If there are only three requisites in a student's life, those are books, bars and caffeine. Here's a thumbnail glance at some of the best places where students can find their study aids, blow off steam, then get it together for the next day's workout.

Daylight: Bookstores

This 25-year-old independent bookstore in Carmel specializes in mysteries, travel and local history, but has books of all types on its shelves, including N.Y. Times bestsellers and a large selection of marked-down books in the back of the store. Ocean and Junipero, Carmel Plaza, Carmel, 625-0440.

BOOKMARK

Bookmark prides itself on being a performing arts bookstore, and carries everything from sheet music to scripts to books on dance, theater, music and media. If they don't have it in stock, they also do special orders. 307 Forest, Pacific Grove, 648-0508/ 800-648-0508.

BOOKWORKS

A full selection of books and foreign and domestic magazines greets browsers at Bookworks. Expect to find great fiction, foreign-language literature, and local artists' postcards. 667 Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, 372-2242.

BORDERS BOOKS AND MUSIC

With the 100,000 titles and special order capabilities of Borders, you should be able to find any book you seek. The store highlights local authors and artists, and features kids' story-time hours, and many in-store performances. 2080 California, Sand City, 899-6643.

PILGRIM'S WAY

Metaphysics, philosophy and health are emphasized here. Pilgrim's Way also has an extensive collection of books on Native American culture, psychology, mythology, and a selection of greeting cards. Dolores between 5th and 6th, Carmel, 624-4955.

THUNDERBIRD BOOKSTORE

Inside the sidewalk gardens of the Barnyard Shopping Center, one of the oldest independent bookstores on the Monterey Peninsula offers books of all kinds and has a friendly, knowledgeable staff. The Whole Life center has health and self-help books, and there are weekly lectures and a book club. 3600 The Barnyard, Carmel, 624-1803.

WALDENBOOKS

A good selection of new fiction, computer books, mysteries, science fiction and general magazines. If you need a new paperback at a discount, Waldenbooks probably has it. 222 Del Monte Center, Monterey, 373-0987/ Northridge Shopping Center, Salinas, 449-8028.

USED BOOKS

Athena's Bookshop, 265 Reservation, Marina (behind McDonald's), 883-9323

Bassett Books, 800 Lighthouse, Monterey, 655-3433

The Book End, 245 Pearl, Monterey, 373-4046

Book Haven, 559 Tyler, Monterey, 333-0383

Books and Things, 224 Lighthouse, Monterey, 655-8784

The Book Worm, 600 Lighthouse, Monterey,375-4208

Family Book Center, 144 E. Laurel, Salinas, 759-2665

Lighthouse Books, 801 Lighthouse, Monterey, 372-0653

Old Monterey Book Co., 136 Bonifacio, Monterey, 372-3111

Old Capitol Books, 639A Lighthouse, Monterey, 375-2665.

Nighttime: The Clubs

611 Lighthouse, Monterey, 372-5565. One of the main hangouts for expatriate UK immigrants, the Bulldog serves more beer than you can drink and food 'til about midnight.

CHARACTERS SPORTS BAR AND GRILL

350 Calle Principal, Monterey, 647-4023. This quintessential sports bar boasts 12 TV screens and an extensive menu to work off the appetite that comes from cheering.

CLUB OCTANE

Alvarado and Del Monte, Monterey, 646-9244. DJs deliver house, trance, industrial and gothic music in an-edgy urban setting.

CROWN AND ANCHOR PUB

150 W. Franklin, Monterey, 649-6496. This downstairs pub offers a mellow, relaxing atmosphere with great food in a convenient location for MIIS and DLI students.

DAKOTA'S CORRAL

808 N. Main, Salinas, 424-8661. Dakota's Corral is popular for country music and dancing, just the place to get your line-dancing fix.

DUFFY'S TAVERN

282 High, Monterey, 372-2565. A combination neighborhood tavern, family restaurant and hangout for the DLI students right next door, Duffy's is a comfortable place to hang.

EASY STREET BILLIARDS

511 Tyler, Monterey, 333-0825. With 13 pool tables and seven beers on tap, Easy Street is a good place to work on hand/eye coordination while racking 'em up.

ENGLISH ALES

223 Reindollar, Marina, 883-3000. Using traditional English brewing recipes, English Ales makes seven varieties of beer, served either on tap or by the cask. Munchies at the cafe range from burgers to fish 'n' chips.

LALLAPALOOZA

474 Alvarado, Monterey, 645-9036. This restaurant and martini bar in downtown offers big steaks, seafood, a full bar and a line of specialty martinis to an upscale crowd of all ages.

LIGHTHOUSE BAR & GRILL

281 Lighthouse, Monterey, 373-4488. Fave local hangout that offers CD music and is open 'til 2am, seven days a week.

LONDON BRIDGE PUB

Fisherman's Wharf #2, Monterey, 655-2879. Another favorite hangout for the expatriate UK community, the Bridge frequently has live music on weekends and Monday's "Smarty Pants" trivia night has a big following.

THE MUCKY DUCK

479 Alvarado, Monterey, 655-3031. Traditional British fare combined with 18 beers on tap, the cozy pub atmosphere inside, a heated garden patio outside and a mix of live and DJ music make the Duck a favorite hang for a wide range of people.

OCEAN THUNDER

214 Lighthouse, Monterey, 375-3056. To call OT a biker bar is to sell it short; it's also a comfortable neighborhood bar with live blues and rock on weekends, and a patio out in back for Sunday barbecues.

THE PENNY FARTHING TAVERN

9 E. San Luis, Salinas, 424-5652. In addition to the darts and British atmosphere, the Penny Farthing has more than 10 beers on tap, live entertainment and a late night menu.

PETER B'S BREWPUB

DoubleTree Hotel, Portola Plaza, Monterey, 649-4511. The Carmel Brewing Co. makes (and serves) all its beers and ales here while offering plenty of filling food--from pizzas to burgers.

PLANET GEMINI

625 Cannery Row, Monterey, 373-1449. National and regional comedians dominate the weekend scene at Planet Gemini, but after the laughter fades, there is a spacious dance floor that gets plenty of action (from Salsa to Top 40) throughout the week.

SLY MCFLY'S

700 Cannery Row, Monterey, 649-8050. Blues and jazz are the principal offerings here, with national and regional bands performing on Friday and Saturday nights. The place has a good vibe that attracts a crowd ranging from their 20s to their 60s.

VIVA MONTEREY

414 Alvarado, Monterey, 646-1415. While Viva's music schedule is in a constant state of evolution, Goth night on Tuesdays is a mainstay and the bar is a popular watering hole for people in their 20s and 30s.

The Morning After:
Coffee Houses & Cafés

Tucked away down a beautiful garden lane, Caffé Cardinale boasts Carmel's only on-site coffee roaster. Featuring 25 daily roasts, baked goods, cheese and sandwiches, with dining inside or outside in their beautiful patio. Open from 7am each morning until 6pm. Ocean and Dolores, Carmel, 626-2095.

CARAVALI PACIFIC GROVE

Our readers rave about Caravali's dark, rich cappuccino and espresso, along with their iced specialty coffee drinks and tasty pastries. A great place to grab your morning bagel or lunch-time salad. Presenting an airy atmosphere and big-town sophistication right at home in beautiful Pacific Grove. 510 Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, 655-5633.

CARMEL VALLEY COFFEE ROASTING CO.

With a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of pastries to pacify your sweet tooth, the Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Company is a locals' favorite. Three locations in Carmel and Carmel Valley. 319 Mid Valley Center, Carmel Valley, 624-5934/3720 The Barnyard, Carmel, 620-0844/Lincoln and Ocean, Carmel, 626-2913.

CHERRYBEAN GOURMET COFFEEHOUSE

Located in Oldtown Salinas, the Cherrybean is a favorite hangout, as well as a great watering hole for visitors. Featuring a variety of fine coffees, with sandwiches and pastries to match. Situated just down the street from the Steinbeck Center, surrounded by a variety of unique shops. 332 Main, Salinas, 424-1989.

GROUND ZERO

Complementing their varieties of house brews, Ground Zero has created a great menu of specialty drinks, ranging from a Fireball (macadamia and coconut coffee) to a Mint Missile (creme de cacao and Irish cream). Juices and smoothies are available, as well as a full lunch menu, pastries and muffins. 1134 S. Main, Salinas, 757-5282.

JUICE 'N' JAVA

This fun, lively hangout features four fruit and five veggie drinks with a fireplace to boot! Along with several varieties of coffee, they have a great selection of soup, sandwiches, burritos, steamed veggies and pastries. 599 Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, 373-8652.

MORGAN'S COFFEE & TEA

Morgan's is a funky place in a funky stone building, with great coffee roasted on the spot. Also on the menu are beer and wine, exotic teas, baked goods, and even Turkish coffee. Comfy seating and tables; a great place to read or hold conversation. 498 Washington, Monterey, 373-5601.

STARBUCKS

The Starbucks coffee chain's coffees can be found in mugs in almost every city in America now, and this popularity should come as no surprise. Starbucks is overflowing with a vast assortment of drinks, food, and coffee-related accessories for the java enthusiast. 492 Del Monte Center, Monterey, 642-0736; 461 Alvarado, Monterey, 373-8575; 2160 California, Sand City, 394-1236.

WILDBERRIES

This coffeehouse/cafe prides itself on freshness, from the food and drinks to the atmosphere. Featuring a light lunch and dinner menu, as well as baked goods, full coffee bar, teas and herbal tonics. Located in a great old Pacific Grove house, just off of Lighthouse. 212 17th, Pacific Grove, 644-9836.