The Western Addition: a study in contradictions. Breathe in the scents of marijuana from the neighborhood’s numerous medicinal cannabis clinics intermixed with the aromas of mouthwatering, good ole’ Southern cooking. Listen for the wail of sirens keeping in tune with the salsa beats spilling out of a trendy nearby dance club. On a rainy night, Divisadero Street, the main street through the area, has few pedestrians; most of 'em are inside sipping cocktails at the numerous bars that dot the street, or shaking their groove thangs to the live DJs. The Western Addition, also known as NoPa (North of Panhandle) or the Divisadero Corridor, lies between the Haight and the Fillmore. Perhaps best known for its ethnic diversity – it’s been touted as one of the most multicultural areas in San Francisco – the neighborhood has undergone many changes throughout the years. Once labeled as a slum, it’s now an interesting mix of urban grit and trendy hipsters. Think Hunters Point meets the Marina, with a twist of Upper Haight thrown in. It all comes together in a culturally diverse neighborhood where its nightlife is as varied as those who walk its streets.

BLUE JAY CAFE
Home-style Southern cooking is the name of the game at Blue Jay Cafe, but don't be in a hurry to chow down right away. The smoky, cobalt room, speckled with locals artists' work (the painted ironing boards hanging on the wall are especially interesting), is the setting for a symphony of clinking glasses, a live DJ and hungry conversations. Only two servers worked the quickly filled restaurant on a Friday night, but you can easily pass time with the distraction of the cafe's complimentary homemade cornbread.

Appetizers include potato skins – baked and smothered in cheddar cheese, sour cream, bits of bacon and green onions – which were described as "unbelievable" by a seasoned potato-skin expert, and tender, crispy calamari. Choose from mouthwatering entrees, such as red snapper with a spicy kick, steaks (one that was ordered well-done and came medium-rare, a problem that was rectified immediately) and their famous fried chicken. Pick from a list of sides, from collard greens to yams to mashed potatoes, as a perfect accompaniment to each dinner. And in case the hefty portions aren't enough for the most famished soul, a warm flaky biscuit completes each meal.

Word to the wise: on Fridays, try to get in before 7 p.m. Around 8 p.m., the small restaurant fills up quickly. And for the serious boozers, the cafe offers only beer and wine, with the exception of $5 mimosas and mojitos.

Entrees: $10 to $15
919 Divisadero St. at McAllister Street, (415) 447-6066

CLUB WAZIEMA
Club Waziema is up Divisadero a couple blocks from Blue Jay Cafe. Its history as a jazz club is evident through its red velvet wallpaper and dimly lit rooms. Currently, though, it’s an Ethiopian restaurant, serving homemade bread – called injera – vegetarian dishes such as vegetable stew and collard greens, and meat-based dishes such as lamb stew and spicy chicken. Even though the aromas from the food are enticing, as one Ethiopian passerby mentioned, the food has gone downhill. After 10 p.m., the club stops serving food and the place turns into a bar until 2 a.m.

Waziema valiantly tries to cross that divide between restaurant and bar with lounge-style seating, a pool table and a chess board (although, c’mon …who really plays chess while they’re drinking?), but it still retains that restaurant-y feel, which doesn’t make it the best place for after-dinner partying. It does provide a full bar, complete with four different types of Ethiopian beer – three light and one dark – but the atmosphere is relaxed and the mood subdued, so for those looking for a meat-market type of bar, look elsewhere. Waziema is more appropriate for hanging out with friends and, perhaps, kicking ass and taking names in pool.

543 Divisadero St. at Hayes Street, (415) 346-6641
Entrees: $7.50 to $12.50
Cocktails: Average prices

POLENG LOUNGE
Poleng Lounge advertises itself as “the new destination for a wide range of premium tea, innovative small plates from Asia, playful cocktails, and eclectic nite [sic] life.” While it may have the former four down, the latter still leaves a bit to be desired.

The lounge itself is large, split into the Fireside Lounge in front, with the Temple Room in back. The whole place has a dark, trendy, indigenous artsy feel to it, with waterfalls and pseudo-banana trees dotting its walls, but despite Poleng’s best effort to provide yet another Asian-fusion atmosphere for the young and hip, the place was pretty much deserted by midnight on a Friday. Perhaps it was because of the sparsely attended private birthday party that was held in the back room. Or maybe it was the bartender, whose customer service skills could have used some improvement. Whatever it was, there was something about Poleng that didn’t quite gel — it makes the effort, but comes up short when it comes to the “eclectic nite life” it boasts.

Despite its shortcomings, though, Poleng does offer some positives. The bartender made some mean Stoli martinis and cosmos. And their martini glasses are quite drinker-friendly, with rims that curve inward to prevent spillage — something that is always appreciated. The lounge also offers more than 30 loose-leaf teas, including alcohol-infused teas for those who are feeling adventurous. And in an effort to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, the lack of a Friday night crowd made intimate conversation possible.

But at best, Poleng Lounge is like a decaf mocha latte — sure, it might seem like a good idea, but why bother?

Small plates: $6 to $10; Cocktails: $8; Teas: $2.95 to $4
1751 Fulton Ave. at Masonic Avenue, (415) 441-1710

MADRONE LOUNGE

Madrone Lounge has an arty living room vibe, reminiscent of the feng shui eye candy your ultra hip graphic designer friend would create. Check it out Friday, on international music night, "casa." Just when you want to sink into one of the comfy refurbished chairs to sip and chat, the place turns into a lil’ neighborhood dancehall filled with urbanites gyrating to a proper mix of reggae, soca and African tunes delivered by DJ Lucha Grande. Important note, ladies can groove here — sans uber machismo heavies trying to push the meat-marketing envelope. Big ups to the skilled bartender pouring five Long Islands at once! The grainy footage of a Bob Marley recording session circa 1960s projected behind was cool. Some talked, other showed serious dance skill, all seemed merry.

Drink specials each night.
Tuesday through Sunday: Featured DJs, bands, and dance
Local SF artists rotating
Monday- open slide shows, video, and board games
Happy Hour: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
500 Divisadero St. at Fell Street, (415) 241-0202