Gaslamp Quarter/Downtown/Little Italy
4th & b Local favorite for live music, located downtown adjacent to the Gaslamp district. Call for current shows. 345 B.St., downtown, 619.231.4343. ap Q16

airport lounge From the back patio of this hip hangout you can practically touch the planes coming in for a landing at Lindbergh Field. 2400 India St., Little Italy, 619.685.3881. Map O15

ANTHOLOGY Swank three-story venue on the outskirts of Little Italy features amazing acoustics throughout and an eclectic lineup of mostly jazz, but also Latin, blues and rock. Map Q15

Aubergine Swank restaurant that lets its hair down Fri.-Sat. DJs spin hip-hop, house, rock and more. 500 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.232.8100. Map Q16

BASIC Urban bar in a cool, renovated warehouse across from the ballpark. Serves brick-oven pizzas. 410 10th Ave., East Village, 619.531.8869. Map Q17

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

THE BITTER END Sip this bar's signature Black Martini (espresso, sugar and cream, Kahlúa and vodka) in the romantic upstairs library lounge, or shake it on the small (but packed) basement dance floor. 770 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.338.9300. Map Q16

Candelas Sexy spot also serves Nuevo Latino cuisine. House DJ spins tunes Thurs.-Sat. 416 Third Ave., downtown, 619.702.4455. Map Q16

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

Deco's Art-deco riff on South Beach with an open-air lounge. Located in the Gaslamp with indoor and outdoor dance floors, live DJs and light shows. 731 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.696.3326. Map Q16

Dublin Square Traditional Irish pub serving pub grub and drinks. Live entertainment on Saturdays includes Irish music. 554 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.239.5818. Map Q16

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

EDEN/ENVY Vegas-worthy club Envy in the Ivy Hotel takes its inspiration from the Bible; décor-wise, lust is the most dominant of the seven deadly sins. Rooftop bar Eden lures with heavenly views of downtown. Map I8

The Field Disney goes to Ireland. Gaslamp pub offers fish and chips, frothy pints and patio seating, plus live entertainment on Sun. afternoons. 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. ap Q16

house of blues Live music and Sun. gospel brunch. Call for current shows. 1055 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.299.2583. Map Q16

Henry's Pub Nightclub and restaurant serving California cuisine and showcasing live entertainment nightly. 614 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.238.2389. Map Q16

Jade theater Tri-level, Shanghai-inspired downtown venue features Asian-fusion cuisine in the upstairs restaurant, a lively social scene in the street-level bar and a giant Buddha in the basement ultra-lounge. 701 C St., downtown, 619.814.5126. Map Q16

JBAR Hotel Solamar's rooftop poolside bar is a tropical oasis with lush landscaping, private cabanas for bottle service and a great happy hour. 616 J St., Gaslamp, 619.531.8744. Map Q16

Jimmy Love's Two floors for dinner and dancing. Live bands perform jazz, blues and dance music seven nights a week. 672 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.595.0123. Map Q16

Martini Ranch More than 50 hand-blended martinis along with several other house favorites. Live DJ dancing in two-story space. 528 F St., Gaslamp, 619.235.6100. Map Q16

ON BROADWAY Housed in an old bank, San Diego's first 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 Underground (literally) nightclub Onyx features DJ entertainment and a popular Tues. night jazz jam with local trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos. Street-level Thin is great for cocktails and mellow grooves. 852 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.235.6699. Map Q16

Patrick's II Live music, drinks and dancing. Blues, soul and rock bands perform nightly. No cover charge Sun.-Thurs. 428 F St., Gaslamp, 619.233.3077. 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 www.theshouthouse.com

STARLITE Hard-to-find hotspot features equally hard-to-find exotic liquors, tattooed bartenders, jaw-dropping interior design and open-air patio. 3167 India St., Midtown, 619.358.9766 Map J10

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 www.stingsandiego.com

Stout Belly up to the bar and tip back a pint at this comfortable neighborhood pub. 1125 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.702.7933. ap Q16

SWEETWATER SALOON & MOONSTONE LOUNGE Sexy rock ‘n' roll glamour at the Hard Rock Hotel. Street-level Sweetwater and rooftop Moonstone both come courtesy of nightlife impressario Rande Gerber (aka Mr. Cindy Crawford). Hard Rock Hotel, 207 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp, 619.702.3000. Map Q16

THE TILTED KILT Scottish-themed casual pub addition to the East Village neighborhood near the ballpark has 30 plasma TVs, three 12-foot, high-def screens and pretty barmaids serving up 24 international brews. 310 10th Ave., East Village, 619.814.5458. Map Q17

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

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

JACK'S Wine bar offers live piano music; beach bar has ocean views accompanied by the sound of steel drums. 7863 Girard Ave., 858.456.8116. Map W19

Whaling Bar Classic old-school haunt at La Valencia hotel has an Old World seaside feeling. 1132 Prospect St., 858.454.0771. Map W19

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

Epazote Great views, live music on Thurs. and steaks. 1555 Camino del Mar, Del Mar Plaza, 858.259.9966. Map X22 www.epazotedelmar.com

JiMmy O's A favorite of sports fans and locals. Choose between the sports bar and the nightclub. No cover charge. 225 W. 15th St., Del Mar, 858.350.3735. Map X22

Beaches
710 BEACH CLUB Steps from the beach, this live music venue has everything from rock to hip-hop to open-mic nights. 710 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.483.7844. Map H8

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

CANES BAR & GRILL Oceanfront hot spot for live music and Hurricane drinks. 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach, 858.488.1780. Map I7 www.canesbarandgril.com

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 Known as "Jordan," Tower 23's hip bar overlooks the ocean and offers 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

Turquoise Cafe Bar Europa This Euro-style wine bar has tapas, cask wines and nightly live music. 873 Turquoise St., Pacific Beach, 858.488.4200. Map H8

Uptown/Hillcrest
BAR PINK ELEPHANT Bubbles are suspended from the ceiling and pink elephants frolick on the walls; stiff drinks and live rock bands keep uptown hipsters entertained. 3829 30th St., North Park, 619.564.7194. Map J12

BEAUTY BAR San Diego recently got its very own branch of this hip national chain of nightspots designed like retro hair salons. Vintage hair dryers and live manicurists are featured, along with cutting-edge live entertainment and DJs. 4746 El Cajon Blvd., College Area, 619.516.4746. Map E3

U-31  A mechanical bull and occasional live music draws an unusually mixed crowd to artsy North Park, from slick downtown types to hipsters with asymmetrical haircuts. 3112 University Ave., North Park, 619.584.4188. Map J12

UNIVERSAL Decor at this showy new "omnisexual" nightclub features snakeskin walls and classy-kitsch pink flamingoes; adjacent Dish restaurant and nearby pizza shop keep the dancing crowd fueled. 1218 University Ave., Hillcrest, 619.692.1900. Map N16

whistle stop bar Casual neighborhood bar in South Park with three important things going for it: a killer jukebox, regular dance nights and "Friends Chill" board game night every Tues. 2236 Fern St., South Park, 619.295.7340. Map K12