Life is short and you can always study tomorrow. Check out MoCo's nightlife hot spots.

Monterey County, obviously, doesn''t exactly offer the same eclectic nightclub or bar scene that a metropolis like L.A. or San Francisco provides. However, there are quite a few bars and clubs that offer an exciting alternative to the bleak possibility of sitting home gazing at old "Roseanne" episodes.

The following is a brief review of the hottest night spots in the area. Each of these spots I''ve chosen has the college student in mind and offers its own particular flavor or style.

A kinder, gentler pool hall, Blue Fin Billiards has successfully taken the danger out of visiting pool hall joints. Located on Cannery Row, Blue Fin allows patrons to play billiards in a relaxed atmosphere. One regular patron mentioned that he liked Blue Fin, in part, because it was a "clean and well-lighted place" and had a "positive vibe." Besides billiards, Blue Fin offers a number of games from darts to air hockey. The billiard tables fill up fast on the weekends so get there early. Bands from rock to swing play several nights a week, and Blue Fin can be a good venue for live music if the band has a strong following. Dancing is welcome, and on Thursday nights swing dance lessons are offered. Even if you are not interested in learning how to swing, it''s definitely worth it to watch those cats twirl and spin. Blue Fin offers a complete menu of appetizers and full meals that are quite good, and manager Raquel McCluskey says that Blue Fin welcomes private parties with a minimum of 20 people.

More than 90 percent of the people who come back to the Penny Farthing are locals. Located in Salinas, this is a place with "no barriers," according to owner Tony Sutton-Deakin, who, with his wife Sarah, also owns the Crown and Anchor in Monterey. A smashing place to down a pint or three, at the Penny Farthing you may overhear philosophical drivel about Nietzche and existentialism or more down-to-earth conversation about the latest technology in the drywall business--the clientele is extremely varied. The Penny Farthing offers 16 British beers on tap, and serves traditional English meals like bangers and mash, as well as American food. The decor reflects a traditional English pub, and the inside is finished with high-gloss black paint. You will have a difficult time finding a pub as authentic. Demographically diverse, you will find 20-somethings to 80-somethings, white and blue collars, students and professionals. Live music is usually offered on weekends.

Located on Lighthouse Avenue, Bosso''s is often the late-night spot on weekends. Although they are only open until 2am, this is often the joint to go to after the other places have fizzled out. If you''re a local, there is no denying this is a happening spot in Monterey. Bosso''s has three rooms, two of which have bars. The back room gives patrons the opportunity to play pool. Drinks here are reasonably priced for the thin student wallet and, since bands and dancing are non-existent, it''s really the type of place to drink and socialize. According to owner John Annigoni, the reason for Bosso''s popularity is that it''s a bar locals can go that''s "away from the tourist areas." Here, you will rarely see aunt Mildred from Philly ordering gimlets. If we''re speaking ambiance, think minimalist lounge meets local pool hall. Typically the crowd is younger with many patrons being local hospitality workers. Also, according to Annigoni, Bosso''s will soon have a full kitchen and will serve food.

Afraid your gin will bruise? Then LALLApalooza is the place for you. Shaken not stirred, and where every martini is "always a double," according to manager Jeffrey Landon, LALLApalooza offers "drinks with a twist." Not afraid to exploit this wonder drink with the olive, LALLApalooza''s drink menu offers at least 15 different martini versions from the Classic Cold and Dry to Double Chocolate to the Lemon Drop. Widely regarded as the premier place in town to sip martinis, LALLApalooza is an "establishment" more than merely a bar, partly because it''s a full restaurant as well. The menu offers many American specialties from pasta to seafood. Slick decorating and a clean atmosphere offer customers a place to have "great food, drinks and be seen" all at the same time. The clientele is varied, but there is a strong local crowd, particularly toward the weekend. Now how does that joke go again, about one martini is too many and two are not enough... ?

What can we say about Viva Monterey? Viva is often a "starting point and ending point," says Heather Lynch, a frequent patron. That statement kind of sums Viva up. "Monterey''s hometown bar" has seen many other clubs and bars come and go while it has remained alive for 18 years. You can always rely on Viva to retain the atmosphere it had the week before. One of the biggest reasons for its popularity is Viva''s devotion to promoting live music. Bands have cut their teeth here for years, and if you want to see live bands, Viva has somebody playing almost every night of the week. On Sundays around 6pm, Viva has its Sunday barbecue, and for a few bucks they offer food and a live band. Dancing is also welcome even though the dance floor can get kind of cozy. According to Tally, the head bartender, Viva is currently working on securing national acts.

The Mucky Duck "caters to all," and this may be why it has been so popular in Monterey for several years. More than just an English-style pub, The Duck offers a place to relax, socialize or cry in your drink if necessary. The tall booths offer privacy while eating and drinking, but if you''re a social animal and want to get your duck mucky, you should wander to the outside patio where, on weekends, this is the happening place to mingle. At times the patio can be wall-to-wall, and because fire code regulates the amount of people there, it''s best to get there early enough to secure a spot. The Mucky Duck has a DJ for dancing and has live bands that play several nights a week. The appetizers, which are in themselves meals, are half price from 4:30-6:30pm, Monday to Friday.

The only place in the area that regularly secures national acts is the Long Bar. Having said that, Long Bar needs to work on bringing in bands that are a bit more cutting edge than Ambrosia. Their sound system is good though, and Long Bar has the only ''60s go-go dancing cage in the area...very cool. Bands play during the week, and on weekends DJs spin music from the ''70s, ''80s and ''90s. There is in fact a very long bar, and Long Bar has ample seating for its patrons. Especially on weekends, the crowd is comprised of fashion-conscious hipsters making the scene. If you are not into dancing and bands, there are a couple of pool tables to choose from.

So there they are, kids, the hottest night spots in Monterey County, chosen after hours upon hours of tedious, in-depth research--and a headache or two.

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