On a quiet stretch of Rainier Avenue that looks more like downtown Mount Vernon than anyplace in Seattle, Lottie’s Lounge serves as one of Columbia City’s liveliest nightspots. A combination bar, lounge, and restaurant, the tiny corner building offers nightly DJs and an even more tempting menu, with food served until 10 p.m. There’s nothing on tap yet, though Lottie’s bottle selection ranges from the obligatory Rainier to the champagne-like La Fin du Monde. A mean Ginger Cosmo and Satsumo (an Absolut Mandarin, muddled orange, and champagne combination that tastes curiously like Orangina) are two specialty cocktails worth sipping. DJ Up on Bricks—named at the last minute due to a faulty turntable stand—spun the Stones, Chaka Khan, and classic jazz only a little too loud on a recent Thursday evening. Nearly every seat was occupied with couples and groups: a mix of tattoos, bling, and business wear. Whether you come for pianist Wayne Horvitz’s Varmint group on Tuesdays in November, or the delectably sinful lasagna swirls, Lottie’s will have you under her thumb. RACHEL SHIMP