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Backstop Pub 533 Avenue B (Boulder City), 702/294-8445. “A free drink to anyone - any day the sun doesn’t shine in Boulder City,” claims a sign outside the front door. While the cheap boozehound in you may pray for rain, you shouldn’t wait that long to visit this classic saloon. With no video poker machines to pollute the atmosphere (gambling is illegal here), it’s just you, your drink, a partner (optional), some stuffed buffalo heads, and the stoic citizenry of Boulder City - the proud folk who built Hoover Dam and their descendants. Live music on weekends; never a cover.

The Bar 1201 Las Vegas Blvd. South #E (in Thai Town), 702/388-1682. Located inside an anonymous strip-mall space, The Bar is almost unknown to the annoying hipsters clogging the Uptown joints. The room is intimate and charming (despite being lit almost exclusively by slot machines), the bartenders personable and the house martini one of the biggest and best in town. Delicious Thai appetizers are readily available from the adjoining restaurant. Worth a nightcap or two. Parking is very limited.

Barley’s Casino & Brewing Company 4500 Sunset Rd., 702/458-2739. Pity poor Henderson - the third largest city in Nevada, yet too close to Las Vegas to tell the difference. At least now, the well-dressed and sweet-smelling residents of Henderson and Green Valley can drown their sorrows in the tasty offerings of IBM-engineer-turned-brewmeister Michael Ferguson. His solid lineup of brews do much to cleanse the mind and muddy the palate (or is that the other way around?), and his Dunkel Weizen wins rave reviews. The appetizers and entrees are simple, but nonetheless tasty. Try the liverwurst sandwich, but be prepared to suck mints for days. Additionally, the eastern location of Viva Mercado’s adjoins the casino, serving up Mexican dishes sumptuous enough to satisfy even the most acute case of beer munchies.

Boston Bar and Grill 3411 S. Jones Blvd., 702/368-0750. Known simply as “The Boston” among the bar stars, this cavernous, sparsely appointed beer and wings joint boasts a commitment to local music that few can match. The stage was reportedly built by local musicians and every live band enjoys the benefit of a sound board with someone actually behind it. Drink specials are plentiful and the joint smokes into the wee hours as the crowds just keep on grooving away, defying exhaustion. Home Cookin’, 12-Volt Sex, A Pig Named Jodi, Mark Huff, Inside Scarlet and The Opera Beggars practically live here.

Champagnes Cafe 3557 S. Maryland Pkwy., 702/737-1699. Just when you thought faux red velvet wallpaper had vanished forever, this dim and cozy bar appears through a wall of cigar smoke. Champagnes Cafe has that crimson-lit New Orleans feel that’s both tacky and swank. It’s the sort of unpretentious retro joint that still has big half-moon booths and pictures of Marilyn Monroe all over the place, not to mention a nattily attired manager who is always in black. The jukebox is questionable, but at least it still holds vinyl 45s. The perfect place to go to avoid seeing anyone you know.

Crown & Anchor 1350 E. Tropicana Ave., 702/739-8676. Every night the Crown & Anchor Pub fills to capacity with would-be drunken Anglophiles and sharp-dressed men and women, serving up pints by the million, and you don’t have to be Andy Capp to see why. The split-level dining room is lovely (when fully accessible, that is- the upper level is almost always closed when we arrive), the waitresses friendly and attractive and it probably goes without saying that the food and beverages are bloody fabulous. Don’t miss the slate of James Bond martinis - world domination in a glass. Get soused in the name of Colonial amity. Live music on weekends.

Double Down Saloon 4640 Paradise Rd., 702/791-5775. From the darkly psychedelic murals covering the walls and ceiling to the sign that brusquely declares “You Puke, You Clean,” the Double Down Saloon earns its self-appointed title as “The Happiest Place On Earth.” The drinks are cheap, the pool tables well-used and the jukebox blasts everything from Billie Holliday to the Butthole Surfers. Bartenders Grant and Louie perform impromptu acts of “illuuuusion”, and the former steadfastly refuses to serve bourbon to anyone wearing a cowboy hat. Don’t fail to try the house specialty - a tall glass of Ass Juice, “served ass cold.” Live surf, punk and rockabilly bands take the tiny stage on an irregular basis, while Bill Cherry cranks out live blues every Thursday. The late Timothy Leary, director Tim Burton and Jim “The Reverend” Horton Heath have bivouacked here at one point or another, and so should you.

The Dispensary 2451 E. Tropicana Ave., 702/458-6343. The 1970s never ended at the Dispensary, and for once, that doesn’t bother us. This place is so rich with atmosphere, it feels like a Quentin Tarantino flick. Just feast your eyes on the groovy hardwood fixtures, slow-turning water wheel and waitresses in skimpy outfits - what is this, Las Vegas? Always quiet even when packed to capacity, this a great place for relaxed cocktails or appetizers, or just to enjoy the pop Muzak of the Me Decade (if they’ve ever played a song recorded after 1980 over the sound system, we’ve never heard it) with a date too young to remember who “the Steely Dan” was.

Favorites 4110 S. Maryland Pkwy., 702/796-1776. One of the oldest of the UNLV District’s bars (admittedly a relative term, considering the district’s perpetual turnover), with a clientele that’s equal parts collegiate, blue collar and barfly. Live bands play infrequently.

Gordon Biersch Brewing 3987 Paradise Rd., 702/312-5247. From the look of things on any given Friday night, exposed navels and big hair share equal billing with the food and brews. Exploring all of Gordon Biersch’s menu would take years, but the hits outweigh the misses and the failures come from trying too hard rather than not enough.The intensely-hopped Pilsner is as good as you’ll find this side of Hamburg. The Marzen - a medium-bodied, sweet and smooth brew - could wean one away ubiquitous micro-brewed ales forever. If you’re single and ready to mingle (and can ignore the din), this is the place to be.

Holy Cow 2423 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702/732-2697. Las Vegas’s original brewpub, the Holy Cow slings some solid brews your way. They’re not as distinctive as those from the Holy Cow’s newer rivals, but they’re tasty and reliably good. And you gotta love the large cow looming over the intersection of Sahara and the Strip. (If only they’d put a patio on the roof.) Although its location suggests serious congestion, parking is never a problem. And if you take your drinking as seriously as this town takes its gambling, the Holy Cow is your venue of choice - it never closes.

Huntridge Tavern 1122 E. Charleston Blvd., 702/384-7377. Man, do we ever love drinking here. The next time you’re taking in a show at the Huntridge Theater, cross the street to this humble dive bar and enjoy what it doesn’t offer: no foofie girl drinks, no snotty college kids, no pretentious appetizers. Just good, hard drinks (packaged liquor is available), and charbroiled steaks on Fridays. This joint probably looked exactly the same thirty years ago, or so we like to think. Next door is Huntridge Drugs, home to one of Vegas’s few lunch counters and a filming location for the artistically questionable Indecent Proposal.

Legends 865 N. Lamb Blvd., 702/437-9674. Don’t let the Deadhead décor fool you: Legends is no hippie bar. This far-flung joint is one of Vegas’s absolute best venues for local music, with a giant sound system and easygoing staff. Local bands take the stage almost nightly, while touring acts the likes of Spacehog and the Derailers pop in from time to time. With discussion of creating “Live from Legends” CDs and expanding the bookings, Legends is little short of being the spiritual heir to the late Fremont Street Reggae and Blues club.

Marker Down 3939 Spring Mountain Rd., 702/876-4114. See Money Plays.

Money Plays 4755 W. Flamingo Rd., 702/368-1828. It’s tough sometimes to tell this joint from sister establishment Marker Down, so apply this test if confusion sets in: stumble up to the bar and request a shot of the hard stuff. If the bartender tells you that they only serve beer and wine, you’re at Money Plays and you’re too ripped to even go outside and look at the sign. Admittedly, it’s hard to tell them apart stone sober, with local bands crammed into the back, a couple hundred Boomers crammed in the front and a fun, friendly atmosphere prevailing at either location. Don’t worry about it; just stay lost and have a good time.

Moose McGillycuddy’s Pub & Cafe 4770 S. Maryland Pkwy., 702/798-8337. Moose’s was laboratory-engineered as a college bar, which makes its location across from UNLV a fortunate one indeed. During the day, enjoy lunch with the rest of the crowd; at night, find yourself sucking down discounted drinks, dancing to local DJs and gawking in utter amazement as the walls bulge with university angst. Everybody here is on the prowl, so whether you’re a leggy suicide blonde or a fraternity slacker, rest assured your perfect match is here waiting and has already imbibed plenty enough Jagermeister to accommodate you.

Peppermill’s Fireside Lounge 2985 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702/735-7635. The swankiest lounge in Vegas, hands down. The Fireside is such a clichéd, “Love American Style”-joint that it can’t help but be wonderful. The booths, cozy and intimate, practically beg for romantic interludes. A small jar of nuts sits on every table; the waitresses refill them as they glide over, sit down and freshen your cocktails. Grab a seat by the fire pit, watch the flames erupt from the pool of water and pitch the woo. If this doesn’t work for you, nothing will.

Pepper’s Lounge 2929 E. Desert Inn Rd., 702/731-3234. Warm, sedate establishment that features ballroom dancing and jump-swing lessons. Rarely do we see anyone under sixty in here; we like that.

Pink E’s 4170 S. Valley View Blvd., 702/252-4666. While not a college bar exactly, Pink E’s certainly has the attitude necessary to be one, right down to the provocative restroom decor - wall to wall centerfolds, male and female. The good news: This bar has a few dozen more pool tables than God. Bad news: Every one of them is surfaced in pink felt. That aside, it’s an amusing place to waste an evening with throngs of hey-dudes, whassups and like-omigods.

Pogo’s Tavern 2103 N. Decatur Blvd., 702/646-9735. We walked into this elegant dive late one Friday night, shaking the unseasonable rain from our coats and grabbing a booth near the band. The joint was done up in dark paneling and Budweiser signs circa 1969; a sign over the bar announced, “This establishment voted no on the 18th Amendment (prohibition) and yes on the 21st (the amendment repealing prohibition).” The big band was burning through “Avalon,” and we shouted out a request for “Body and Soul” which they honored immediately. Whenever you’re ready to do a couple of rounds, come on down. We’ll save you a chair.

PT’s Pub 8584 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 702/228-0758; 4604 W. Sahara Ave., #10, 702/258-0224; 347 N. Nellis Blvd., 702/452-9555; 2875 S. Nellis Blvd., 702/641-1750; 1631 N. Rancho Dr., 702/646-6657; 532 E. Sahara Ave., 702/792-4121; 4424 Spring Mountain Rd., 702/368-3744. More or less a standard pool and darts bar, PT’s draws an amazing mix of people- everybody from off-duty cops to off-duty hookers, with a liberal sprinkling of classic-rock guys singing along with Creedence Clearwater Revival. PT’s is friendly, inoffensive, with lots of cheap domestics on tap; the McDonald’s of local bars. Select locations have an adjoining taco kitchen, Roberto’s. Not a bad place to stop when you’re in the neighborhood, which you almost always are.

Roadrunner Saloon 754 S. Boulder Hwy., 702/566-9999; 4425 E. Stewart Ave., 702/438-3448; 6910 E. Lake Mead Blvd., 702/459-1889; 921 N. Buffalo Ave., 702/242-3227; 2839 W. Sahara Ave., 702/227-8787. Roadrunner’s swanky upscale honkytonk atmosphere is a perfect place to start an evening out, especially if it’s going to start right after work. In addition to a fully stocked liquor cabinet, it has plenty of microbrews and domestics on tap, so you don’t have to go with the King of Beers unless you want to. The video poker isn’t too apparent and the industrial atmosphere is peppered with plenty of leather arm chairs to relax in, if you’d like to socialize. Bonus: Most of the Roadrunners feature pool tables.

Sand Dollar Blues Lounge 3355 Spring Mountain Rd., 702/871-6651. Damn right we’ve got the blues! The Sand Dollar is everything you would expect from a blues bar - dusty bikers coming and going, elderly black men chomping on stogies, aging barflies testing the waters (“How about a rosé, honey?”), pretty lil’ thangs grooving near the stage, and, oh yeah, an endless army of blues and jazz musicians leveling the joint regularly. This is the only of very few places in town to get live music nearly every night, to say nothing of live blues. National publications such as Details have noted the Sand Dollar’s friendly, earthy atmosphere and sworn by it. Leave your snobbish, superior attitude in your Lexus and roll with the groove.

Sunset Brewing Co. 1301 West Sunset Rd. (at Sunset Station Hotel & Casino), 702/547-7777. Las Vegas’s newest microbrewery offers a 350-seat, full-service restaurant, a cigar bar, mixed drinks and of course its own trio of microbrews: Beach Blonde (light); Red Bikini (medium); and Deep Dark Tan (dark). Plus: Live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday evenings.

The Sky Lounge Polo Towers, 3745 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702/261-1000. Hidden on the 19th floor of that unassuming timeshare joint on the Strip, the Sky Lounge is the vanishing point between old and new Vegas. On the old school front, you have piano lounge acts, a spectacular view of the Strip and that fabulous Sin City standard, hard liquor. New Vegas is represented by a mid-80s black-and-purple decor, unexpected visits from sizeable Japanese tour groups and a clear view of the leviathan facades of the MGM, Monte Carlo and New York-New York casinos. Always sedate, always worthwhile.

Tom & Jerry’s 4550 S. Maryland Pkwy., 702/736-8550. This massive saloon - voted one of the best in the nation in a Playboy contest - remains a UNLV-district favorite. DJs spin, live bands throw down, bar munchies are cooked up and a roomful of pool tables insures a fine evening regardless of what night of the week one fails to study. On busy nights, you’ll find UNLV in there - the entire faculty and student body, everybody. One of those places that nobody sets out for, but everybody ends up at.

Tommy Rocker’s Cantina & Grill 4275 S. Industrial Rd., 702/261/6688. On Friday and Saturday nights singer/proprietor Tommy Rocker croons ’80s and ’90s cover tunes at his popular, lively hangout, where the audience usually sings along exuberantly. Along with Tommy, there’s a full-service menu and video poker around the bar. Jimmy Buffett fans and detractors take note: Tommy Rocker’s is home to the Las Vegas Parrot Head Club. Say, isn’t that your lost shaker of salt?

Triple 7 Brewpub Main Street Station, 200 N. Main St., 702/387-1896. Given that every brewpub in town is casino-related, it would be hard to imagine a better casino to host one than the Main Street Station. Wood-accented, overstuffed and reeking of history, it’s really a small, homey kind of place - no mean feat for an enclosed space crammed with bleeping, jangling and the cry of the keno runners. And the Triple 7′s brews are some of the best in town - the Black Chip Porter is a thing of dark beauty, and the Marker Pale Ale is surprisingly good. Live entertainment on select nights.

Viva Las Vegas Lounge Hard Rock Hotel, 4455 Paradise Rd., 702/693-5000. Don’t let all those big bad consonants put you off - most locals just call it the Sidebar. This is the coolest of all hotel bars; even teetotalers will enjoy watching the pretty people strut by. On Friday and Saturday nights it hosts an unofficial meat market the likes of which you’ve never dreamed. Try not to mind the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Woodstock 2 lightbulb costumes; they don’t mind you.