DOWNTOWN. Moving the party off the Strip, Celebrity's nightly proceedings feature a varied selection of music that moves beyond the typical Vegas lounge act. Live rock and even Dixieland can be heard, and DJs take over on some nights. With a minimum age of 18, you'll find a slightly younger crowd than at most Vegas nightspots. Patrons acclaim the venue for being more spacious than many bars yet more intimate than most music halls on the Strip.

WEST OF THE STRIP. It isn't far from the Strip, but this local enterprise is a great place to get away from the "tourist" atmosphere and be part of the residential scene. There's a 24-hour kitchen, reasonably priced drinks, and mandatory bar amenities like pool tables, dartboards, plasma-screen TVs, and a dance floor. Every weekend, local bands are the featured entertainment ­ and on "Trauma Tuesdays," there are house DJs.

THE STRIP. This elegant space accommodates 1,300 people, and its large stage typically hosts rock and metal bands, although at times, major DJ talents take over. The central floor is lined with recessed, semicircular booths, perfect for four or five friends. Large, cozy couches and a warm color scheme encourage audiophiles to mingle between sets. If more privacy is desired, head to the upper balcony or to the patio for views of the Strip. The prominently-hung signature chandelier occasionally descends in a blaze of color and light.

WEST OF THE STRIP. If you need a hit of New Orleans in the middle of Las Vegas, stop by this cool lounge inside the off-Strip Gold Coast Casino. The Royal Dixie Jazz Band has called the place home for over 20 years, playing an upbeat selection of Southern-flavored jazz. Country and bluegrass acts take the stage from time to time, and in the wee hours, pop and Top 40 dominate. Although plenty of other action is available in the casino and movie theater, the lounge capitalizes on its solid reputation as a relaxed venue for highly enjoyable music.

THE STRIP. Legendary crooner Tom Jones only performs at the Hollywood Theatre when in Vegas. If this fact alone isn't enough to draw you in, consider the place's 740-seat size, which is much more up-close-and-personal than most of the venues at Sin City's major hotels. Even more happily, each seat has a great view of the stage. Besides the Welsh heartthrob, other musical acts appear, as well as stand-up comics and magicians (including David Copperfield).