Readers' Choice

• Arts & Entertainment
• Bars & Clubs
• Food & Drink
• People & Places
• Shopping & Services
• Sports & Recreation

• Best Neighborhood Activist

  Brett Paulson

  When there's trouble in Belltown (and there often is), you're going to hear from this co-chair of Belltown Citizens on Patrol, a group that's become a model for how neighbors can work with the cops to try to get their 'hood in hand.… More >>

• Best Female Band Member

  Rachel Flotard

  She sings about complicated romance as the head of power-pop band Visqueen, but there’s nothing complicated about your feelings for the queen of witty stage banter—you straight-up love her.… More >>

• Best Establishment to Be At When It's Last Call

  The 5 Point Cafe

  Mostly because they'll be serving great food all night—by a staff that manages to be at once efficient, unflappable, and sweet-natured. 415 Cedar St, 448-9993, the5pointcafe.com… More >>

• Best Hair Colorist

  Gary Manuel Salon

  This longtime downtown hothouse can transform anyone's locks from lackluster to celebrity status. 2127 First Ave., 728-1234, garymanuel.com… More >>

• Best Recession-Friendly Shopping

  Value Village

  A zen-like attitude of acceptance will take you far in this store. Maybe you didn't come in looking for moon boots or a vintage fur stole, but by God you've got them now. 1525 11th Ave. and other locations, 322-7789, valuevillage.com… More >>

• Best Tycoon/Entrepreneur/Web-preneur

  Bill Gates

  With his Microsoft billions, he's like a real-life version of the Great Gatsby, only without, you know, the bootleg liquor, cheating spouses, and death of the American dream.… More >>

• Best Dog Run

  Magnuson Park

  All dogs go to heaven, but the very, very good ones get to come here, where they can splash in Lake Washington and gambol across nine acres.… More >>

• Best Phrase to Spray-Paint on the Side of the SLUT

  "Ride me"

  It's short but sweet (that's what she said). Other creative suggestions included "Even your mother hops on," "The only slut that doesn't go all the way," and "Is that an Orca in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?"… More >>

• Best Grocery-Store Deli

  Metropolitan Market

  Variety, efficiency, and good taste, at a store that doesn't overwhelm you with choices. 100 Mercer St., 213-0778, and other locations, metropolitan-market.com… More >>

• Best Music Venue for New/Strange/Global Sounds

  The Triple Door

  The creative booking at this club under Wild Ginger always gives you something to discover. 216 Union St., 838-4333, thetripledoor.net… More >>

• Best Gallery/Museum Exhibit of the Last 12 Months

  "Kurt" at SAM

  You've got one more month to see a Seattle legend chronicled, interpreted, and deconstructed.… More >>

• Best Venue for a Girls' Night Out

  Neighbours

  Despite reports of clandestine straight men lurking, this club remains a "safe space" for an unapologetic good time. 1509 Broadway Ave., 324-5358, neighboursnightclub.com… More >>

• Best Indie Clothing Store

  Red Light

  You can't buy hipster street cred, but these guys sell all the ingredients for it. It's like raiding your parents' closet, if your parents were Twiggy and MC Hammer. 312 Broadway E., 329-2200, and the U District, redlightvintage.com… More >>

• Best Place/Provider for Naturopathic Care

  Bastyr Center for Natural Health

  At the biggest naturopathic clinic in the U.S., advanced Bastyr students, under faculty supervision, work their magic. (Or rather, their science.) 3670 Stone Way N., 834-4100, bastyr.edu… More >>

• Best Casino

  Tulalip Resort Casino

  With a resort tower attached to the cavernous gaming area (full of bustling attendants), lucky winners can afford to spend the night. 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip, 360-716-6000, tulalipcasino.com… More >>

• Best Dim Sum

  Jade Garden

  Jade was considered an imperial gem in ancient China, but the reasonable prices of the egg custards, honey-walnut shrimp, and other delicacies here cost far less than a princely sum. 424 7th Ave South, 622-8181… More >>

• Best Place for Innovative Cocktails

  Zig Zag Café

  Even after Murray is named the best bartender in America, his place is still as welcoming and unpretentious as ever. 1501 Western Ave., 625-114, zigzagseattle.com… More >>

• Best Local TV Personality

  Steve Pool

  Even when the sky is gray, KOMO's weathercaster keeps the days bright with his chipper personality and thousand-watt smile.… More >>

• Best Local Musician Deserving National Attention

  Hey Marseilles

  This septet's fanciful, baroque pop has become a Seattle sensation, and the rest of the country is starting to catch on.… More >>

• Best Place to Buy Affordable Art

  Pike Place Market

  Just north of the fruit, fish, and flowers, a trove of trinkets and more. 85 Pike St., 682-7453, pikeplacemarket.org… More >>

• Best Hotel Bar

  The W

  Sleek is the word. And an intriguing out-of-towner with an expense account is likely to be seated nearby. 1112 Fourth Ave, 264-6000… More >>

• Best Selection of Vinyl

  Easy Street Records

  LPs and EPs from every band you've heard of, ones you've never heard of, and probably ones that don't exist yet. 4559 California Ave. S.W., 938-3279, and other locations, easystreetonline.com… More >>

• Best Shop for Furniture

  IKEA

  Also, assembling it together can be a great test of your relationship. 601 S.W. 41st St., Renton, 425-656-2980, ikea.com… More >>

• Best Park for People-Watching

  Green Lake

  Chief advantage: The hottie you spotted will likely come around again.… More >>

• Best Sandwiches

  Paseo

  They open at 11. And that's when you should get here if you want a sure shot at the pork. 4225 Fremont Ave. N., 545-7440. Also in Ballard. paseoseattle.com… More >>

• Best Cupcake

  Trophy Cupcakes

  It's always a hard-fought battle among the city's cupcake titans, but Trophy takes the prize, deliciously. 1815 N. 45th St., 632-7020, and other locations, trophycupcakes.com… More >>

• Best Neighborhood Blog

  West Seattle Blog

  From the death of a Chief Sealth High School grad in Afghanistan to the new hand dryers in the Camp Long restrooms, the scoop on all points west can be found here.… More >>

• Best Arts Event/Venue for Picking Someone Up

  SAM First Thursdays

  The paintings aren't the only things worth eyeing when the doors are thrown open downtown once a month. 1300 First Ave., 654-3100, seattleartmuseum.org… More >>

• Best Band to See if You Feel Like Dancing

  U.S.E

  They've been resting their cheery selves for a little while lately, but some of the members are back in the band Wonderful, which plays this week at Havana Social Club.… More >>

• Best Hip-Hop Night

  Nectar Lounge

  DJs, live performances, even karaoke—this club's many hip-hop showcases deliver the goods. 412 N. 36th St., 632-2020, nectarlounge.com… More >>

• Best Office for Dino Rossi to Run for Next

  Dogcatcher

  Lucky for him, it's not an elective office.… More >>

• Best Shoe Store

  Nordstrom

  Shoes are how they first made their name, and how they keep swallowing your paycheck. 500 Pine St., fifth floor, 628-1670, shop.nordstrom.com… More >>

• Best Bike Shop

  Gregg's

  They took command of the race years ago with huge selection and great service, and then never let up. 7007 Woodlawn Ave. N.E. and other locations, 523-1822, greggscycles.com… More >>

• Best Outdoor Dining

  The Pink Door

  The patio has an old Seattle charm that's never been replicated. 1919 Post Alley, Pike Place Market, 443-3241, thepinkdoor.net… More >>

• Best Washington Winery

  Chateau Ste. Michelle

  When it comes to wine, we stick close to home. The concerts are fun, too. 14111 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, 425-415-3300… More >>

• Best Local Radio Show (Talk)

  The Men's Room on KISW

  Don't let the quasi-misogynistic veneer fool you: These jocks are cohesive, sharp, and as consistently funny a drive-time team as can be found in Puget Sound.… More >>

• Best MC

  Geologic

  Holding down the pulpit while partner DJ Sabzi conducts business in NYC, Geologic has been living up to the Blue Scholars' name by teaching on hip-hop at the UW.… More >>

• Best Movie Theater

  Majestic Bay

  Clean and well-run, this 10-year-old Ballard establishment is a labor of love for its owners. And they don't gouge you on the candy or soda either. 2044 N.W. Market St., 781-2229, majesticbay.com… More >>

• Best Place to Be Able to Hear Your Friends Talk

  The Sitting Room

  Sexy lighting and an energetic but unobtrusive soundtrack make it the perfect spot to grab a drink and figure out what the hell you just saw at On the Boards. 108 W. Roy St., 285-2830, the-sitting-room.com… More >>

• Best Jeweler

  Green Lake Jewelry Works

  When you want something custom and unusual, they take the time to co-create it. 550 N.E. Northgate Way, 527-1108, greenlakejewelry.com… More >>

• Best Shoe Repair

  Swanson's Shoe Repair

  It's worth the trek to Wallingford for expert work that'll cost you a lot less than another trip to Nordstrom. 2305 N. 45th St., 633-3434… More >>

• Best In-City Hiking Trail

  Discovery Park

  Walk a few feet down the trail and you might think you've stumbled into the depths of Harry Potter's Forbidden Forest, complete with magically dense greenery. But does the Forbidden Forest eventually give way to sweeping views of the sunset over Puget Sound? We thought not.… More >>

• Best Restaurant for a First Date

  Bleu Bistro

  The secluded booths let romance flower. And even if the date wilts, you'll have no regrets about your grilled cheese. 202 Broadway E., 329-3087… More >>

• Best Indie Coffee House

  Vivace

  They survived the wrecking ball and kept their loyal following. 532 Broadway E., 860-5869, and other locations, espressovivace.com… More >>

• Best Theater Company

  ACT Theatre

  Last month's production, The Female of the Species, showed how ACT stays so popular: by finding the sweet spot where expert artistry and engaging entertainment meet. 700 Union St., 292-7676, acttheatre.org… More >>

• Best Club to Catch Up-and-Coming Bands

  Neumos

  The Capitol Hill kingmaker for bands looking to get noticed. 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467, neumos.com… More >>

• Best Happy Hour

  McCormick & Schmick's

  Our music editor, Chris Kornelis, has been unable to reach closure over last year's cheeseburger prices increase. The rest of you have moved on. 1103 First Ave. and other locations, 623-5500, mccormickandschmicks.com… More >>

• Best 2 a.m. Hangover Prevention Snack

  Dick’s

  There are lots of sidewalk vendors these days, but those dogs still can't outrun a Dick's burger. 115 Broadway E. and other locations, 323-1300, ddir.com… More >>

• Best Place for Urban Crafts

  Urban Craft Uprising

  The dresses, bags, and crocheted cupcakes at this twice-yearly convocation are all handmade, unique, and fun to browse. Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, urbancraftuprising.com… More >>

• Best Sex-Toy Purveyor

  Babeland

  "Yeah, we've got that." And they'll show you how to use it, too. 707 E. Pike St., 328-2914, babeland.com… More >>

• Best Sports School/Camp

  Arena Sports

  Ten or 20 years from now, World Cup spectators will be honking the vuvuzelas for the kids currently training here. 4636 E. Marginal Way. S., 762-0606, and other locations, arenasports.net… More >>

• Best Ice Cream/Gelato/Custard

  Molly Moon's

  Crack is not on their approved list of local, mostly organic ingredients, which means there's some other explanation for the product's addictive qualities. Delightful creaminess is one possibility. 917 E. Pine St., 708-7947, mollymoonicecream.com… More >>

• Best Local Distillery

  Dry Fly Distilling

  The state's first new distillery since Prohibition couldn't have picked a better spot—virtually across the street from two college campuses. But they put out a fine product—their single-malt is as smooth as they come. 1003 E. Trent, Spokane, 509-489-2112, dryflydistilling.com… More >>

• Best Political Leader for Sheer Entertainment Value

  Mike McGinn

  Love him or hate him, the mayor is putting on quite a show. Possibly a horror show, but still...… More >>

• Best Club to Hear National Touring Acts

  Showbox at the Market

  With a capacity of about 1,100, it's right-sized for catching big names up close. 1426 First Ave, 628-3151, showboxonline.com… More >>

• Best Member of the City Council

  Nick Licata

  Whatever the issue confronting the city, Licata's take is likely to be the most interesting and unpredictable.… More >>

• Best Karaoke

  Ozzie's

  Don't stop believin' you can hit those high notes, Seattle—even though the bartenders at this perennial winner probably wish you would. 105 W. Mercer St., 284-4618, ozziesseattle.com… More >>

• Best Tattoo Parlor

  Slave to the Needle

  Ink you can swear by. And readers have for years. 508 N.W. 65th St., 789-2618. Also in Wallingford. slavetotheneedle.com… More >>

• Best One-Day Getaway

  Whidbey Island

  When you need to get away from it all (and then get back to it all pretty quickly), Whidbey's got the perfect blend of quaint, woodsy, and beachy. whidbeycamanoislands.com… More >>

• Best Restaurant to Expand Your Palate

  Poppy

  Jerry Traunfeld's Indian-inspired thalis—large plates filled with numerous small dishes—set up fascinating contrasts of flavors. 622 Broadway E. at Roy, 324-1108, poppyseattle.com… More >>

• Best Restaurant for a Last Date

  Dick's

  Nothing goes better with salty tears than a sweet Dick's shake. 115 Broadway E. and other locations, 323-1300, ddir.com… More >>

• Best Baked Goods

  Macrina

  Pleasant though it may be to ogle the crusty baguettes, flaky apple turnovers, and glistening lemon tarts through the window, eventually you're going to have to take your nose off the glass and go pony up. 2408 First Ave., 448-4032, and other locations, macrinabakery.com… More >>

• Best Seattle Band That Didn't Exist 12 Months Ago

  The Head and the Heart

  On their recent eponymous debut, the six-piece weds two of the most overdone subgenres of the decade so tastefully, you find yourself rooting once again for "that folksy indie-pop band with alt-country flavor."… More >>

• Best Local Radio Show (Music)

  John in the Morning (KEXP)

  From 6 to 10 a.m. weekdays, he shakes you out of your stupor with his free-association sets.… More >>

• Best Dive Bar

  Mecca Cafe

  Drowning your sorrows is so much more satisfying when everyone else is drunker and more hopeless than you. 526 Queen Anne Ave. N., 285-9728… More >>

• Best Burlesque Show/Night/Performer

  Can Can Castaways

  They've made a fabulously popular blend of burlesque, kung fu, acrobatics, and unnamed weirdness. Just try to get a ticket. 94 Pike St., 652-0832, thecancan.com… More >>

• Best Place to Splurge on Your Pet

  Mud Bay Granary

  You wouldn't stint on a gift for your best friend, would you? Of course not. That's why you come to this temple of cat-coddling and pooch-pampering. 321 E. Pine St. and other locations, 839-1144, mudbaygranary.com… More >>

• Best Salon

  Vain

  In a 'hood that puts a premium on high style, these talented, arty stylists rise to the top. 2018 First Ave., 441-3441, vain.com… More >>

• Best Place to Pretend You're Not in Seattle

  Alki Beach

  Smell the salty breeze. Observe the bronzed volleyball gods. Dig your toes into the sand. Welcome to California. And no, we don't mean California Avenue.… More >>

• Best Local Brewery

  Elysian Brewing Company

  Folks who complain about the excessive hoppiness of Northwest ales haven't tried the effortlessly drinkable Avatar Jasmine IPA—one of the reasons Elysian's become so popular, they've had to outsource some brewing to Colorado's New Belgium. 1221 E. Pike St. and other locations, 860-1920, elysianbrewing.com… More >>

• Best Farmers Market Stand

  Full Circle Farm

  Organic produce from the Snoqualmie Valley has readers getting to the farmers markets early, and signing up for CSA boxes too. 31904 N.E. Eighth St., Carnation, fullcirclefarm.com… More >>

• Best Non-Retired Seattle Athlete

  Ichiro

  He inspires hysteria just by brushing against his fans (Google "OMG Ichiro touched me" if you doubt us), so it's no surprise he swept this category.… More >>