San Francisco

Wish: This cozy destination hosts some of the most creative-minded DJ residencies in SOMA. "Exist," an ongoing Friday set of noncommercial hip hop and downtempo grooves, is a particular favorite, though every night brings a diverse crowd of socialites, neighborhood regulars, and deep listeners. Bonus: There's rarely a cover. 1539 Folsom (at 11th St.), 278-9474.

xyz: This stylized restaurant attempts the futuristic "ultra-lounge" vibe Thursday through Saturday nights, when DJs treat drinkers to a blend of relaxed house, trance, and ambient selections. Though quaint, the candlelight sessions might not make the best listening, since the high-class after-work crowd tends to chatter over the tunes. 181 Third St. (at Howard), 817-7836.

Bay Area

19 Broadway, 17 Broadway (at Embarcadero), Fairfax, 459-1091

21 Grand, 449B 23rd St. (near Broadway), Oakland, 510-444-7263

924 Gilman, 924 Gilman (at Ninth St.), Berkeley, 510-525-9926

5th Amendment, 3255 Lakeshore (at Lake Park), Oakland, 510-832-3242

Albatross Pub, 1822 San Pablo (at Hearst), Berkeley, 510-843-2473

Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo (at Gilman), Berkeley, 510-525-5054

The Baltic, 135 Park (at Washington), Point Richmond, 510-235-2532

The Bench & Bar, 120 11th St. (at Oak), Oakland, 510-444-2266

Bison Brewing Company, 2598 Telegraph (at Parker), Berkeley, 510-841-7734

Blake's on Telegraph, 2367 Telegraph (at Durant), Berkeley, 510-848-0886

Cafe Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph (at 16th St.), Oakland, 510-763-7711

Caribbean Gardens, 1306 Bayshore, Burlingame, 650-344-1797

Cato's Ale House, 3891 Piedmont (at Montell), Oakland, 510-655-3349

Chris' New Harbor, 150 Harbor, Belmont, 650-591-1881

Club Fusetti, 815 West Francisco (at Hwy 101), San Rafael, 459-6079

Club Muse, 856 San Pablo (at Solano), Albany, 510-528-2878

Echo, 1411 Locust (at Cypress), Walnut Creek, 925-934-9490

Fourth Street Tavern, 711 Fourth St. (at Lindaro), San Rafael, 456-4828

Freight & Salvage, 1111 Addison (at University), Berkeley, 510-548-1761

Gallery 23ten, 2310 Telegraph (at 23rd St.), Oakland, 510-986-0847

Gatsby's, 39 Caledonia (at Johnson), Sausalito, 332-4500

Gliss, 1313 Park (at Encinal), Alameda, 650-634-9252

Ivy Room, 858 San Pablo (at Solano), Albany, 510-524-9220

The Jazz House, 3192 Adeline (at Martin Luther King Jr.), Berkeley, 510-655-9755

Jimmie's, 1731 San Pablo (at 17th St.), Oakland, 510-268-8445

Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck (at Berkeley BART), Berkeley, 510-THE-ROCK

Kimball's Carnival, 522 Second St. (at Washington), Oakland, 510-444-6979

Kimball's East, 5800 Shellmound (at Powell), Emeryville, 510-658-2555

La Peña, 3105 Shattuck (at Prince), Berkeley, 510-849-2568

Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland, 510-655-6161

No Name Bar, 757 Bridgeway (at Princess), Sausalito, 332-1392

Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth St. (at Franklin), Suite 290, Oakland, 510-637-0455

Peri's, 29 Broadway (at 11th St.), Fairfax, 459-9910

Plymouth United Church of Christ, 424 Monte Vista (at Oakland), Oakland, 510-654-5300

Port Lite, 229 Brush (at Third St.), Oakland, 510-451-0600

Radio, 435 13th St. (at Franklin), Oakland, 510-451-2889

Ruby Room, 132 14th St. (at Madison), Oakland, 510-444-7224

Savanna Grill, 55 Tamal Vista (at Lucky), Corte Madera, 924-6775

Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck (at Prince), Berkeley, 510-841-2082

Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph (at 23rd St.), Oakland, 510-444-6174

Sweetwater, 153 Throckmorton (at Miller), Mill Valley, 388-2820