Don't worry -- that crunch you hear inside Shakers Neighborhood Pub isn't someone's knuckles readying for blows. It's the sound of hundreds of peanut shells mashing beneath your feet.

We'll admit to being a bit concerned that it could have been the former when we first stepped inside the Citrus Heights bar. From the outside, the place looks like an aging honky-tonk with its dusty parking lot and wooden-frame structure. Think of the classic 1989 Patrick Swayze barroom brawl flick "Road House" and you'll get the picture.

Shakers is actually a comfortable dive bar popular among 20-somethings and neighborhood folks for its kitschy allure and friendly atmosphere. This is the kind of place where you'll usually find one of the owners serving drinks and, just as the song says, everybody knows your name.

On a Friday night, the spacious two-room venue teemed mostly with college-age kids in jeans, T-shirts and studded belts -- girls and guys alike. In one room, patrons sat at the bar or burnished silver tables, watching sports on one of many TV screens and munching free peanuts (throwing the discarded shells to the floor, naturally).

In the pub's main room, people played pool, relaxed near a giant brick fireplace and jostled to catch a glimpse of musicians playing (kind of) quiet songs for the evening's "Acoustic Suicide" set.

For Veronica Andrade, 21, of Citrus Heights, it's just another night at her favorite watering hole.

"We're here every Thursday through Sunday night," says Andrade, laughing and nodding to a nearby friend. "We just come here to chill."

Andrade, who lives "just around the corner" from Shakers, likes the bar because it's within walking distance and is "the kind of place where you know every single person."

Kristi Kloeppel, here to mingle as well as play a quick "Acoustic Suicide" set, agrees, calling Shakers "the neighborhood bar."

"You know everyone here, there are never any fights and it's just very kickback," says Kloeppel, 24, of Citrus Heights.

"I've been coming here for a long time," Kloeppel adds. "Everyone has, we're all really close and we know the bartenders."

One of those bartenders is Shakers co-owner Sean Durfield.

Five years ago, Durfield and friend Jamie Boggs, both now 38, bought Shakers. Then, the venue was known as Tino's Lounge and drew a mostly older crowd. Durfield and Boggs, who used to work at another Citrus Heights bar, decided to turn their new venture into a destination for a "younger, hipper" clientele, bringing in a pool table and video games.

"Now it's a mix of anything from older people -- that means anyone over 40 -- to tattooed kids," Durfield said. "We're trying to be a downtown bar located in the suburbs."

Shakers succeeds to some extent, although it recalls more of the grubby charm of midtown's Old Tavern bar than, say, a more-sophisticated venue such as Blue Cue. The peanuts -- Durfield estimates they've gone through more than 90,000 pounds of the crunchy legumes since opening in May 1999 -- add to its appeal.

And that's fine. After all, Durfield and Boggs modeled Shakers after favorite old bars such as Chico's legendary Joe's Place.

Because Shakers is close to an apartment building, live music is sporadic. Currently, Shakers has bands every other week and occasionally plays host to subdued singer-songwriter events such as the "Acoustic Suicide" series. Thursday and Saturday nights are the busiest times. On almost any night, you'll find either Durfield or Boggs behind the bar.

"For better or worse, we work every shift. There's always one of us here," says Durfield, who lives only minutes from the bar.

"I don't want to say it's like Cheers," he adds with a laugh, referring to the Boston bar from the popular sitcom. "But it is. Everyone knows everyone."

If you're going, Shakers Neighborhood Pub is open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. This Thursday, check out live music with Drowning Adam. Cover charge is $3; 21 and over only. For more information: (916) 863-7465.

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Shakers Neighborhood Pub

THE SKINNY: Suburban pub draws in faithful 20-somethings and neighborhood regulars

THE "IT" FACTOR: Comfortable vibe, laid-back staff

THE STYLE COUNCIL: Easy does it. You'll find the bartenders in Hawaiian shirts and patrons hanging out in jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, studded belts, Converse sneakers and flip-flops.

ON THE MONEY: Cheap. No cover charge unless there's a band -- and even then it won't put a dent in your wallet. Drinks are affordable -- under $5.

GET CONNECTED: Shakers Neighborhood Pub, 5940 Sperry Drive, Citrus Heights, is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. For more information: (916) 863-7465 or www.shakerspub.com.

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Remember this

On Saturday night, commemorate the third anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks with a special hip-hop show to benefit the American Red Cross. Mr. P Chill hosts an Owl Club (109 Church St., Roseville) lineup that includes Shan Shan, Harchu Alliance, Homonym, DJ Double Ace and Mr. P Chill with his band Trunk of Funk.

The 21-and-over only show is $5 at the door and starts at 10 p.m. For more information: (916) 782-5222 or www.owlclub.net.

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