The Lake Worth Rum Shack's Drunken Monkey. (Richard Graulich / Palm Beach Post)

More: Directions, Like it on Facebook

This week’s bar: Lake Worth Rum Shack

The scene: Imagine a quirky, local take on Key West laid-back cool, without any theme-park plasticity. In other words, Rum Shack is very Lake Worth, comfortable in its casual, beachy skin, from the surfboards propped up to the thatched straw roof over the bar.

As drink-centric as the place is — not for nothing is the word “rum” in the name — this hangout has an extensive, impressive menu and a diverse crowd of locals, from surfers to area politicians to the happy hour crowd. Owner Kevin Knight sums it up this way: “I’ve found that you usually get one or the other — really great atmosphere with crappy food, or good food with a bad atmosphere. There’s no reason you can’t get both.”

Signature cocktail: The Drunken Monkey ($7.95), a creamy frozen glass of boozy banana goodness, which Knight came up with years ago when he worked on a Hawaiian cruise ship. “I wanted a signature drink and I didn’t tell the other bartenders how to make it, so if people wanted it, they had to come to me,” he explains.

Other noteworthy libations: They do all your rum-based favorites here at the Rum Shack… of course, all $7.95 — the refreshing Goombay Smash and Bahama Mama, plus a large selection of beer and frozen drinks. Try the Apple Pie a la Mode — it’s like dessert got drunk.

Gorgonzola tator tots raise the bar from gorgonzola fries -- and for 75 cents more, it can come with bacon. (Richard Graulich / Palm Beach Post)

Bar bites: The Rum Shack’s long been known for its decadent appetizers, especially the creamy, crispy Gorgonzola Fries ($5.95), beer battered potatoes smothered in a blend of cheddar and chunky Gorgonzola cheese. But then Knight went and one-upped himself with the new Gorgonzola Tater Tots, which, like its french fry cousin, is smothered in cheese and costs a mere 75 cents more if you add bacon. Because they weren’t ridiculously delicious enough.

Also yummy — the brand new Kenny’s Keys Quesadilla ($9.99), involving blackened Cajun shrimp.

Deals: Pick a day, get a deal — Sunday’s karaoke night, from 8-11 p.m.; Monday night has comedians direct from the Palm Beach Improv. Tuesday features pub trivia (recent questions involved the films of Barry Levinson and the fragrances of Celine Dion), plus 40 percent off everything for their “In The Biz” specials from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., which are for everyone, whether or not they’re in the biz.

Wednesdays, if you can win rock, paper, scissors with the bartender, your drink is free! And each day has food specials too. Wednesday is $10.95 prime rib at the bar, and Thursday means 49-cent wings and clams from 5-7 p.m. at the bar. And there’s the daily happy hour, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with discounts on all cocktails and house wine.

Info: Lake Worth Rum Shack, 606 Lake Ave., Lake Worth; (561) 588-2929.

THE COCKTAIL
Drunken Monkey

1 ounce Absolut Vanilla
1 ounce Creme de Cocoa
1 ounce banana liqueur
1 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream
Ice

Blend all the ingredients well with ice. Lace with chocolate syrup.