LAKE WORTH. This throwback to past times is just the sort of club that real music lovers dream of. Intimate, comfortable, and dedicated to great tunes, Bamboo Room occupies the second floor of a circa-1923 social club. Its terrific, curving, copper-topped bar, complete with a display of vintage mixing accoutrements, turns out fantastic drinks, many of the recipes culled from Prohibition-era bar manuals. But the music, played in a (yes, it's true) bamboo-paneled room, includes local and national acts who regale patrons with the best in Mississippi- and Chicago-style blues. You'll also find jazz and other soulful genres represented. Upholstered furniture circles the stage, so score a seat here if you can. If not, anywhere is good for acoustics and views. Great jukebox, too.

WEST PALM BEACH. Hip, dim, and fashionable, this CityPlace hotspot is always bustling and attracts a steady crowd of upscale professionals and tourists. Behind the bar, musicians perform on an elevated stage against a grid of blue-lit cubbie holes. On any given evening, you're likely to hear Top 40 tunes, Latin music, '70s disco, or classics by Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye. A small dance floor is available, and patrons actually do dance, in between sips of martinis (natch), tequilas, single-malt scotches, handcrafted bourbons, and wines by the bottle and glass. An outdoor bar serves to those who want to watch foot-traffic and be washed by balmy breezes. Appetizers and desserts are available to supplement the booze, and fashionable attire is expected.

DELRAY BEACH. This inviting beachfront restaurant serves up a wealth of New England-style seafood during the day and, at night, transforms into one of the area's best venues for live music. Every night, a local band plays, and Monday's reggae parties have become legendary, in part because of their limbo contests and Jamaican rappers. Rock, beach music, and island tunes cater to a variety of tastes, and drink specials and well-attended happy hours are additional attractions. Sports events, especially those featuring Beantown's home teams, attract hordes of attendees too, who come to root for Boston's finest and consume vast quantities of beer.

PALM BEACH. Fashionably hip and frequented by Palm Beach's young, professional crowd, this hotel lounge is a mainstay on the nightlife scene. Its decor wildly mixes leopard prints, red lacquer, and black accents for a look that's unmistakably unique. Part of the space is given over to dining, while the rest takes care of patrons who want to mingle with friends while sipping champagne and nursing martinis. Live music figures prominently each night and features Spanish guitar performances, a pianist playing classics, and a trio of vocalists. Entertainment generally begins at 9pm (7:30pm on Sundays) and is available at no charge to patrons. A well-attended happy hour extends from 5:30pm to 8:30pm each evening.

DELRAY BEACH. If you're looking for something a bit more festive than the usual live music venue, Lulu's is worth checking out. This popular club features a piano bar and a clientele that's largely gay and lesbian. Classic tunes, pop favorites, and Broadway standards find their way into the repertoire, along with some unexpected additions. All have a good time, whether they participate in the lyrics or simply enjoy the music, and friends often hang out together in the evenings, drinking and catching up. Pool tables are available if you want to hone your game; otherwise, just kick back and enjoy the good-natured ambience.