Nicole Danis knows Scottsdale like the back of her manicured hand. It's a necessity in her line of work as head concierge for the Mondrian Scottsdale. If she's with gal pals, the night starts at such Scottsdale Waterfront spots as Upstairs at Estate House. "Their drinks are fabulous and are always fresh and organic, like the Rose Mojito, with actual rose petals in it," Danis says. Later, they might visit American Junkie, where shots are awarded to ladies that spin its wheel of fortune atop the bar. "I forget which shots I've won," she says. "It seems like every time I go there I walk out not remembering much." The next morning, Danis sometimes recovers with some "phenomenal gingerbread pancakes" at Daily Dose, a walk with Diva, her miniature Pinscher, or shopping at Canal District boutiques.
Mondrian Scottsdale
7353 E. Indian School Rd.
480-308-1100
mondrianscottsdale.com
Upstairs at Estate House
7134 E. Stetson Dr., #200
480-970-4099
estatehouseaz.com
American Junkie
4363 N. 75th St.
480-990-3000
Daily Dose
4020 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-994-3673
HOTELS & RESORT BARS
Four Seasons
The proprietors of the Onyx Bar & Lounge should charge admission, because their lustrous establishment boasts awe-inspiring views of both Troon Mountain and Pinnacle Peak, usually when lit by the amber rays of sunset. The radiantly rustic furnishings and décor of the cozy drinkery, located inside the opulent Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, is equally splendid, having been hewn from mesquite trees and the titular stone. But these posh amenities take a back seat to the vibrant alcoholic concoctions and small-plate delights served here.
10600 E. Crescent Moon Dr.
480-515-5700
fourseasons.com/scottsdale
Mondrian
Depravity and decadence are almost de rigueur at the Mondrian Scottsdale's Red Bar, which isn't surprising given that its designers envisioned it as crimson-colored "love den" or modern-day Garden of Eden (complete with translucent plastic apples placed about the lounge). The swanketeria is a virtual seraglio of sinful behavior packed with chic and sexy types sipping made with coconut and strawberries or snuggling on the outdoor cabanas or by a roaring fireplace.
7353 E. Indian School Rd.
480-308-1100
mondrianscottsdale.com
W Hotel
When it comes to luxe libations and sophisticated décor, few other hotels' bars come close to besting the W Scottsdale's potent pair of lounges. The downstairs Living Room is über-upscale hangout of Mid-Century Modern urbanity that's hosted more than a few celebutantes and Hollywood glitterati, as well as hepcat DJs like Soulman and Paul Oakenfold. Upstairs is Shade with lavish brown and white couches scattered amidst Mediterranean-inspired décor and a fully stocked bar armed with a classy staff tending to whatever alcohol need may arise.
7277 E. Camelback Rd.
480-970-2100
starwoodhotels.com
Fairmont Princess
Situated far from the club hubbub of Old Town, the Stone Rose Lounge is a chic sanctuary housed within the Fairmont Princess Resort. Equal parts outdoor and indoor, the al fresco portion of this tranquil nightspot is dominated by ample amounts of plush seating, as well as a gigantic, cube-shaped outside bar and 10,000-gallon reflecting pool. Inside ain't too shabby, either, as edgy, modernist architecture provides a backdrop for DJs like Noah Wylie spinning up downtempo tracks for shiny-shirt scenesters and the north Scottsdale elite.
7575 E. Princess Dr.
480-419-3190
fairmont.com/scottsdale
DRINKS
Avalon Scottsdale
The mixologists at Avalon Scottsdale can slake your thirst with a dozen scintillating precision concoctions, including the candy-filled caipirinha.
7707 E. McDowell Rd.
480-656-0010
avalon-scottsdale.com
Geisha A Go Go
Sushi, sake, shochus, and dozens of other tastes of Tokyo are available at Geisha A Go Go, as are several innovative Japanese-inspired cocktails.
7150 E. 6th Ave., Scottsdale
480-699-0055
geishaagogo.com
Metro Brasserie
Kickoff the evening at Paris-style bistro Metro Brasserie with such eclectic artisan alcoholic beverages as the potent Strawberry Chamomile Elixir.
7114 E. Stetson Dr.
480-994-3663
metrosouthbridge.com
DANCING
Myst
A social playground in the first degree, Myst overflows with sexy scenesters crowding its glowing patios and marble dance floor, or getting pampered inside high-class VIP areas.
7340 E. Shoeman Lane
480-970-5000
mystaz.com
Cream Stereo Lounge
World-renowned guest DJs, a high-tech Dynacord sound system, and upscale décor make Cream Stereo Lounge a can't-miss.
4252 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
602-222-9922
thecreamlounge.com
Axis/Radius
Energy and excitement abound at double-sided danceteria Axis/Radius, where two adjacent clubs blast trance, house, Top 40, and dance hits.
7340 E. Indian Plaza
480-970-1112
axis-radius.com
Pussycat Lounge
Voyeurs will thrill at the recent upgrades at Pussycat Lounge, including more bar space for go-go dancers and a two-way mirror revealing scantily clad femmes in their boudoirs.
4426 N. Saddlebag Trail
480-481-3100
pclaz.com
NIGHTCAPS
Afterlife
Sleep is overrated, especially when after-hours club Afterlife offers energy drinks, video games, dancing, and other eye-opening distractions all night.
4282 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
480-264-8300
Sultry
Downtempo beats and sumptuous soul food selections (including catfish, pork chops, and barbecue) are served up at Sultry until 4 a.m.
7333 E. Shoeman Lane
480-947-0515
Sultry
MY TOWN: Bryan Navarro
As manager of Scottsdale's Apple Store, Bryan Navarro makes nice bank. Although it affords the 26-year-old some vices, like Lacoste shoes, he eschews ostentatiousness for a more subdued existence. This almost anti-Scottsdale mentality means Navarro shuns trendy, cacophonous clubs for quieter joints like Drift Lounge, where he's had some interesting interactions. "My friend thinks I resemble Maroon 5's singer [Adam Levine] and tells girls that as his opener," Navarro says. "It's never worked out." No one's ever mistaken him for a pop star at AZ88, nor does anyone gasp when he shows up wearing shorts. ("It's got a nice vibe where you can dress practically anyway you want.") Plus, it's adjacent to the secluded Civic Center Park, perfect for a post-meal stroll over to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. "I can't speak to art — at least not intelligently — but I just know what I like visually." Don't expect him to buy up any masterpieces for his walls.
The Apple Store
15169 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-627-5501
apple.com/retail
Drift Lounge
4341 N. 75th St.
480-949-8454
driftlounge.com
AZ88
7353 Scottsdale Mall
480-994-5576
az88.com
Scottsdale Civic Center Park
3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
480-874-4607
scottsdaleaz.gov/parks
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 E. 2nd St.
480-874-4666
smoca.org
Walking is for plebes. (Why waste your precious drinking energy by hoofing it?) Here are some top-shelf options for getting around Scottsdale:
Limos
Any simpleton with a C-note can hire a limousine to schlep to and fro. But a 40-foot-long SUV that's rolling on 60-inch tires? That takes chutzpah (not to mention serious chedda).
Mirage Limo
813 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-970-7700
miragelimo.com
Almost two-dozen options are available for rent, including Hummers, Escalades, and a vintage 1939 Rolls-Royce.
Platinum Rides
6425 E. Thomas Rd.
602-230-7433
rideprlimo.com
This agency's fleet includes Ford Navigators, a Chrysler 300M, and ginormous party buses.
Golf Carts
A recent trend is clubhopping on golf carts. Two companies offer free rides on weekends.Bunny Rides
602-405-2106
4 p.m.-3 a.m. Thursday-Sunday
Swift Rides
602-909-2288
9 p.m.-3 a.m., Thursday-Saturday
Pedicabs
A favorite of the inebriated, bicycle-powered rickshaws are common in Old Town.Big Papa
602-618-6702
EcoCab
602-435-5284
URBAN SPRAWL
Worth venturing out of Scottsdale for: the monthly First Friday art walk extravaganzas, where thousands of artists, musicians, and other imaginative types mass along Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue in celebration of their creative efforts. Esteemed galleries such as Five15 and eye lounge exhibit some of the more stunning works than their neighbors, while Perihelion Arts offers stylishly lowbrow and genre-defying pieces.
Five15: 515 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix
602-256-0159
515arts.com
eye lounge: 419 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix
602-262-5584
eyelounge.com
Perihelion Arts: 610 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix
602-334-6299
perihelionarts.com
Head away from the hipster hullabaloo and you'll encounter nightlife aplenty, including Steve Rogers' mini-empire of gorgeously elegant danceterias steeped in sophistication. The recently opened Sanctum is a cathedral-like club featuring a darkly Baroque interior design mixed with Pagan influences that's similar in spirit to his pulchritudinous Goth parlor Palazzo.
Sanctum: 4343 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix,
602-264-1700
Palazzo: 710 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
602-229-1150
A trio of urbane urban nightspots reign over downtown's weekend scene: Bar Smith serves house and electro nights on both its floors, while PHX Nightclub and Stoudemire's Downtown attract pro athletes and blockbuster recording artists with off-the-hook hip-hop and R&B parties. Watch your back, Old Town.
Bar Smith: 130 E. Washington St., Phoenix
602-229-1265
barsmith.com
PHX: 122 E. Washington St, Phoenix
602-258-1830
phxnightclub.com
Stoudemire's: 3 S. 2nd St., Phoenix
602-307-5825
stoudemiresdowntown.com