Top singles bars

Who knew sushi and nightclubs went so well together? At Mixx Ultra Lounge, the signature sauce is hot and the scene is even hotter, with lounge furniture, DJs and three floors. They also pride themselves with a diverse clientele. Head there during the week to try their sushi rolls, then put on your finest for the weekend, where it’s the place to see and be seen. Just make sure to wipe that teriyaki sauce off your mouth before talking to the cutie by the bar.

This downtown cocktail lounge with an “Alice in Wonderland” theme is decked out in eclectic old-style furniture, mirrors, chess boards and local art. FB’s caters to an upscale, young professional crowd who enjoys cocktails and bottle service. Dress to impress to get in the door. The focus here is on specialty drinks with fresh ingredients and trippy, local artwork. FB's now offers a menu of quality bar grub small plates 5-11 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

The DJ lords over Play from a stage high above the dance floor, with lots of neon lighting, but you’ll also find a top-flight Happy Hour on weeknights.

Launch is the downstairs sports bar of what used to be Lunar Lounge. Launch remains open while the upstairs is now closed to reopen with a new name and direction in the future.

If you’re in the mood for some dancing, Arnie’s is the place to be with DJs spinning for the jam-packed dance floor on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 p.m. to close. Catch your breath at one of the booths, or chill out on the porch that winds around the side of the building for views of Newport on the Levee. During the day, Arnie’s is much tamer. As a restaurant, Arnie's serves sandwiches, pizzas and other entrees, while 13 HD flat screen TVs are tuned to sports. Arnie’s also features happy hour from 4-9 p.m. on weekdays, including $2 domestics, $3 wells and house wines and half-off all dips.

Open since early 2011, this mega dance club in Longworth Hall will cater to the hard-partying crowd of Cincinnati. Featuring state-of-the-art sound, two levels of dancing, video and lighting, including lasers(!), Pulse will have your senses racing all night long. Open three nights a week--Thursday, Friday and Saturday--the doors open at 9 PM each day. Cover prices each night, generally $5 for those 21 and up. It's also a good spot for those under 21, but you'll have to pay a higher cover charge.

The Mainstay Rock Bar dresses up the former Poison Room with giant, comfortable couches and classy, golden-framed mirrors behind its bar made of bricks. The interior of the bar is brand-new, and it seems that the mood Mainstay is going for lands between two styles of drinking spots. First there is the framed art of everyone from Sid Vicious to Will "More Cowbell" Ferrell and giant framed paintings of music-inspired subject matter. There's a DJ booth and a mainstage with Twin Peaks-style red drapes. This part seems to be going for "upscale rock club" - one that shows a lot of early promise.