Barking Spider Tavern

11310 Juniper Road, Cleveland, 216-421-2863, barkingspidertavern.com. A low-key, wood-paneled music venue popular with students and music fans of all varieties.

Beachland Ballroom & Tavern

15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com. Main-stage and smaller acts, from indie rock to blues to alt-country.

B-side Liquor Lounge

2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, 216-932-1966, bsideliquorlounge.com. College students and professionals mix in this club with live poetry, rock and electronic dance music spun by local and national DJs.

Brennan's Colony

2299 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-1010, brennanscolony.com. The Heights' top neighborhood bar, cozy in the winter with a buzzing patio come summertime.

City and East

2781 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, 216-321-8400. Hookah hot spot as well as an upscale bar that caters to the East Side crowd.

The Fairmount

2448 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights, 216-229-9463. Classy wine bar with a huge patio.

The Grog Shop

2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs. Hip, uber-cool musical acts stop here on their way to the big time, or at least the next gig.

Grotto Wine Bar

13101 Shaker Square, Cleveland, 216-751-9463, grottoshakersquare.com. An award-winning wine bar featuring a late-night kitchen with Italian-inspired dishes.

House of Swing

4490 Mayfield Road, South Euclid, 216-382-2771. Jazz and swing are king here. Between sets, listen to classics from the House's deep collection of 15,000 jazz records.

Johnny Malloy's

4350 Mayfield Road, South Euclid, 216-691-1000, johnnymalloys.com. A local sports bar chain where the game's always on the big screen.

La Cave du Vin

2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, 216-932-6411, lacaveduvin.com. Underground wine bar perfect for romance, also has an extensive beer selection.

McNulty's Pub

1854 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-932-9996, mcnultyspub.com. Relaxed hangout for the college crowd with beer specials and a cozy atmosphere.

Nighttown

12387 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-795-0550, nighttowncleveland.com. Cabaret club with a 1940s feel.

Panini's Bar and Grill

1825 Coventry Blvd, Cleveland Heights, 216-321-6444; 6283 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, 440-605-0404; 937 222nd St, Euclid, 216-812-9852; 37333 Euclid Ave, Willoughby, 440-951-9852, paninisgrill.com. Laid-back local hangout known for its signature sandwiches.

Parnell's Pub

2167 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-321-3469. Irish pub where you can catch a soccer game or just hang out with friends over a Guinness or 10 kinds of Irish whiskey.

Peabody's Concert Club

2045 E 21st St, Cleveland, 216-776-9999, peabodys.com. Indie bands and local musicians play at this gritty venue near Cleveland State University.

Willoughby Brewing Co.

4057 Erie St, Willoughby, 440-975-0202, willoughbybrewing.com. A converted rail-car depot that's worth the drive to Lake County.

Winking Lizard Tavern

1852 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-397-8380, winkinglizard.com. More than 100 varieties of beer are available at this neighborhood standard.