Alvarado Street and Cannery Row are home to most of the real MoCo nightlife but if you love the nightlife, there are dozens of clubs and bars that give you room to get your groove on, wet your whistle, or even laugh at comedy.

After Dark, 214 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 373-7828. If you''re on the late-night prowl for the best in alternative music, then After Dark is your destination. A popular hangout for young singles and the gay community that was chosen by Coast Weekly readers as the best local dance club.

Bulldog Pub, 611 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 372-5565. One of the few places for late-night dining on the Peninsula, the Bulldog Pub features a full menu till 4am on the weekends and a full line of beer every night of the week.

Black Box Cabaret, CSUMB campus, 582-3597. There''s no reason to leave CSUMB for entertainment, since the BBC has all kinds of music, dances, theater, and even comedy, when school is in session. A cozy hangout and great coffee, too.

Bosso''s, 685 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 372-0240. Recently described as "a real Quentin Tarantino bar," Bosso''s re-opened in January, with three pool tables (one is from a 1930s World Fair, and all cost 25 cents), a jukebox, and "Happy Hour all the time" (reasonable drink prices).

Characters Sports Bar and Grill, 350 Calle Principal, Monterey, 647-4023. This quintessential sports bar boasts 12 TV screens and an extensive menu to work off the appetite that comes from cheering on your favorite team.

Cibo Ristorante, 301 Alvarado St., Monterey, 649-8151. Locally renowned for its legendary martinis served in oversized nine-ounce martini glasses, Cibo is a fun, crowded, professional hangout with an urban attitude.

Club Metropolis, 115 E. Lake St., Salinas, 757-8302. This Latin club is visited by a younger crowd Thursday through Sunday, with DJs playing salsa, cumbia and more, and occasionally live bands. Dicey neighborhood, but perfectly safe once you''re in.

Crown and Anchor Pub, 150 W. Franklin St., Monterey, 649-6496. If you like your party with an English edge to it, this downstairs pub is your place. Plenty of American beer and British ales, great food and a convenient location for MIIS and DLI students.

Doc''s Nightclub, 95 Prescott Ave., Monterey, 649-4241. This is a perennial local favorite for live music. Many headline acts touring between L.A. and San Francisco make time to stop at Doc''s.

The Endzone, 1081 S. Main St., Salinas, 422-9031. Formerly known as the Harvest Queen, this sports bar has re-opened with satellite TVs, kitchen, pool and darts, and of course, libations. Various kinds of live music is planned for the weekends.

LALLApalooza, 474 Alvarado St., Monterey, 645-9036. A new restaurant and martini bar on Alvarado Street that''s popular with the 20- to 30-something crowd. The menu has big steaks, seafood, a full bar and a half-dozen martinis, "shaken not stirred" if requested.

Lighthouse Bar & Grill, 281 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 373-4488. Fave local hangout that offers CD music and is open ''til 2am, seven days a week.

London Bridge Pub, Fisherman''s Wharf #2, Monterey, 655-2879. Can''t decide what kind of beer you''re in the mood to drink? Then head on down to the London Bridge Pub, where you''re guaranteed to find something to quench your thirst among their 60 bottled beers and 13 beers on draught.

Long Bar, 180 E. Franklin St., Monterey, 372-2244. A favorite dance club newly renovated with lights, pool table, games and a full bar. With a variety of ever-changing music, everyone gets a chance to hear the song that gets them out of their seat.

McGarrett''s, Alvarado Street & Del Monte Avenue, upstairs, Monterey, 646-9244. This spacious nightclub is a consistent winner among Coast Weekly club freaks. A great meeting place for singles in their 20s.

The Mucky Duck, 479 Alvarado St., Monterey, 655-3031. Offers 18 beers on draught, full bar, and traditional British fare with a California flair. Cozy pub atmosphere inside, heated garden patio outside. DJ Thursday-Saturday nights.

O''Kanes Irish Pub, 97 Prescott St., Monterey, 375-7564. If you like to take advantage of Happy Hour, you can double your fun at O''Kane''s, which has both a traditional and late-night Happy Hour. Featuring a full bar with 12 beers on draught, and a great selection of reasonably priced munchies, O''Kanes is one of the most happenin'' places on the Peninsula.

The Penny Farthing Tavern, 9 E. San Luis Ave., Salinas, 424-5652. In addition to the darts and British atmosphere, the Penny Farthing has more than 10 beers on tap, live entertainment and a late night menu.

Planet Gemini, 625 Cannery Row, Monterey, 373-1449. Comedy is king at Planet Gemini, which doubles as a dance club, with music from rock to salsa.

Rodeo Inn, 808 N. Main St., Salinas, 424-8661 The Rodeo Inn is popular for country music and dancing, just the place to get your line-dancing fix. DJs and local bands play country and rock, there''s a pool tournament on Mondays, but the crowd tends to be older. Full bar and late night food every day.

Sly McFly''s, 700 Cannery Row, Monterey, 649-8050. Sly''s has been around but is becoming a hot spot on the Row for a younger crowd. Local blues and jazz musicians jam here during the week, and there''s a full bar and happy hour.

The Tinnery, Lovers Point Park, Pacific Grove, 646-1040. After a sunset stroll along Pacific Grove''s coastline, there''s no better destination, overlooking Lovers Point Park. In addition to its full-service restaurant, The Tinnery offers free food and great drinks at Happy Hour.

Viva Monterey, 414 Alvarado St., Monterey, 646-1415. Selected by our readers as one of the best places to shoot pool, the mix of music and the quality of the tables and players keep Viva''s three pool tables busy.

Whitey''s Place, 125 Ocean View Blvd., in the American Tin Cannery, Pacific Grove, 646-8383. Jazz, rock and blues--those are the foundation of Whitey''s Place, which features live entertainment weekly.

Ye Admiral Benbow Tavern, 444 Alvarado St., Monterey, 656-9543. More than 100 beers, Happy Hour with half-price bar snacks, and live music on weekends in an English pub setting.