By William Mazur

Before you go out, pick up a copy of one of the local free papers The Stranger or Seattle Weekly and check out what's on the calendar. There is more to do in Seattle than just drink coffee (although there is a 24-hour Starbucks Coffee store at University Village shopping center). Bars, brew pubs, and dance clubs abound within the Belltown district located a few blocks north of Pike Place Market, offering some of the best choices for entertainment and food in one consolidated venue. Belltown serves as a great central starting point for much of Seattle's evening activities.

For dinner, a myriad of choices are available, and this diverse city has world-class dining around every corner. Anything from sushi to Caribbean cuisine can be found here. Of course, no trip to Seattle would be complete without experiencing the excellent seafood. Some of the local favorites include Flying Fish, Oceanaire Seafood Room, and Ray's Boathouse. Ray's is a little farther North but well worth the extra minutes it takes to get there.

Seattle also has a significant Asian influence, and this is reflected in the city's fine Asian cuisine. Umi Sake House is not only recognized for fantastic sushi, but it also has one of the best happy hours in the city. The award-winning Wild Ginger is listed among Zagat's top restaurants in the world and has been the No. 1 restaurant in the Pacific Northwest for 11 straight years. If you are a fan of Chinese and Southeast Asian fare, Wild Ginger is a must.

Interested in Italian fare? Tutta Bella is a highly regarded contemporary Italian restaurant on Westlake Avenue. For a more intimate Italian setting, Il Bistro has provided excellent fine dining for the past 30 years. If you crave a late night pizza, Belltown Pizza or Serious Pie are two of the best pizza sources.

As locals' choices, Restaurant Zoe, The Local Vine, Lola, and Wasabi Bistro deserve honorable mention.

After dinner, the night is just beginning. The Last Supperclub and Trinity Nightclub have electronica, from trance to progressive to house music. Often, the acts are world-class deejays that play in cities the likes of New York, Los Angeles, London, and Rio de Janiero. For a change of pace, seek out the Pink Door's cabaret lounge. The Pink Door offers a unique experience that features an alleyway entrance and a trapeze artist swinging over the guests in the dining room. The Pink Door also tempts with homemade Italian-American food, live entertainment, and a great view of Elliott Bay.

Seattle lives up to its reputation as a storied music center. If live music is your scene, check out the See Sound Lounge, The Triple Door, Jazz Alley, The Showbox, and 88 Keys Dueling Piano and Sports Bar. These venues promise to entertain with virtually every style of music represented, from jazz to punk. The Stranger would be a good bet for those who want to check out the best local and world-renowned talent.

Seattle certainly offers much to its visitors and inhabitants. The question becomes, what to do first? Of course, you could always go to Top Pot Doughnuts on Fifth Street, have some coffee and a dunker, and think it all over.