But beyond its warm ambience, something a bit subversive is going on: Almost subliminally, the bar puts patrons inside the mind of partner Steve Cote, metal sculptor and newly minted bartender.

The room that houses the bar -- approximately 1,100 square feet -- has a look and feel that Cote describes as "Industrial Age with a modern flair."

The 32-foot bar was created by Cote from scratch. The top surface is made of laminated wood strips accented by a sprinkling of red stars at the corners; generous foot rails line the bottom. Hanging lights over the bar and tables are shaded by converted gas canisters capped by industrial gears. Tables with swirling hickory tops stand on bases made from large gears, pulleys and manhole covers.

Throughout the bar are large sculptures inspired by Klaus Nomi, the alter-ego of Klaus Sperber, a German performance artist who mixed opera with disco in New York City during the late '70s and early '80s. Cote admires Nomi for steadfastly pursuing his art and staying true to his invented persona.

Two figures, 7 feet tall or more, suggest exotic male background singers from a planet that might have worshipped the singing group Labelle (the original "Lady Marmalade.") A bust of Nomi looks down on patrons from a perch on the back wall, and another bust with hands flung in the air peaks out from a window over the food prep area.

Outside, below a circular sign retrofitted from a 1930s- or 1940s-era gas station sign, the patio of The City Tap contains large metal sculptures that bear testament to Cote's humor and ability to make emotional connections.

In the back of the patio, a large-nosed man holds a smaller man with a donkey's head. The title poses a question: "What's Up With the Nose?"

To the right, "A Wing and a Prayer" depicts a small figure hanging on for dear life to the cockpit of a cartoon-like, 7-foot-long airplane suspended in the air by a pole. On the opposite end of the patio, there's a jovial 8-foot tall cylindrical figure adorned with stars and flying dreadlocks.

Cote might be the last person who could explain why he spent nearly all of his waking hours for seven months hand-crafting every element of the bar. Who knows what impact it will have on business? Like almost anything artistic, some people will get it and some won't.

One thing's for certain: Klaus Nomi would have gotten it.