Belltown has become a bit of a dumping ground for trend bars, but Black Bottle, a latecomer to the worldwide "gastropub" obsession, is a welcome addition to the scene. "Gastrolounge" might be a better descriptor, as the focus here is on wine and specialty cocktails, and there's a rather limited beers-on-tap selection. The small-plates menu, which ranges from cumin pork tenderloin to octopus carpaccio, is hit-or-miss, but at $8 a pop, you can afford to experiment. Attractive without being showy, this small boxy space has wood floors, exposed brick walls, and a few simple wooden tables. It's packed and loud on weekends, but much more sophisticated and fashionable (and far less obnoxious) than most of the neighborhood's fratty bars.

Located below Inn At El Gaucho within a swanky steak house—a dark, brooding nightspot with a retro look—is one of Seattle's most upscale bar scenes. A terraced dining area gives way to a curvy bar where tuxedoed bartenders mix mean martinis. There's also the masculine Bola Lounge behind the main bar, outfitted with leather couches—it's the kind of place Frank Sinatra would have dug. The waiters and bartenders are in formalwear, but you won't feel underdressed in jeans—this is Seattle, after all. By 10 p.m., the place is humming.

Newcomer Licorous is one of the best-looking bars in the city, with a playful geometric pattern on one wall, stools that resemble chess pawns, and a striking molded-tin ceiling. It takes its small-plates menu seriously, and snacks like foie gras bonbons with bittersweet chocolate from a local supplier stack up to cocktail concoctions like the Joyful Ginger (ginger-infused vodka, with limoncello, lemon juice, and a dash of ginger ale). The place is sophisticated yet unpretentious, and although there are plenty of Capitol Hill hipsters around, this is one bar where grown-ups of all ages will feel comfortable. Note that it's slightly off the beaten path, so plan to make a night of it here, perhaps by starting with dinner at Lark next door.

Closed Sundays.

Moe's was one of the iconic clubs of the grunge era; the original no longer stands, but Neumos has risen in its place with the best lineup of alternative acts in the city (925 E. Pike St.; 206-709-9467; www.neumos.com). At Nectar, in Fremont, local acts alternate with stars already on the rise (412 N. 36th St.; 206-632-2020; www.nectarlounge.com). There's a different genre of music every night; you might catch anyone from indie jazz darling Ben Allison to alt-pop crooner Jens Lekman. Both Tula's Restaurant and Nightclub (2214 Second Ave.; 206-443-4221; www.tulas.com) and Dimitriou's Jazz Alley (2033 Sixth Ave.; 206-441-9729; www.jazzalley.com) have the city's small jazz scene cornered, but Egan's in Ballard has a more eclectic (and local) lineup (1707 N.W. Market St.; 206-789-1621; www.ballardjamhouse.com). Also in Ballard, Tractor Tavern is known for its roots, blues, and country acts, though it gets its share of indie rock action, too (5213 Ballard Ave. N.W.; 206-789-3599). Benaroya Hall is the home of the renowned Seattle Symphony. Thanks to its state-of-the-art design, the acoustics are clear and balanced from every one of the main hall's 2,500 seats (200 University St.; 206-215-4747).

Before your waiter at this sleek Belltown wine bar even says hello, you'll know exactly where the house stands on its own selections: The wine list is littered with icons telling you which wines are organic…or made by a female winemaker…or have a cult following…or are just plain "Wines [They] Love." The space is a bit odd—a cross between a hotel lobby lounge and an upscale airport waiting room—but details like globular hanging lamps and a swooping wooden ceiling keep your eyes engaged. And in the spirit of its all-encompassing menu, this spot provides something for everyone: Couples canoodle on black leather cubes by the windows, boisterous groups raise toasts at a few large tables, and tech geeks check e-mail at the coffee shop–style bar.

Open daily 2 pm to 2 am.

The Tiffany-blue-and-white facade of this cozy tequila bar brings a little bit of colonial Mexico to Capitol Hill. Don't expect sombreros or Day of the Dead skulls—the Saint forgoes all kitsch for class: clean, Scandinavian lines; a beautiful candlelit bar; framed black-and-white photos of matadors; and more than 80 top-quality tequilas from slammers to sippers (and even a few pricey reservas). Moneyed denizens of Capitol Hill are happy to drop $14 on delicious tequila-based cocktails like the angelflower (Patron Silver, mint, cucumber, and blue agave syrup, topped with an edible flower), though if you're looking for something more auténtico you'll find it in the small menu of traditional favorites like puerco pibil and posole—accompanied by a drink mixed into a Jarritos soda bottle.

Open Mondays through Fridays 5 pm to 2 am, Saturdays and Sundays 10 am to 2:30 pm and 5 pm to 2 am.

"Tucked away" doesn't even begin to describe Sambar. This teeny-tiny bar is attached to Le Gourmand, which is one of the city's most notable restaurants, in one of its least likely spots (the no-man's-land between Fremont and Ballard). Sambar has some of the best specialty cocktails in the city—the Madagascar (bourbon and vanilla bean syrup) is a must—and a good list of wines, dessert wines, port, and cognac. It also benefits hugely from the delicious small plates available from Le Gourmand's kitchen. The scene is lively and loud, and the only thing "French" about it is the occasional burst of bad techno music. The crowd skews a bit older than those at most of Ballard's bars (if the guy next to you is wearing a tweed jacket with elbow patches, he's not being ironic), but as with most of the city's watering holes, the crowd is mixed and all are welcome.

Low-slung leather couches. Busy wallpaper. A boar's head and antlers on the wall. A mirrored ceiling. It's hard to pin down the design philosophy, but this bar somehow gets it right. The hip crowd and fantastic cocktails don't hurt, either. If it's summer, order the Viceroy, a beach vacation in a glass, and head for the front patio. In cooler weather, go for the James Joyce, a mixture of Jameson, Cointreau, and orange flower water that's best drunk with a copy of Ulysses in hand (a bar copy is available upon request).