I like sushi. Ever since I tasted my first California roll back in high school, I've been hooked. Kassai Sushi (731 Quebec St., 303-320-0833) is a decent sushi spot - they have a killer $1 sushi special from 7 to 10 p.m., and we're meeting The Geophysicist and his Rock Star wife here to enjoy. The service is always a bit of a blotch, but the deal can't be beat.

Dinner lasts an hour and a half, and then we're looking for the next spot. We're shooting from the hip tonight, and Mrs. Buzz pulls out a couple of business cards a friend gave her. They're for a free drink at Bar Louie.

"It's up in the Northfield area at Stapleton," she says. That's going to have to suffice for directions, because the business cards simply have the name "Bar Louie" emblazoned across them with a Web address beneath them. No address or phone number.

But we're gamblers and drifters tonight, so we light out north. Straight up Quebec, past the sprawling semi-urban metropolis that eats up square acres of space across the old airport property with every passing day.

We get to the Northfield area and start driving around. I haven't been this far north in the Stapleton complex yet. From the giant Outdoor World to the Yankee Candle Co., the collection of retailers is a nice addition to the area. We amble up and down the little town-center streets looking for Bar Louie - almost confusing it for Ling and Louie's Asian Bar and Grill - until we stumble onto it in the southeast corner of the complex, just down the block from the Harkins Theatres.

Bar Louie is part of a national chain of designer eateries aimed at the early-thirtysomething demo. The crowd tonight is a mix; a few young couples with young children are adrift among a sea of low- to mid-level manager types in khakis and plenty of "I'm-too-hip-for-the-'burbs-but-not-motivated-enough-to-drive-to-LoDo-tonight" suburbanites.

The long bar cuts a diagonal swath through the cavernous building; the bar seating area is broken up by classy black-felted pool tables and a cool cylindrical glass fireplace. Dark woods cover most surfaces, while mosaic trim provides contemporary-classic contrast.

The waitress comes to the table for the drink orders. Bar Louie has a list of specialty drinks, and I ask her what her favorite is.

"The Strawberry Fizz," she answers.

"It sounds too girlie," I reply. "Does it come with a curly straw? Are those guys over there going to laugh at me when they see me drink it?"

She assures me it's served in a tastefully nondescript glass, and I acquiesce. The Geophysicist orders a Manhattan and the ladies order wine. Mrs. Buzz wants a piece of chocolate cake, but they're out.

The drinks come quickly, and the Strawberry Fizz and I don't become fast friends. Strangely, The Geophysicist's Manhattan is actually just bourbon on rocks - no vermouth, no garnish. He sucks it down anyway, opting not to complain. The next hour is spent sharing corporate-life horror stories and laughing at ourselves before calling it a fairly early night and heading home.

"It wasn't too bad," Mrs. Buzz says as we climb into my truck. "I'd like to come back and try the food sometime . . . now that we know where it is."

Bar Louie

8332 E. 49th St. 303-457-5900

• Happy hour 4 to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close daily; $2 draughts, $5 martinis, cosmos and margs, two-for-one on select appetizers

• There's parking in the lot directly to the east.

• Looking for something sweet? Try the Strawberry Fizz: Stoli, strawberry puree, Razzmatazz liquor and a float of champagne garnished with a strawberry.