Herb's. 2057 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205. Tel: (303) 299-9555. [When jazz saxophonist Laura Newman took over Herb's at the beginning of the year, she created a welcome den for live music on the fringes of LoDo. Though Herb's has always opened its stages to area players, it's now a bona fide venue nearly every night of the week, with emphasis on R&B, funk, jazz and even big band (the Denver Jazz Orchestra performs at Herb's every Monday night). Grab a booth beneath the Matisse-style mural that runs along the wall, and you can still hear and see the show while maintaining normal conversation. If you perfer to get closer, there's plenty of room in front of the stage. Just take care not to take up too much room on the dance floor; it's bound to get packed as the night goes on. Herb's is the perfect little hideout in a hectic part of town.]

Mead Street Station. 3625 W 32nd Ave. Tel: 303 433-2138

Ziggie's. 4923 West 38th Ave. Tel: 303.455.9930.

EVERGREEN

Little Bear Saloon. 27895 Highway 74. Tel: 303 674-9991

LYONS

Oskar Blues. 303 Main Street, Lyons, CO 80540, Phone: 303 823-6685

WINTER PARK

Smokin' Moe's Ribhouse & Saloon. 65 Cooper Creek Way. Tel: (970) 726-4600.