DOWNTOWN. For more than a generation now, Cardinal Bar has been one of the city's best places to catch new music and dance the night away. Set in a Victorian building, the club offers great sound and lighting, and musical styles range from the latest electronica, hip hop, and house to 80s, Latin, and jazz. A full bar, including a selection of local microbrews, is available, and bartenders know just what you need. Folks of all interests and inclinations frequent the place, and everyone is welcome. A favorite of college folks and twenty-somethings. Cover charges vary but are usually less than $5.

Catering to Madison's gay and lesbian residents, Club 5 actually encompasses several venues, including a busy dance club, a restaurant, an outdoor patio, and distinct areas for men and women. The dance club draws in large crowds, as people come in regularly for great music, sound, and lights. Video shows add interest to the night, and female impersonators and male reviews also perform weekly. The men's club offers pool tables and darts, and the women's club adds in a jukebox. Full bar too.

DOWNTOWN. Once a vaudeville theater, this architectural beauty has been revamped into one of Madison's most stylish clubs. Boasting upholstered furniture, the original proscenium arch, a bit of industrial style, and VIP seating in what were originally the theater's boxes, Majestic is an upscale alternative for young professionals. Resident and guest DJs spin everything from house and trance music to club classics and fusion. Two bars, lounge areas, a private room, live music, and film screenings also add to the club's repertoire. An ideal choice when you want big-city style without leaving Madison proper.

For club-goers craving immersion in sound and light, rhythm and spectacle, this expansive venue suits the need admirably. The place offers three separate levels and two bars, and music runs the gamut from swing and reggae to ska, dance, '80s, hip-hop, trance, and industrial. Perhaps a bit more hardcore than other local clubs, Inferno also hosts fetish nights and features live bands from time to time. Call or check local listings for special events.

EAST. If you're in the mood for a little dancing but don't want to limit your nighttime possibilities, Pearls accommodates a variety of needs. DJs crank out classic rock tunes from Thursday to Saturday, and patrons take to the dance floor with abandon. At times, live bands play as well. Beyond music, Pearls offers big-screen televisions tuned to sports, and there are pool and darts too. To sustain your body against all the activity, select a few munchables from Pearls' menu of appetizers and sandwiches.