ING

Ing has a sophisticated, swanky appeal that's nice if you want a sharp-looking space to complement your upscale cocktails. There's no better way to feel cooler, smarter, and sexier than you really are than with some down-tempo beats. Ing, 1526 Bellevue Ave, 329-5388, 10 pm-2 am, 21+, free.

TOUCH

Brent Laurence and Wesley Holmes are bumpin' the Backdoor Ultra Lounge's sound system into overdrive with chunky, soulful house. Be warned, though--sometimes the Pioneer Square dude factor is high. Backdoor Ultra Lounge, 503 Third Ave, 622-7665, 10 pm-2 am, 21+, $10.

LIFE

Uniting Souls and Viva! are real playas within the local house scene, and they know how to bring the party. This month it's Rick Preston (Viva!, Afterhours, Glasgow Underground) playing deep house, along with DJ Riddler (Uniting Souls, S.F.) and our own no-hands mixing phenomenon Jerome E. Nail. Baltic Room, 1207 Pine St, 625-4444, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $10.

I (HEART) SHIVA

With a live tabla player, Peter Madril bangin' bhangra remixes of "Get Your Freak On," and a strong Indian-community following, I quickly felt my kundalini rising, if ya know what I mean. This night is a refreshing alternative to what you might be used to dancing to. Tantra, baby! Baltic Room, 1207 Pine St, 625-4444, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $5.

LOOP LOOP

Live jazz, electronics, and beats, with tables arranged in a low-key, candlelit lounge fashion, goes well with Chop Suey's narcotic lighting. Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison, 324-8000, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $5.

FRESH CANDIES

Chris Field (from the Corner Bar), Philip Eno, and, ahem, yours truly are throwin' a midweek party smack dab in the center of Capitol Hill, with soulful tech house cuts so retarded you'll wanna slap yo' mamma! Des Amis Lounge is an intimate little spot sandwiched between the Wild Rose and Caffé Vita--it's as easy as that! Des Amis Lounge, 1013 E Pike St, 322-0703, 9 pm-2 am 21+, free.