Best Karaoke
MONTEREY CAFE
This island-themed oasis beckons patrons with the intimate afterglow of neon bar signs, monstrous pizzas and late-night karaoke every day of the week. It's the only place in town where it feels just right to hear Jimmy Buffett, Sia and Neil Diamond back-to-back-to-back with strangers and best friends alike. (JORDY BYRD)
2nd PLACE: Star Lounge; 3rd PLACE: nYne; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: The Iron Horse, Coeur d'Alene
Best Movie Theater
AMC RIVER PARK SQUARE 20
Two words: power recliners. The AMC movie theater is in River Park Square, the anchor of downtown, and there's nothing so invigorating as riding the crisscross elevators to the top. Reserve your seats online so you can shop, grab a martini or bowl of pasta before the show. It's more than a movie, it's an experience. (JB)
2nd PLACE: Garland Theater; 3rd PLACE: Regal NorthTown Mall Stadium 12; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Regal Riverstone Stadium 14, Coeur d'Alene
Best Dance Club
NYNE
No club in Spokane is as dedicated to having its patrons enjoy complete social freedom as nYne. It features a fully functional version of every kind of positive club experience you could want, from the stand-and-chat bar on its west end, to its lounge seating, to its dive-bar pricing (which is a steal, if I'm being honest). The crown jewel of the space, however, is a dance floor likely bigger than any other in town, and certainly the only one I've ever worked up the courage to throw down on. (JORDAN SATTERFIELD)
2nd PLACE: Impulse; 3rd PLACE: Stray; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Mik's, CdA
Best Live Music Venue
Best All-Ages Venue
THE BARTLETT
Track records don't lie, people. The staff at the Bartlett is the most musically passionate of any venue in town, a fact that influences every aspect of the business they do. They book among the best acts we've ever had in town, the sound is always ace, and even the drinks have a taste of creative passion within. (JS)
Best Live Music Venue: 2nd PLACE: The Knitting Factory; 3rd PLACE: Zola
Best All-Ages Venue: 2nd PLACE: The Knitting Factory; 3rd PLACE: The Pin!
Best Casino
NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO
I've lived in places where you can stick a couple of keno and video poker machines in the corner of a dive bar and call it a "casino." Clearly our readers are a classier lot, preferring the big-time feel of Northern Quest as their favorite gaming destination. Between its sprawling floor full of table games, oceans of slots, poker tables and separate areas for smokers and non-smokers to play happily, there's anything an experienced player or beginner could want, including lessons, a luxurious hotel nearby and plenty of dining spots when you want to take a pause in the action. (DAN NAILEN)
2nd PLACE: Coeur d'Alene Casino; 3rd PLACE: Aces Casino
Best Sports Bar
EPIC
Quality sports bars must have, at a minimum, great food and an abundance of excellent TV screens. EPIC at Northern Quest certainly fits the bill, starting with a menu that serves stellar grub from breakfast until the last whistle of the night games. And the monster-sized TV screen — 30 feet by 10 feet — makes Seahawks games (among others) seem almost as good as sitting at the Clink itself. (DN)
2nd PLACE: The Swinging Doors; 3rd PLACE: 24 Taps; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Capone's
Best Bowling Center
LILAC LANES
Around for more than two decades, Lilac's 32 lanes are a mainstay for parties, leagues and get-togethers. Fridays and Saturdays are Cosmic Bowling nights, offering black lights to create a unique bowling experience. The alley also offers drinks and grub while you roll, and a casino and poker room if you'd rather play a hand instead. (TUCK CLARRY)
2nd PLACE: Hugo's on the Hill; 3rd PLACE: North Bowl; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Sunset Bowling Center, CdA
Best Trivia Night
PRESS
Colin Burk is getting the hang of this thing. The bearded emcee hosts trivia Monday nights at Press and Tuesdays at the Backyard Public House (this year's runner-up). It's free to play, and teams can win various trinkets and doodads. The first-place winner gets a gift certificate. Burk enforces all the traditional trivia rules: no cellphones, don't shout out the answer, write legibly. But his No. 1 command? DON'T BE A DICK! (MITCH RYALS)
2nd PLACE: The Backyard Public House; 3rd PLACE: Iron Goat Taproom; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Moose Lounge, CdA
