Apache Cafe (64 Third St. N.W. 404-876-5436) -- Since its previous incarnation as Yin Yang Cafe, this intimate downtown spot has earned a reputation for being the place to see both live R&B, rap and jazz artists on the way up (The Chronicle, Seek) and firmly established (Erykah Badu).

Hard Rock Cafe (215 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-688-7625) -- Yes, we have one, too. Now that you know, why not go somewhere where the burgers are cheaper and better?

Karma (79 Poplar St. N.W. 404-577-6967) -- A rare combination of comfy and cool, this dance club has also managed the admirable feat of drawing people downtown without live bands.

Jocks N Jills (1 CNN Center, downtown, 404-688-4225; 112 10th St. N.E., Midtown, 404-873-5405; 4046 Peachtree Road N.E., Brookhaven, 404-816-2801) -- This Atlanta chain is the sports-bar equivalent of comfort food. It's familiar, friendly and slightly faceless, the decor woody and memorabilia-filled. There's one in Midtown, downtown and Brookhaven (just north of Buckhead).

Cotton Club (152 Luckie St. N.W. 404-688-1193) -- Downtown's only small live music venue sits beneath downtown's best live music venue, the Tabernacle.

Northside Tavern (1058 Howell Mill Road N.W. 404-874-8745) -- Rhythm, blues and pool near the Georgia Tech campus. Playing this weekend is Northside regular and Atlanta blues wunderkind Sean Costello. Go see why Atlanta blues fans love him so much.

Midtown/Virginia-Highland

Blind Willie's (828 N. Highland Ave. N.E., Virginia-Highland, 404-873-2583) -- Small, smoky blues parlor is the next best thing to a Mississippi juke joint.

Leopard Lounge, Cosmopolitan, et al. Some call it "Little Buckhead." The area bordered by Peachtree, West Peachtree, 11th and 14th streets has all the snarled traffic, pricey parking, expensive cocktails and attitude of the real thing, but it's more accesible by MARTA. There are more worthwhile places to spend A short jaunt from both Art Center and Midtown stations will help keep your sanity, but if you do decide to drive, bring plenty of cash to feed the parking monster. There are some interesting clubs here, but it depends on your tolerance for the tragically hip or your patience with finding the places where they aren't. Among the better destinations are the recently refurbished Nomenclature Museum, the trendy Eleven50 and the below-street-level Crescent Room.

Club Kaya, 1068 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-874-4460

Cosmopolitan, 45 13th St. N.E. 404-873-6189

Crescent Room, 1136 Crescent Ave. N.E. 404-875-5252

Lava, 57 13th St. N.E. 404-873-4202

Leopard Lounge, 84 12th St. N.E. 404-875-7562

Martini Club, 1140 Crescent Ave. N.E. 404-873-0794

The Metro, 1080 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-874-9869

Nomenclature Museum, 44 12th St. N.E. 404-874-6344

Tangier, 67 12th St. N.E. 404-875-7473

Ten27, 1027 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-875-3911

The Velvet Room, 1021 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-876-6275

Backstreet (845 Peachtree St. N.E., Midtown, 404-873-1986) -- It used to be a gay bar, and, in reality, it still is, but it seems that few members of Atlanta's sizable gay community will admit to frequenting it anymore. It's more of a tourist destination these days, but it's certainly entertaining. Charlie Brown's risque, gender-bending cabaret upstairs draws capacity crowds, but be prepared for the good-natured verbal abuse that gets dished out.

Blake's on the Park (227 10th Ave N.E. 404-892-5786) First, no one calls this Blake's on the Park. It's just Blake's. It looks like a typical neighborhood pub, and it is. It's also a gay bar in a very gay-friendly block. For the less alcoholically inclined, there's Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse (991 Piedmont Ave. N.E. 404-607-0082) a couple of doors down where you can grab a book and enjoy some java.

Churchill Grounds (660 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-876-3030) Jazz-centric watering hole next to the Fox Theatre is a convenient, and classy, place to gather after a show.

Dark Horse Tavern (and 10 High) (816 North Highland Ave. N.E., Virginia-Highland, 404-873-3607) Upstairs is roomy, dark and noisy with decent bar food. Downstairs, recently renovated and renamed 10 High, is the music venue, with mostly local and regional rock acts.

The Masquerade (695 North Ave. N.E., Poncey-Highland. 404-577-8178) Upstairs books alternative and metal acts; disco downstairs plays techno, industrial, swing/lounge.

Red Light Cafe (553 Amsterdam Ave. N.E., Midtown. 404-874-7828) Sofa-strewn hangout offers live folk, rock and jazz, plus dinner and late-night menu.

Righteous Room (1051 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E. 404-874-0939) -- A nice selection of beers, reasonable prices, tasty bar food, a friendly atmosphere and a boffo jukebox make this a cool hangout.

The Riviera (1055 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-607-7277) The former home of Club Anytime now offers frequent live music performances, with a bent toward '80s nostalgia acts. The dance music still spins when there isn't a band, though, and the club boasts some fine DJ talent.

Little Five Points/East Atlanta

The EARL (488 Flat Shoals Ave. S.E., East Atlanta, 404-522-3950) -- Great bar food, and a comfy music room in the back which hosts touring independent and underground acts

Echo Lounge (551 Flat Shoals Ave. S.E., East Atlanta, 404-681-3600) -- The first of East Atlanta's live music venues recently got a makeover that made it easier to navigate through the sizable crowds that come to see touring underground bands.

Fountainhead Lounge (485 Flat Shoals Ave. S.E., East Atlanta, 404-522-7841) -- As upscale as the still bohemian East Atlanta gets. Extra points for the cool rest room facilities. These folks spent more time on their bathrooms than many clubs spend their entire decor.

Euclid Avenue Yacht Club (1136 Euclid Ave. N.E., Little Five Points, 404-688-2582) -- Where the locals hang, especially before and after a show at the Variety Playhouse down the street. Loud, pub-like and as comfy and worn as an old shoe.

Star Community Bar (437 Moreland Ave. N.E., Little Five Points, 404-681-9018) -- A live-music room (and downstairs Vinyl Lounge) that tends toward rockabilly and roots music, though you can hear most any type of tune here. Pabst Blue Ribbon is the house wine.

Brewhouse ( 401 Moreland Ave. N.E., Little Five Points, 404-525-7799)A wide array of brews and a roomy patio are big draws, despite the decidedly non-scenic view of Moreland Avenue.

9 Lives Saloon -- (1174 Euclid Ave. N.E., Little Five Points, 404-659-7656) Gritty little club is a good place to party like a rock star. A budget-minded rock star, anyway. The place to achieve dissipation without spending hundreds of dollars.

Buckhead

CJ's Landing (270 Buckhead Ave. N.E. 404-237-7657) -- Buckhead entertainment complex offers local, regional and national bands in a renovated concert hall, with acoustic cover acts on the climate-controlled deck.

Brandyhouse (4365 Roswell Road N.E. at Wieuca Road, 404-252-7784) -- English-style restaurant and pub's sound system is a cut above many local live music venues. The entertainment tends toward the jam-rock end of the muscial spectrum, with a bit of roots rock and country-folk thrown in.

Libby's (3401 Northside Parkway N.W., Northwest Atlanta. 404-237-1943) Atlanta cabaret legend Libby Whittemore brings some fine out-of-town cabaret talent to Atlanta when she's not performing herself. Online, www.libbyscabaret.com.

The Punchline (280 Hilderbrand Drive N.E., Sandy Springs, 404-252-5233, www.punchline.com.) -- This comedy club is just north of Buckhead. Many of the best-known touring comedians stop here, including this weekend's scheduled performer Dom Irrera.

ESPN Zone (3030 Peachtree Road N.W. 404-682-3776) A sort of theme park for the titular television network, this sports complex has a restaurant, a bar and a games/sports area.

Three Dollar Cafe (3002 Peachtree Road N.W. 404-266-8667) -- ESPN Zone might have the sportier name, but this is Buckhead's true sports-bar leader. It boasts a massive deck and TVs by the score, but the crowds are the real testament to its place at the head of the pack.