I have a desire to learn a martial art that involves lethal strikes, joint breakage, eye gouges, groin kicks, and such. Ideally this style would be well suited for fighting in close quarters: inside buildings, at crowded bars, between parked cars, etc. Not really interested in going to the ground with my attacker(s), but will entertain all responses. Thank you in advance for your time and responses.

When you find it let us know.

p.s. Just because you don't want to go to the ground doesn't mean you won't.

Krav Maga covers all those aspects you refer to. Even going to the ground, which may be where you end up.

Is it for a particular line of work or your own personal defence? "Lethal Strikes..."... You want to learn to kill someone?? That is pretty severe. By stating on a public forum you want to learn how to kill someone (and that is what "lethal" implies) you could get in a lot of trouble if you ever do kill someone.

I don't want to say anymore until you give some more info about why it is you want to learn such things.

There are many martial arts that would fit what you are looking for. What is available in your area? Various schools/styles will have different emphisis.

To make generalizations, I would recomend: Japanese Juijitsu, Winchun(most southern styles of kung fu), and KM.

In other words, what you're looking for is something that is effective and deadly at the same time. Krav Maga fits that category but IMHO, it is better to have at least a decent background in different MA disciplines before training in Krav Maga.

I understand what you are saying. If anyone tells me they want to learn MA for Self Defence as a primary goal, I direct them to Geoff Thompson or Marc MacYoung first:

Geoff Thompson (courtsey of forum member drgndrew):
http://www.fightingarts.com/ubbthreads/s...=0#Post15905133

Marc MacYoung:
http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/

If you are serious about Self Defense, please take the time to read these things.

There is also a thread on the forums about what qualifies a martial art/system as being "practical". Aside from the techincal content and training philosophies of the art/system, things you have to consider are:

i)Any health problems you might have that may impact on your training.
ii) How much you can afford for training?
iii) How far is the training from you? Are you prepared to regularly commute long distances for the "right" training?

If there isn't Krav Maga in your area, and you can't/won't commute to the nearest class, or can't afford it, the point is moot as to the style you are looking for.

I know this is a public forum, but if you give us the rough area (and it can be very rough e.g. a state, a province, even a country!) we can give you some websites/links to check out of classes in said area. We've had a good bit of success finding people classes before on the forums.

I think Ashe Higgs is from that area, he would maybe know some good places. You can find him in the Chinese arts forum usually. Based on what you originally asked for, check out these places if you can:

Systema:
http://www.systema.us/az_classes.php

Jeet Kune Do:
http://www.fastblastjkd.com/Students.html

MMA:
http://www.lionsdenaz.com/

Combat Hapkido:
http://www.dsihq.com/#school-links-4c50a7

And for a slightly more traditional option:

Ryukyu Kenpo:
http://www.kushu.com/az.html

Hwa Rang Do:
http://www.phxhwarangdo.com/

http://www.asu.edu/clubs/hrd/

It may give you some more stuff to think about aside from Krav Maga. I am not discounting KM, but its good to have some variety.

As for starting class, there are general things I would look out for, regardless of the style/system:

i) Are there any contracts/high membership fees? If so, this is a bad sign.
ii) Who is the training aimed at? Is it a place suitable for adult training, or is it more geared towards kids?
iii) Ask about the teachers background. Any legit place should be happy to answer this question.
iv) Talk to other students in each class, see what they think.
v) If you know someone who has studied martial arts/combat sports, bring them along to class to have them check it out, and get their opinion.

A free class is usually a good sign, but it isn't a clincher.

The only way to know for sure is to check out as many classes as you can, talk to instructors about what you want to learn, and see how they can help you.

Am sure some other folks have good advice as well on picking a class.