Benjamin Leatherman

TrapZillas @ Urban Heat and Bar Smith

10 Best Punk Bars in Phoenix

Phoenix has a long tradition of punk bars that serve up cheap beer and fast, aggressive (sometimes sloppy) punk rock. Some great venues have closed over the last few years, and while we dearly miss Jugheads and Rogue West, punk bars continue to thrive in the Valley of the Sun. Most are situated in u ... More >>

Five Must-See Shows This Week

Yeah, yeah, yeah...we get it Mondays suck (we've read Garfield). But it means the start of a new week, which means a bunch of killer shows in and around Phoenix. And here are a few of the coolest, our top five must-see shows this week.

The Five People You'll Meet at Country Thunder

Two years ago, yours truly embarked on finding a real country experience that didn't lead me into the backwoods of some quaint southern town, but rather out into a barren field in Florence. I was alone. I was scared. I was wearing flip flops, at the risk of getting my tootsies stomped by the cowboy ... More >>

Amusement

Ghost of Eastside Records, Courtney Marie Andrews, Guns N' Roses, and More in This Week's Issue

Benjamin Leatherman​I finally made it into The Ghost of Eastside Records last night, and it was awesome. A little hard to find, sure (someone yank that "Records" sign from Smoke Shop Records, er, Headquarters and hang it up at the new spot), but worth the search. What it lacks in size (and nat ... More >>

Club Candids: Retro Hi-Fi at SideBar

Benjamin LeathermanFine-looking folks and photo-bombers were out at SideBar on Sunday, December 18.​ The true test of any bar's popularity isn't if it's crowded on Friday or Saturday (every place is like that), but rather if it's just as busy on an off night like Sunday. Based upon the amount of p ... More >>

Will Anderson, X, Cake, and More in This Week's Issue

Benjamin LeathermanWill Anderson at Hollywood Alley​When it comes to local music (and apparently, everything) all things must pass. So goes the reign of punk promoter Will Anderson, whose belly laugh, dirty Avail hat, and jovial smile have been a near-constant presence at punk shows in the Valley ... More >>

Club Candids: Rockbar Inc's Grand Opening

Benjamin Leatherman​There wasn't any pulsating electronica beats or brutal dubstep drops coming from Rockbar Inc. in Scottsdale this past weekend. Instead, Craftsman Court's newest nightspot (which celebrated its grand opening on Friday, December 2) was echoing with killer guitar riffs, sweet lick ... More >>

Club Candids: Dollhouse Cocktail Lounge

Benjamin LeathermanWelcome to the Dollhouse.​As its name portends, there were plenty of dolls on hand for the opening weekend at  Dollhouse Cocktail Lounge in Scottsdale. Dime pieces were on the walls of Old Town's newest nightlife playground in the form of stylish magazine covers arrang ... More >>

Club Candids at American Junkie

Benjamin LeathermanThree's a crowd at American Junkie.​New bars and clubs are constantly popping up in Scottsdale as of late. But no matter how hip and hype the latest sensation might be, we prefer coming back to old favorites like American Junkie. The sports bar-meets-danceteria almost alway ... More >>

Club Candids at The Lodge

Benjamin LeathermanLiving large at The Lodge on Sunday, April 10. Click here to see more pics.​

Now Open: Spanish Fly Mexican Beach Club in Old Town Scottsdale

Benjamin Leatherman​In the same spot where Drift brought a Polynesian sheen to Old Town, new club Spanish Fly Mexican Beach Club is set to attract club-goers with a different vibe. Out are the tikis and grass huts, and in their place Spanish Fly sports chic couches, cabanas and, oh yeah, that gian ... More >>

Club Candids at Primebar

Benjamin LeathermanHaving fun at Primebar in Scottsdale on Saturday, March 12.​Weekends are kind of a big thing at the Scottsdale Quarter. The bars and clubs of the North Scottsdale shopping district are packed with pretty peeps and stylish shenanigans aplenty. That includes upscale spot Prim ... More >>

Quick PHX 2011: Collector's Edition

Club Candids at Narcisse Champagne Lounge

Benjamin LeathermanVoluptuous vixens were in abundance during Valentine's weekend at Narcisse Champagne Lounge in Scottsdale.If Christopher Walken's memorable turn on Saturday Night Live as The Continental taught us anything, it's that the ladies love a fine bottle of cham-pahn-ya. Said lesson was p ... More >>

Now Open: Bar 350 in Scottsdale

Benjamin Leatherman​Beer and booze are once again flowing at the Scottsdale space formerly known as biker place the Billet Bar. The spot, which is located at 3752 North Scottsdale Road, has taken on a rebooted identity as the newly opened Bar 350. Owner Johnny West is hoping his joint will becom ... More >>

Eastside Records, Girl Talk, Kinch, and More in This Week's Issue

Benjamin LeathermanEastside Records, a local shop that will unfortunately soon become a memory.​The rumors are true: local record store Eastside Records will be closing up shop at the end of the year. Although they haven't been hosting wild shows since the mid-90s, they've still got an impressive ... More >>

Club Candids: Retox Sundays at Martini Ranch

Benjamin LeathermanRetox Sundays at Martini Ranch got a little too exciting for some.​Although the five-day Thanksgiving holiday technically doesn't start until tonight, those in attendance at Martini Ranch's Retox Sundays shindig this past weekend got a jump on the festivities. They drank down pl ... More >>

Nu-Towne Saloon Ravaged By Blaze

Benjamin LeathermanThe interior of Nu-Towne Saloon, prior to getting roasted and toasted by a fire.​East Phoenix gay bar Nu-Towne Saloon was the unfortunate victim of an devastating fire earlier this week, which reportedly caused "extensive damage" to its interior. Please refrain from making any ... More >>

Billet Bar in Scottsdale Closes Down

Benjamin Leatherman​Scottsdale's bar and club scene is as volatile as ever. In the past week alone, we've reported on openings and closings, as well as the transformation of one particularly notorious dancehall. Here's the latest development in Old Town's nightlife landscape: The Billet Bar ... More >>

Club Candids: Seven Sexy Sins Bash at Afterlife

Benjamin LeathermanSome of the costumed cuties at Afterlife.​There was plenty of after-hours activity taking place across the Valley over Halloween weekend, including plenty of freaky late-night fetes and fiestas that went down past the midnight hour. Over at Afterlife in Scottsdale, costumed ... More >>

Club Candids: Latino Fridays at PHX Nightclub

Benjamin LeathermanLovely and luscious ladies were in abundance at PHX Nightclub.No doubt about it, the downtown dance spots located along Washington Street get pretty damn busy during weekend nights as countless clubgoers congregate to drink and debauch until last call looms amidst this massive clu ... More >>

Aries of Diamond Jacks Gentlemans Club

Benjamin LeathermanClick "More" for an undistorted peek. Welcome to Stripper Songs, a weekly feature that proves not all Phoenix strippers bump and grind to Warrant's "Cherry Pie" of Flo Rida's "Low."Of the dozens of adult cabarets and peepshows littering the Valley landscape, Diamond Jacks Gentlema ... More >>

Page of Bombshells Cabaret

Benjamin LeathermanClick "More" for an undistorted peek. ​elcome to Stripper Songs, a weekly feature that proves not all Phoenix strippers bump and grind to Warrant's "Cherry Pie" of Flo Rida's "Low."

Heidi of Christie's Cabaret Tempe

Benjamin LeathermanClick "More" for an undistorted peek. Welcome to Stripper Songs, a weekly feature that proves not all Phoenix strippers bump and grind to Warrant's "Cherry Pie" of Flo Rida's "Low." Scan the Internet for the top stripper songs of all time, and chances are you'll happen upon list ... More >>

WWE Fans Take Over Downtown Phoenix During WrestleMania Weekend

Benjamin LeathermanWrestling fans from Ireland at WWE WrestleMania Axxess at the Phoenix Convention Center. See more pictures from our slideshow.​ I've done some pretty crazy shit in support of my professional wrestling fandom. At age 12, I did backyard wrestling with a few of my sixth grade clas ... More >>

Now Open: The White House in Scottsdale

Benjamin LeathermanCraftsman Court's newest nightspot: The White House.​A few thousand New Year's Eve revelers are expected to be in attendance at Scottsdale's Ultimate Block Party later tonight, whooping it up in the heart of Old Town in anticipation of the impending arrival of 2010. Besides watc ... More >>

Anyone Wanna Buy Sugar Daddy's? Scottsdale Nightspot Up For Auction In January

Benjamin Leatherman​WANTED: Defunct Scottsdale theme bar/restaurant desperately seeking a new lease on life. This dame might be a bit cliché and worn around the edges, but she ain't cheap. You: Must have access to large amounts of disposable income and the ability to stay outta jail (unlike my pr ... More >>

Light-Rail Train and Minivan Collide; Injuries Minimal Despite Wicked-Looking Wreck

Image: Benjamin Leatherman ​ A Metro light-rail train crashed into a passenger van earlier this afternoon in Central Phoenix, resulting in a spectacular wreck but just a few minor injuries. The collision occurred just after 4 p.m. near Washington and 19th streets, when a west ... More >>

Free Treasure Mammal Show at The Lost Leaf

Benjamin Leatherman​Phoenix experimental band Treasure Mammal proves two hours of driving doesn't mean the Arizona scene needs to be split. The indie group joins forces with neighbors-to-the-north, Flagstaff's Feel Free, on a untitled 7" record, which will be available at a free show S ... More >>

Shizzfest 2 is Currently Rocking the Shizz Outta Grand Avenue

Benjamin LeathermanMalaki gets loud at the Trunk Space during Shizzfest.​It's been something of a packed Saturday, what with Tour de Fat, the Tiki Throwdown, Oktoberfest, and various and sundry other weekend events happening around the Valley. If you've still got some energy and cash left, jump in ... More >>

Scottsdale's Pussycat Lounge, Crown Room Closing (Temporarily) For Renovation

Benjamin LeathermanClub promoter Brian Durkee clowns around at Pussycat Lounge on Saturday night. We're deep into the dog days of summer, the college kids are all away on vacay, and nightlife-related business has slowed to a trickle. Sounds like the perfect time for local club owners to shut do ... More >>

Late Night Light Rail Starts This Weekend

Benjamin LeathermanDon't miss your stop, broham. At last, the train we've wanted to ride is finally pulling up to the station, so to speak. METRO light rail is becoming a post-midnight express as of tomorrow with service offered until last call on weekend evenings. The trains will run approxima ... More >>

DJs Make Their Debut at Merc Bar

Benjamin LeathermanJoe DiPadova and sax player Shea Marshall jam out at the Merc Bar on Sunday. Click here for more photos from our slideshow. The stylish and suave Merc Bar has always seemed to be a cut above all the other gin joints and laidback lounges that abound in Phoenix. How come? There's ... More >>

Flier of the Week: Danse Macabre

There's not a ton of live music in town this weekend -- especially compared to next weekend's musical bonanza of Country Thunder/Tempe Music Fest/Springsteen/Bonnie Prince Billy/Calexico/Leonard Cohen -- so this week's flier is for a dance night. Not just any Dance night though, as Benjamin Leatherm ... More >>

Concert Calendar for This Weekend

Summer Guide 2008

Podcast: Digital Summer

Last Minute Monday: Cinco De Mayo

Art Detour 2006

The comprehensive lowdown on the scene, the anti-scene, listings, and a handy map

Monsters' Ball

Fright to the finish

Good Ol' B-Boys Network

Blunt Club stages one massive attack

Street Brawl

Dragsters wage war at "Battleground AZ"

Ball Busters

Leg it out for a kickball league

Tongue and Groove

Count Smokula lights up the Trunk Space

Dog Beat Dog

Wiener dogs are off to the races

Off the Cuffs

"Good Cop/Bad Cop" busts up the Improv

Shots in the Dark

Here's to good friends--this night is kinda special

"POW" Wows

Comic artists draw attention