We picked our brains to find the best aspects of the local scene, be it a hotspot, a cocktail or a person who makes the scene that much more fun.

Certainly, there are way more than 50 fantastic things about Dallas nightlife. Have more to offer or disagree with our picks? Visit QuickDFW.com to comment on what you love about nighttime in Big D.

Here are our selections, in no particular order.

Compiled by Farah Fleurima, Hunter Hauk, Jeff Meddaugh and Jennifer Kyle

B-ball "players" may have to share space with picnic tables on the back patio, but at least they're guaranteed an audience. While lounging – and, of course, minding our own business – we've seen people play a drunken version of "around the world" without pants. That's no technical foul in our book. Those fantastic frozen Bellinis made with Everclear (left) can get you to do (most) anything.

These lively spots prove that hotels are not just for sleeping: the Warwick Melrose's Library bar; Thrive, the new nightclub at downtown's Crowne Plaza Hotel; Ghostbar and the Living Room at the W Hotel; Bar Belmont (above) at the Belmont Hotel; and the brand-new, neon-lit Re:mix Lounge at the Aloft in Dallas. Their vibes range from upscale to homey. And, just think – if you happen to overindulge, you have a place to crash.

When general manager Keith Labonte suddenly left the State-Thomas area's Four Lounge last spring, the cozy little joint didn't feel the same. After all, he took his good cheer and his crazy-good cocktail concoctions with him. He returned this summer, so you can generally find him at the lounge, as happy to be back as we are to have him. Celebrate his return with one of his sexy Honey Caramel-tinis.

OK, so you're not exactly in a forest overlooking a lake, but Lee Harvey's front yard provides a laid-back setting to knock back a few beers and chill. Now that the evenings are getting a bit nippier, the wrought-iron outdoor fireplaces are lit up. Head to the bar and ask for some marshmallows to roast with naughty skewers.

There's nothing like rolling up to the counter after a night of Lower Greenville revelry and ordering a mess of wings and a couple of slices of pizza. The people-watching is as good as many of the bars up the street. Great place to satisfy the late-night munchies.

Deep Ellum has a ways to go before achieving glory akin to its heyday. But the reopening of rock venue Trees as well as the draw of hip-hop acts to the Lounge on Elm St. go a long way to help. Art destinations such as Kettle Art and the gleaming new Traveling Man sculptures, as well as the Deep Ellum DART station are also promising developments in the neighborhood's evolution.

Yes, Dallas has mastered the art of the ultralounge: the bottle service, the velvet ropes, the snooty bouncers with their lists. But if you're up for getting down-to-earth, the city has plenty of divine dives. Windmill Lounge, Winedale Tavern, Cosmos, Ships Lounge, Elbow Room, Arcade Bar, the Goat and Lakewood Landing are just a handful of the good ones.

Most of us have that certain favorite spot that we hit for late-night breakfast. Cafe Brazil is the venerable favorite, Buzzbrews (above, with founder Omar Zuniga) is the funky upstart and Metro Diner is the classic greasy spoon. Whichever one you choose, expect the noshes to be more unique and a step above any old diner.

If you're enjoying your karaoke or watching the game and don't want to uproot yourself for migas and omelets, Uptown Bar & Grill has you covered. The McKinney Avenue bar's brunch items are served until closing at 2 a.m.

Why is it that dive bars tend to have some of the tastiest pizza around? Perhaps the alcohol has something to do with it, but we adore the pies at Elbow Room (above), Cosmos, the Loon and Bryan Street Tavern.

Victor Tango's and Vickery Park serve some of the finest cheesy pasta this side of your childhood. Victor's is a decadent, crab-and-white-cheese delicacy, and Vickery's is a simpler, but honest-to- goodness standout plate. And although Neighborhood Services is more restaurant than lounge, you can order their "three-jack and mac" from the bar.

As of April 10, every butt was kicked at Dallas lounges and nightclubs when the indoor smoking ban went into effect. Finally, Dallas caught up to many other major cities in clearing the air at its nightspots. We can all breathe easier for it. So now you can chill at what were once the smokiest bars in town without smelling like an ashtray.

You know what happens at the corner of State and Allen in Uptown? Lots of walking. The State-Thomas neighborhood is packed with young singles who take advantage of the proximity of some great bars and restaurants, and they all seem to pass by State & Allen to do it. That makes for prime people-watching as you sip on a cocktail on the patio.

Irish-born Feargal McKinney operates four of the most consistently popular – and packed – lounges in town. Blackfriar Pub , Idle Rich Pub, the Old Monk and the Dubliner have a loyal following. What keeps people coming back? Comfortable atmospheres, good customer service, a wide array of foreign beers and fantastic eats that raise the bar for bar food.

The two-story Londoner bar, Steel restaurant and lounge, and the bar at Sambuca –

all in Uptown – are crawling on Fridays and Saturdays with well-dressed professionals on the prowl. And here's an underrated meet market pick

–the Village Country Club. You don't have to live in the Village to get in, and with $1.50 double wells on Fridays and scads of singles from the surrounding apartments, it's a must-visit for macking.

The arrival of the trendy Park restaurant (above) helped Henderson up its nightlife game, drawing attention and traffic from its Knox Street leg across the highway. Blue Collar Bar, Barcadia , Capitol Pub and Victor Tango's got the ball rolling, with their festive environments, above- average food and buzzed-about appeal.

Wanna get away from the crowds and the bright lights on the main dance floor? Head downstairs for a slower, sexier vibe and a hip-hop- heavy sound. Plush's lower level has its own DJ and its own distinct feel. Meanwhile, the main floor's Funktion One system – billed as the only one in Dallas – pumps that bass loud enough to blow your clothes off.

The gayborhood's Round-Up may be country-themed, but any kind of music goes in its kitschy karaoke room. Elton John and George Michael – not surprisingly – go over big here.

"Rock Star Karaoke" lives up to its name by letting guests step up to the mic in front of a live band. You can wail on Tuesdays at Sherlock's Baker St. Pub and Wednesdays at Barley House. Check out the short, selective song list at rskdfw.com/Songs.htm.

There's something about having a peppery edge to a cold drink, which probably explains the appeal of jalapeño cocktails. Central 214 , Urban Crust, Dragonfly lounge and Lumi Empanada and Dumpling Kitchen are just a handful of local spots that serve icy-spicy drinks, as well as great food to go with them.

You can just imagine there being a secret panel behind the bar at this Exposition Park favorite. The ornate ceiling and throwback light fixtures also lend a '20s vibe so intense, you half-expect a flapper girl to walk through the door.

Don't feed the hipsters, because they don't eat. But feel free to learn some moves and catch style hints from them at their Expo Park haunt. Regular DJ-centric events such as Hot Flash! and Disqo Disco keep a mean beat on the dance floor.

Most every bar serves beer, but some go above and beyond the call of duty and offer extensive, lovingly curated menus of suds. Libertine , Idle Rich Pub, Old Monk and Amsterdam Bar are great places to begin your tour of the beer world.

The Lower Greenville veteran contains three distinct zones. The patio is the see-and-be-seen area, the central part of the interior is where guests gather around the bar and dance before the DJ stand. And the low-lit, funky back room is where things get sexy. The music tends to be a bit grittier and leans more toward hip-hop.

Friday and Saturday nights on Lower Greenville tend to be a crowded, paid-parking hot mess. Tuesday and Wednesday nights on the strip are much more fun because of the more manageable number of barhoppers and the free parking. Tuesday night karaoke at Winedale Tavern, Bandera and/or the Cavern can while away several hours. Or you can kick it at the Libertine on Wednesday, when all Texas

beers are just $2.50.

On weekends, strolling through the area between Mi Cocina and Taco Diner can feel like you're walking down a runway. You're surrounded by hip hotties (or Uptown d-bags, depending on how you look at it) on both sides – eating, sipping, posing – wearing their Affliction tees and highest heels. If you didn't know you were in Dallas, you'd swear you were in a beer commercial. A hot one. So join them or stare at them, just put on a fierce face either way. You don't know who might be watching.

For years, this guy has taken over the floor at the Round-Up Saloon before closing time on a weekend night. For the simple reason of not knowing his name, we nicknamed him the "the Twirler." He usually begins his routine to "A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place" with a few fanciful steps, and ends with a full-on twirl finale that'd make any So You Think You Can Dance contestant envious. And no matter how many times he does it, he wins the crowd's love. Twirl on!

If you're venturing out into the gayborhood for the evening, Gloria's is a hot spot to get dinner and your "pre-drink" on. The atmosphere is as chill as the delicious house margaritas, and the crowd is diverse. So don't be surprised if you end up sharing your black-bean dip and chips with a few unexpected friends. No double-dipping.

The Double Wide is a bar with a trailer-park theme, so you know you don't have to get dressed up for a night out there. The indoor pub area is so cozy that it kinda feels like a night in, actually. Grab a shot of whiskey and sink into a couch when DJ Slim spins soul. Or kick it up a notch across the courtyard with your favorite local bands in the sufficiently down-and-dirty rock venue.

Where do many of the best touring bands stop before their "official" gigs? At Lower Greenville record store Good Records, where the music- obsessed gather regularly for stripped-down, free in-store shows (sometimes with a keg flowing). The store and its AstroTurfed stage have provided some of the best musical memories of years past, including unforgettable sets by the Black Lips, Grizzly Bear and Erykah Badu.

Even if it's closer to SMU than it was once upon a time, Barley has retained its status as an East Dallas musicians' hangout. Not only do some of the best players in town consider it their home bar, but they're often taking the stage at informal residency gigs, trying out their new material. The O's and King Bucks are two of the more recent local acts to build their following from the Barley stage.

When you walk into this unassuming dive bar off Lower Greenville, you might feel like you're in an old movie. As you take in the jarring sounds of '50s music, the heads of surly regulars turn toward you, size you up and then turn immediately back to their beer and wine ("Beer and wine only!"). This is a sort of anti-scene, where the drinks are cheap ("Cash only!") and the people-watching is prime.

You should never, ever follow a wild night at a concert or club with fast-food nastiness. Not when you've got East Dallas institution the Lakewood Landing to serve you up some of the best bar grub you'll taste in Dallas. The menu items aren't fancy, but totally delicious. Our fave is a starter of cheese fries with a chaser of the "Masterpiece" burger. [Belch.]

We're always happy when a quality singer performs at the Granada Theater. Its decor may seem grand, but it's a small enough venue that there's not a bad view in the house. It's a treat to be close enough to see the faces of talented vocalists – such as James Morrison, Adele and St. Vincent – as they perform.

How did they even come up with this? The liquid homage to this year's State Fair's culinary curiosity is a blend of Stoli vanilla and Frangelico that somehow creates a buttery taste. If you keep an open mind and try it, you'll find it's a sweet and nutty sip. But if you're thinking "fried butter" when you drink it, you'll want to gag. A must-try.

If you're any kind of karaoke fan, you've run into this veteran of the stage. And if you're a lady, you've probably been serenaded by him, too. Cliff Martinez is the older gent with the mane of jet-black hair who takes to the stage to croon in a crisp suit. Now he's got his own show – catch Cliff on Tuesday nights, when he kicks off the Cavern's karaoke night at around 10 p.m.

Italian meats and provolone cheese are piled high on ciabatta bread, topped with an Italian dressing sauce and crisp spinach leaves. It's grilled lightly, full of flavor and available until 2 a.m. This bar food is among the best in Deep Ellum.

On Thursdays at Beamers, the cover is just $5 and includes a buffet that spans almost the length of the club. Grilled ham, sweet potatoes, pulled pork and shrimp cocktail comprise just a fifth of what you'll find. It's always fresh, too.

Don't have the guts to belt out a tune in front of a bar full of people? Take your act behind closed doors. Private-room karaoke spots are tucked away in the Koreatown area off Harry Hines Boulevard (Norazo and Family Karaoke are two prominent ones), most of which stay open till 4 a.m. The downtown Sheraton Hotel now offers two high-tech karaoke rooms in its new bar, Draft Media Sports Lounge. So sing to your heart's content.

On the third Friday of each month, the Dallas Museum of Art stays up late for an art and music celebration. For $10, guests have free reign of the DMA until midnight and can enter the Nasher Sculpture Center and Crow Collection of Asian Art for free. Plus there's a slew of fun activities, including museum tours, live music, film screenings and movie-soundtrack karaoke.

Two of Dallas' newest restaurants are taking Mediterranean food to the max. Both Samar –Stephan Pyles' new endeavor – and Kush, a new Greenville Avenue lounge-restaurant, specialize in traditional Middle Eastern cuisine and even provide guests with a decidedly native pastime: hookah smoking. Both eateries exude sexy elegance with an international flair.

Several nightclubs have injected new energy into the downtown scene, especially on Main Street. Plush was the biggest, splashiest newbie to hit town, with a lavish New Year's Eve opening bash. And Joyce, Carpe Diem, Skye, PM Lounge, the Bank and Mantus help maintain the sexy in the heart of the city. We'll be keeping an eye out for Obar's slated return.

Oak Cliff possesses a laid-back vibe that's slowly making it the nightlife spot of choice for young Dallasites. Jack's Backyard has a right-neighborly ambience, Beckley Brewhouse looks and feels like an intimate living room turned into a bar and Quinn's patio attracts a quietly hip set. The newer kids on the block include Bolsa, which features a fantastic patio to sip a well-crafted cocktail or a glass of wine, and Tradewinds Social Club, a kitschy haven co-owned by Phillip Jester,

the former general manager at Lee Harvey's.

We love the Magnolia Theater

(in West Village) and the Angelika Film Center

(in Mockingbird Station) because they let us combine two of our favorite things: movies and alcohol. Here you can sip wine or pound a few beers while watching your flick. You might as well take advantage, because you were going to do that as soon as the movie let out anyway.

There's something magical about playing the Skee. It's a game anyone can dominate. And it can take the place of boring conversation. That's why it's so refreshing that you can play it at Barcadia. You don't have to trip over children like at traditional arcades, and you don't even have to buy tokens. Just arrive with a pocketful of quarters, and start challenging people. Just don't incorporate the phrase, "That's how I roll." Too obvious.

Sometimes you want to avoid the see-and-be-seen crowds on a Friday night. That's fine, as long as you don't end up on your couch next to a cat, watching NCIS reruns. The Opening Bell locations at South Side and downtown's Mosaic building encourage laid-back chatting on cush chairs and couches. The live entertainment is usually of the acoustic singer-songwriter variety, and it's good to be able to follow up a few beers with a tasty coffee concoction.

Some nights you just wanna be your own DJ. Nothing like a jukebox to fulfill that wish. From the high-tech, computerized module at Jack's Backyard to the old-fashioned boxes at Adair's Saloon and Elbow Room, all it takes is a dollar or two to set the musical mood at your favorite bar.

The glowing blue dance club atop the W Hotel has a reputation of bringing some of the country's biggest acts to town. Biz Markie, Tommy Lee, Samantha Ronson, Nick Cannon (above) and DJ Jazzy Jeff have taken their place front and center at the Victory Park club. Up next: LA punk rapper Mickey Avalon on Nov. 14.

Lower Greenville generally isn't the first place you think of when you want to hit an upscale bar or ultralounge. That's why it's pleasantly surprising to see Hotel Capri thrive. The bar's sleek interior and "hotel suite" bottle service area – including a bed – still manage to feel welcoming and fancy at the same time.

There's a bar for almost every kind of sports fan. Enjoy watching your sports in a low-key, neighbor- hood place? The Dubliner and Knox Street Pub have you covered. Uptown dwellers who want a bar in walking distance have Christie's Sports Bar, Liar's Den or Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill. Want a fancier experience? Head to the Boardroom at Victory Park. Want flat screens every which way you turn your head? Greenville's National Sports Lounge will suit you.2

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