Weekly

AQUA SHY SUNDAYS

• The music: Urban hip-hop from DJ RonRon and DJ Advance.
• The vibe: Neither laid-back nor high-energy, the crowd really gets into the latest hits, reciting verses and choruses lyric for lyric. The bartenders and staff are top-notch and the music is even better. Aqua also has a newly remodeled VIP area.
• The crowd: Sophisticated and urban. A "dress to impress" dress code is enforced.
• Bonus points: Free open bar until 11:30 p.m.
• More event details

HARD MONDAYS

• The music: Industrial, goth, darkwave, synthpop and even a bit of metal from DJ Noise and DJ Nitrogen.
• The vibe: An underground Berlin industrial nightclub on a weeknight. Typically people don't get dancing until 1 a.m.
• The crowd: "It attracts a younger dark-sider crowd," says regular Niles Schwartz, which makes for a "more eclectic and less geriatric group" than the one that frequents Ground Zero.
• Bonus points: $3 Jag shots and $2 bottles of Rolling Rock.
• Info: 10 p.m. Mondays. Free. 18-plus. The Saloon.

TUESDAYS: TRIPLE DOUBLE

• The music: Hip-hop, early-'90s dance tracks and Top 40 hits by resident DJ Wzz Wnshp, regular guests like DJ Bach and DJ Fundo, and an occasional bigger name like Gigamesh.
• The vibe: Loud, brash and packed, with the occasional stink bomb or scuffle.
• The crowd: Hip-hop heads and hipsters.
• Bonus points: Around 1 a.m. the party moves down the street to the Nomad World Pub's hip-hop night, where there are two-for-ones until bar close.
• Info: 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Free. Triple Rock.

WEDNESDAYS: TRANSMISSION

• The music: Jake Rudh's danceable mix of indie rock, garage rock, post-punk, Brit rock, new wave and "guilty pleasures" from the '60s to today.
• The vibe: Regular Brandon Melby goes for "the eclectic DJ Jake Rudh, the awesome bartenders who serve $2.50 tallboys, the musicians and music lovers dancing and standing around looking cool, or the intimate, classy joint it's in."
• The crowd: Eclectic -- everyone from old-school goths to party-hopping scenesters.
• Bonus points: The crowd expands to Jäger's expansive back patio in warmer months (allowing for more room on the dance floor).
• Info: 10 p.m. Wednesdays. Free. Clubhouse Jäger.

THURSDAYS: THE BUNGALOW

• The music: Reggae, dub, dancehall, hip-hop and R&B from DJ Nexx, DJ Defiant and Minnesota Music Award nominee DJ Verb X.
• The vibe: Blanketed windows, burning incense and the constant smell of weed.
• The crowd: Regulars from the West Bank reggae/dubstep scene.
• Bonus points: Two-for-one drink specials.
• More event details.

SATURDAYS: TOO MUCH LOVE

• The music: The opposite of Top 40: electro, new wave, house, dance-punk and post-punk from resident DJ Sovietpanda and a rotating cast of top local talent (like DJ Bach and Jonathan Ackerman).
• The vibe: "Overwhelmingly positive and fun," says Peter Lansky, aka Sovietpanda). "This past Saturday we weren't able to start until 11:30 [because of a late concert], and there was literally a full dance floor on my first song."
• The crowd: Mostly college-age, but the downtown location brings in all types.
• Bonus points: The night lands the occasional big-name guest DJ. LCD Soundsystem stopped by after a recent in-town gig.
• More event details

Monthly

RECESS

• The music: Electro, house and Top 40 from a rotating lineup of some of the top DJs in town (Estate, Espada, Booka B, Fundo).
• The vibe: Interactive. Playatta's signature "Video Portal" offers a fun twist on the photo booth, letting partygoers get animated, and MPLS.TV sponsors a live Twitter wall.
• The crowd: Think Too Much Love meets Dinkytown.
• Bonus: $3 PBR tallboys and $4 Red Bull vodkas.
• Next up: 10 p.m. Thu. and the third Thursday of each month. 18-plus. $5-$7. Varsity Theater.

BOMP

• The music: Crowd-pleasing electro, hip-hop and Top 40 spun by the Moongoons, Blowtorch, Wzz Wnshp and Plain Ole Bill, with special guests.
• The vibe: Rowdy and high-energy. The usually overpacked night has loosened up slightly, thanks to Nick and Eddie's recent expansion to three rooms.
• The crowd: Triple Double and Too Much Love regulars (i.e., ages 25 and under).
• Bonus: Nick and Eddie's back bar is one of the city's best-kept secrets.
• Info: 10 p.m.-3 a.m. March 25 and the fourth Friday of each month. 18-plus. $5-$10. Nick and Eddie.

HOTPANTS

• The music: The DJs are big into old-school labels and obscure releases from the soul era, and they bring in guests from Chicago, Detroit and New York.
• The vibe: Low-key and conversational.
• The crowd: Funk and soul aficionados.
• Bonus points: "The records they spin are worth more than the set of turntables most times," Joseph Belk of Permanent Art & Design Group says. "They are record junkies -- spending $300 to $500 for a single 45 on eBay is no problem."
• Info: 10 p.m. March 26, April 23 and May 20. $5. Nomad World Pub.

MENERGY

• The music: High-octane, disco-meets-electro beats from the Nightstalker, Sweet Talk Radio and DJ Bach.
• The vibe: An all-out multimedia assault of lasers, animations and video.
• The crowd: According to Menergy's website, "costumed revelers, cool kids, hipsters, scenesters, nerds, beautiful people, freaks and everyone in between."
• Bonus points: The Playatta "Video Portal" booth makes an always memorable appearance.
• Info: 10 p.m. March 26 and the fourth Saturday of each month. $3-$5. Kitty Cat Klub.

GET CRYPHY

• The music: Baltimore club, Detroit ghetto tech, as well as hyphy (characterized by uptempo beats and wild dancing) and crunk (repetitive and fast à la Lil Jon and OutKast).
• The vibe: The dance floor is sure to be packed by midnight.
• The crowd: Crunk and hyphy enthusiasts known for their aggressive dance moves.
• Bonus points: Guest DJ EMYND from Philly called it "one of the country's best dance nights."
• More event details