Settle indoors in the charming mountain cabin great room decorated with paintings by local artists. Take a deep breath of fresh mountain air and order a homemade 5-fruit pie with tropical fruit ice tea on the deck that looks out across a Sandia Mountain vista. Try the cheese enchilada plate for or go for the sizzling fajitas. The dessert menu is dynamic depending on the chef's mood that day, but cobblers and pies are always available. Refreshment comes in the form of lemonade or iced herbal tea for the mountain hiker.

Sip on refreshing beer or bite into delicious snacks as you enjoy a live performance at the Barley Room. Gorge on one of the many mouthwatering cheese-stuffed starters, crunchy salads or sandwiches layered with fresh meat and vegetables. Sip on a bevy of spirits: tequila, rum, whisky, gin among others and tap your feet to the musical extravaganza on show. Their extensive and imported beer list will delight even the most discerning beer lovers. Check website for more details on current and upcoming events and exact show times.

The Compound is a dynamic music space that caters to the likes of one and all. Famous for the live acts and gigs it hosts from time to time, the venue serves a regular dose of genres like: pop, rock, funk among others.  Call for more details on current and upcoming events and exact show times.

Among the few happening bars in the city, Sister stands out from the rest due to it's wide spread bar area and a collection of more than 40 international beers on tap and in bottles. However, try to hit the bar early on weekends to avoid the peak hour crowd who throng this place religiously to gulp down their favorite beers. Its amazing beer selections such as Guinness, Gulden Draak Ale, Irish Ciders, Troubadour Imperial Black IPA and Smithwick's, will definitely make you come back to try out for more. The stage besides the bar is where various national artists and bands on tour perform to entertain the crowd on weekends. So put an end to your weekend bar hopping scene and head straight to Sister for a great beer drinking feast.

Located across the Gold Avenue, the Gold Manor is a happening and lively watering hole. This gay friendly bar invites popular and amateur bands/artists to entertain its patrons. Many renowned performers have rocked its stage in the past and continue to do so.

The National Institute of Flamenco, as the name suggests, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich tradition and heritage of flamenco. Located in downtown, this place is heaven for anyone who loves the sultry, characteristic guitar music, called toque, or the the soulful songs, called cante, and, of course, the sensually intense dance, called baile. The National Institute of Flamenco is also the organizer and host of he popular International Flamenco Festival. See the website to find out more about the institute.

Named after a Mediterranean island where ancient myth said that it was home to the gods of music, Ibiza is now a cocktail bar and hot spot for music. This rooftop bar is located at Andaluz Hotel and has a stunning view of the surrounding area. Enjoy a cocktail and try a bite from the tapas menu. Ibiza has an enclosed bar and terrace for cold nights. The bar also hosts events, including DJs and private events.

Cafe Cafe is a basic but pleasant coffee and lunch joint. Catering mainly to the attorneys, city council employees, and other office workers of the downtown business district, it is located on the first floor of the First Plaza Galeria shopping center. Get Cafe Cafe's fresh roasted coffee, espresso drinks, sandwiches, soups, salads, quiches, and home baked goods to go so you can enjoy them on the plaza patio by the Galeria's fountains. Alternatively, enjoy Cafe Cafe's light, bright inside space, replete with the delicious wafting smells of baking. The place bustles at lunchtime but makes for a quiet hangout earlier in the day. -Pip Lustgarten

La Posada, Albuquerque's stunning historic landmark hotel rich in railroad history, was refurbished in 2010 with Andalucian stylings and green building standards, and then relaunched as the Hotel Andaluz. The Living Room is more than a lobby bar - it is the hotel's main room. Couches and comfy chairs dot the space, which is dominated by an illuminated fountain. Private booths seating up to eight line the walls; curtains may be drawn to make them even cozier. The Living Room is home to live music on Thursday evenings between 20:00 and 23:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays between 21:00 and 24:00. The bar is open 24 hours daily. -Pip Lustgarten

As tiny as its name suggests, The Box specializes in children's plays and in improv, including playing host to an improv festival. It is home to two resident theater companies: Cardboard Playhouse Productions for kids, and Blackout Theatre Company, a talented ensemble who devise their own works and put their unique stamp on established ones. Finally, The Box offers week-long summer camps where kids can learn acting for the stage or camera, improv skills, or film production. The theater's central location lends itself to easy access to the Railrunner train, buses, and pre- or post-theater dining and drinking. - Pip Lustgarten