Despite its issues with the city, which isn't too thrilled about the new waterfront patio seating, Smith & Wollensky continues to be one of the best spots for supping, sipping and summering. The new Summer Lobster Specials (appropriate since many patrons arrive looking broiled) offer Maine lobster in all sorts of incarnations, including a 2.5 pounder for $39 and surf and turf starring a 10-oz. filet mignon and 1.25-pound Maine lobster for $59 through Labor Day.

For those who prefer to hibernate inside, consider going to LIV Friday, where celeb DJ Chachi -- best known for spinning Britney Spears' 27th birthday party -- helms the turntables. He just may have the power to provoke party people to stop text messaging each other and actually dance!

Dancing may be necessary to burn the calories after checking out BLT Steak's brand new bar menu, featuring fab cocktails and snacks including fried olives with spicy pork sausage (Elvis is rolling over in his grave), a stellar charcuterie plate, cheese plate and Parmesan truffle fries. Wash it all down with a Crockett and Tubbs (Grey Goose, POM Wonderful, Prickly Pear puree and fresh lime juice). Opening beneath the soothing, stylish Betsy/BLT Steak space next month, the Basement Bar.

From basement to bargain basement: La Cofradia Ceviche Bar in Coral Gables has extended its happy hour from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, offering all sorts of ceviches, tiraditos and other things unpronouncably delicious for $5 each as well as beer, wine, cocktails and pisco sours for $5-$7.

Maxing out on the drink specials is never just a passing fancy, thank goodness, and adding to the ever increasing, super savvy proprietors in town offering deals is Crazy Pianos in Coconut Grove. On Thursdays, the nutty Dutch import offers two for one drink specials from 6 to 10 p.m. The place also boasts the only ''beer tables'' in the country, filled with frosty Heineken draft beer on ice chips. Not quite sure we get the idea, but sounds refreshing nonetheless.

Also refreshing is a new Friday night party, Erica Freshman and Jose Ortiz's Moon Bar Fridays at Club 50 at The Viceroy from 9 p.m. till the noncommittal closing and featuring live music and DJs too.

Going the retro-fab route on Friday nights is The Raleigh's new Dew Drop In Happy Hour with drink specials, DJs spinning ''the Martini Bar into a groove room,'' and VIP access to select local clubs, from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.

On Saturday, Jungle Island hosts the ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night benefiting Amigos For Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to helping abused, abandoned and less fortunate children. Party starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $150 in advance, $175 at the door. 305-279-1155 or www.amigosforkids.com.

Nikki Beach has had a delayed reaction to being voted the Travel Channel's ''World's Sexiest Beach Bar'' a few months ago and has added a Friday and Saturday celebratory happy hour all summer offering the first drink free and then two for one mojitos from 4-7 p.m. In addition, there are raw bar specials and a Nikki VIP gold card offering free lounge chairs, towels, parking and 20 percent off food and drinks for up to two guests Monday through Friday. The card is honored at all Nikki Beach locations worldwide.

Finally, for those who still think there's a serious dearth of live music in Miami Beach, consider PopRox, 2701 Collins Ave. in the space formerly known as The Office. PopRox's purpose? Live music. PopRox is owned by a trio of music biz guys: Robert Ziehm, Tony Alarcon and A.B. Quintanilla. Despite its name -- which reminds us of a cheesy NYC club we used to frequent -- PopRox features rock, reggae and pretty much everything in between with some high tech lighting and drink specials. Check out Tuesday's Jam Sessions from 9-10 p.m. and two for one drinks from 10 to 11 p.m. Cover is $5. And while all these fab deals seem to be a dime a dozen these days, imbibe at your own risk because, like the summer sun, deals can be deceiving. Before you know it, you'll be burned just like that crimson-hued lady at the bar at Smith & Wollensky.

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