The choice of live music in Vancouver can give the most seasoned club-hopper blisters any night of the week. From lounging around or singin' the blues to dancing the night away, you can do it all at some of Western Canada's hottest clubs and pubs. For listings, pick up a copy of the free Georgia Straight city weekly, visit www.clubvibes.com/vancouver or just head straight to these recommended options:

• 900 West Lounge & Wine Bar (Fairmont Hotel Vancouver; www.fairmont.com): top-notch wine list and appetizer menu.
• Afterglow (Yaletown; www.glowbalgrill.com): intimate, sexy lounge.
• Bacchus Lounge, (Wedgewood Hotel; www.wedgewoodhotel.com): sophisticated piano bar.
• Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant (Granville Street; www.ceilis.com): fun Irish bar with authentic Irish food, drinks and atmosphere.
• Ginger Sixty Two (www.ginger62.com): Glam spot for entertainment all evening long
• Irish Heather (Gastown; www.irishheather.com): authentic old-school Irish bar with great gastropub menu.
• O'Doul's Restaurant and Bar (Robson Street; www.odoulsrestaurant.com): live jazz bar.
• Republic (www.donnellynightclubs.com): two-level London-style bar with table service
• The Roxy (Downtown; www.roxyvan.com): a Vancouver institution that describes itself as being "where life is like a beer commercial".

Story idea It's the height of summer and you want to sip a few drinks outside but where are Vancouver's best bar patios? Consider a story on the city's leading outdoor drinking spots for visitors - focusing on those that provide great views of the city and its natural surroundings.