Like many college towns, Ann Arbor offers up some eclectic nightlife. The Blind Pig (208 S. 1st St., 734/996-8555, www.blindpigmusic.com, Wed.–Mon., show times and ticket prices vary) was one of the first clubs outside of Seattle to give Nirvana a boost; besides rock ’n’ roll, the hip space features reggae and blues artists.

The city’s gay community convenes Friday night at the New York–style Necto (516 E. Liberty, 734/994-5436, www.necto.com, 9 p.m.–2 a.m. Mon. and Thurs.–Sat., cover charges vary), a dance club that features a different theme each night, including industrial, top 40, and gay.

One of the best known of Ann Arbor’s clubs is The Ark (316 S. Main St., 734/761-1451, www.a2ark.org, show times and ticket prices vary), a 400-seat venue that has been hosting local, national, and international acoustic performers since 1965. The club moved to larger digs on South Main in the former Kline’s Department Store several years ago, but the philosophy is the same: Book the best of folk and roots musicians. Period.