You got to know when to hold 'em,
Know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away
And know when to run.
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done.

Why do we include picks for eats and drinks in our annual Best of Burque? Because we can. And also because without the fantastic food and luscious libational offerings here in the 505, we'd be just as boring as those other cities with no red or green. So read up, keep eating it up, and expect a full-on report for your esculent sensibilities in our annual Reader's Choice Restaurant Poll coming up in the fall. And remember, being in Albuquerque is a lot like being in Valhalla, only with tortillas and horchata.

So here we are again. It's a new year, folks, and with it comes a new summation from our readers on the best (and in many cases worst) aspects of life in our beloved city. Who do we blame for the failures of our simple metropolis? Who do we cheer for getting things right? And, perhaps most importantly, where should we go for the best knock-down, drag-out night of bowling this side of Santa Fe? (Please tell me it's a place with karaoke.)

The sun goes down. The city lights up. We pour out into the night, our day's pay burning holes the size of pint glasses in our pockets. We look for a quiet corner, a little action or a night on the town. A slice of heaven right here on earth or something just a bit naughty. We love the night life. In this year's poll, you spoke up about your favorite Albuquerque haunts--whether you're out for a rollicking night of live local music, after-work cocktails with the girls, a game of pool at the Anodyne or a double feature at the Guild. It's all here. On the off-chance you don't see a category or business you feel deserves some attention, don't feel shy about sending us your suggestions. We work hard so you can play hard, all night long.

On the face of it, Burque seems like an ordinary, blue-collar, beer-steak-and-potatoes kind of town. Of course, for those who know it well, nothing could be further from the truth. Scratch a couple millimeters beneath its dusty surface, and you'll find a whole wide world of weird.

It's the American way. Indeed, many of this year's voters have a predilection for venturing down the florescent aisles of the megachains—which is also the American way. But this is the Best of Burque, folks. So you're going to have to let the giant franchises go. Trust us. They can take care of themselves. Instead, raise your glass and swipe your credit card for the local businesses with unique goods and funky flare. Here's to the stores that have snagged your hearts—and a little something from your pocketbooks.

Best City Political Stinkeroo

The 30-day Session. “We didn't have time" is now officially inexcusable. Thanks for the minimum-wage increase. Idiots.

Best Community Action Group

Is there anyone taking young people into the fray better than the Southwest Organizing Project right now?

Best Use of Local Tax Dollars

Best Wine Shop

Trader Joe's. I like the selection. You can get good wine at a cheap price. Two Buck Chuck is my favorite.

Best Downtown Bar

Anodyne. The bartenders are not stingy with the alcohol. It's just a nice environment to hang out. A huge variety of people hang out there.

Best Outdoor Mural

Best Community Action Group

NMPIRG. They've done a great job canvassing neighborhoods across the city and making people aware of the most important citywide issues, environmentally and politically.

Best Local Crackpot

Best Elected City Official

I'll take Brad Winter just so I can be different than everybody else. I think Brad Winter is the most up-front guy on the old City Council. I don't really know the new Council. He takes care of his constituents the best he can and tries to do what's best for Albuquerque.

Best Breakfast

I'd say the Frontier. The year I spent in California was miserable because I couldn't have a Frontier breakfast burrito.

Best Use of Local Tax Dollars

I thought the late-night Rapid Ride in the summer was awesome. It provided a big-city service in a small town. I think they should get that going year-round. I used it weekend nights. I live Downtown, but it allowed me to go to Nob Hill, see friends, have a couple drinks and go back Downtown without the use of my car.

Best Coffee

Irysh Mac's is definitely the best coffee in town. We always get it from them on my shifts. We go just before they close. I always get a breve latte with a shot of vanilla. Sometimes I get a raspberry mocha. Keeps me going through the night.

Best Local Microbrew

I like Kelly's. It's inexpensive. I can go there with five dollars and get a couple pints. I like their imperial stout. I like dark beers. It's got to be amber or darker. I haven't had a bad beer there yet.

Best Venue in Which to Hear Live Music

That would have to be the Launchpad, hands-down.

Best Martini

Best Wasteful Use of Local Tax Dollars

The Tricentennial Towers. What I like to call “the most expensive way to say, 'Hey, Burque is 300 years old.'” Who needs street repairs and sewer lines when we can have two shiny 65-foot towers?

Best Waitress

Best All-You-Can-Eat

I love Tucano's! I won't lie, I'm the biggest carnivore.

Best Candy Store

Enchantment Chocolates. It's awesome—when you go in there, it's like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

Best Poet

I've seen Carlos Contreras perform a lot over the past few years, but at the 2005 National Poetry Slam in Albuquerque, this guy really came into his own. Contreras can slam into silence the rowdiest of crowds.

Best Hairstylist/Barber

Dominic. He's affordable, talented and fun to talk to. He's operating out of Ten O Two Park Avenue. Don't view the mess on my head as an example of his work. I haven't voyaged for consultation with this hair guru in a while.

Best Use of Local Tax Dollars

Main Library renovations. It looks like it's going to be worth it.

Best Women's Clothing

Relish—not the sandwich shop. It's a boutique in Nob Hill. They have a good selection, nice jeans.

Best Downtown Bar

The Distillery. The upstairs pool hall is nice. It's a good place to run into old friends.

Best Mural

The one by the Sunshine Theatre painted by the mayor's art program because I was part of it. It's a figure, he's kind of emerging. It's a little abstract. I wish I knew the name of the artist, but I don't.

Best Reason to Leave the House

New Mexico itself. We live in a beautiful state. We should get out and enjoy it more.

Best Use of Water

Showering. You stink-sacks know who you are.

Best Place to Smoke Inside

The Anodyne. And you can play a game of pool while you're at it.

Best Hairstylist/Barber

I can't imagine going to anyone but Rachel Sanchez at Hair Addiction. A friend, and hair idol, of mine referred me to her, and now I am referring all of my friends to Rachel. She's wonderful.

Best Bowling Alley

Eu-Can Bowl. I like it because the bowling area is nonsmoking, but you can still smoke in the gallery part. It makes everybody happy. It's a good mixture for smokers and nonsmokers. And, of course, they have galactic bowling.

Best Wine Shop

Best Radio Personality

Donnie Chase. I listen to the radio all the time. I think morning shows with him are funny. He's just a funny guy. I like it when he gets together with the husband-and-wife team on The Peak.

Best Bar

Copper Lounge. Because it's where my friends go, and I like how it's laid-back. You sit in a booth and vegetate. It's not that crazy. Most people think it's a dive bar, but it's pretty cool. Nice and clean. Good waitresses.