Santa Fe Nightlife

Santa Fe sunsets are glorious, and there's no better place to watch the sun drop over the surrounding mountains than the bell tower of the La Fonda hotel, the highest adobe-style building in the city. Try a Bell Ringer, their signature margarita, to enhance the romantic view over the city's rooftops. There is a choice of tequilas, wines, beer and spirits too, plus a menu of light fare to nibble on.

Located in Hotel St Francis, a block from the Plaza, Secreto Lounge specialises in premium craft cocktails and wines. Its creative "garden to glass" cocktails are made with combinations of local fruit, vegetables and herbs, and favourites include the award-winning Spicy Secreto and the Agave Way, infused with green chilli. Its wine list reflects ancient wine-making traditions brought to the region by Spanish monks, while the indoor bar has a rustic atmosphere. There's also a seasonal outdoor patio and loggia.

Part of the landmark Pink Adobe restaurant, the Dragon Room has long been a favourite local watering hole. The atmosphere is old Santa Fe, with a kiva (bee hive) fireplace in the corner, trees growing through the roof and art by the Pink Adobe's founder. Mingle with local patrons or perhaps a visiting celebrity or two under the fairy lights on the lovely patio. The margaritas are even tastier at happy hour prices.

Boasting the only deck in Santa Fe overlooking the Plaza, this restaurant and bar is a prime people-watching spot. Check it out at happy hour (1600-1800 and 2200-0000) when $3 appetisers and $5 Margaritas are on offer. The list of over 60 beers (20 on tap) is complemented by more than 100 tequilas, an extensive wine list served by the glass, and speciality cocktails such as Thunderbird Punch and Jamie's Bacon Bloody Mary.

In addition to serving great barbecue and regional cuisine, the Cowgirl is one of the best music bars in the city. The nightly live entertainment ranges from top local bands to national touring musicians with the likes of Townes Van Zandt and Patsy Montana among the previous performers. Its superb margaritas and cocktails, dozen craft beers on tap, and sunny patio make this laidback place a local favourite.

Specialising in tapas, El Farol is Santa Fe's oldest restaurant and cantina. The Flamenco dinner show, offered most evenings, sizzles with energy and immerses spectators in Santa Fe's Spanish heritage. An alternative dinner show features the Latin music of Nacha Mendez. Later there are live bands nightly, featuring blues, soul, rock and guitar music á la The Gypsy Kings-style.

Located a block from the Plaza, this restaurant specialises in the classical cuisine of Spain, accompanied by an equally authentic programme of nightly live music. The line-up here is varied and interesting and stands out from other venues in the city thanks to its Brazilian and Caribbean jazz ensembles, trumpet and saxophone players, piano virtuosos and Flamenco guitarists. Guests can also hit the dancefloor for a night of tango dancing.

The red lighting and flocked velvet wallpaper give this restaurant bar an aura of the wild west gambling halls and brothels of the 1850s. Musical entertainment is featured most evenings, with a mix of live bands playing blues, country, rock and acoustic sets as well as club nights such as Trash Disco with DJ Oona. On Saturday afternoons in the summer there is music on the patio and Limelight Karaoke on Thursday nights.

A world-class piano bar with live entertainment nightly is the perfect accompaniment to Vanessie's acclaimed fine-dining restaurant. Veteran pianist Doug Montgomery is at the keyboards four nights a week and the venue attracts nationally known artists across cabaret, jazz, soul, rhythm and blues and soulful Americana too. This is a special choice for a memorable night on the town.

The Lensic should be your first stop for sampling Santa Fe's rich array of performing arts. Set in a restored movie palace, the beautiful 1931 Moorish and Spanish Renaissance-style auditorium stages more than 200 events each year, including dance, theatre, music, opera, film and more. It hosts such world-class organisations as the Moscow Ballet, travelling Broadway productions and international vocalists and musicians.

Founded in 1922, the Santa Fe Playhouse is the oldest continuously operating theatre west of the Mississippi River. It retains its historic location in an adobe building in the Barrio de Analco. Productions range from Shakespeare to comedies and classic dramas. The Playhouse also stages full-length works and readings by new playwrights, as well as Benchwarmers, an evening of eight short plays written by local writers.