DOWNTOWN. Retro styling and a young, upscale crowd impart a certain sophistication to this bar, whose dark, streamlined interior glows with blue neon accents. Apropos to the decor, a martini menu offers up tasty potions and contributes a dose of mid-century chic. (Try a fresh kiwi martini or perhaps the Cajun, with jalapeno-infused vodka.) Beer, wine, and champagne cocktails are also available, along with frozen and ice-cream drinks. If food's in order, a selection of appetizers can help ward off the munchies.

WEST. Paying tribute to late local musician Luther Allison, this music venue is part of a complex that also houses an upscale restaurant, Crescent City, and a cafe, French Quarter. The upstairs music room is inviting, with gleaming woods, subtle lighting, and a polished bar. Great sightlines and terrific acoustics mean every concert is a good one, and performers range from local talents to well-known musicians. A dance floor welcomes folks to showcase their best moves, and a full bar menu offers up libations galore.

DOWNTOWN. When you feel the need to trade in typical, rowdy clubs for a more subdued experience, Opus stands out as an ideal oasis of urbanity. Dimly lit and romantic, the establishment provides an optimal environment wherein patrons can enjoy international wines, sip well-mixed cocktails, or munch globally-inspired appetizers, including sushi and tapas options. Prices run a bit towards the high side, but for ambience and style, it's hard to find a place of Opus' caliber in the vicinity.

STATE STREET. It was a major coup for Madison to salvage and renovate this former vaudeville theater, which was slated for a major, character-destroying overhaul. These days, its amazing French Renaissance interior has been restored, and the place now welcomes live musical performances, foreign films, and other cinematic treasures. Past performers have included Bela Fleck, Rockapella, and Earl Scruggs. The Orpheum also boasts a great lobby restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

DOWNTOWN. Gracious and sophisticated, this restaurant has risen steadily in the eyes of patrons and critics since its much-anticipated premiere and is lauded for both cuisine and nightlife. A refined setting serves as apt backdrop for Nuevo Latino fare, which includes elk tenderloin medallions, grilled calamari steak, black pepper-sesame-encrusted ahi tuna, lamb sirloin, and delicious Argentinian beef. Local, seasonal ingredients boost the cuisine's quality, and an enviable tapas menu features ceviche, scallop stew, Spanish serrano ham, and blue potato frittata. A full bar, live jazz nightly, and strong prospects for dancing also add appeal to Magnus. Fantastic desserts and incredible wines, too. Tapas average about $10 each. Advance reservations a must, especially for weekends.