Nightlife in Lubbock

There are high-definition screens everywhere you look inside Nick's Sports Grill and Lounge. In addition to the 24 televisions that broadcast sporting events and knock-down-drag-out congressional hearings, a large projection screen hangs over a wooden bar where bartenders pour draft beers and more than a dozen wines. Behind the scenes, cooks whip up homemade chili and grill specialty burgers, such as the breakfast burger: a juicy patty capped in fried egg, bacon, and american cheese. For shareable meals, they also bake barbecue pizzas topped with chopped steaks and red onions.

Colorful art masterpieces brighten the walls of The Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room as diners enjoy a vast selection of wines by the glass and dip french-bread croutons into pots of rich cheese fondue. Other French-influenced entrees emerge from the kitchen in the form of seared shrimp wrapped in prosciutto, filet mignon au Povaire, and gourmet Kobe beef burgers served in berets. Guests can pair meals with their choice from 48 international wines stored in a self-serve Enomatics unit. This Italian-made technology stores a variety of bottles that can be dispensed in 1.5-, 3-, or 6-ounce pours at the perfect temperature through the use of a microchip card. The eatery's marble-topped bar stretches across an exposed-brick wall beneath sparkling glass light fixtures, which cast rays across vibrant blooms and linens tinted black and white like an old-timey TV broadcast.

Servers at Copper Caboose deliver fresh Mexican dishes such as housemade guacamole and sizzling fajitas to diners. The sports bar features six big-screen TVs as well as 11 booths each bedecked with its own private TV. Other entertainment options include twice-weekly Texas hold'em poker tournaments and free games pool until 7 p.m. every night.