Club Directory

Owl's Nest: What came first, the Hooters or the Owl's Nest? Patrons can bask in the irony of the fact that the two establishments share the second floor of the building at Fifth Street and Mill in Tempe. And the lively Owl's Nest does indeed have the feeling of a roost, with few windows and a rustic, wooden dance floor.

Mon: Metal-Head Mondays.

Tue: Live music.

Thu: Ladies' night.

Fri and Sat: DJ.

Sun: Hospitality Night. 501 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-967-3060.

Paco-Paco: 3045 N. 16th St., 602-263-8424.

Paisley Violin: A restaurant with a casual work lunch crowd and enormous deli sandwiches, the music, entertainment and atmosphere are the real draw of this local secret. Relax in the eclectic atmosphere, buy some of the constantly revolving art collection, or lie back on the couch and watch the scene unravel into a mecca of comfortable cool -- chic art and local street musicians are often part of the ambiance. 128 E. Roosevelt St., 602-254-7843.

Pasta Brioni: This Scottsdale restaurant/club advertises Neighborhood Italian Dining, promising to treat you like a favorite cousin.

Tue: Industry Night. DJ Rob Wagner spins groovy house music. 4416 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale, 480-994-0028.

Pat Murphy's Pub and Grill: A drinking man's pool hall-cum-neighborhood blues bar, Pat Murphy's has no stage to speak of, leaving blues bands no option but to man a back wall. But you can't beat 6 a.m. hash browns and bourbon for that good morning, world, how are you? feeling.

Wed and Sun: Blues jam with the Rocket 88's.

Fri-Sat: Live blues band. 3215 E. Thomas Rd., 602-522-0669.

Philthy Phil's Night Club: 2939 N. 16th St., 602-279-4339.

PHiX: 1113 Grand Ave., 602-252-7449.

PI: The owners of Boston's (RIP) kept the old strip-mall bar pretty much the same way it's been for 25 years -- pool tables, shuffleboards, dartboards. But at night, the lights dim for live entertainment in a lounge atmosphere.

Thu: Blunt Club, featuring spoken word, poetry and open mike with DJ spinning acid jazz and trip-hop.

Fri-Sat: Live music. 5014 S. Price Rd., Tempe, 480-897-1466.

Pinnacle Peak Patio: Red-checkered tablecloths tell you this is cowboy country, but it's the capacity that really ropes you in: Nearly 600 dancers and eaters can be herded into the main room, featuring a massive dance floor for fans and a stage for the nightly bands.

Mon-Thu: Live country music.

Fri-Sun: Mainstream country tunes from the Stragglers. 10426 E. Jomax Rd., Scottsdale, 480-585-1599.

Remington's Restaurant: 7200 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-948-3001.

Rhythm Room: Local blues impresario and killer harmonica player Bob Corritore's passion for roots music attracts legends such as John Hammond and other touring acts to his intimate, energetic Rhythm Room that would otherwise skip town. That passion also attracts the Valley's most diverse audience -- old, young, black, white. Doors open at 8. 1019 E. Indian School Rd., 602-265-4842.

Rio Salado Brewing Co. Salt River Saloon: Thank the Rio Salado Brewery for this cramped but vibrant Mill Avenue drinking hole. With its red-brick-lined interior and classic wooden tables, the place has a classic microbrewery feel, and lovers of Rio Salado's beers can definitely mark this one down as a pub crawl destination.

Mon-Sun: Live music. 605 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-829-6775.

Rodeo Nights: Grab your boots and hat and take a swing on this enormous dance floor. Or walk a few feet to one of the seven full-service bars. Or try the pool tables, or slip away for a quieter rendezvous under the flashing lights of a saddle covered in mirror-ball tiles.

Thu: Male revue.

Sat: Male revue plus country dancing lessons. 4029 N. 33rd Ave., 602-279-3800.

The Rogue: The jukebox spins both Gene Vincent and Motörhead, which may explain why skateboarders, cowboys, and Vespa and Harley riders are all drawn to this dark roadhouse.

Mon: Fifty Cent PBR.

Fri: Live music.

Sat: Punk rock DJ. 423 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-947-3580.

Roman's Oasis: Out here, in the far reaches of the West Valley, legions of laid-back folks in cowboy boots scoot to live country-western music on Friday and Saturday nights. Other high points: good grub, a sociable staff, karaoke five nights a week and -- raise my rent! -- never a cover charge. 16825 W. Yuma Rd., Goodyear, 623-932-0922.

Rula Bula: An authentic Irish pub designed, dismantled, transported to Tempe and then reassembled! Acoustic performers and small groups keep the rousing Irish music flowing while the bar serves an array of pints and lagers.

Tue: Walt Richardson.

Thu-Sat: Live music. 401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-929-9500.

Rustler's Rooste: A real live bovine inhabits a large pen next to the entrance, a variety of beers flow from the tap, and a nice view of the East Valley are some of the amenities at this popular tourist destination with a ranchlike feel.

Tue-Sat: Peso Dollar Band. 7777 S. Pointe Pkwy. West, 602-431-6474.

The Rusty Spur Saloon: A genuine historic landmark in Old Town Scottsdale, this watering hole slaked cowboys' thirsts long before Southwestern art galleries with crying Indians surrounded it. Now, it's a fine place for hearing historic Willie Nelson covers. Live entertainment every day and every night.