Monroe Avenue is an ever-changing nightlife destination, with new businesses frequently sprouting up where old ones once stood. But its bar-hopping appeal remains the same. Here are three new spots to check out while out on the town.

Living Room Caf� may not look like much on the outside, but inside you'll find something pretty cool. Set in the Upper Monroe neighborhood, the coffee house/art gallery features a hand-painted ceiling, funky fixtures, and colorful walls filled with artwork by local artists. "We've always loved the neighborhood and wanted to provide a venue for local artists to sell," says Chris Hilfiker, who co-owns the business with his partner Allison Mayer.

The cozy spot affords excellent people watching, with comfortable seating indoors and out. The caf� offers several blends of coffee, as well as an array of desserts, including something called a "Smurf Cake" that comes in a variety of flavors for $2. If you're looking for a first-date destination, Living Room offers a "You, Me & $5" special, which gets you two cups of coffee and a slice of cheesecake to share.

Living Room Caf� is located at 1118 Monroe Avenue, and is open Sunday-Thursday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Free WiFi is available. For more information call 413-0833.

Rehab Lounge recently took over the space next to Pittsford Seafood that was briefly occupied by The Angry Duck. Gone are the stark white walls, blazing neon signs, and funky smells. They've been replaced with a soothing chocolate brown interior, comfortable wood furniture, mood lighting, and a lounge area with club chairs in front of a large fireplace.

We popped into Rehab one Friday evening for happy hour. The crowd was a bit older than expected, but it was still a bit early for the college crowd. After ordering a pitcher of Labatt Blue, the three of us sat watching one of the six flat-screen TVs installed around the room while chatting. The music and lighting were just right so that no one had to squint or yell. The bar offers a standard beer selection featuring Budweiser, Labatts, Magic Hat, and Yuengling, along with various wines such as Kendall Jackson and Black Opal Cab Merlot.

Rehab is located at 510A Monroe Avenue, and is open Monday-Friday 4 p.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday-Sunday noon-2 a.m. For more information call 442-9165.

Full disclosure: I have known Don and Kelly Bush, owners of the new Marshall Street Bar & Grill, for years. Though the interior of Marshall Street is similar to that of former tenant Damian's Pub, the philosophy has changed. "We want to make this place more of a destination rather than a pass-through bar. We'd like to attract the neighborhood, and everyone who comes here should feel comfortable," Don says.

It was a full house at the bar's grand opening on October 1, with a crowd that was as diverse as Monroe Ave itself. But given the size of the venue, it didn't feel cramped. One particular feature of the bar's new layout stood out: the gaming area in the back, with darts, a pool table, and a pinball machine. Now you can sit in the main area and enjoy your drinks or a meal without the sound of pool balls whacking together or darts flying past your head.

Marshall Street offers a wide selection of beers on tap, including Hop Devil, Bass, Blue Moon, and Guinness, with microbrews available in cans and bottles. It also offers eco-friendly Bandit wines. I was a bit leery, but people used to poo-poo screw-top wines, and now they're gaining acceptance. The kitchen at Marshall Street is open until 2 a.m. and features comfort foods like sloppy Joes, fried baloney sandwiches, and as a starter, beer-battered hot dog bites.

Marshall Street Bar & Grill is located at 81 Marshall Street, right off Monroe, and is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Sunday noon-2 a.m. For more information call 325-2191 or visit marshallstreetbarandgrill.com.