Afterthought: The long-time home for jazz in Little Rock also hosts acts that specialize in blues, soul and roots-rock 8 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Regularly occurring events include a Sunday jazz brunch, a rotating cast of jazz musicians on Monday nights, a Tuesday jam session with pianist Carl Mouton and an acoustic open-mic night every Wednesday. Occasional dancing breaks out, but for the most part, this is a sit-down venue. Cover varies. 21 and up. No smoking. 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd., 663-1196, www.vieuxcarrecafe.com.

Cajun’s Wharf: A sprawling restaurant and bar where local and regional rock, blues, cover and funk acts converge. Free happy hour entertainment, often on Cajun’s massive deck overlooking the Arkansas River, begins at 5:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri. Headliners 9 p.m. Thu.-Sat. with $5 cover after 8:30 p.m. 21 and up for bar (not restaurant). No smoking inside. 2400 Cantrell Road, 375-5351, www.cajunswharf.com.

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Capital Bar and Grill: Arguably the state’s best jazz ensemble, the Ted Ludwig Jazz Trio, is the house band at this swank, bustling downtown hotel bar. 5-8 p.m. Wed.-Thu., 9 p.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat. 111 W. Markham St., 374-7474, www.capitalhotel.com/CBG.

Cornerstone Pub: Argenta’s most active music venue hosts local and occasionally regional and national acts, usually Thu.-Sat. Times and cover charges vary. Smoking is allowed, which means only those 21 and up can enter. 314 Main St., NLR, 374-1782, www.cstonepub.com.

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Cregeen’s Irish Pub: This Argenta pub has a solid menu and a good selection of beer, as well as a real Irish pub-like atmosphere. The venue hosts live music, usually on the weekends and often of the acoustic solo variety, but bands play there too. 301 Main St., NLR, 376-7468, www.cregeens.com.

Discovery: The Riverdale nightclub is one of a handful that stays open until 5 a.m. and is one of the longest running dance clubs in the state. There are several big rooms with DJs playing everything from old-school hits to hip-hop to Top 40 and the latest Eurohouse dance tracks. A rotating array of female impersonators performs weekly. Open 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Sat. only. Adjoins Triniti, a gay dance club and bar that’s open 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Fri. only. Private club. 1021 Jessie Road, 664-4784, www.latenightdisco.com, 664-2744.

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Downtown Music: This venue books all kinds of acts, but more often than not you’re likely to hear something with a heavy edge here from local, regional and national acts. It’s also home to the popular monthly dance party Cool Shoes, which is now all ages. Times and cover charge varies. Concerts and events are open to all ages. 211 W. Capitol Ave., 376-1819, www.downtownmusichall.com.

Electric Cowboy: Dance music of all genres and occasional live acts Wed.-Sun. Open 7:30 p.m.-5 a.m. Fri.-Sat., at least 2 a.m. Wed.-Thu., Sun. Ages 21 and up. Smoking allowed. Private club. 9515 Interstate 30, 562-6000, www.electriccowboy.com/littlerock.

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Ernie Biggs’ Chicago Style Piano Bar: A dueling piano bar with an upstairs lounge, usually manned by a DJ, and occasional special events. Shows start at 8:30 p.m., hours are 8 p.m.-2 a.m. daily. 307 President Clinton Ave., 372-4782, www.erniebiggs.com.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium: A popular River Market hangout, thanks to its 75 beers on tap and 125 in bottles, where you can watch big sporting events on a projection TV, play in the group trivia competition at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tue, and listen to local singer/songwriters and bands, usually 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., with around a $3 cover. All ages. No smoking. 323 President Clinton Ave., 372-7468, www.beerknurd.com.

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Fox and Hound: Sports pub and private club that hosts local and regional acts 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., open mic 10 p.m. Sun and karaoke 9 p.m. Wed. Also hosts UFC fights. Free membership required. Cover charge is $5-$10. 21 and older. Smoking allowed. Lakewood Village Shopping Center, NLR, 753-8300, www.fhrg.com.

Hibernia Irish Tavern: Irish pub with a fairly extensive menu of Irish cuisine and a good number of Southern favorites mixed in. The bar hosts a traditional Irish music session at 2:30 p.m. on the first and third Sun. of every month and karaoke at 8 p.m. every Thu. 9700 N. Rodney Parham, 246-4340, www.hiberniairishtavern.com.

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Juanita’s Cantina Ballroom: After more than 25 years as a South Main anchor, Juanita’s picked up and moved to the River Market last summer. The venue books acts of a variety of genres, but in general there’s an emphasis on hard rock, pop and country. Age limit, cover and times vary. No smoking. 614 President Clinton Ave., 372-1228, www.juanitas.com.

Khalil’s: This West Little Rock restaurant hosts local folk and rock acts in its lounge, where smoking is allowed. Also, the Arkansas Celtic Music Society hosts jam sessions on the second and fourth Monday of the month, 7-9 p.m. 110 S. Shackleford Road, 224-0224.

Loony Bin Comedy Club: National touring comedians Thu.-Sat., open mic Wed. (unless a performance is scheduled). Food and drinks available. Show times vary. Cover charge $7-$10. 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road, 228-5555, www.loonybincomedy.com.

Mediums Art Lounge: A venue once located in Hillcrest reborn downtown that hosts everything from spoken word events, neo-soul concerts and zumba exercise sessions. Times and cover charges vary. 512 Center St., 374-4495.

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Midtown Billiards: This all-night club — the only one in downtown Little Rock — is the end of a funnel of nights spent out all over town. It hosts blues, rock and jam band music at 12:30 a.m. Fri.-Sat., plus occasional midnight shows midweek. $5 cover charge above private-club membership fee when there’s music. Open daily at 3 p.m. for pool and other games, plus bar and grill. The burgers are fantastic. Ages 21 and up. Smoking allowed. 1316 S. Main St., 372-9990, www.midtownar.com.

Peabody Hotel: Hosts RiverTop Party series in the summer and special New Year’s Eve and Halloween events. 3 Statehouse Plaza, 399-8059, www.rivertopparty.com.

Pizza D’Action: A Stifft Station dive bar and pizza restaurant, where you’ll find occasional local and regional rock concerts. Cover and times vary. 21 and older. Smoking allowed. 2919 W. Markham St., 666-5403.

Reno’s: This Argenta bar and restaurant also hosts live music on weekends, usually of the rock-flavored variety. Cover and times vary. Ages 21 and older. Smoking allowed. 321 Main St., NLR, 376-2900, www.renosargentacafe.com.

Revolution: The bigger sister venue to Stickyz, this 550-person capacity room is one of the largest in town. Like Stickyz, it hosts an incredibly diverse array of local, regional and national acts. Times and prices vary. All ages. No smoking. 300 President Clinton Ave., 823-0090, www.rumbarevolution.com.

Sonny Williams’ Steak Room: Piano music 7-11 p.m. Tue.-Sat. All ages. No smoking. 500 President Clinton Ave., 324-2999, www.sonnywilliamssteakroom.com.

Stickyz: As the Rolling Stones’ reference suggests, you’ll find rock ‘n’ roll here as well as just about every other genre. No club offers as eclectic of a mix of local, regional and national acts of all stripes. This year, Stickyz went nonsmoking, so some shows are 18-and-older. The chicken fingers are excellent. Times and cover vary. 107 S. Commerce St., 372-7707, www.stickyfingerz.com.

Sway: A swank, gay-friendly dance club that occasionally hosts live music, Thu.-Sat. 412 Louisiana St., 907-2582.

Thirst N’ Howl: A Cantrell Road restaurant that hosts free folk and rock most Thu.-Sat. nights. Times vary. All ages. No smoking. 14710 Cantrell Road, 379-8189, www.thirst-n-howl.com.

Town Pump: A popular Riverdale hangout that hosts local, regional and occasional national acts, mostly of the rock variety. Cover charge and showtimes vary. No smoking, except on the patio. 1321 Rebsamen Park Road, 663-9802.

Twelve Modern Lounge: This new club falls on the more sophisticated end of the spectrum, hosting a variety of DJs, as well as live music in a variety of genres, including jazz, neo-soul, R&B, hip-hop and more. There is often a dress code for events, so don’t show up in your raggedy cutoffs and Loverboy “Tour ’84” T-shirt. 1900 W. Third St., 301-1200, www.twelveloungelr.com.

Vino’s Brewpub: A pizza joint and brewery connected to concert space that’s long been the city’s preeminent all-ages venue. Cover and times vary. All ages. No smoking. 923 W. Seventh St., 375-8466, www.vinosbrewpub.com.

West End Smokehouse and Tavern: More than 50 TVs, a massive bar, pool tables and local and regional acts usually Fri.-Sat. Membership required. Music starts at 10 p.m., usually $5 cover. 21 and up. Smoking allowed. 215 N. Shackleford, 224-7665, www.westendsmokehouse.net.

White Water Tavern: Colorful dive bar with a strong following. National acts often play the tavern, as opposed to other, larger local venues, for its atmosphere. With local, regional and national acts of all types, but especially blues, country/bluegrass and rock. Cover varies, but is usually $5. Tuesday, the door charge is typically donations only. Times vary. Most shows are 21 and older. No smoking. Seventh and Thayer sts., 375-8400, www.whitewatertavern.com.

Willy D’s: River Market dueling piano bar and restaurant with dinner service. Music at 7 p.m. Tue.-Sat. Beneath the bar is Deep, a lounge that features DJ music Thu.-Sat. Attached through a passageway is Prost, a restaurant/bar that hosts live music on weekends. A full menu is available at all locations. One cover charge affords access to all three bars. Smoking in Prost and Willy D’s, no smoking in Deep. Ages 21 and older. 322 President Clinton Ave., 244-9550, www.willydspianobar.com.