DOWNTOWN. A popular restaurant by day, the Alibi Room really comes alive at night. Owned by a group of filmmakers, the club works to support independent films and their creators, by fostering an artistic dialogue among patrons and making scripts available for public perusal. If that's a bit heavy for you, just come and dance to the mixed rhythms of rotating DJs or enjoy one of their specialty vodka drinks. You'll also find live music from time to time, along with a great wine list and tasty appetizers. A real local favorite, Alibi plays host to everyone from the eccentric to the street smart.

CAPITOL HILL. Elegance and style characterize this hip bar, which pulls in its share of attractive young professionals. Dark furnishings, candles, and a fireplace all add a note of intimacy, and ceiling-mounted stars twinkle in the dimness. Depending on when you're there, you'll find vocalists, jazz bands, or DJs spinning a variety of tunes as patrons boogie on the dance floor. If you get hungry, there's a variety of foods to satiate, and of course, drinks of all sorts are widely available. Given its popularity, Baltic can get somewhat crowded, but its fantastic ambience and great entertainment more than compensate. It's also an ideal destination if you want to impress a date with a romantic evening.

CAPITOL HILL. Sit back and enjoy salsa and swing music and dancing performances, or join in the dancing yourself (after a brief lesson, of course); Century Ballroom affords the opportunity to do both. An extensive schedule of dance classes means you can cultivate your craft beforehand; alternatively, quick lessons are frequently offered before the action gets going on most evenings. Occasionally, the dance floor clears and energetic musical acts take to the stage. At shows, a minimum food charge of $10 per person applies.

CAPITOL HILL. This trendy nightspot features a dizzying array of live music and DJ-led dance parties each week. True to its name, the bar sports a Far East motif that includes black-and-white action photos of Bruce Lee, a smiling bronze Buddha overlooking the bar, and pagoda-style accents adorning the ceiling. Side note: Keep your eyes peeled for Chop Suey's ingenious event posters hanging around town ­ they're something of a local legend. Hours vary every week depending on who's playing. Doors usually open around 8pm Tuesday though Sunday, but call ahead.

PIONEER SQUARE. This welcome addition to Pioneer Square offers a hip twist on the usual club scene. Works by local artists provide upscale decor, and food offerings like fried calamari rings with tzatziki are a step above typical club fare. Dancing is taken seriously; hip-hop, funk, industrial, and trance boom over the intimate dance floor, and the club stays open until the wee hours on weekends to accommodate hardcore partiers. Live jazz is not unheard of in the earlier evening hours, and occasionally, DJs take requests.