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Not yet legal to drink, the Replay Lounge is celebrating its 20th birthday with an extravaganza this Saturday.

Now known as the staple venue for music lovers and/or townies, that wasn’t the original intention of Carroll. When he came across the convenience store that previously occupied this perfect location on Mass, he imagined an inexpensive bar with pinball atmosphere, where people could come in for burgers and both smoke and drink (such a scandal at the time).

After the memorable first live performance in the bar by Kansas City surf band, The Eudoras, that packed the bar with a cheap $1 cover, the bar quickly transitioned into a home for talented musicians to get much-needed recognition and a service to music junkies of all types.

In Replay fashion, Saturday night will feature something for everyone: seven local bands and deejays late into the night, food catered by Terrebonne, and games on the patio, including a throwing bag tournament (if that’s what you’re into).

But before heading over, let’s talk about 10 reasons the Replay Lounge has to celebrate:

1. Inexpensive cover: Owner Nick Carroll has stayed true to the ultimate goal he put in place when opening up the lounge: an inexpensive, good time. He used to tell people that for $5, anyone could come in to see a band, grab two beers and a meal (when they used to serve food). While those prices may not still hold true (inflation is the worst), it is still a bar where you would pay $3 max to see two deejays and three live bands in one night. “If we keep the cover down, it’s not much of a gamble to see a new band,” Carroll says. “They have a better chance of being seen here, because people actually try it.”

2. Pinball: Head to the Replay on a Friday afternoon and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. you can play pinball for free. At other times, it’s 75 cents per play, so you won’t be breaking the bank to get your game on, grab a drink and enjoy the ambiance, as the interior of the bar is a shrine to pinball. With every wall painted as an homage to a game (Rocket, Fireball, Whirlwind, Kiss, Charlie’s Angels), try not to get lost deep in the arcade world.

3. Quality music: If you’re looking to hear the latest hit, Carroll says you’re not headed here. “I think the thing about Replay is that it’s never been about trends; it’s music that you’re going to like for a long time. That’s hard to get.” Lucky for the employees who heavily influence the bands that play, they’ve gotten to know most of their favorite bands.

4. Creative staff: Speaking of, everyone who works at the Replay is a music freak, just like the crowd the bar brings in. Replay bartender Chetan Michie affirmed this fact as he chimed in that he will be spinning this Saturday as DJ Hector the Selector.

5. Replay Records: Started by bartender and former Love Garden employee Brandon Shanks, this bar has a record label that puts out 7-inch vinyl singles for select local bands that come through. It’s not a huge money maker, but having bands tote merchandise from the label and sell records at shows gives the label (and bar) exposure and draws in the next band. Replay Records has a distribution deal with Revolver and anyone can purchase the records at the bar, Love Garden and at replayrecordsusa.com.

6. Star status: Former acts to perform here include The Black Keys, The White Stripes, Spoon, Blonde Redhead, Dead Moon, and the Oblivians. Seems like a good enough roster to me. And then there are those who just end up hanging out at this pinball utopia. Bill Maher and Slayer (owner Nick Carroll had no idea until this interview).

“I carded Ani diFranco once, and felt like a schmuck afterward,” bartender Michie says.

7. National recognition: Esquire named the Replay Lounge one of America’s best bars in 2007. Consult this list for the obvious reasons.

8. Perfect set up: While this might not matter to you, it is a feat that they have finally gotten the bar in the exact right spot after remolding the bar multiple times just to get it right. Bartenders have perfect reach to all the bottles they need. What a relief. We need our drinks.

9. Diversity: It’s got everything you need. “During the day we will do a country show, Friday night we will have a deejay and Saturday it’s punk rock. We cover a lot of ground here. We’re definitely not pigeon-holed to one sound,” Carroll says. It’s open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week.

10. Keeping Lawrence “purposeful”: When you head to the Replay, it’s not to just check out people, Carroll says. Music supporters (the regulars) come to appreciate quality music from our local scene. And there are so many great locals; there could be five exceptional new bands next week, Carroll says.

• Sound Check highlights some of the musicians making their way through Lawrence and updates on any of the music venues in town. Excited about an upcoming concert? Email features reporter Nadia Imafidon at nimafidon@ljworld.com. Follow her at Twitter.com/nadia_imafidon.