Thanks to all the contributors - this is an ongoing list of bars across the country that you might like, if you're far from home (me, that is). Feel free to shoot me suggestions, and I'll try & keep this going. Let me know where the bar is ("somewhere in Montana doesn't help).
In no particular order, of course (and purely on anonymous say-sos, so don't blame me:
LA (the city, not Lower Alston) -- Acme
Bellingham, WA
The Up & Up
Green Point, NY -
The Mark Bar
Portland, OR - the matador and shanghai tunnel (bars?)
Philly -
The Ministry of Information
The Turkey's Nest in Brooklyn, NYC