Omni Hotel Downtown
For hotel guests, the Omni offers the best pool and hot tub in the city. Both on the roof, these watery hot spots allow visitors to look out over the entire city, sip their 'ritas, and think about whether they wish to find enough energy to rip themselves away from the gentle massaging jets to get ready and go out. If you're not a hotel guest, enjoy a meal at Ancho's or a drink in the Atrium Lounge, one of the best Austin bars for intimate conversation or drinking alone (ahhhh, drinking alone…). But, what the heck … when you’re done, go ahead and get a room so you can go be with everyone else in the hot tub. 700 San Jacinto, 476-3700 www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/AustinDowntown.aspx


One 2 One
Texas Hold'em fans raise the roof! They hold free tournaments on Monday and Tuesday with prizes. There's a hookah lounge upstairs where you can sit around on the couches, play some board games, and smoke some shisha – a tobacco, fruit, sugar and honey mixture. Pay by the bowl, or buy your own. 121 E. Fifth, 473-0121 www.one2onebar.com


Paradise
While the decor of this Sixth Street landmark says surf, the food is mostly turf. The menu offers a wide selection of home-style steaks, pasta, sandwiches, salads borrowing flavors from the Southwest and the Southeast, Asia that is, and a full bar with many specialty drinks and martinis. The art on the walls is for sale and rotates frequently. 401 E. Sixth, 476-5667 www.paradiseonsixth.com


Paradox
Flashing colorful lights will guide you through the fog machine haze to the packed dance floor while DJs spin current hip-hop hits. This 18+ bar claims to be one of the first in Austin to have foam parties and live local radio broadcasts. All night dollar wells, make up for the somewhat pricey cover. Thursday is college night with no cover for 21 and up, and Friday is ladies night. 311 E. Fifth, 469-7615 www.paradoxaustin.com


Paramount Theatre
Touring performers make appearances, but this exquisite elegy to the silver screen is better known for its runs of old classics - from Casablanca to A Clockwork Orange. 713 Congress, 472-5470 www.austintheatrealliance.org


Pete's Peanut Bar & Piano Emporium
What?! No celebrity death match? At least there's plenty of “friendly fire” in the forms of Captain & Tennille or Simon & Garfunkel. But then again, it's listeners' choice. Audience requests from AC/DC to Eminem are welcome as two baby grand pianists tinkle it out. Plus, one of the bartenders is local hip-hop artist MC Overlord (Don Robinson), who sometimes freestyles along. The measly $5 cover is worth it for a rootin’, hootin’, and hollerin’ good time. And if you want to get Pete’s name tattooed on your arm, you can visit Buzz Jr.’s Tattoo upstairs. 421 E. Sixth, 472-PETE


R-Bar
With a four-room bar and dance club, this former titty bar boasts variety. Each room caters to certain styles: drum and bass, old school rap, hip-hop, and whatever they’re feeling in the basement lounge. One room even has a stage and pole, to bring out your inner showgirl. Five bucks gets you live music; you'll need to provide your own lapdance! 409 E. Sixth, 343-9600


Red Eyed Fly
With one of the best happy hours in town, the Red Eyed Fly serves up dirt cheap drinks and brings in exceptional shows from both in and out of town. Cover is always reasonable: no charge to get into the bar - just to see the shows. www.redeyedfly.com