The most likely places to spend an evening lie along Thames Street. One of the most obvious possibilities, The Red Parrot, 348 Thames St., near Memorial Boulevard (tel. 401/847-3140; www.redparrotrestaurant.com), has the look of an Irish saloon and features jazz combos Thursday through Sunday.

A full schedule of live music is on the plate at the Newport Blues Café, 286 Thames St., at Green Street (tel. 401/841-5510; www.newportblues.com), plus a Sunday gospel brunch. With its fireplace, dark wood, and massive steel back door that used to guard the safe of this former bank, the cafe has a lot more class than most of the town's bars. Meals are available nightly in summer, Thursday through Sunday nights off season. It might close for 2 or 3 months in winter.

H2O, 359 Thames St. (tel. 401/849-4466; www.h2onewport.com), is one of Newport's newest clubs and has an expansive waterfront deck with a harbor view. Singers with acoustic guitars prevail some afternoons, and things punch up after dinner with live rock and reggae on the deck Friday, Saturday, and additional nights in summer. Mudville, 8 W. Marlborough St. (tel. 401/849-1408), is a bar for sports dudes and the women who put up with them. A dozen TVs, including a couple of big-screen plasmas, are fed by both satellite and cable, ensuring that no sporting event anywhere will be unavailable. A fireplace and fake Tiffany lamps constitute the decor.

Several restaurants offer music, as with deejays for dancing and live music in the bar at The Landing, 30 Bowen's Wharf (tel. 401/847-4514; www.thelandingrestaurantnewport.com). Also check out Christie's, 351 Thames St. (tel. 401/847-5400), and The West Dock, 1 Waites Wharf (tel. 401/847-33610).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.