Nightlife

In Old Town Scottsdale, clubs come and go so quickly that it's hard to pick a favorite, as there's a good chance it'll be gone in five years. BLUR, for example, is less than a year old, taking the place of Smashboxx, which itself had a shelf life of less than one presidential term. But for now, we'll enjoy BLUR, which has the best atmosphere around. It's got a big old dance floor, carefully lit with colorful lights, VIP tables galore, and a patio filled with comfortable couches for when you need a break from the tasteful EDM playing inside.

It's easy to get caught up in the latest cocktails trends, be it a return to tiki-style drinks or garnishes inspired by what's growing in the garden. But wanting to taste what's trendy doesn't mean we can't also respect the classics. When we're craving an impeccable Old Fashioned or a perfect Negroni, we head to Crudo, where mixologist Micah Olson and his crew of talented drink makers is just as good with old-school cocktails as they are at shaking up creative concoctions. You can count on anyone behind the bar to make anything from a Vieux Carré to a French 75, and during the bar's happy hour, you can even score many of these classic drinks for just $7. Never had a Mai Tai you didn't hate? Let Crudo give it a try. We bet you'll finally understand why some cocktails stand the test of time.

Readers Choice: Durant's

As they say, everything old is new again. So whether you're talking about modern takes on classic cocktails or drinks that incorporate the latest boozy trends, Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour in downtown Phoenix delivers. Brought to the historic Luhrs Building by expert barman Ross Simon, this upscale spot brings big-city mixology to the Valley with a 24-page Book o' Cocktails and geeky gadgetry, including a nano filtration system that produces bottle-quality water and CO2 wands that let bartenders carbonate any drink they want. This year, Simon led the charge on bringing frozen and blended drinks to the Valley, a trend that's already taken off in other big cities. And the second iteration of the bar's cocktail menu, which debuted this spring, includes fresh creations such as the L.I.T. Up, a take on Long Island iced tea made with "a medley of premium spirits" in addition to Averna, port, and lemon bitters. For simpler tastes, there's also the Czech Please, which features trendy Bacherovka liqueur with muddled lime and simple syrup.

Readers Choice: Bitter & Twisted

More than 230 whiskeys. That's pretty much the heads and the tails of why the Gladly is one of the best spots for whiskey drinkers in the Valley. The restaurant's list covers everything from Scotch and Irish whiskeys to All-American bourbon and other homegrown offerings — it even has a handful of Japanese selections for those who want to explore the newest kids on the international whiskey block. Of course, the whiskey cocktails also are above par — in particular, the Gladly Manhattan, one of our favorites in town. Featuring Russell's Reserve Bourbon, it gains depth from tobacco bitters and Guinness maple syrup. Smoky and sweet and garnished with a toasted orange peel, it's a perfect update to the whiskey drinker's standby drink.

As the barrel-aging of cocktails continues to become more popular, Citizen Public House maintains the tradition that it was one of the first in the Valley to adopt — and what did it do recently? Started from nearly scratch with a few new offerings, namely the Fernet-Chu Picchu, a blend of Lillet Rouge, Pêche De Vigne, and Pisco Portón — a spirit that in Peru is forbidden by law to be aged but is liberated and confined to oak barrels by the Citizen team. The result is a dark, slightly fruity and intense drink seasoned to caramel vanilla perfection.

"Snooze" might be in the name, but this Denver-based brunch spot is anything but boring. From the retro-futuristic design to the seasonal pancakes and eggs Benedicts, Snooze makes the most important meal of the day one of the easiest to enjoy. The fact that it offers a nearly full bar and menu of morning cocktails also helps, and when it comes to Bloody Marys, the restaurant pulls out all the stops. There's a classic Bloody Mary — called the Straight Up or Spicy — but also a list of more creative takes on your hangover's best friend. We like the Gazpacho, made with cucumber and pepper and garlic-infused vodka, and the Boss Hog, a seriously upgraded Bloody that features bacon-infused bourbon with Snooze's house Bloody mix.

Not only is the Clever Koi in midtown Phoenix one of the most stylish spots to enjoy happy hour — the restaurant's sleek bar and modern design create a perfect backdrop for your after-work meetup — it's also got some of the best happy hour deals on food and drink in town. With both value and quality, the restaurant's happy hour, offered daily from 3 to 6 p.m., features $6 classic cocktails, including a Manhattan, martini, French 75, a michelada, punch, and a Champagne cocktail. And with expert bartender Joshua James overseeing operations, you can guarantee your drink will be crafted with care. The food menu includes five options between five and eight bucks, with sharable snacks like the edamame corn fritters alongside meal-worthy options such as a bowl of pork ramen or a burger.

Readers Choice: Salty Señorita

You'll find the Hermosa Inn located not far from the bustle of Camelback Road, but this boutique hotel looks and feels like a scene out of a modern Western fantasy. With towering cacti and a sprawling patio, you can't help wanting to lounge by the outdoor fireplace with a stiff cocktail. And you should, because the hotel's Last Drop Bar happens to be one of the Valley's best drinking destinations. Travis Nass, who runs the bar program, was inducted into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame this year, and his menu includes some of the most booze-forward, original cocktails in town. With unexpected ingredients used in unusual combinations, Nass' cocktails both respect for tradition and typify the tone of the Arizona scene. With a drink in hand, just settle into one of the plush patio chairs and let the spirit of the Southwest seep in.

There's no cooler place in the Valley for cocktails than Counter Intuitive, the late-night drinking hole opened by Scottsdale restaurateur Peter Kasperski earlier this year. With a rotating menu of drinks created by two of the Valley's best bartenders, Micah Olson of Crudo and Jason Asher (profiled by GQ), it should be no surprise that this spot offers some of the city's very best imbibing. Counter Intuitive debuted with a menu inspired by a New Orleans estate sale — think Sazeracs, Painkillers, and a killer version of a Pisco Sour — then moved on to a sophomore menu inspired by a mysterious trip some people believe Pablo Picasso made to Cuba shortly after the Cuban Revolution. The only downside is that the bar's open only from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights — but the limited hours also make it a true destination for post-dinner drinks.

There was a time, not too long ago, when no one outside Phoenix gave much thought to the beer brewed here. Oh, our brewers got attention with the occasional medal at a beer-judging competition, but the city wasn't a craft beer destination. All that changed in April of last year, when Arizona Wilderness — a mere six months old at the time — was named "Best New Brewery in the World" by www.ratebeer.com. An avalanche of press followed, and even a new tasting room adjacent to the brewpub couldn't hold all the thirsty pilgrims visiting the Valley to see if the spot was worthy of the title. Yet through it all — growing pains, collaborations with some of the world's most renowned brewers, shitty Yelp reviews — the bearded owners have remained unremittingly committed to the use of local ingredients. To taste a Wilderness beer is to taste Arizona, and that, too, is award-worthy.

Readers Choice: Four Peaks

We used to drink like you, dear reader: coffee in the morning, beer in the evening. That is, until we discovered SunUp's White Russian Imperial Stout. Not only is the brew absolutely space-jammed with coffee flavor — seriously, it tastes more like shot of espresso than an actual shot of espresso — but it's also a beefcake-y 9.2 percent ABV. SunUp Brewmaster Uwe Boer based the stout on a recipe that goes back to his home-brewing days in the '90s, tweaked with additions of vanilla and beans from Georgia-based roaster Coffee AM, as well as other, more secret ingredients. The beer only pops up on draft around the Valley occasionally, but each time it does, we're so amazed by its luscious coffee/mint/vanilla/chocolate flavor that we can't help drinking it all day long.

How could one possibly improve on Dos Cabezas' pink rosé? Why, by adding carbonation and putting it in a 16-ounce can, of course! We think that Sparkling Pink just might be better than the original, with a crisp effervescence and hints of green strawberry, grapefruit, and elderflower. It pairs with creamy cheeses, sweet confections, and spicy Southwestern fare, proving itself a wine of many applications. Without food, Sparkling Pink's clean and refreshing finish make it a great companion for poolside sipping, outdoor excursions, or even floating the Salt River. Best yet, its 16-ounce serving size makes it perfect for sharing.

Provisioner is on a mission to bring Arizona wine to the tables of its biggest skeptics. Although local wine production has come a long way from its arduous early years, consumer perception still has a long way to go. Priced for the casual wine drinker at $10 per bottle, Provisioner makes both red and white wines that are as enjoyable as they are approachable. Just like Provisioner's namesake frontier town stores, this label provides our wine community with a necessity we perhaps didn't know we needed — good tasting, value-driven wines that are ready for both restaurant and home bar.

Crisp, bright, lightly floral, enjoyable. No, we're not just talking about the wines from Lawrence Dunham Vineyards; we're thinking of its great new tasting room, too. Situated on a quiet corner in Old Town Scottsdale, LDV is a nice afternoon stop, whether you're on a slow wander through nearby shops or heading there directly for an afternoon tasting. The "room" is really a converted house, and when you're at Lawrence Dunham Vineyards, you feel as though a neighbor is hosting you for the afternoon — albeit one with a great wine cellar and penchant for sharing. The open, breezy space is surrounded by beautifully planted Southwestern gardens that serve it well during its many community events. Whether you're looking to learn a few new things about wine or discover a great new Arizona vintage, Lawrence Dunham Vineyards is worth a trip — or two.

What makes a wine bar great? Well, the wine list certainly has something to do with it, but with any bar, it also requires knowledgeable bartenders with good personalities and great attitudes. In both categories, The Tavern scores. The wine list at this Biltmore-area restaurant and wine bar features everything from $25 glasses of 2010 Silver Oak Cabernet to affordable options in both red and white, available on tap. And if you're not sure where to start, just ask. The bartenders will be happy to pour samples of what you think you might like, and once you settle in with a glass, they'll make sure it's not empty — until you want it to be. If you're lingering for a few pours, order either a cheese or charcuterie board. Ask nicely and they might even mix both into one plate so you can sample a little bit of each.

Readers Choice: Postino Winecafe

Though Andrew Calisterio's been in the Valley for only about a year, he's wasted no time making his mark on the local drinking scene. He landed a job at one of the most prestigious bars in town, Crudo, not long after moving here from California, and he already has made contributions to the bar's cocktail menu. Calisterio's liquid concoctions fall in line with Crudo's reputation for well-balanced and creative drinks that walk the line between being approachable and exciting to hardcore booze nerds. But he's got more than just a knack for shaking up great cocktails going for him; Calisterio's also got a barside manner that we wish were more common around town. Always willing to take the time to chat with drinkers and determine the best cocktail for the occasion, he plays educator and gracious host all at once.

Agility, passion, power, delicacy — Teneia Sanders-Eichelberger's voice has it all. The singer-songwriter, who performs under just her first name, grew up singing gospel in church, and the soulful acoustic pop she makes today makes full use of her versatile vocal cords. With the skill of a jazz singer and a warm, disarming stage presence, Teneia can make her voice do just about anything — charm you into a hypnotic trance, make your heart beat faster, or motivate you to get out of your chair and dance. In the summer of 2015, Teneia and her husband/musical compatriot, Ben Eichelberger, set off in an RV on a nomadic musical adventure, and they have only their fans to thank — the RV was the final goal of a successful crowdfunding campaign, in which the singer raised more than $20,000 for the journey. Only a special talent can inspire that type of generosity.

Fresh off the June 2015 release of its debut album and with rock industry vet Alan Niven guiding the group, Razer has a lot of momentum. And though the entire band plays with the precision of sharpened studio pros, vocalist Chris Powers is Razer's greatest asset. The singer boasts a textbook rock 'n' roll voice — the power of a freight train, the soul of a blues singer, and the chops of an opera star. There are few things Powers can't do with his mighty pipes, and his vocals will lead the way for what might be the next band to break out of the Copper State.

Fairy Bones is a shining example of how talent, hard work, and multi-tasking can carry a band. Fronted by singer/keyboardist Chelsey Louise Richard, the band writes hard-rocking, dramatic, keyboard-driven music, and Richard's mighty voice wails powerfully on Fairy Bones' 2015 release Dramabot, produced by musical Renaissance man Bob Hoag. But the band doesn't just do music well. Fairy Bones released a series of eye-popping videos to build buzz for the album release, and it worked. The video for "Waiting," which looked like a nightmarish stroll through a satanic cult's frat house, appeared on most every local blog's "Best Videos of 2014" list, and the band has a fashionable, unique visual aesthetic that matches its unique style. Fairy Bones has nowhere to go but up.

www.fairybones.com

Readers Choice: Black Bottom Lighters

Kongos hasn't released an album in three years. In the modern music world, three years is an eternity. When most bands haven't released new material in three years, it's because they no longer exist. Remember Carly Rae Jepsen? Her one and only hit was huge in 2012, the year Kongos' album came out. But Kongos has had a good reason to wait. The band of brothers' biggest hit didn't take over alternative rock radio until last year, and they've got the hardware to prove it. "Come With Me Now" received platinum certification in 2014, meaning the song's digital sales exceeded a million units. Since all of Arizona (if not the country) loves the catchy four-on-the-floor chorus and the song's novel use of the accordion, everyone is wondering: When will the new album come out?

Unfortunately, the guys in Kongos have become so good at dodging the question that they would be primed for careers as White House press secretaries should they opt out of the music industry. So for now, we'll wait.

Spearheaded by local promotor Jeremiah Gratza, President Gator Records releases limited-run vinyl titles representing some of Phoenix's brightest. Adhering to no genre specifications, Gratza has released hip-hop from Mega Ran, video game prog from the Minibosses, lo-fi gospel by the Through and Through Gospel Review, Gypsy jazz rock by the Dry River Yacht Club, minimal synth pop from Vial of Sound, and crushing metal by Take Over and Destroy and Gatecreeper, and lots more, all packaged in beautiful, full-color sleeves and including digital download cards. Releasing the records he wants to hear, Gratza is pulling double duty by documenting the ever-growing sounds of the Phoenix music community.

Led by the dynamic Tommy Ash (that's Miss Tommy Ash to you), the Tommy Ash Band leans just as hard on its Sonoran roots as the twangy sounds of Bakersfield and classic Nashville country. Ash's vocals echo the slapback rockabilly of singers like Wanda Jackson and the rootsy grit of Patsy Cline, and her band of gunslingers rock as hard as they swing. Hailed as a potential breakout star by outlets like We Hate Pop Country, the Tommy Ash Band's approach is well represented by the group's album, Sinner's Blood, and live performances have turned clubs like Last Exit Live and Crescent Ballroom into genuine honky-tonks for an evening.

A night with Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta is a trip back in time to a dusky mambo club, where a sharply dressed horn section blasts backing melodies to a guitarra-wielding frontman. He's Tucson's Tito Puente, if the iconic percussionist played guitar. La Orkesta brings two singers, a pedal steel guitar, a bassist, a drummer, multiple trumpets, and even more instrumentation depending on the night, creating a powerful wall of sound. Few bands in Arizona guarantee as fun a dance party as Sergio's orchestra. Playing a combination of traditional mambo covers and blistering, fun-as-hell originals, the Tuscon band truly is something special. Luckily for us, La Orkesta is a common presence in Phoenix, making the trek north at least once a season. Hell, they play so frequently in Phoenix they might as well live here. We wouldn't complain.

As far as local rappers go, no one has dominated the scene recently more than Futuristic. The Tempe rapper (who now lives in Los Angeles but still reps the Copper State) has recently exploded. The rest of the world is slowly catching on to what Valley residents have known for years: The 24-year-old McClintock High School grad is the real deal. When most locals get 10,000 views on a YouTube video, it's considered a success. Futuristic's most popular song received more than 15 million listens in just a few months. The rapper combines sharp wordplay with blazing speed and lyrical dexterity, and his on-stage and on-camera charisma is magnetic and undeniable. He's not just Phoenix's best rapper; he's Arizona's greatest shot at this moment for producing a hip-hop superstar.

Jay Valdez has had a hell of a year. The Phoenix DJ is now in his 40s, and he has been spinning and scratching around town for decades. But he's no hobbyist. Under the name of DJ Akshen, Valdez is a professional turntablist, and he's got the accolades to prove it. In 2015, he won the regional finals for the Red Bull Thre3style competition, essentially earning him the crown of the Southwest's best DJ. The win also propelled him into the national finals (which took place at downtown's Monarch Theatre), but he failed to advance to the global competition, where he could have competed for the title of best DJ in the world. Nevertheless, Akshen is still king of the hill around here, and there's nobody more deserving of the title.

Mija is Spanish for "my daughter," but you can use it as an endearing term for any younger woman you think of sweetly. Having a DJ name like Mija welcomes listeners to explore your music, and over the past year or two, more and more people are answering the call. People outside Arizona really began to take notice of Phoenix-born Mija in 2014, when she and Skrillex performed a surprise set at Bonnaroo. With the crown prince of EDM's blessing, Mija exploded, moving to Los Angeles and steadily moving her way up in the EDM world. She's now getting on major shows and raves around the country, and though she's at the bottom of the bill these days, we have no doubt she'll soon be headlining.

Readers Choice: Elite

Scottsdale's Livewire is a spectacular place. As Tempe lost numerous music venues and bars in 2014, Scottsdale gained Livewire. The club is in the heart of Old Town, where live entertainment usually means a top-shelf DJ or a cover band. But Livewire is different. The 11,000-square-foot club boasts a top-notch stage and brings in high-quality touring bands, a rarity for Scottsdale's entertainment district. Everything about the club screams class that doesn't take itself too seriously. There are pictures of famous musicians on the walls, sure, but the frames are digital, meaning that they change and occasionally display video throughout the night. The bars (there are multiple, as the venue is two stories) are sleek and beautiful. And then there's the crowning jewel of the venue: A giant wooden eagle, with a wingspan that must be 25 feet long, towers above the stage, wings spread valiantly to each side. Instead of feathers, there are guitars and speakers. Could a piece of art be more rock 'n' roll?

You could shorthand Valley Bar as Crescent Ballroom's little sister, and though you'd mostly be correct, it doesn't quite capture the vibe of Charlie Levy's new subterranean venue. Getting in has a wonderfully speakeasy aura: down an alley and then down a flight of stairs, where the club is divided into the music hall, where bands like Tanlines and Screaming Females play and local DJs provide themed nights, and the Rose Room, a lounge named for Arizona's first female governor, Rose Mofford, with games, beautiful pool tables, and a selection of cocktails named for Arizona's political elite (don't worry, the McCain is much smoother than its namesake). One of our favorite activities? New Times' monthly Bar Flies, in which Phoenicians share hilarious and touching anecdotes (we admit — we're biased). With food from Short Leash Hot Dogs, Valley Bar is another winner, and much like its big sister down the road, it's quickly become a go-to hangout for locals of all stripes. 

Readers Choice: Valley Bar

It is 100 percent accurate to call promoter Steve Chilton's Rebel Lounge a new music venue. The space opened in 2015, after all, and before Chilton bought the place, it had been two different gay bars for more than a decade. But we're calling this a "reboot venue" because of the history of the building where the Rebel Lounge resides. From 1979 to 2004, the building housed the Mason Jar. Any old-school music fan's ears will perk up at the mention of the storied venue, where bands like Tool, Nirvana, and others reportedly played shows early in their respective careers. But the Rebel Lounge is more than its history. With a brand-new sound system, stage, lights, and bar, the venue is primed to start its own chapter in Phoenix music history.

Ain't no party like a Tongue Tied Party. And now that the monthly meetup has moved from its humble beginnings at Apollo's to Linger Longer Lounge, the chances of anything coming close are few and far between. Every first Saturday, the Tongue Tied folk take over Tucker Woodbury's uptown Phoenix bar with dancing, drink specials, photo booths, prizes, games, and, as always, a stellar theme. Whether you made it out in your flannel and frayed denim cutoffs to their venue's debut (a '90s party in April), or had a chance to battle it out costume-style at Tongue Tied's Superhero vs. Sci-Fi Anniversary Party, you know that the new space is really setting the mood for Phoenix's favorite dance party.

Yucca Tap Room is one of the best rock bars in the Valley, period. Featuring the perfect combination of quality food and drink and divey atmosphere, Yucca has stalwartly maintained its presence as an oasis for live music in Tempe as surrounding venues have dropped like beats at a dubstep show. Yucca has anchored itself as both a destination for underground touring bands and locals who have gained somewhat of a following. And don't forget one of the best bonuses of playing at Yucca: Double Nickel Collective, a kickass record store, is just next door. So, if the music gets too loud or stops matching your taste, you can pop over and flip through records more to your liking.

Readers Choice: Crescent Ballroom

There are a number of reasons Crescent Ballroom is the first venue Phoenix residents mention to their music-loving friends when they come for a visit. First, the venue is so cool that beautiful people go there to eat and hang when there's not even a show happening, because the cocktails and food are both simple, delicious, and reasonably priced. Then, inside the ballroom, there's great sound, bleachers in the back for tired legs, and two bars, perfect for the 550-capacity venue, so there's rarely a wait for drinks. It's a wonderful spot to catch an intimate show, as well as a great place to cut loose when the situation demands.

Readers Choice: Crescent Ballroom

Lost Leaf is a bar/music venue that offers live music seven nights a week on Roosevelt Row's vibrant Fifth Street. It's a fine example of the adaptive reuse that gives the downtown arts district its character — Lost Leaf resides in an old home that at one point housed a Max's Sausage store. This means the interior of Lost Leaf doesn't feel anything like a modern venue; you wend your way around the bar and past walls adorned with painting by local artists to get to where the bands perform. But you can't really call it a stage at Lost Leaf. It's more of a nook, a rectangular recess that squeezes the band into close quarters and shoehorns spectators into a similar area just out in front, wedged between the band, the bathrooms, the exit to the smoking area, and the bar. The result is perfect for rock. The small area creates density, feeding musicians the energy of a packed house, which the band in turn unleashes on the audience. It's rock 'n' roll paradise.

Readers Choice: Crescent Ballroom

This year, B.B. King, one of the last true blues superstars, passed away. It's fitting that his visage is now painted on the side of the Rhythm Room, Phoenix's premier blues club, alongside roots icons like Little Walter, Big Mama Thornton, Memphis Minnie, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters. Painted by local artist Curt Condrat, the mural represents the aims of Bob Corritore: preserving and celebrating the blues. Host of Those Lowdown Blues radio program Sunday nights on KJZZ 91.5 for the past 30 years, Corritore is no slouch on the harmonica himself, and in addition to performing around the world, he opened the Rhythm Room in 1991 and has maintained it as a destination for local blues bands like the Sugar Thieves, the Rocket 88s, and Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns, as well as a stop for touring acts like Janiva Magness, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, and Joe Louis Walker. Twenty-four years on, the Rhythm Room remains the Valley's most storied juke joint. 

Readers Choice: Rhythm Room

The trek to Queen Creek might be too far for downtown Phoenix types, but if you're looking for a genuine honky-tonk, the drive to Norton's Country Corner is worth it. The saloon is under new ownership, but its Western bona fides remain unassailable, featuring great acts like the Harry Luge Band and Rattlecat Junction on stage and ice-cold domestics behind the bar. Named for Clarence and Willie Mae Norton, who ran a corner store in the 1930s (it sold liquor, of course), the Queen Creek location's sign is classic: a black-and-white rider on a bucking bull. And even if prices have gone up a little since the days of the Nortons, the Country Corner still offers nickel beer nights, a perfect catalyst for dancing in the banquet hall all night long to the twangy bands on stage.

Readers Choice: Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row

Stumble up to the Blooze Bar on any given night and you're likely to see a vintage roadster parked out front and a band playing revved-up hillbilly blues on stage. Acts such as the Rhythm Dragons, Dirty Dice, Nathan Payne and the Wild Bores, and Tommy Price and the Stilettos represent the venue's Thursday rockabilly bash, where slicked-back pompadours, tattooed women in vintage pinup dresses, and upright basses set the scene for real rave-ups. Housed in a strip mall in North Phoenix, the Blooze Bar hosts local metal bands and sports fans, too, but it's on Thursday nights that the venue really shines, tapping into the thumping, jumping rhythms of plucked bass and reverb-laden, twangy Gretsch guitars.

Readers Choice: Yucca Tap Room

Phoenix has no shortage of dive bars — and great ones, at that — but few touch the Royale Lounge on 16th Street. Part of owner Mark Bolin's constellation of excellent bars (including the Do Drop Inn and Wanderin), the Royale has no hipster sheen and doesn't need one. There's pinball, a pool table, cheap-as-hell drinks, and a jukebox waiting your audio selection, and, best of all, one of Phoenix's finest glowing red neon signs (straight out the 1960s). It's a little dingy, sure, but the regulars are friendly and the beer is cold — and if you're looking for more than that, you're not looking for a true dive, are you? Pop in, belly up, and order. The Royale will take care of the rest. 

Readers Choice: Yucca Tap Room

It's no secret that Rips Ales & Cocktails is one of the best dive bars in town. But the bar is more than just cheap beer and good people. It hosts live music fairly regularly, and when there's a punk show going down, look out. Tight quarters make for the best crowds, and when you're in a place like Rips, you feel out of place if you're not head-banging and jumping around when there's a band playing. Punk music might not have the same cultural cache as it once did, but catch a punk band at Rips, and it won't matter: You'll be having too good a time to care.

Before spring 2015, U2 hadn't played in the Valley in about six years, and the concert made up for the absence in every way. From a near flawless performance to jaw-dropping stage design, U2's concert set the bar extremely high for arena shows, and it's doubtful anyone will surpass it anytime soon. The genius of U2's stage show was how it considered the viewpoint of everyone in the audience, not just the front rows. The stage spanned the normal width of the bottom of the arena but also included a catwalk which jutted out from the main stage and stretched for most of the arena's floor, ending in a circular platform. The band, equipped with wireless instruments and, in the case of percussion, a marching harness, strolled down the catwalk throughout the show, giving everyone in the crowd an eyeful.

But the crown was a metal cage that stretched the length of the catwalk and descended over it throughout the show, allowing Bono and others to walk inside as videos projected onto the sides. Sitting on the sides of the arena was like watching a big-screen TV, in which a real-life Bono interacted within an animated music video.

Don't let the rustic digs and line-dancing lessons fool you — longtime lesbian hangout Cash Inn Country doesn't just cater exclusively to cowgirls of a Sapphic bent. Though its loyal following is largely female, Cash Inn also is a come-as-you-are spot aimed at every segment of the LGBT community, a place where you don't need to sport a pair of Wranglers or even like country music to partake in the bar's strong pours, amiable vibes, and boozy distractions. For example, there's Thursday's old school hop-hop dance night or karaoke on Wednesdays. Of course, if you're a lady who likes ladies into boot scooting and denim-clad badonkadonks, then Cash Inn can help you scratch that particular itch, too, buckaroo.

Readers Choice: Rainbow Cactus

There rarely seems to be a dull moment at BS West after dark, thanks to its lively nightlife events and even livelier patrons, who flock to this Scottsdale gay bar in droves. What really brings people into BS West, even more than its popular drag revues or male stripper shows, are its thrice-weekly dance parties held every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday night, when the place is packed with bodies and booty shaking. There's ample room inside the two-story club to accommodate a throng of gay males of every size and description who turn out to get down, hook up, or throw some back while bare-chested hunks behind the bar dole out drink specials and DJs fill the air with high-energy pop, house music, and Top 40. The biggest crowds are on Saturdays during the "Dirty Boy Dance Party," where two-for-one cocktails and BS West's eye-catching crew of underwear-clad go-go boys are on tap all evening long. It's also a favorite dance destination for straight girls, who are equally eager to ogle some killer abs. Thankfully, there's more than enough beefcake to go around.

Readers Choice: Charlie's

If all you want to do is play pool, don't go to Cue Club. But if you want to shoot some pool while drinking some of the best value drinks in the Valley (just get a Long Island iced tea or an AMF; you won't regret it) and hanging out with some of the least terrible people on Mill Avenue, Cue Club is definitely the spot to check out. Instead of paying per game, the rates at Cue Club are hourly, so if you go during a non-peak time, tables are $5 per hour, which can be a great deal depending on how fast you play. If you're not into pool, Cue Club almost always has either live DJs or sporting events going on its many TVs.

Readers Choice: Mill Cue Club

Sure, there are swanky sports bars in Scottsdale, and there are quite a few places to catch a game in Phoenix and Glendale, but few of them combine the spirit, flexibility, and pricing that Devil's Advocate maintains. If you're there to watch a game, the ASU-themed landmark has you covered with TVs in every possible direction. You want to hang out with some of Tempe's finest or spend the evening doing bar trivia or an open mic? It's got that, too, depending on which nights you go. As for drink specials, every night brings a different option, and Devil's Advocate's Thursday night two-for-one special is the kind of deal that even the brokest college students can take advantage of on a weekly basis.

Readers Choice: Zipps Sports Grill

Along with its sister club, the Tempe Improv, Stand Up Live has become the go-to spot for comedy fans in the Valley looking to catch a set from comedy's up-and-comers and established acts alike. Part of the busting CityScape complex in downtown Phoenix, the club brings in big names like Tom Green, John Witherspoon, D.L. Hugley, Jay Mohr, and Jon Lovitz, but it also offers a chance to see local talent, hosting open mics and local showcases throughout the month. Sure, there's that pesky two-drink minimum to worry about, but Stand Up Live fortunately offers an extensive drink menu, and if you don't get your fill there, you can pop over to Cooper Blues, with over 60 beers on tap and, you guessed it, even more live comedy on stage. 

Readers Choice: Tempe Improv

We're not talking about one of those fancy Internet jukeboxes, with all the songs in the world at your fingertips. No, the jukebox at Shady's, the wood-paneled, dimly lit spot on East Indian School Road, is loaded with real CDs, and its masterfully curated selection of ska, indie rock, garage, soul, and early alternative is unmatched around town. It's all about variety: Put in your quarters or bills and you can swing from the raw R&B of Screamin' Jay Hawkins to the taut post-punk of Joy Division, from rootsy Trojan ska to the searing jangle rock of the Dream Syndicate. Best of all, the juke has local flavor on lock, featuring Phoenix soul by Eddie and Ernie, Roy and the Dew Drops, the Servicemen, and Fredi and Henchi, garage rock from the Hobbit, the Door Knobs, and modern bashers the Rebel Set.

Readers Choice: The Cornish Pasty

The décor is bright green, the carpet is shag, there's a pole in the middle of the room, and the TV screen is giant. What more could you ask for in a karaoke setting? Oh, yeah, privacy. You've got that, too. For a fee (call ahead for a reservation), Geisha A Go Go will kindly rent you a small room just off its main dining room for all your karaoke needs. You'll be assigned a waitperson and given menus, and the food and drink will flow along with the classic tunes. Have fun and don't forget to try the pole. Why not? No one's watching.

Readers Choice: The Grapevine

There's something about rhythm and blues music that makes one want to move and (quite possibly) groove. Maybe it's all the catchy hooks, fiery tempos, or infectious grooves inherent to the genre, but hearing a great R&B song has a tendency to get people in motion, whether they're shaking their tailfeathers or simply snapping their fingers to the beat. Both happen quite frequently inside Char's Has the Blues during any of its nightly R&B shows or jam sessions. As artists and acts like Laydee Jai, Larry Bailey, or Soul Power belt out their brand of rhythm and blues (as well as a variety of funk and Motown tunes), those who pack the place will boogie, bounce, or bust a move, particularly on its modestly sized parquet dance floor. True, it may offer less space than other Valley dance spots, but the close-quarters action only adds to the intimate juke joint atmosphere of Char's, as does the sultry red lighting bathing its interior. And since the bar's nook-like stage shares a portion of the dance floor, you might wind up cutting a rug alongside that evening's performers. Not that they're judging you or anything.

Readers Choice: Crescent Ballroom

Your average club DJ has probably never heard of Omar Souleyman. It shouldn't come as a surprise, considering that the Syrian-born electronica vocalist isn't on Beatport's Top 100, Billboard's dance music charts, or the radars of rank-and-file mixer monkeys eager to follow the latest trends. Local crate-digging king Djentrification, however, is more than familiar with Souleyman. As such, the musician's hypnotic hybrids of electronic elements and traditional dabke sounds are regularly mixed into Djentrification's sets, particularly during his world beat dance night, The Palace, held on the last Saturday of every month at the FilmBar. Souleyman's tracks are among a multitude of "international selections from all directions," most of which are culled from vinyl that Djent and special guests dig up from all corners of Earth. Their playlists are both varied and vibrant, running the gamut from Thai morlam and Bollywood beats to Turkish fuzz-folk, Russian synth disco, and pre-Khmer Rouge-era Cambodian rock. Suffice it to say, it allows The Palace to stand worlds apart from the Valley's other dance night offerings.

In addition to having one of the best names in the Valley, Playboy Manbaby also has the best live show. Part of the band's appeal comes from its nontraditional instrumentation. The band has the standard punk combo of guitar-drums-bass-singer, but it adds a trumpet player, and it makes all the difference. Not that all of what makes Playboy Manbaby's live show so great comes from the band's horn player. No, Playboy Manbaby's infectious live presence stems from frontman Robbie Pfeffer, whose antics alone are worth the price of admission. Few bandleaders have what it takes to make their bands' live shows shine. Pfeffer is someone other lead singers in the Valley should study.

If Miley Cyrus, the late Chris Farley, the fictional Rocky Balboa, Elmo, and Cookie Monster are at a party, you know you've either taken some really good shit or have died and gone to Heaven. Since both are unlikely, the next best thing is a show from Beacher's Madhouse, a performance troupe unlike any other. Beacher's specialty is little people, and during the troupe's show, there were two mini Lil Waynes, a mini Miley Cyrus, a mini DJ, and vaudeville-esque variety acts. Athletes made it rain like it was monsoon season. It was Hunter S. Thompson's Circus Circus bad trip from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas come to life, and it was spectacular.

The latest Primus project reimagined the soundtrack to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in eerie, twisted ways. Roald Dahl's source material, the classic children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, already contains subtle strands of darkness. Primus tapped into it perfectly, infusing the classic songs with signature Primus weirdness and technicality. The Orpheum Theater might be Phoenix's most underused music venue, but when the right show is staged there, the results can be spectacular. Primus was that show. The second half of the Primus concert at Orpheum in October 2014 had video screens, actors in oversize Oompah Loompah masks, and full chocolate factory regalia for the band. No other theater show in the last year came close to matching its bombast.

Though KWSS' The Morning Infidelity remains Valley radio's most consistent supporter of local music on the Phoenix airwaves, KJZZ's Tiny Desert Concert proves that the local NPR affiliate has its ear to the ground, too. Inspired by NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, TDC has profiled Valley bands like folk rockers The Senators, indie poppers Of the Painted Choir, Sedona roots band decker., indie punks Numb Bats, and punk rockers Man Hands, featuring beautiful recordings and high-quality video. The only thing we'd ask for is more installments, focusing on the diverse range of bands currently making Phoenix a place to pay attention to musically. 

We love the locally produced Cruising with the Manic Hispanic program, hosted by James Rivas. Featuring sensual lowrider oldies and dedications, Rivas was inspired to do radio by the classic Wolfman Jack scenes in American Graffiti. His on-air persona is less wily than the Wolf but effective, matching the vintage soul and funk like Zapp and Roger, the Delfonics, and Brenton Wood with a mellow cool unmatched on Phoenix's FM dial.

Tune into Phoenix's NPR affiliate on weekday nights and you'll get a treat: jazz music for hours and hours, a blend of classics from Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, and J.J. Johnson to modern talents like Nicholas Payton and Bruce Dudley. The playlist from 8 to 10 p.m. is curated by Blaise Lantana, KJZZ's music director. She's the consummate radio host. She gives just enough background information on the artists she features to sate the appetite of the curious listener but doesn't talk long enough to drive away those interested only in music. Most importantly, her voice contains an unfakeable enthusiasm, and her passion for the music she plays is contagious. It all combines to make for two hours a night of a superior jazz listening experience.

Remember that awkward period after 103.9 changed its format to "All Suck All the Time" but before 93.3 decided it no longer wanted to be one of several classic rock options in the Valley? That was a dark time for alternative music in Phoenix, and it was really strange to have an online radio station sponsoring some of the biggest alternative and punk shows in the Valley for a while. Thankfully, 93.3 switched gears and decided to play more modern alternative music, and though it might not be the indie stations of many American college towns, it's certainly not bad, by any means.

DJ? KCDX don't need no stinkin' DJ. Mysteriously broadcasting from the desert, there's no verbiage or on-air announcing — just loads of progressive rock, AOR obscurities, classic rock hits, and deep cuts. You'll hear Graham Nash paired with Taj Mahal, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band followed by Pink Floyd, and other transitions that sensible program directors would shut down real quick. The signal doesn't come in all over the Valley, but it's worth seeking out. There are no on-air bells and whistles, but the station's site features a searchable song archive and an "Ask the Guru" button, which allows you to e-mail the station's shadowy overseer. Our e-mails, to be clear, have gone unanswered, but we figure it's kind of better that way.

What the AM dial lacks in fidelity, it makes up for in ambiance. There's no better example in Phoenix than Arizona Gold 1440 AM, which devotes its daytime air to long stretches of oldies from the '50s, '60s, and '70s (14 songs at a time, naturally). There's a slight crackle to the transmission, a vintage station jingle, and nothing but gems: Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels tearing through "Devil With a Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly" from 1966, Carly Simon's 1972 kiss-off "You're So Vain," the incendiary "Liar Liar" by the Castaways from 1965. They're not exactly deep cuts, but you're not likely to hear them on other Valley oldies stations, and more important, they sound fantastic with the added hum and boom of the AM transmission. Fourteen of 'em in a row — true dusty, poppy gold.

Earlier this year, news broke that Art Laboe, with his nationally syndicated "oldies but goodies" show, The Art Laboe Connection, no longer would be broadcast in Los Angeles. He's since found a new home there. But here in Phoenix there was never interruption because Cordes Lake-based Mega 104.3 FM is all about preserving "old school" R&B. Along with Laboe's show, mellow soul can be heard on shows like the Cruising with the Manic Hispanic, The Quiet Storm, Old School Block Party, and Angie "Angel of the Airwaves" Gomez's show. From vintage fare by Marvin Gaye, the Commodores, Earth, Wind and Fire, and the Bee Gees to more current jams by Janet Jackson and Alicia Keys, Mega has smooth and soulful cuts on lock. Dedications, of course, are welcome.

96.3 Real Country doesn't play exclusively vintage country — you'll hear hits from Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, and even some of that "bro country" stuff that's all the rage — but the station does lean toward old-school Western sounds, meaning DJs like Erika Smith Royal, Mark Mayfield, Ralph Davis, and morning show cards Dingo and Cole will spin classics by Bocephus, George Strait, Wynonna Judd, and more. Broadcasting from Wickenburg, a town with Western appeal to spare, Real Country's vibe is no B.S. and homespun, and its DJs sound at home on the air.

Part of the Sierra H Broadcasting empire along with old-school station Mega 104.3 FM, 101.1 Owners Jay Brentlinger and Steve Szalay are veterans of the Air Force and National Guard, respectively. They named their company "Sierra H" for a slang term meaning "hot shit," and that's a good description of what the station plays, spinning classic hip-hop from the Pharcyde, LL Cool J, Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Biggie as well as songs from rap's modern stalwarts like Lil Wayne and Jay Z. Morning jock Hospe is one of the best in the Valley, blending hip-hop news and hilarious sketches, and his playlists exemplify everything you want in a heritage hip-hop station: modern classics alongside vintage ones, with an eye toward the future.

Community-driven and -staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers, Radio Phoenix is unmatched in diversity and passion. The station's music programs cover sounds from afar and our own backyards, and they do it well. Kaja Brown's alt-hip-hop show HipRawk Nation, roots program Full Moon Hacksaw, Soul Deluxe with DJ Byron Fenix all rep music not getting enough shine on commercial stations, and the station's locally driven shows, like Yab Yum's Bungalow Show, Arizona Music 586 (staffed by Phoenix's local musicians' union), and local reggae legend Walt Richardson's My World of Music are among the most comprehensive and interesting on the station. Select programming is simulcast on KVIT 90.7 FM and 92.7 and KWSS 93.9 throughout the week, but it's all available — to Phoenix and the whole globe — online.

It's hard to know what exactly is going on when you find yourself tuned to 87.9 FM in Phoenix and listening to harsh noise, bizarre dubstep, and other unclassifiable mixes from the desert underground. Broadcast illegally, this is pirate radio at its weirdest. The signal comes and goes — but it's always streaming at www.kwfucc.com, an insanely designed site that features a message that sums up the station's uncanny appeal: "look i know we are no web desighners [sic] but fuck it this az we just make shit up as we go." By the time you read this, it's entirely possible that the station has vanished like a ghost from the FM dial, but don't be surprised when it shows back up again, making little to no sense at all, the exact opposite of what you'll hear anywhere else on the radio.

The bearded brewers at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Gilbert need little introduction in the craft beer scene at this point, and they are used to people lining up for their beer. But when the Bear Wallow Berliner Weiss, one of their signature opening beers, hopped back on the menu, the line just got bigger. This sour-style beer was one of the first to be produced locally, setting the bar for breweries to begin sourcing local grain, which, like much of their beer, is built from Hayden Mills Sonoran White heritage wheat. At only 3.2 percent ABV, you can taste every last nuance — and go back for more.

This little distillery in Tempe has big ambition, the kind that's led to a distinguished Double Gold medal at the San Francisco Spirits competition for its Desert Dry Gin. To be sure, judges, local bartenders, and drinkers alike are enjoying Arizona terroir like never before: in herbaceous gin. Sourced from locales like Cottonwood, the gin features a 5-C's lineup of botanicals: cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, cumin, and citrus. Of course, there's our friend juniper, and a little lavender, and apple as well.

With a few clever tricks up their sleeves, Phoenicians long have known how to make summers more bearable, including maintaining an arsenal of thirst-quenching and revitalizing provisions. We think of watermelon, stone fruits, iced tea, and, of course, Sand-Reckoner "W." The highly aromatic wine smells of white flowers like gardenia and citrus blossom, with traces of lavender greens. Sound like a pool area you know? "W" is a nectarous wine, tasting like creamy lemon, orange peel, sweet red apple, with undertones of tropical melon and mango. We think it pairs best with light summer fare like delicate oysters, grilled whitefish, and sweet apricot galettes. Fragrant and delightful, Sand-Reckoner "W" was made for long days of sunshine, delectable dining, and finally deciding that the summers here really aren't that bad.

Local country crooner Tommy Ash makes music inspired by the likes of Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, and Waylon Jennings, with a healthy dose of Western music thrown in for good measure. Her song "Yodelin' Blues," off Sinner's Blood, would fit in perfectly on the soundtrack to Kill Bill because her voice drifts between singing and yodeling on the song's haunting chorus. She shot a music video, directed by Tanner Locust and P.A Molumby, that captures the song's dusty aesthetic perfectly. The video is set mostly in an old, light blue Chevy, and we see images of passionate love and heart-wrenching breakup take place in the car while the band plays on faded rugs in front of a brilliant desert sunset. The sound and sights of the desert haunt the video, ending with night overtaking the band, and candles appear to light the final, dark notes of the song.

All too often, the best things in life show up when we're not looking and — in the case of night-blooming cacti — they don't stick around for long. To get scientific: Night-blooming cereus refers to a number of flowering ceroid cacti, which include a variety with buds that bloom only at night. The flowers are usually lightly colored and very fragrant, but you won't spot or smell them if you're more concerned with catching up on your Zs. By morning, they've often wilted and disappeared. If you're not planning on growing your own or running out into the desert in the middle of the night, your best bet might be a flashlight tour (May through August) at the Desert Botanical Garden. There, you can catch the bloom of the Peniocereus greggii, or Queen of the Night cacti, and your guide will know just when and where to look.