I can't really rank them, as they are all so different, so assume they're all tops.

The Vault- (146 N. College) A laid-back bar located in a former bank building (you can still see the actual Vault behind the bar!), this bar is a great place to sit on the patio, sit by the fire, or chat with new people.  Friendly, eclectic and entertaining, it's one of my favorites and a regular hang out.

Surfside 7- (150 N. College) Located just next door to the Vault, Surfside is a great place for anyone who is a little alternative in their attitude.  A hang out for the city's punks and hipsters, Surfside features some great bands, great pizza, and killer drink specials ($1 PBR?  Awesome.)  Plus, they have Betty Page pinups in the bathroom.  Double awesome.

Elliot's Martini Bar- (234 Linden Street) A classy joint with killer martinis, this is the place to take a date or to feel swanky on a night out.  I recommend the Limey, a great drink.
Trail Head Tavern- (148 W Mountain) Partnered with next-door-neighbor Steak Out, these bars are super laid back and feature a pretty interesting crowd.  Sweatshirts, relaxed jeans, dreadlocks or tivas seem to be a favorite attire here, so if you're looking just to chill in a place with people equally relaxed, this is the place.  Dollar beer specials and some great pool tables in the back bring in quite a crowd.  Plus the cheese fries are fantastic.  Yum!
Road 34- (1213 W Elizabeth) Outside of Old Town, this bar is a great place to get away from the usual Old Town crowd.  Sharing a building with a bike shop, this place is run by a group of young mountain bikers who are serious about their sport.  Hand-made bars and an innovative lay-out makes the place feel fresh, and the lists of bands are always fun to see.

But where to go? While there are plenty of classy options for a night out, nothing feels more cosmopolitan in this town than hitting Elliots Martini Bar (234 Linden Street) for a night of high-balls, cosmos or other custom martinis.

The atmosphere is swanky but unpretentious, with tall tables dotting the room and comfy, high backed booths for a more intimate setting. For larger groups, sitting in the window benches lets you not only enjoy the company, but watch the street scenes too.

The servers there are always a blast, and do their best to remember your favorite drink. I just have to walk in and Nico, one of the best there, always asks, "The regular?" (My particular choice is a double Limey, a citrus mix that gives you a good amount of tasty liquor.)

For those wanting something different, the unusual mixed martinis (such as "I'm Batman" or the Aphrodite) are delightfully different. The Key Lime pie is like a dessert in a glass.

Besides drinks (Elliots also serves beer, wine and other mixed cocktails) the food is also great. We tried the pesto cheese the other day, and it was rich and delicious.

For a high-end night of highballs and other drinks, try Elliots in Fort Collins.

I enjoyed the Black Opal Shiraz, a great wine at a decent price. The food is also quite delicious; The Crown Pub serves the standard fish and chips pub food, but also some upscale pasta dishes. Last night, the gnocchi got rave reviews from the diners.

One of the most unique and interesting stores around, the Fort Collins store Unsoled (105 East Laurel) offers fantastic variety of one-of-a-kind, specialty or other popular shoes.

With a wide selection of Nikes, Vans, Etnies, and Coupe de Grace are all favorites.

Ask owner Chris Weichart anything about his product, and he can fill you in. A shoe collector and lover for many years, Chris knows his stuff and is glad to share with anyone.

Also, with a pingpong table and a table-top game of Galactica in the shop, it's fun just to stop by, play a game and check out the shoes.

www.unsoled.com

At the Old Town location (261 South College), the interior is sharply decorated and a newly created lounge offers expansive and fantastic seating.

An extensive menu, my particular favorite is the yogurt parfait, and I have heard rave reviews of the croissant breakfast sandwich. Featuring home grown veggies and other organics, they make a strong showing for sustainability in their selection.

Located next to the historic Armstrong hotel, the location can't be beat and they brew a pretty mean cup of coffee. Marie in particular is a great barrista and always has something interesting to say.

At the second location (1033 Taft Hill), a loft with sofas and tables provides extra seating and a great opportunity for students to study.

www.mugscoffeelounge.com

Known for it's unusual decor, homey feel and colorful cast of characters (barrista and customers alike) the place is a hotbed of activity and one of the best places in the city to people watch.

For my money, you can't beat the late, late night shift. Trevor, one of the graveyard barristas, is a veritable font of philosophical information and always has something hilarious to say in the most offhand of manners. Meeting the late-night regulars is always a strange kick, and it's great to quickly check email for free while waiting for one of their individually brewed cups of fair trade coffees.

Other staff members are fun and usually make an effort to remember your name and favorite drink if you stop in often. Neal, the manager, has a particularly grandly dry sense of humor and a sense of fashion that just doesn't quit. Barrista Jonathan claims to make one of the best cappuccinos in town, and I can't disagree with that assessment. He can provide just the right amount of foam and milk.

With ceiling tiles painting by customers and shining copper counters, the place is an ever shifting hodgepodge of furniture and musical instruments. A community of sorts thrives in the environment, and artists and musicians flock to the locale.

For a great late night or just a splendid cup of coffee, the Alley Cat is tough to beat.

www.alleycatcoffeehouse.com

If you're anything like me, you live in mortal fear of looking identical to everyone else. It's tough to be an individual when we all tend to buy our clothes from the same big box stores.

With such a thirst for the unique, I was overjoyed to find local boutique Black Label, a Fort Collins clothing store that specializes in awesome one-of-a-kind, local and rock-and-roll apparel.

With a wealth of hot and hip clothes for guys and girls, I am particularly fond of the STUD line of tshirts. Created by an area designer, the shirts feature soft, vintage-feel tshirt material and have some cool images of pirate ships, guns, mermaids, skulls and punk cameos decorating them. I was thrilled to see the long sleeves and the thermal shirts for this chilly winter.

Besides the STUD line, the Sailor Jerry tshirts and other collectibles are exciting. A tattoo artist for the Navy for many years, Jerry developed a distinctive and stylish series of designs that range from pin-up girls to monkeys to slogans. "Stewed, Screwed and Tattooed" remains one of the Sailor Jerry brand mottos.

Rock Steady and Adeline also are available here, and you can't get much more rock and roll than these lines. Designed by Billy Joe of the band Green Day and his wife, the Adeline tshirts and jackets feature awesome images and messages. Really unique stuff!

Besides all of this, the store offers one-of-a-kind creations (dresses, hats and more) by local artists.

It's truly a hidden treasure for the hip in town.

While Fort Collins, Colorado might not exactly seem like a dining hot spot, you'd be surprised. Boasting an extraordinarily high number of restaurants per capita, you can find diverse, upscale and tasty eateries all over town.

For stepping out in Old Town, it's hard to go wrong with Sushi Jeju (238 South College Avenue). Located right in the midst of shopping, it's a great place to grab a delicious lunch or take out someone special for a stylish dinner.

Boasting dollar sushi lunch specials on weekdays and an extensive (and very fresh) sushi bar menu, Jeju is often hailed as the best sushi in Northern Colorado, and for my money can rival any Denver establishment.

Besides cool jazz on the speakers and skilled chefs, you can't find much better service than at Jeju. The staff is funny, attentive and knowledgable. If you want a particularly good meal, request Justin and he will rock your socks.

If chic is what you're looking for while in Fort Collins, Jeju is the place to be.

www.sushijeju.com

If you've ever looked north of Denver on the map, chances are you've seen Fort Collins marked in a big red star. Just a little over fifty miles north of Denver along I-25, Fort Collins deserves that big star, as it really is a jewel of the state.

The fifth-most populace city in Colorado, Fort Collins is a large University town with loads of history.

When the U.S. Army came into the area in 1864, they established Camp Collins along the Cache la Poudre River, only to decommission the fort a few years later after hostilities in the area settled down. By that time, however, a flood of settlers have moved into the area and the town began to grow.

Known in the early 1900s as an agricultural hot spot, the lamb industry along with farming took off in the settlement. In 1908, the Great Western Sugar Company set up a plant and workers came in droves to pick the sugar beet crops that supplied the sugar.

With such a thriving agricultural base, the government saw fit to establish a college, Colorado Agricultural College, which would later become Colorado State University. While CSU has grown in its offerings in everything from literature to science, the agricultural education at the school is still exceptionally strong and draws students and researchers from all over the world.

Today, Fort Collins is a thriving community with many industries, activities and other great qualities.

A haven for great beers (boasting breweries such as New Belgium, Odells, the Fort Collins Brewery and a Budweiser plant), unique eateries, historic hotels, outdoor adventures, superb shopping and other opportunities, you can't go wrong with a visit to the Fort. Indeed, the historic Old Town area itself is worth an afternoon of strolling (for trivia buffs: Old Town Fort Collins served as the model for Disneyland's Main Street.)

I'll keep you updated on the latest and greatest things to do in this city. Here's hoping you stop by soon!