BEST C&W NIGHTSPOT

With the granddaddy of Valley country clubs, Mr. Lucky's, closing last month, Handlebar-J, near the intersection of Scottsdale Road and Shea (a now prime piece of real estate it's occupied since the '60s), has become the default "king of clubs" for country music fans. Anchored by the Herndon Brothers Band, featuring loyal sons of original house band leader Brick Herndon -- including CMA award-winning recording artist Ray Herndon, who still makes it home from Nashville on a regular basis to play with the bro's -- the Handlebar is the only honky-tonk in town offering live country music seven days a week.

The club's "Outlaw Connection" nights, hosted by Waylon Jennings' widow Jessi Colter, was recently carried live on Sirius and launched the satellite network's Outlaw Country channel.

Yee-haw! Readers' Choice: Graham Central Station