A night out in Modesto can center on any number of venues. But whether you’re interested in dressing to the nines for an upscale ballet, or just keeping things T-shirt-and-jeans casual for a stand-up comic, the Gallo Center for the Arts is your one-stop shop for all forms of entertainment.

Located in the heart of Modesto’s thriving downtown district, the Gallo, as it’s commonly referred to, features a wide range of entertainment options. But an added attraction, not to be found on any of its promotional posters, is the fact it’s located a short walk from a plethora of downtown restaurants and watering holes.

“My husband, Doug, and I are huge fans of downtown Modesto. This past year, we’ve enjoyed some incredible shows at the Gallo,” said Modesto resident Melissa Van Diepen, who singled out “Hadestown,” and the comedy of Nikki Glaser as her favorite shows from this past year. “Whenever we’re downtown, we make it a point to grab dinner at one of the fantastic local restaurants. There are so many amazing options. It’s always tough to choose.”

There are a variety of options in downtown Modesto, ranging from Mexican (Taqueria Cadenas, Rancho Fresco), Italian (Galletto), Chinese (Noah’s Hof Brau), Japanese (Raw Sushi Bistro), Vietnamese (Phoenix Noodle House), Thai (Thailand Restaurant), Mediterranean (Papachino’s, D’Forno, Skewers), Nouvelle cuisine (Tresetti’s, Dewz, Fuzio’s, Surla’s, Camp 4), variety (Chinn’s International) or just classic pub fare (Bauer’s Bauhaus, Churchkey, Commonwealth, Sliders, Fox Pub, Food Fix).

“My ideal Modesto outing kicks off with cocktails at Intermission, where the Dirty West martini or the espresso martini are must-haves,” said Van Diepen, who is the chief philanthropy officer for Stanislaus Community Foundation. “For dinner, it’s always a tough choice between D’Forno, Chinn’s, Skewers, Raw, or Thailand.

“To top off the evening, we enjoy a show at the Gallo, the State Theatre, or the Prospect Theater. It’s the perfect blend of food, ambiance, and culture that makes me proud of Modesto.”

Modesto’s historic State Theatre also offers a variety of live acts and classic movies, and recently added a bar, called Intermission (accessible through the State or via a separate entrance at the corner of J and 13th streets), while the Prospect Theater Project features a smaller, more intimate setting.

But it’s the Gallo that consistently pulls in some of the biggest acts in show business, such as Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Steve Martin, Johnny Mathis, Wynton Marsalis, Melissa Etheridge, and Kristin Chenoweth, plus productions such as “Chicago,” “Book of Mormon,” “Hairspray,” and “Mean Girls,” while “Dear Evan Hanson,” “Pretty Woman,” and a return engagement for “Book of Mormon” are slated for this year.

Even if you just make a list with aforementioned venues and eateries, and throw a dart at that list, downtown Modesto guarantees you’ll hit a bull’s-eye for your night out on the town.