No Money? No Problem

A sampling of free or ultra-cheap places throughout the week:

All Sizes: Star Shoes, that one-stop bar and vintage-shoe headquarters, has great DJ nights throughout the week, but Friday nights seem to fit the feet especially well, when DJs pour funky soul off rare 7-inch records. 6364 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 462-7827.

Eastside: What’s making the dance room at Echo Park’s Short Stop so hot? Is it the poor ventilation, the music or the booty-bustin’ heat? All of the above. Check out Wednesday’s dub and dancehall sounds, while anything with a beat can and will be used on Saturdays. 1455 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park, (213) 482-4942.

Westside: Sundays feature progressive house sounds, but the best party at Santa Monica’s Circle Bar is on Tuesdays, with its jump-up blend of underground and big-radio hip-hop, with a little scratching thrown in. 2926 Main St., Santa Monica, (310) 450-0508.

Trance-Connection: Because trance doesn’t usually play well in bar (hard beats aren’t known for ringing up bar tabs like hip-hop does), the best bet for this type of dancing is the restless Moontribe party at Sugar on Tuesday nights, when the cover is just $2. 814 Broadway, Santa Monica, (310) 899-1989.

Rock-the-Bottom Prices: The best deal in Hollywood remains the Bud Brothers’ long-running Monday Social at Las Palmas. DJs spinning anything from ambient techno to new-school breaks. Print out a pass from the Web site and it’s free before 11 p.m. and $5 after. 1714 Las Palmas Ave., Hollywood, (323) 464-0171 www.budbrothers.com /freepass.

Gearing Up: The reopening of 360 later this month will relaunch its flagship evening, Tuesday night’s Beige, which attracted a cool-threaded mixed-gay crowd dancing to retro house, R&B; and old-school grooves. 6290 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 871-2995.