After watching their biker bar in Emmett go up in flames in June 2009, Jona and John Rupnicki found a new location for Ruffnecks Bar in downtown North Topeka. With plenty of cold beer on tap and Jona's Indian tacos featured on Mondays, there's no better place to unwind. The bar's pace picks up with karaoke on Fridays and live music once a month on the weekend. (Updated 11.24.09)

This downtown nightspot stays thumping late with music every night and some of the most entertaining bartenders in town. Wednesdays start with open-mic poetry and comedy shows. Thursdays are 25 and older night. Fridays are college night. Saturdays are 21 and older night.

This roadhouse honky-tonk serves cold beer and a complete lineup of cocktails and mixed drinks at its full-service bar. The Thirsty Camel is big on Karaoke and Pool with 5 pool tables. On Friday and Saturday, Karaoke starts at 8pm. You'll find occasional national acts and you can view their calendar at http://calendar.yahoo.com/thethirstycameltopeka

This downtown north Topeka bar is huge but filled with cozy spots to enjoy drinks with friends in a smoke-free space. It features a main bar and second-floor Harley-Davidson decorated mezzanine bar to hold a combined 200 people. Upstairs, there’s banquet space for gatherings of more than 200. Bar features top shelf tequilas and frozen margaritas. Cameras and security escorts are focused on safety.

Where can you enjoy a daily drink special and the great outdoors at the same time? Jax, of course. Tucked away in the Walmart, I-470, water tower neighborhood in south Topeka, Jax offers awesome drink specials -- starting with $1 off anything over $3 on Mondays -- as well as an outdoor recreation area featuring volleyball, horseshoes and basketball. A tasty food menu will curb your appetite.

Midwest Elks Lodge 1441 has been in Topeka for more than 55 years. Members must fill out an application and pay dues. There are regular club meetings, and women's section and men's section. The nonprofit organization has talent contests and fundraisers for scholarships.

Veterans both young and old mix in this relaxed setting where cold beer is the perfect accompaniment to war stories or a game of Keno. Texas Hold ’Em and karaoke alternate as entertainment on Thursday nights. Mostly, it's a place where regulars can meet up -- an elite group that has the shared experience of foreign service.

Top of the Tower’s City Lights Lounge will mix whatever you want, but the real selling point for this private club that opened in 1968 is the view. The classic lounge on the top floor of the Bank of America building in downtown Topeka offers a stunning panorama of the city – the perfect place to take in the sunset while sipping a martini or glass of wine.

Take a break from the turnpike and unwind with a visit to this historic gentleman's club. Located east of Topeka at the intersection of US-40 Highway and Shadden Rd., The Fantasy -- once the site of a popular restaurant -- is a laid-back, country getaway with cold drinks and hot dancers. It also was the birthplace of Baby Dolls, now located in South Topeka.

It doesn't get any better than sports and strippers, and Topeka Sports Cabaret features both. The wood-paneled, 8,200-square-foot club (formerly Snafu's) boasts a 30-foot bar, two stages for dancers, two VIP rooms and a 15-foot big screen among its array of TVs. There are daily drink specials, a food menu ranging from corndogs to ribeye steaks and a Friday food buffet ($7) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.