Although San Diego's money is lavished on classical music, opera and theater (half-priced tickets and information available at the Times Arts Tix booth at 28 Horton Plaza; phone 619/497-5000), the crowds flock to beachside discos and boozy music venues. For full listings, pick up the free San Diego Reader from numerous shops, bars and cafés around town.

Blind Melons 710 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach phone 858/483-7844. College-oriented spot with live rock, blues and reggae bands nightly.

Blue Tattoo 835 Fifth Ave, downtown phone 619/238-7191. Stylish debauchery with ass-shaking tunes, "foam parties" with copious bubbles, and a snooty door policy that keeps slackers at bay. Make sure to come clad in your hippest clubwear.

Café Lulu 419 F St, downtown phone 619/238-0114. A popular coffee bar that's good for late-night kibbitzing and consuming a wide range of java concoctions.

Café Sevilla 555 4th Ave, downtown phone 619/233-5979. Traditional Spanish cuisine upstairs, hip Latin American-flavored dance club downstairs. Brings in a trendy European crowd.

The Casbah 2501 Kettner Blvd, downtown phone 619/232-4355. Fun, unpretentious hangout with a varying roster of blues, funk, reggae and indie bands.

Emerald City 945 Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach phone 858/483-9920. Lively disco with drink specials at weekends, and the popular underworld industrial and Gothic night on Sun.

The Flame 3780 Park Blvd, Hillcrest phone 619/295-4163. The city's premier lesbian club, with pool tables and dancing, and live musical acts from early evening to early morning. Tuesday becomes "Boys' Night."

Gas Haus 640 F St, downtown phone 619/232-5866. Alcohol-free café with eclectic decor and stocked with teens, students and aging hippies. Lounge on deep-set couches or take in a casual game of pool.

La Jolla Brewing Company 7536 Fay Ave, La Jolla phone 858/456-2739. One of the few decent choices for nightlife in this buttoned-down burg, with tasty microbrewed beer and surfboard decor.

Red Fox Room 2223 El Cajon Blvd, near Hillcrest phone 619/297-1313. A retro piano bar and steak joint with a swell atmosphere of mellow newcomers and boozy old-timers.

Rich's 1051 University Ave, Hillcrest phone 619/295-2195. Gay club with heavy dance beats Fri and Sat, and more casual "Hedonism" night on Thurs, with house music and tribal rhythms.

Winston's Beach Club 1921 Bacon St, Ocean Beach phone 619/222-6822. A former bowling alley, this local club has rock bands most nights, with occasional reggae and 1960s-style acts as well. Close to the pier.

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