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Best Jukebox

Under the Volcano

Most jukes these days are stocked by companies armed with demographic studies. Not so at Under the Volcano, where owner Pete Mitchell don't need no steenkin' studies. Instead, this box is full of stuff he likes, which ranges from Cesaria Evora to New Orleans brass bands to sacred steel to mid-period Rolling Stones to Scott Miller to Hank Williams. Whether you're in the mood to cry in your St. Arnold over a little honky-tonk, or knock back a few of the bar's signature frozen cuba libres to a little vintage son, the Volcano's got you covered.

Best Club for Your Grandparents and/or Grandchildren

Pe-Te's Cajun Barbecue

This funky and authentic slice of Cajun country offers a great time to both the Geritol and Flintstones Chewables sets. Every Saturday afternoon for the last 20 years, Pe-Te's has morphed from a Cajun barbecue stand to a whirling zydeco dance hall. The Saturday dances start at two and last until six -- perfect for those for whom the nighttime is not the right time. Owner Pe-Te Johnson keeps it dark inside, though, to give the illusion that it's dark outside, and the music is loud enough to be heard but not earsplitting. Patrons range in age from nine to 90 and every skin color from pink to ebony, and all of them dance with each other. Sometimes even the bands have members from as many as three generations. The gumbo and 'cue are delicious, as are the ice-cold Dixies.

Best Club for Your Grandparents and/or Grandchildren

Pe-Te's Cajun Barbecue

This funky and authentic slice of Cajun country offers a great time to both the Geritol and Flintstones Chewables sets. Every Saturday afternoon for the last 20 years, Pe-Te's has morphed from a Cajun barbecue stand to a whirling zydeco dance hall. The Saturday dances start at two and last until six -- perfect for those for whom the nighttime is not the right time. Owner Pe-Te Johnson keeps it dark inside, though, to give the illusion that it's dark outside, and the music is loud enough to be heard but not earsplitting. Patrons range in age from nine to 90 and every skin color from pink to ebony, and all of them dance with each other. Sometimes even the bands have members from as many as three generations. The gumbo and 'cue are delicious, as are the ice-cold Dixies.

Best Place to Hang with High Schoolers

Fitzgerald's

After a hot, sweaty night of dancing and slamming to punk rock legends the Queers on the bottom level of Fitzgerald's, a group of tough-looking teenage girls waited in line for the bathroom. As they leaned against the wall, wiping their Manic Panic hair out of their eyes, they couldn't help but check out the three women in their late twenties who were waiting for the bathroom as well. Shouldn't these older chicks be at an after-work happy hour, knocking back martinis and discussing their retirement plans? Or racing home to get dinner ready for the kids? The curiosity got to be too much for one troubled youth, who finally got up the courage to ask the age of one older woman as she walked out of a stall and headed for the sink. "I'm 28," the woman announced, wiping her hands on a paper towel. "And I will always go to shows." As she sauntered out, the sense of awe lingering in the bathroom was palpable.

Best Place to Hang with High Schoolers

Fitzgerald's

After a hot, sweaty night of dancing and slamming to punk rock legends the Queers on the bottom level of Fitzgerald's, a group of tough-looking teenage girls waited in line for the bathroom. As they leaned against the wall, wiping their Manic Panic hair out of their eyes, they couldn't help but check out the three women in their late twenties who were waiting for the bathroom as well. Shouldn't these older chicks be at an after-work happy hour, knocking back martinis and discussing their retirement plans? Or racing home to get dinner ready for the kids? The curiosity got to be too much for one troubled youth, who finally got up the courage to ask the age of one older woman as she walked out of a stall and headed for the sink. "I'm 28," the woman announced, wiping her hands on a paper towel. "And I will always go to shows." As she sauntered out, the sense of awe lingering in the bathroom was palpable.

Best Place to Drink Alone

The Wine Bucket

The Wine Bucket is part fancy boutique, part bar -- which may be one reason it's such a comfortable place to drink alone. The store adds an air of casualness to the dimly lit bar. So you can stop in for a glass of wine after a day of shopping or working (depending on your lot in life), and there's nothing sad about it. More important, though, especially for women: No one will bother you if you decide to settle into one of the little tables surrounded by four hefty chairs. Each is a world unto itself, a place to savor an expensive glass of wine, a plate of Danish Brie and a moment to yourself.

Best Place to Drink Alone

The Wine Bucket

The Wine Bucket is part fancy boutique, part bar -- which may be one reason it's such a comfortable place to drink alone. The store adds an air of casualness to the dimly lit bar. So you can stop in for a glass of wine after a day of shopping or working (depending on your lot in life), and there's nothing sad about it. More important, though, especially for women: No one will bother you if you decide to settle into one of the little tables surrounded by four hefty chairs. Each is a world unto itself, a place to savor an expensive glass of wine, a plate of Danish Brie and a moment to yourself.

Best Place to Smoke

Last Concert Cafe

These days, it's hard for a smoker to enjoy himself. Even sitting in the smoking section of a restaurant, puffers get accusing stares. The fact is, lighting up in a big room is kind of like peeing in a swimming pool: The whole shebang gets contaminated. That's why there's nothing like smoking at the Last Concert Cafe. Its back area has big tables with plenty of room between them, and overhead, there's only sky. You can sit back, light a smoke and puff away, guilt-free. Best of all, let's just say the laid-back clientele is smoker-friendly. They're more interested in hula-hooping, dancing with their eyes closed and smoking their own stuff than in bothering you.

Best Place to Smoke

Last Concert Cafe

These days, it's hard for a smoker to enjoy himself. Even sitting in the smoking section of a restaurant, puffers get accusing stares. The fact is, lighting up in a big room is kind of like peeing in a swimming pool: The whole shebang gets contaminated. That's why there's nothing like smoking at the Last Concert Cafe. Its back area has big tables with plenty of room between them, and overhead, there's only sky. You can sit back, light a smoke and puff away, guilt-free. Best of all, let's just say the laid-back clientele is smoker-friendly. They're more interested in hula-hooping, dancing with their eyes closed and smoking their own stuff than in bothering you.

Best Downtown Bar

St. Pete's Dancing Marlin

This seafood restaurant/saloon stands out as a NoDo rarity: a bar with a commitment to live music. John Evans has enjoyed a long Thursday-night residency here, and if you add to that frequent gigs by Greg Wood, Jimmy's Pawn Shop and Little Screamin' Kenny, it's plain to see that this isn't a stuffed-shirt kind of place. This is a bar where you can knock back the bocks and get rowdy. With seemingly every other night spot in downtown chasing the velvet-rope crowd, St. Pete's stands out as a place to relax. In fact, with all the mounted game fish and nautical gear on the walls, you just might think you were back at the dearly departed Live Bait.

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