Barley House has a casual atmosphere and is populated by everyone from recent college grads to 40-year-olds. Music varies from acoustic to pop rock ­ never too heavy ­ and good, basic bar food includes burgers, chicken sandwiches, and nachos. Cheap drinks and a nice looking crowd add to the appeal. Furthermore, the place is known for its annual Barleypalooza, a summertime event with multiple bands and arts and crafts. FYI: The Old 97s cut their teeth here before moving on to greener pastures at Letterman, Leno, and Conan.

DEEP ELLUM. The Bone has been around for years now and still draws quite a crowd. The rooftop deck is huge and you'll find plenty of eye candy for both sexes in this hot singles spot. During the week, the crowd is more low-key and usually vibing to one of the several local blues acts that play Mon-Thu. If the weather's good, bands play outside on the roof starting at 5pm. A separate room has four pool tables and a good jukebox. If the front door has a line, you can pay a $5 cover to get in through the side door.

ADDISON. Sports, burgers, and an upscale, energetic crowd are standouts at this grill. Television sets line the room, and classic bar items like burgers, ribs, and pizza are the foundation of the menu. The place is popular with an after-work crowd, especially during happy hour (from 4pm to 7pm). On Thursday, karaoke is king, so plan accordingly if you want to test your pipes with a captive audience.

IRVING. Spacious and elegant, this upscale establishment has become one of the area's most popular destinations for dinner and drinks. Refined Western decor distinguishes all its venues, which range from restaurant to bar to billiard room. Cuisine relies heavily on steaks and chops but also includes salmon, Australian lobster tail, and luscious desserts. A variety of bands play blues, R&B, jazz, pop, and funk Thursday through Saturday, and the lounge offers aromatic cigars and a fine selection of cognacs. The well-stocked bar serves up great martinis, along with alcohol of all varieties, and large-screen TVs guarantee that all the big games and events are easily viewed. Ideal for a whole evening of fun and leisure.

OAK LAWN. Two-stepping, tight denim, and 10-gallon hats attract Big D's best-looking cowboys to this country-western bar, which caters to a mostly gay clientele. Chipping in on the joint's popularity are great drink specials (Margarita Madness on Mondays, 22-oz. drafts for three bucks <i>every day</i>) and a calendar full of fun weekly activities like karaoke, line dancing (lessons are free), and Friday and Saturday's Howdy Hour. Of course, the top crowd pleasers are "duded-up" events like Miss Gay Round Up, Miss Cinco de Mayo, and the Switch-Hitters Ball.