Gaslamp Quarter/Downtown/Little Italy
207/Float Rock ‘n’ roll glamour at the Hard Rock Hotel; two nightspots offer different vibes, from the street-level 207 lounge to the rooftop Float, featuring bottle service in poolside cabanas. Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.702.3000. Map Q16

4th & b Local favorite for live music, located downtown adjacent to the Gaslamp Quarter. Call for shows. 345 B St., downtown, 619.231.4343. Map Q16

Altitude New. Hot, sexy rooftop nightclub. Surround yourself with San Diego's glittering skyline as you take in undorgettable views. Toast twenty two stories up into the nightsky. Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, 660 K Street, Gaslamp Quarter, 619.758.3507. www.altitudesandiego.com

ANTHOLOGY Chic three-story venue with amazing acoustics has live jazz, Latin, blues and rock. 1337 India St., Little Italy, 619.595.0300. Map Q15

BEACH Frolic in the sun all day and bask in the glow of the moonlight all night. At the W Hotel's rooftop bar Beach you will encounter heated-sand floors, a fire pit and private cabanas. 421 West B St., downtown, 619.398.3100. www.wbeachbar.com

CONFIDENTIAL Hip space, specialty drinks, live DJs spinning funk, R&B, hip-hop and house. 901 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.696.8888. Map Q16

THE CASBAH Small but legendary rock club has hosted superstars like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins on their way up. Live music nightly. 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown, 619.232.4355. Map P15

double deuce Downtown’s only country bar features weekend line-dancing and “rockstar karaoke” on Thursdays. 528 F St., Gaslamp, 619.450.6522. Map Q16 www.doubledeucesd.com

East Village Tavern & Bowl Sports bar and bowling alley near Petco Park also has darts and pool. 930 Market St., East Village, 619.677.BOWL. Map R17

El camino Indoor/outdoor Mexican eatery and cantina boasts unique under-the-flight-path location. 2400 India St., Little Italy, 619.685.3881. Map P15

El dorado Hip downtown bar boasts retro-clad mixologists, couture cocktails and DJs. 1030 Broadway, East Village, 619.237.0550. Map Q17

The Field Disney goes to Ireland. Gaslamp pub has fish & chips, frothy pints and patio seating, plus live entertainment select evenings. 544 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.232.9840. Map Q16

THE Fleetwood Big-city sophistication meets dive-bar chic at this spot near the ballpark, with flat screens, couches and updated comfort-food menu. 639 J St., Gaslamp, 619.702.7700. Map Q16 www.thefleetwood.com

FLUXX Brand-new dance club (opening Spring 2010) from the design team behind Sidebar and Stingaree. 500 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.232.8100. Map Q16

house of blues Live rock, blues and pop music, plus Sunday gospel brunch. Call for current shows. 1055 Fifth Ave., downtown, 619.299.2583. Map Q16

THE IVY Vegas-worthy club in the Andaz Hotel has sexy décor and rooftop bar with downtown views. 600 F St., Gaslamp 619.814.2055. Map I8

Living Room Not your ordinary living room. DJs, games, wireless high speed internet access, a colorful W Signature drink list, and full bottle service will keep you entertained for hours. 421 West B St., downtown, 619.398.3100. www.whotels.com/sandiegospecials

ON BROADWAY Housed in an old bank, this mega-club still packs in a huge weekend crowd. Where else will you find a dance floor in a bank vault? 615 Broadway, Gaslamp, 619.231.0011. Map Q16

ONYX/THIN DJs and jazz in basement-level Onyx; street-level Thin is great for cocktails. 852 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.235.6699. Map Q16

prohibition You’ll have to know the password to get into this downtown speakeasy. (Hint: see p. 12). 548 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.702.8068. Map Q16

quality social Surprises at this “elevated dive bar” include live art, a vintage photo booth, private champagne parlor and an emphasis on scotch and rye. 789 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.501.7675. Map Q16

RED CIRCLe cafe S.D.’s top DJs spin house, trance and mash-ups at this handsome tapas lounge. 420 E St., Gaslamp, 619.234.9211. Map Q16

The Shout house Dueling pianos played by impossible-to-stump musicians. Music ranging from classic rock to the ‘50s. 655 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.231.6700. Map Q16

SIDEBAR DJs, dancing and bottle service at this sexy, modern downtown lounge. 536 Market St., Gaslamp, 619.696.0946. Map Q16 www.theshouthouse.com

STINGAREE Tri-level dance club and restaurant with rooftop cabanas. Ultra hip nightspot with several house specialty drinks. Dress code enforced. 454 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.544.9500. Map Q16

the tipsy crow A neighborhood bar with three levels including pool tables, shuffleboard and trivia. 770 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.338.9300. Map Q16

Top of the Hyatt Panoramic vistas from the West Coast’s tallest waterfront building. Take in the sunset or enjoy the lights of downtown. 1 Market Place, 619.232.1234. Map Q15

Vin de syrah Alice in Wonderland-themed subterranean nightspot has eye-popping design, live music, wine and full bar. 901 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.234.4166. Map Q16

voyeur Punk-inspired Gaslamp bar features DJs, fashion events and on-site boutique. 755 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.756.7678. Map Q16

WHISKEY GIRL Bustling sports bar serves nachos, burgers, burritos, pizzas, steaks and more. 600 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.236.1616, $ Map Q16 www.thewhiskeygirl.com

La Jolla
Cafe Japengo Beautiful people to go along with the artistic sushi and Asian fusion fare. 8960 University Center Lane, UTC, 858.450.3355. Map T21

Whaling Bar Classic old-school haunt at La Valencia hotel has an Old World seaside feeling and has played host to a who’s who of La Jolla society. 1132 Prospect St., 858.454.0771. Map W19 www.lavalencia.com

North County
belly up North County’s premier live music venue. Voted best live-music venue and lauded by Rolling Stone magazine. 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.481.8140. Map X22

CoYOTE BAR & GRILL Hot live music and cool fire pits. Indoor/outdoor spot offers casual ambience and a view. 300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, 760.729.4695. Map T22

EN FUEGO Lively singles vibe and tasty Mexican food served up on this restaurant’s bustling patio. 1342 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, 858.792.6551. Map X22

Beaches
Bar west This 5,000-foot upscale bar and lounge merges downtown chic with the casual attitude of the beach. 959 Hornblend St., Pacific Beach,
858.273.WEST. Map H8

Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge Live jazz and blues along with dancing. A longtime favorite located right on the water. 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island, 619.224.3577. Map K8

JRDN “Jordan,” Tower 23’s hip bar, overlooks the ocean and has a variety of signature cocktails. 4551 Ocean Blvd., Pacific Beach, 858.270.5736. Map K8 www.jrdn.com

SOUTH BEACH BAR & GRILL Just steps away from the ocean, this bar offers light fare and drinks. 5059 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 619.226.4577. Map J8