Sophia's
Let the Lycra-wrapped hordes swarm Lansdowne Street. The real action is around the block at Sophia's, where a beautiful and diverse crowd can be found jumping around on any of the three floors. Not into the bump-and-grind, Miami-style Latin sound on the main floor or in the basement lounge? Then hit the first floor, pick a stranger to share a pitcher of sangria, and your salsa impulses will no doubt kick in with a little help from the live band. Those who prefer a more mellow scene head to the rooftop—the building's courtship nucleus—to let the sweeping view of the city and soft music work their matchmaking magic. 1270 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Slow River
A joint venture with Rykodisc, indie label Slow River was started in 1995 out of head honcho George Howard's Providence apartment. Now headquartered in Salem, Slow River releases some of the most impressive sounds around, from the bluesy growl of Chuck E. Weiss (the album was produced by Weiss' buddy Tom Waits) to the emotional ballads of the Willard Grant Conspiracy, which is popular in Europe. (Really.) Keep your ears open for up-and-comers such as Josh Rouse and Richard Buckner—they're sure to be making the radio rotations soon.
Frank's Steakhouse
Sadly, the rediscovery of the cocktail culture has perverted the once noble activity of drinking, reducing it to a runway show for an unfortunate breed of baseball cap-sporting frat rats, who choke on cigars, while wincing through martinis. The lounge at Frank's Steak House, in North Cambridge, is sufficiently off the beaten path to attract the fully grown who really enjoy the basics—conviviality, entertainment, and, of course, booze. The rat-packy lounge is free of the smarmy irony that characterizes some of the Johnny-Come-Lately cocktail spots; Frank's has been open since 1938, and some of the patrons look as though they've been glued to their barstools since opening day. 2310 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
The Cantab Lounge
Next Wednesday about 10 o'clock, shake yourself out of your TV-induced stupor and set out for Central Square. when you spot the Cantab, take a sharp right through the door, go down a narrow staircase, and for a measly three bucks you'll discover a world of beer-drinking word lovers who are out to rescue poetry from the mannered monotone of more civilized readings. The poetry is usually impressive if not ground-breaking (as those present at the premiere of Patricia Smith and Michael Holly's collaborative "Funk 101" can attest) and always energetically rendered. And you may even get to judge. 738 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Boston Rock Gym
A huge industrial loft in Woburn, the Boston Rock Gym is carpeted with 20 tons of chopped-up car tires, the walls are studded with tiny gargoyles, dinosaurs, and rocklike footholds, and the place looks like a preppy torture chamber. One of the best-equipped climbing gyms in all of New England, the rock gym has 30 different climbing routes of varying complexity, ranging from beginner to impossible. Check out Hades—a bouldering cave in which climbers hang upside down, suspended by their fingers and toes—as well as the Treadwall (imagine a treadmill that's a vertical wall). Patient instructors keep an eye out for your safety and offer group classes and individual instruction. 78G Olympia Ave., Woburn, MA .
Dennis Duffy, Duffy Design Group
An interior designer would call it classic modernism; we call it sleekness without pretense. However you describe Dennis Duffy's characteristic geometric lines and striking color combinations, you'd know them in an instant. Distinctive and original are the two adjectives uttered by nearly every client of Duffy Design Group, which was the team responsible for the livable luxury that is Manny Ramirez's Ritz-Carlton penthouse (but is just as happy to help Jane and Joe Suburb renovate their living space). Duffy has mastered the most delicate balancing act of all: divining clients' needs, yet supplying enough style to fill a house. 1313 Washington St., Suite 505, Boston, MA .
Cocoon
This family-run store may seem small, but it's packed with objects to render your home as cozy, chic, and vaguely exotic as its name. There are intricately beaded silk table runners, art deco picture frames, mammoth plants, exquisite scented candles, artsy salt and pepper shakers, gorgeous Asian antiques, and a flat-out stunning selection of French tulips, Chinese bamboo, and other exotic flowers available by the stem or bouquet. Make sure to allow ample browsing time, then circle back again; you're sure to stumble upon another unique piece you missed on the first pass. 170 Tremont St., Boston, MA cocoonhome.com.
Car Talk.com
This companion to the long-running National Public Radio show extends the lunacy that you hear on the air every Saturday. The centerpiece of Click and Clack's home page is "Time Kill Central," which includes features like the Hate Mail Generator (which can churn out letters to lousy mechanics) and the Daily Didactic Diversion, a trivia contest. You can also print out your own traffic tickets—like a "Blue Hair Offense" for people who can't see over the wheel and rive 35 mph in a 65 mph zone.
Franklin Park Zoo
Sometimes pushing a stroller through the mall feels like navigating a herd of wildebeest; an afternoon at the playground, like dodging wild chimpanzees. On these days, wise parents escape to more civilized environs—namely, this parklike turn-of-the-century zoo, which offers 72 acres' worth of roaming room. The recently renovated gorilla exhibit and the addition of two magnificent tigers have the zoo looking better than ever. And it has lots of kid-friendly food options and convenient diaper-changing stations to help keep your own little critter happy. 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 2121, zoonewengland.com.
Buzz
You could go to Buzz just for the bartenders—they're pure eye candy, completely unpretentious (nice, even), and they pour a stiff drink. Or, you could go for the DJs, who spin a hip-pulsing blend of pop, dance, and techno. You could even go for the shower of glitter, or the scores of cute boys on the prowl, donning muscle shirts and designer jeans. But we say go for all of the above on Saturday's gay night, when this Theater District hideaway becomes a two-story playground for dancers, gawkers, loungers, and anyone else looking for a fun night out. 67 Stuart St., Boston, MA .
Coolidge Corner Theatre
The Coolidge, with its impressive lineup of indie features, gives film bluffs a place to call home. Adding to the charm: a new art-deco inspired marquee, a throwback to the picture houses of old. With a stellar schedule of surprise hits (Monsoon Wedding) and midnight movie series ("80s Midnite Movie Explosion," "We Love John Cusack!"), the nonprofit theater gets extra kudos for supporting local filmmakers and creative programming. This year's special guest appearances have been attention-getting, too: The Indepenent's Janeane Garofalo and Jerry Stiller, director John Sayles, and the controversial Tammy Faye Bakker Mesner. Now, that's what we call entertainment. 290 Harvard St., Brookline, MA coolidge.org.
Flat Top Johnny's
Flat Top Johnny's runs the table. It's really no contest, considering most of Boston's pool halls are either shabby gin joints or cheesy meat markets. Flat Top's, by contrast, has a mellow punk vibe, a mix of Kendall Square professionals and Central Square rockers, and good tables. There are cool specials like Monday's nine-ball tournament and Tuesday's women's night. (God, even pool halls are going PC. Whatever happened to ladies' night?) The food's surprisingly good, and there's a beer for every palate and wallet—although we don't recommend drinking nine PBRs while playing your buddy for 20 bucks. One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA flattopjohnnys.com.
T.T. the Bear's Place
If you follow the Boston music scene, you already know you can find your favorite up-and-coming rock stars on an almost weekly basis at T.T.'s, the intimate, gargoyle-adorned Central Square club so important to the rock circuit that it might as well be the living room of the local music community. T.T.'s perfect rock club layout lets you skip the opening act and still catch the headliner—or vice versa—while playing pool or hanging out at tables away from the stage, thanks to speakers that let you actually carry on conversation. 10 Brookline Ave., Cambridge, MA ttthebears.com.
Interlocks Salon and Day Spa
There's very little on the cutting edge of hairstyling that hasn't made its way up north, thanks to Interlocks. This full-service salon and day spa may have a small-town feel, but it boasts a pool of stylists and colorists straight from the Back Bay and beyond. Specialty services include strand-by-strand hair extensions, thermal straightening, and imaging software consultations so you can see your hair in any color, style, and length before you take the plunge. Once you're properly coiffed, head over to one of the massaging thrones in the nail salon for a "Margarita Mango" pedicure. 58 Merrimac St., Newburyport, MA interlockssalon.com.
Giordano's Restaurant
Before you board the ferry in Oak Bluffs, make time for one more taste of island living at its greasy, salty, satisfying best: a cardboard box full of Giordano's fried clams. Housed in a no-frills walk-up stand (there are a couple of picnic tables outside) just across from the Flying Horses carousel, Giordano's fries the clams in a light batter until they're crisp and serves them with fresh tartar sauce and lemon wedges. You could order a side of crunchy, boardwalk-style fries, but leave room instead to sample the superlative fried oysters or a lobster roll. 107-109 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA giosmv.com.