Bars

The Bitter End, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and F Street, Gaslamp Quarter (619-338-9300). Age: 21+. Cover charge: ($10) beginning at 9:30 p.m. Enjoy 25 different martinis at this very popular cocktail lounge. It has a high-energy dance club called The Underground, a stage for live entertainment and the Onyx bar.

Dick's Last Resort, 345 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter (619-231-9100). Age: 21+. No cover charge. Open daily 11 a.m.–1:30 a.m., nightclub open till 2 a.m. nightly. Dick's Last Resort is an unpretentious and unsophisticated yet highly popular bar and restaurant. Live entertainment nightly. Patio dining. Also see Restaurants - American.

The Field, 544 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter (619-232-9840). Age: 25+. This is a 100 percent Irish pub in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. Even the bartenders and waiters are authentic Irish! Fun, lively pub atmosphere.

Gaslamp Tavern, 868 Fifth Ave., at the corner of Fifth Avenue and E Street, Gaslamp Quarter (619-239-3339). Age: 21+. This is a great place to meet to enjoy a cocktail, cold beer and tasty tavern-style food. It has a casual atmosphere and eleven high definition plasma TVs featuring sporting events. Sidewalk patio seating. Also see the Gaslamp page.

Dancing

Sevilla Restaurant, Tapas Bar & Club, 555 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter (619-233-5979). Age: 21+. Enjoy dinner and dancing at this Spanish-themed bar and club. They have a popular Gypsy dinner show Sat. ($47.50) and Sun. ($39.50), 7 p.m.–9:30 p.m. in the downstairs nightclub. Also see Restaurants - Spanish.

Live Entertainment

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown (619-299-2583). Age: 25+. Open 11 a.m.–midnight. This renowned company's ninth club features a multi-level music hall. Live national and local performers. Dance floor, bar, café and restaurant.

Nightclubs

Ole Madrid, 751 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter (619-557-0146). Age: 21+. Cover charge ($10). Dance the night away to the latest hip-hop beats at this Spanish-themed resturant and nightclub. It's in the heart of the Gaslamp and has three levels of dancing.

Onyx/Thin, 852 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter (619-235-6699). Age: 21+. Thin is the modern and sleek upstairs bar/ lounge with downtempo. Onyx is its sister club located underground. It has a cocktail lounge and dance hall, live music and DJs on weekends.

Dinner Cruises

Hornblower Nightly Sunset Dinner Cruises, 1066 N. Harbor Dr., at the Embarcadero, Downtown (619-686-8715). Age: 30+. Dinner cruises nightly 7 p.m.–10 p.m. starting at ($58.95). Reservations recommended. Boarding begins a half hour before cruises. For $5 off Dinner Cruises, use their discount coupon in the SAN DIEGAN for up to 6 people! Private Events. Full bar. Also see Restaurants - Dinner Cruises.

San Diego Harbor Excursion Dinner Cruise, 1050 N. Harbor Dr., at the foot of Broadway, Downtown (619-234-4111). Age: 30+. Boarding time is 7 p.m. Nightly dinner cruise 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m. ($55–$74 latter price includes unlimited bar). Prices are ($5) more on Fri. and Sat. You can save 25 percent off your dinner cruise with their discount coupon in this book. Offer good up to 6 persons. Full bar. Also see Restaurants - Dinner Cruises.

Bars

Top of the Hyatt at the Hyatt Hotel, 1 Market Pl., Downtown (619-232-1234). Age: 25+. This bar on the 40th floor of the Hyatt Hotel offers the best view of San Diego, the Bay and Coronado.

Yard House Restaurant & Bar, 1023 Fourth Ave., Downtown (619-233-9273). Age: 21+. No cover charge. The Yard House is famous for its distinctive oval-shaped bar featuring over 100 beers on tap. It's noisy, trendy and fun and perfect for groups. Dance club downstairs featuring hiphop and top 40.

Karaoke

The Lamplighter, 817 W. Washington St., Hillcrest (619-298-3624). Age: 21+ Open 6 a.m.–2 a.m. daily. Karaoke 9 p.m.–2 a.m. daily. Everybody has fun at this award-winning karaoke bar. Some of their awards include “Best Karaoke/Song Selection” in 2001 by Karaoke Star magazine; “Best Karaoke” by AOL City Guide, City's Best 2005; and “Best Karaoke Bar” 2003 by San Diego Reader.

Nightclubs

On Broadway, 615 Broadway, downtown San Diego (619-231-0011). Age: 21+. Cover charge ($15–$25). This is the largest nightclub in San Diego with five different themed-rooms. Each has its own ambience and music, which ranges from rock, house and hip hop to top 40 and oldies. A hip, young crowd fills this club every weekend.

Stingaree, 454 Sixth Ave., at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Island Street, Downtown (619-544-9500). Age: 21+. Cover charge ($20). Stingaree is one of San Diego's newest nightclubs. It's a three-level, 22,000 sq. ft. Las Vegas-style club. Spacious rooftop patio bar with a glass crystal fire pit.

Pubs

Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant in the Holiday Inn, 1355 N. Harbor Dr., Downtown (619-234-9977). This restaurant has a definite British feel. Have a cold ale while you dine on your favorite British dishes. Also see Restaurants - British.

Shakespeare Pub & Grille, 3701 India St., Middletown (619-299-0230). This authentic British pub and restaurant is a local favorite. It's a great place for a filling meal with friends. Also see Restaurants - British.

Bars

RT's Longboard Grill, 1466 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach (858-270-4030). Age: 21+. Open daily 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., bar open till 2 a.m. Happy Hour 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Casual beach bar with 12 brews on tap. It's a natural magnet for good food and fun, or for watching your favorite game. Live music five nights a week. Outdoor patio. Also see Restaurants - American

Fred's Mexican Cafe, 1165 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach (858-483-8226). Age 21+. Open 11:30 a.m.–1 a.m. daily. Enjoy cold margaritas and a large tequila selection at this popular restaurant and bar. Sidewalk patio. They also have locations in the Gaslamp Quarter at 527 Fifth Ave. (619-232-8226) and Old Town at 2470 San Diego Ave. (619-858-8226). Also see Restaurants - Mexican.

Bars

Tap Room Beer and Pizza Point, 1269 Garnet Ave. across from Henry's Marketplae supermarket, Pacific Beach (858-274-7014). This restaurant bar features only local award-winning microbrews, plus wine and Vodka martinis. These excellent microbreweries include Karl Strauss, Stone Brewing Co., Ballast Point, Pizza Port, Green Flash and AleSmith. Complementing this host of delicious beverages are more than a dozen flat-screen TVs where you can watch your favorite sporting event.

Dancing

In Cahoots, 5373 Mission Center Rd., Mission Valley (619-291-8635). Age: 21+. Line dance at San Diego's number one home of country music. Free country dance lessons five nights a week. Large outdoor patio.

94th Aero Squadron, 8885 Balboa Ave., San Diego (858-560-6771). Age: 21+. Call for event info.

Piano Lounge

Kelly's Steakhouse & Irish Pub at the Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Circle N., Mission Valley. (619-291-2232). This lively piano bar hosts nightly sing-alongs and serves some of the best slow-roasted prime rib you've ever tasted.

Bar

Coyote Bar & Grill, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr. in the Village Faire Shopping Center (760-729-4695). Age: 30+. Open daily from 11 a.m., bar is open until 12:30 a.m. Sun.–Thurs. and till 2 a.m. Fri. and Sat. Listen to live music while you dance under the stars. Fire pits on the patio and entertainment nightly. Extensive tequila list.

Lounge

Monterey Bay Canners, 1325 N. Harbor Dr., Oceanside (760-722-3474). Great Happy Hour daily specials 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Lounge open Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-midnight, Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m., Sun. 9:30 a.m.-midnight. Call for entertainment schedule.

Dancing

The Alley, 421 Grand Ave., Carlsbad (760-434-1173). This small dance joint only serves beer, wine and liquor. Karaoke Tue.–Wed. Live top 40 and pop music Thurs.–Sat. from 9 p.m.

Ocean House at Carlsbad Village, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., Carlsbad (760-729--4131). Happy Hour Mon.-Fri. 3 p.m.-6 p.m. DJ and live music on varied nights.

Pub

Tom Giblin's, 640-A Grand Ave., Carlsbad (760-729-7234). You'll get into the spirit of the Old Sod at this an authentic Irish pub. They have 12 premium draft beers and a range of Scottish and Irish whiskeys.

Late Night Dining

Golden Acorn Casino and Travel Center, 1800 Golden Acorn Way, Campo (866-794-6244). For great food in between games, dine at The Golden Grill at the Golden Acorn Casino. See Restaurants. While at the casino, be sure to use their discount coupon in this book! Also see the San Diego's Casinos page.