From fetish night at The Vogue to laundry and live music at Sit & Spin, the Regrade has arrived as Seattle's hip place for nightlife.

The clubs and bars, such as the dark and smoky Rendezvous on Second Avenue, give new meaning to the word diversity. Even the neighborhood's newest pool hall, Belltown Billiards, offers jazz on Sunday and Monday nights.

The Crocodile Cafe, now in its fifth year, continues to serve up some of the Emerald City's freshest new music, drawing on home grown talent and touring bands.

When the Crocodile first opened, the Regrade did not have a lot to offer in the way of night life or shopping, says Christine Wood, who helps with bookings at the club.

"Second Avenue and First are so much better now. There's so many cool little stores and restaurants," she said.

The neighborhood has come alive with trendy little boutiques like Pin Down Girl and its neighbor, Dingo Gallery, which offers unusual but eye catching home furnishings.

Mike and Marla McAlpin, owners of Mama's Mexican Kitchen, recently opened Lava Lounge, a kitschy little tiki bar on Second Avenue.

With a $20,000 loan, the McAlpins' gutted and remodeled the former Hawaii West bar. They reopened in March 1995 with the South Pacific theme, complete with a volcano's spewing mural painted by an artist friend.

Mike McAlpin credits the Crocodile for helping turn around the neighborhood. It was the music that "brought the young people down here again," he said.

Here's a sampling of the nightlife scene:

Belltown Billiards, 90 Blanchard St., 448-6779. Stylish new billiard club below First Avenue.

Belltown Pub, 2322 First Ave., 728-4311. Upscale watering hole.

Brick Street Bar & Grill, 2125 First Ave., 441-2682. Stylish, hip hangout with Elliott Bay view.

Crocodile Cafe, 2200 Second Ave., 441-5600. One of Seattle's top modern-rock and alternative-music clubs. Local bands and touring acts appear weekly. Kitschy decor in showroom, bar and cafe.

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 2001 Sixth Ave., 441-9729. Seattle's top jazz club. Stylish decor.

Downunder, 2407 First Ave., 728-4053. Youthful, underground dance-music club.

Lava Lounge, 2226 Second Ave., 441-5660. Hip tiki-style bar with giant, black-light volcano mural.

Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., 443-1744. A top Seattle venue for touring music and theater acts. Early 1900s architecture and rumors of a resident ghost.

My Suzie's Oriental Pacific, 90 Wall St., 728-8835. Cocktail lounge and restaurant with South Seas decor. Live music.

Neko's, 2335 Fifth Ave., 448-6668. Warehouse-style nightclub venue with adjoining cafe and bar. Rock, blues, reggae, dance music and whatnot.

Nite Lite, Second and Virginia, 448-4852. Kitschy cocktail lounge with killer jukebox.

Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave., 441-5823. Atmospheric coffee shop and restaurant with old-Seattle flavor and thick-plate fare. Occasional live shows in tiny Jewel Box lounge.

Sit & Spin, 2219 Fourth Ave, 441-9484. Gen-X cafe and laudromat with colorful, offbeat decor. Occasional live rock shows.

Speakeasy Cafe, 2304 Second Ave., 728-9770. Multi-purpose venue: Internet, live jazz, art, performances and eats.

Twenty-Two Eighteen, 2218 First Ave., 441-2218. Restaurant and nightclub offering a variety of music.

211 Billiard Club, 211 Bell St., 443-1211. Long-popular billiard club with rock-star clientele.

Two Bells Tavern, 2313 Fourth Ave., 441-3050. Popular eatery offering occasional acoustic music and spoken-word shows.

Virginia Inn Tavern, 1937 First Ave., 728-1937. Smart-looking, smoke-free watering hole.

The Vogue, 2018 First Ave., 443-0673. Atmospheric club offering punk, modern rock. Fetish nights on Sundays.