One can never be sure what to expect heading to a place called the Monkey Bar, especially when the bar’s website boasts a stuffed monkey riding a motorcycle “Easy Rider”-style as its logo.

This place is obviously going to be absolutely awesome or horrifically terrifying.

Also, the reputation of the Monkey Bar’s venue is hard to forget. Its predecessor (Cuddy’s Bar and Grille) was known as a rough-and-tumble biker bar that frequently sported police blues out front to break up fights and escort unruly patrons to sober up “downtown.” When it re-opened in May, owner Amanda Bernier was determined to overcome that rep in the Brunswick community.

I would say Bernier and Co. have done a great job. After less than 10 minutes at the Monkey Bar, I was laughing harder than I have in recent memory while sitting at a bar with complete strangers.

The Monkey Bar has an edgy feel, with red-and-black paint and dark features. Orange and yellow flames dance along the walls and up the front of the bar. The flames also decorate the full length of the bar top, underneath a crisp resin finish.

A few tables are scattered along the floor, but the majority of the seating is about a dozen comfy captain’s chairs along the bar. There’s also a small deck off the front of the bar, which I’m assuming gets a lot more action in the summer when the venue hosts bikers as a meet-up or gathering place for charity rides.

Beer and mixed drinks are the beverages of choice at the Monkey Bar, although there are some house wines available. The selection of beers on tap ($3.50 to $4) includes four domestics and two local microbrews, Geary’s HSA and Shipyard Export. The local beers are subject to change with the seasons.

All mixed drinks cost $8 or less, and they boast some great “Monkey” originals such as the Jungle Monkey (tropical punch vodka, pineapple juice, club soda and cranberry) or the Monkey Shock (creme de banana and Coconut Jack, chilled).

Entertainment and events are frequent. On Thursday nights there is a cash prize karaoke contest (the current contest runs for about eight weeks, and the grand prize is $300). Friday nights are dance nights with DJs, and Saturday nights offer live music from local bands. You can also catch an occasional comedy show or open-mic night on Mondays and Wednesdays.

If you aren’t there for the organized calendar stuff, there is still plenty to do. Arcade games and a jukebox are tucked into one corner, while a pool table sits just on the other side of the bar.

During the week, you can find great happy-hour specials from 4 to 6 p.m., including $1.75 domestic bottles and $3 large well drinks. The bar also offers $1 off appetizers. The menu includes staple bar food such as onion rings and buffalo wings as appetizers and soups, salads and hot sandwiches as main course options. The devoted carnivore can get the Monkey Meat Pizza, which includes ham, pepperoni, bacon, chicken and extra cheese.

The Monkey Bar ended up being a great place to relax and have a drink with some great people who know how to have a good time. Plus, it never hurts to lose half the calories you just drank in hysterical bursts of laughter.

Elisa Doucette is a freelance writer who lives in Portland.