Because the cuisine of Santa Fe has become an entity unto itself, many locals and visitors spending evenings out in Santa Fe often make dinner the focal point. Several of the noted restaurants in town are within hotels that play live music, while some places have music venues that are part of the dining room. Margaritas are the cocktail of choice, naturally, but exceptional wine lists (some of which feature some very nice wines made in New Mexico) are found nearly everywhere.

Bars: Ore House, 50 Lincoln Avenue on the Plaza, features 40 different kinds of margaritas, as well as daily happy hour specials. Sleeping Dog Tavern, 114 West San Francisco Street, a block off the Plaza, is a rollicking beer joint with sports on TV, pool tables, darts, and grazing foods. Second Street Brewery, 1814 Second Street, is a neighbourhood brew pub that offers interesting choices in Bohemian pilsner, India pale ale, cream stout, and bar food. Staab House at La Posada Hotel, 330 East Palace Avenue, is a lovely, upscale space in a historic building where you can sit in luxury and sip wine.

Clubs: Rodeo Nites, 2911 Cerrillos Road, is the leading country-western dance spot in town. WilLee's Blues Club, 401 South Guadalupe in the Sage Inn (website: www.willees.com), features live R & B, as well as gospel.

Live Music: Vanessie's, 434 West San Francisco Street, is where legions of fans flock to hear Doug Montgomery tickle the ivory keys. El Farol, 808 Canyon Road, is a Spanish tapas-style restaurant in an ancient building, but later in the evening, there is live music and the tables often push back for some impromptu dancing. The Pink Adobe, 406 Old Santa Fe Trail, has been a popular venue since the 1940s. It houses the Dragon Room Lounge, a popular gathering spot with live music on selected evenings.