor — and a good value. My friend tried the Sterling "limited edition" chardonnay ($6.50), which was a fairly generous pour for the price.

As added bonuses, parking was relatively easy, we didn't have to wait in a queue for a table and our food came out in a timely manner.

During happy hour, 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, you can save $1 on drinks and half off appetizers. And on Thursdays, 10 p.m.-midnight, Field House sells $5 Natural Light pitchers, all but guaranteeing its place as a neighborhood college bar.

Here's hoping Field House paves the way for more new neighbors.

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Where Field House Pub & Grill, 510 North Theresa Avenue • More info fieldhousestl.com, facebook.com/fieldhousestl, 314-289-0311 • Smoking No • Hours 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday