Nightlife

The Van Buren hits the sweet spot for music venues: small enough that you can actually see the action on stage, but large enough that the many concerts that happen there feel like big events. We love the fact that the venue is housed in a midcentury car dealership, because it makes The Van Buren feel deeply connected to Arizona, as do the desert-themed murals next to the stage. Just in the past year, The Van Buren has hosted Mongolian folk metal outfit The Hu, alt-country crooner Orville Peck, indie rock darlings Wet Leg, ’90s heartthrobs Hanson, and so many more. We like to head downtown early and kill some time before the show by playing pinball at the adjoining Stardust Pinbar before heading inside to hear some of today’s most exciting musical acts up close and in person.

Why is Aura getting the nod for the best hip-hop spot two years in a row? Not for any lack of options, as Valley’s rap scene has plenty of worthwhile joints. The Tempe club’s mix of talented bookers, frequent shows with great lineups, a huge stage, and other amenities have kept its status as the go-to spot for hip-hop secure. Until another spot steps up to take its crown, we’ll keep going to Aura. So will hip-hop fans, who fill its 5,000-square-foot main room for shows featuring local and touring artists. Prominent local promoter Respect the Underground throws its events here, including the daylong Tempe Hip-Hop Festival over the summer. Big-time performers like Wifisfuneral, King Lil G, Kamaiyah, Rucci, and Scarface have all brought their game to Aura over the past year. On other weekends, you can catch resident DJs dropping rap, trap, and R&B bangers during club nights and theme parties.

If you’ve never visited The Trunk Space before, it might take you a minute to find it. The venue, a longtime refuge for the undercurrents of the Phoenix music scene, is tucked in a wing of the Grace Lutheran Church on Third Street. Small, shabby, and staffed largely by volunteers, the Trunk Space provides a home for the eclectic and the experimental, bringing in both underground local outfits and touring bands from across the country. The venue has helped downtown Phoenix creatives stay afloat for nearly two decades, including at its original spot on Grand Avenue. Any given night at the Trunk Space promises a glimpse at some niche of Phoenix music scene — those up-and-coming bands whose names you don’t yet know. And more often than you’d think, those unknown artists put on a great show.

The two locations of 414 Pub Pizza & Karaoke have very different vibes. The original Tempe location is smaller and more of a nightspot where ASU students and others come to eat, drink, and be musically merry. The newer Mesa outpost is larger, with room for pool tables and other games, and more mellow and welcoming to people of all ages — we’ve seen everyone from grandpas to grade-schoolers get up and sing. What both 414s have in common is nightly karaoke with engaging hosts and supportive bar patrons who cheer for everyone regardless of talent. The songbook has countless options, from showtunes to pop hits to obscure oldies. 414 offers drink specials several nights of the week, plus a solid lineup of bar fare. We love the honey hot wings (boneless or bone-in) and the stuffed breadstick-style Pizza Styx. A couple of appetizers and some strong cocktails never fail to fortify us for an evening of karaoke.

In a city that keeps getting further from its Old West roots, Buffalo Chip Saloon up in Cave Creek is still an authentic Southwestern watering hole after more than 70 years. Whiskey and beers flow freely seven nights a week, especially during the live bull-riding sessions at the outdoor rodeo arena on Wednesdays and Fridays. You, as a civilian, probably shouldn’t try to ride the real bulls, but you can try your hand at staying on the Chip’s mechanical version, which is just one of the bar’s entertaining features. The event calendar includes music by the house band, Pick o’ the Litter, and free dance lessons. The Chip’s sprawling compound boasts fire pits, lawn games, an outside stage area, and even a small church on the premises if you feel like your Saturday night fun warrants some Sunday morning repentance. (It’s also a Green Bay Packers bar, for you cheeseheads.) Pretty much every honky-tonk has tall beers and twangy tunes, but Buffalo Chip has an authenticity a lively atmosphere that makes the trip to Cave Creek worth the drive.

It’s time to have your fruit and smoke it, too. That’s right, your hookah expert at i-MAD Bar did, in fact, stick a bowl hewn from a pineapple and packed with shisha atop your water pipe. Or maybe it was made from watermelon or an apple. Regardless, adding the fresh-cut produce helps accentuate any of i-MAD Bar’s dozens of flavored tobaccos with a fruity zest. This two-story venue is a casual lounge by day and a bustling nightclub by night. The attentive staff eagerly whisk out aromatic pots of potent Turkish coffee, dishes laden with Middle Eastern cuisine, or a few extra coals for your hookah on weekend nights as a live DJ spins hip-hop and more from the inside balcony. And you don’t need to visit either of the two full bars to collect a cocktail — a waitress is always around to bring you a falafel wrap or an Old Fashioned to accompany your nargile. On cool evenings, you’d be remiss to miss the rooftop bar and patio with its panoramic views of Old Town Scottsdale. For special occasions, reserve the VIP salon, filled with plush couches, curved televisions, and Champagne on ice, and enjoy a night of global pop music, bottle service, and the ever-present bubbling of sweet-smelling smoke being huffed.

If you want to try your hand at an El Charro Hipster Bar and Cafe open mic, get there early. El Charro Hipster, a family-owned cafe and restaurant on Grand Avenue, holds the event on Thursday nights, and the line to get a slot sometimes stretches all the way back to the bar. For good reason: As it’s been serving handcrafted paella and artisanal mezcal cocktails, El Charro has cultivated a real arts community. On Thursday evenings, everyone from aspiring singers to established talents feels emboldened to take the microphone for a few minutes. And the audience, perhaps charmed by El Charro’s mole appetizers and eclectic decor, is always welcoming, even for those who are out of tune.

Head over to Crescent Ballroom in downtown Phoenix on select Saturdays and you’ll find the Groove Theory, an hours-long, live jam session full — as its name promises — of straight grooves. Groove Theory is the creation of local musicians Zeedubb and Lord Kash of The Stakes, a seven-member hip-hop outfit known for grandiose live performances. Since 2019, the two musicians have hosted Groove Theory on Crescent’s patio. Throughout the night, local musicians circle through, stopping by a microphone to rap a few bars or bust out some crazy jazz licks on a sax. Zeedubb and Lord Kash are experts at holding a groove, and are truly skilled at improv. Groove Theory masterfully avoids the easy pitfalls of jam sessions — which are sometimes overcrowded, discordant, full of clashing egos — and instead brings together a hodgepodge of brilliant jazz, funk, and hip-hop artists, allowing them a space to create grooves unplanned, out of thin air. The result is captivating.

With its faux Gothic windows and medieval-looking chandeliers, Stacy’s @ Melrose is designed to look like a cathedral. But we’re guessing most churches don’t have signs posted in the restroom reminding the patrons that there should only be one person per bathroom stall. No, Stacy’s is a place to worship at the altars of friendliness, inclusivity, and entertainment. The bar has stuff going on nearly every night of the week, from DJ nights to drag shows, and the vibe is what you make it. Whether you want to hang with the friends you came with, or branch out and meet new people, it can happen at Stacy’s. We like to hang out there on Thursdays for all-night happy hour — $4 pineapple mimosas are enough to make us say “amen.”

On any given night in the Valley, the answer to the question, “Where’s the party?” is usually “Charlie’s Phoenix.” The venerable nightspot has been open since 1984, and we have a crazy fun night every time we go. The expansive property has plenty of space inside and outside for drinking, dancing, and making new friends. Feeling shy? Charlie’s is often packed, so gently bump into someone, apologize, and strike up a conversation. If you prefer to watch other people dance, Charlie’s has free steamy shows featuring their legendary go-go boys on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Add in bingo, karaoke, line dancing lessons, and drink specials on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Charlie’s is a guaranteed good time any day of the week.

The decline of lesbian bars in the U.S. is noticeable enough that there’s a docuseries on the subject coming to The Roku Channel this fall. That’s a loss, in our book, because we need more bars like Boycott Bar. Boycott, located in the Melrose District, is featured in the series, which means that anyone with a Roku will get to see the unfussy interior decorated with images of classic movie stars like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Everyone is friendly at Boycott, from the guy at the door to the bartenders to the crowd. We love the mostly enclosed patio accessible by a sliding door, where you can play some free pool or even a couple of rounds of Super Mario Bros. 3 on an original NES. Show up on Thursdays for some spirited karaoke, and enjoy Boycott’s welcoming vibe.

Right in the heart of central Phoenix is Kobalt, a gay bar whose weekly 4Some Revue drag show is one of our favorite ways to spend a Friday night. You should probably know that “4Some” is a misnomer. On any given Friday, you’ll probably get to see more than four performers — the core cast is composed of queens Toothpick, Gigi, Mynx, Salem, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race Season 13 alum Joey Jay, plus there are special guests nearly every week. You should also probably know that tables for the popular weekly event are the best way to enjoy the show and sell out fast, so you may want to make a reservation. And you should definitely know that 4Some Revue, like all the other events at Kobalt, such as Monday Naughty & Nice Drag Bingo and Sunday karaoke, offer both wild fun and a welcoming inclusive atmosphere. Any more questions?

How small is the performance space at Old Town Tavern? On one Friday this summer, Honeygirl bassist Jeff Hecht actually had to play standing outside with the door to the bar open. But what OTT lacks in size, it makes up in the artists they showcase and the fun to be had. For most of the year, OTT hosts at least one artist per day, including Pistoleros veteran Mark Zubia, party favorites Elvis Before Noon, and Wyves frontman Corey Gloden. Everyone seems to pass through OTT at some point, including the many regulars, folks in town for business or pleasure, packs of bachelorettes, and random Old Town Scottsdale partiers drawn in by the sound of music. They all find the same thing: affordable drinks, a convivial atmosphere, and live performances by some of the Valley’s best-known musicians.

Due to the ongoing Valley Metro Rail construction happening on Central Avenue, it can be kind of an ordeal getting to a concert at Last Exit Live. But trust us, it’s worth it. The spare interior leaves plenty of room for patrons to pack in and see local, regional, and national acts like KONGOS, Gang of Four, The Woodworks, and so many more. The sound quality is excellent, and the indoor/outdoor setup (big rollup doors open during nice weather) means that you can hear the show even if you’re taking a breather at one of the picnic tables on the patio. And you’ll have to take our word for it, but Last Exit has one of the coolest green rooms in town, with a massive gallery wall put together by local designer Sid Rhea.

Picking the best country bar in these neck of the woods ain’t easy, pardner. There are any number of local saloons, nightclubs, or dance halls where the Wrangler-clad crowd can tipple and two-step, and every cowboy or cowgirl has their favorite. That said, Roman’s Oasis gallops ahead of other spots by a country mile, thanks to its size, history, and devotion to its patrons. Situated on the dusty edge of Goodyear, the 9,000-square-foot roadhouse is the largest and oldest honky-tonk in the west Valley, boasting multiple dance floors and bars, live music every weekend, and the biggest collection of kitschy ephemera this side of the Rio Grande. It’s largely unchanged since the late Roman Comer opened the place in 1986, and daughter Myra Curtis has kept things true to its old-school pedigree, including staying cash-only. Amble in to enjoy the country comforts of the original location while you can, since it’s moving 400 feet to the southwest sometime in the next year or two to accommodate a widening of Yuma Road. As Curtis told Phoenix New Times in 2021, they’ll re-create Roman’s Oasis as best they can, right down to the giant rooster ornament outside. “We’re going to try to keep the same character, the same flavor of Roman’s so that our customers aren’t disappointed,” she said.

Just to be clear: We mean the performance space formerly known as Arizona Federal Theatre. The downtown Phoenix venue got its fourth name in 20 years a few months ago, but our enjoyment of the concert experience hasn’t changed. The 5,000-seat theater always provides top-quality sound whether we’re watching Maynard James Keenan’s Puscifer project get weird or listening to Olivia Rodrigo enchant thousands of teenagers (and their parents). One thing we love about Arizona Financial: The location of the merch booth allows the line to wrap up the staircase to the second floor, keeping those attendees out of the way of those of us who are just trying to get a drink or reach out seats. Add in plenty of parking, light rail access, and lots of dining and nightlife options before and after shows, and it’s clear why Arizona Financial Theatre is our pick.

It can be hard to keep track of the revolving door of stadium name changes in metro Phoenix, but what’s now called Desert Diamond Arena you know as Gila River Arena, the erstwhile home of the Arizona Coyotes. Whatever its moniker, Desert Diamond Arena is our favorite place to see the big shows, artists such as Pearl Jam, Billie Eilish, and Harry Styles. Its prime location as part of the Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale means we’ve got plenty of places to choose from for pre- and post-show drinking and dining. But there are good food and beverage options inside the arena as well. New this year at the arena is the Ella Dean Sensory Room, a space for guests who may have sensory issues (including people with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other conditions). Attendees can take a break from flashing lights and loud music to decompress for a bit. We love a music venue that takes care of its guests.

We live in an era where irony is almost second nature, as if the only way to live in this world is under a protective layer of detachment. But that’s not the style of Chrome Rhino. The band’s entire existence (all three years of it) has been marked by a willingness to embrace the silly and the joyous across the board. Whether that’s dressing in animal onesies for a music video; calling themselves bright and shiny; or embracing ’80s pop and ELO as influences, Chrome Rhino are a source of joy in a scene that often favors intensity. But they’re not just about having a great time on their records or during one of their many jovial live sets — there’s a depth and deliberateness to the band that rounds out those silly sentiments into music that proudly wears its heart on its jean jacket. It’s all of that together that makes Chrome Rhino important, and a real shot in the arm for Phoenix bands who want to make having fun seem deeply essential and transcendent. So come for all the gimmicks and the razzle-dazzle, but stay for a band that knows the real joy is making music that moves you.

A band composed of 12 people is either going to be a musical triumph or an unholy mess. In the case of Goldwax Revival, it’s definitely the former. Formed by Phoenix music scene veterans Ryan Probst and Pete Gonzales, Goldwax Revival was named after an obscure 1960s Memphis record label that released soul music by underappreciated artists, and includes a horn section and a trio of backup singers in addition to keys, drums, guitars, bass, and vocals. The original mission was to bring to life forgotten soul songs, a plan which came to fruition during the band’s first show, a wall-of-sound, bring-the-house-down set opening for Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra at Crescent Ballroom in March. The group laid dormant for a few months, then did a dramatic pivot for their next show in June at Tempe nonprofit venue Unity for Community: a four-song set of Beyoncé covers. Rumor has it that they’re working on some original material and planning one more show before the end of the year. We can’t wait to see what they do next.

The list of artists from Arizona who have gained national attention is all over the place, genre-wise. But if we’re looking for a musician that exemplifies multiple styles, there’s Sydney Sprague. Her music represents a solid cross-section of Phoenix sounds, with hints of alt and emo and a heaping helping of folk. And it’s taken off in all the right places, as the young singer’s played festivals like Governors Ball and Innings Fest, and toured with Dashboard Confessional and Jimmy Eat World. Amid all that new attention, either in interviews or her TikTok account, Sprague remains ever-charming and eternally humbled — the kind of star you’d want to represent our city and the artists and humanity it encompasses. Plus, she’s not ready to rest on her laurels, and based on new singles like “Think Nothing,” Sprague’s future is just getting brighter. She called her debut LP maybe i will see you at the end of the world, and it made sense given the weirdness of our times. But maybe she’s making music for the end of one world and the start of another, a place where acts like Sprague exist beyond geography in a place for deeply meaningful art.

Phoenix has such a huge, multifaceted local scene that it’s often hard for any one act to rise above the rest. But if one band deserves to be on more folks’ radars, it’s No Lungs. The noise-pop project of local singer-songwriter Austin Cooper, No Lungs have been going more or less steady for the last few years (though Cooper has taken breaks over that span). It helps that there’s a certain charm about Cooper: some slacker vibes and genuine wit that feel compelling in the frontman. And that the band’s live show stands firmly in the realm of ramshackle punk while still feeling slightly playful and centered on the songs themselves. But more than anything, it’s the actual music, most recently the band’s excellent What You Didn’t Want to Happen Is Happening Right Now. Here, Cooper blurs the line between alt, power-pop, punk, and indie rock — but more than any song witchcraft performed here, it all feels just utterly compelling and life-affirming. It’s a feeling you won’t find everywhere.

As this issue goes to print, the award-winning, Phoenix-based rap artist Mega Ran should be back in the Valley after touring the Midwest and the East Coast. The former middle school teacher turned full-time musician, whose given name is Raheem Jarbo, rhymes about geek culture, and everything from pro wrestling to video games is fodder for his fire rhymes. His latest collaborative project with Penny the Great and Slopfunkdust, Protoculture Season, is a meld of music tracks (on vinyl or digital format) and merch based on the influential Macross (a.k.a. Robotech) anime about robots and vehicles made using technology from a crashed alien spacecraft. But whether he’s writing diss tracks about Alex Trebek (may he rest) after the game show host called people who listen to nerdcore music losers, penning a memoir (Dream Master: From the Stoop to the Stage to the Stars came out in late 2020), or lighting up local stages, we’re always impressed with what he has to offer.

Jake Stellarwell is uncompromising and outspoken in his beliefs. He doesn’t consider himself to be a DJ and refuses to use the title. He loathes the term EDM. And he thinks Phoenix’s music scene is populated by artists who have significant potential. While some may disagree with Stellarwell’s beliefs, few would argue he doesn’t know his craft. Over the past 11 years, he’s exposed locals to artists and music they aren’t familiar with in his deftly crafted mixes and at events he’s promoted. Through previous parties such as Rebel Disco and Push Push, he’s featured such genres as deep house, nu-disco, boogie, and no wave. Underground artists like influential house/techno goddess the Blessed Madonna, U.K.-based indie dance duo Psychemagik, and Jacques Renault have been showcased locally thanks to Stellarwell and his cohorts. His moves away from the nightlife scene are also significant. In 2019, he worked with DJs like Julian French and Davina Griego to create Recordbar Radio, a multifaceted project that includes streaming sets by a variety of Valley DJs and musicians. “We want to make sure that Phoenix DJs, [artists], and [producers] are getting an opportunity to showcase their talent, perform their craft, and have it be broadcast on the internet so that it can reach whomever, wherever they are,” Stellarwell told Digital Future in 2020. And it’s making our scene all the better.

Yes, technically speaking, this album did come out in late December 2021. But it’s so good that even we’re willing to ignore the realities of the calendar in order to celebrate a true career high for this long-time band of wacky rockers. At the most basic level, the music here is just great; “Steve, Television Salesman,” for instance, is a totally bonkers, extra-riotous punk rock jam. But the album flourishes because the whole band taps into the unlikely TikTok career of frontman Robbie Pfeffer, distilling all that post-millenium world-wide-weirdness into deeply political songs. That includes “The Feeling I Get When Petting a Dog,” which feels about as close to a modern-day mantra as we’ll ever get, and “I Blame You,” which is a Devo-esque sendup of right-wing politics. It’s all these coalescing ideas and energies that make Toxic Positivity what it is: a chronicle of life in the 2020s, detailing the power and personality it takes just to get by each and every day. Beyond that, it’s a clear roadmap for this band’s future, and a sign that they’re a band of kooky, utterly profound musical gurus.

The best anthems for a time/movement are often entirely accidental. Case in point: “Monica Lewinsky,” from Phoenix-born pop singer Taylor Upsahl (who performs as UPSAHL). Did she intend to release it right around the Supreme Court leak and subsequent reversal of Roe v. Wade? Maybe not, but you couldn’t have better timing if it was plotted by Michael Crichton. But the song’s debut in such a time of great social upheaval only made it all the more compelling and downright catchy. Sure, you could brush this off as just another electro-pop-leaning “you go girl” anthem — and it’s certainly got that kind of energy (see the shoutout to Miley Cryus, and the reference to that infamous Bill Clinton testimony). But the song’s just as much about how we portray and engage women in modern media, and UPSAHL weaponizes those trite stereotypes to condemn a society that readily uplifts as much as it needlessly condemns the actions of women. All of that together — the blunt and the beautiful, the ironic and the earnest — is why this song is a powerful anthem of our weird little world; the fact that it’s from a talented Phoenician is icing on the cake.

Deliver us from rock ‘n’ rollers who take themselves too seriously. Isn’t playing music supposed to be fun? Tempe power trio The Black Moods always seem to be having a good time, and no more so than in their recent music video for “Youth Is Wasted on the Young,” a track off their 2022 album, Into the Night. Lead singer and guitarist Josh Kennedy, drummer Chico Diaz, and bassist Jordan Hoffman brought the party to Combs High School in San Tan Valley for the video shoot. All the members of the band play both faculty and students: Kennedy’s a pigtailed blonde girl flirting with her classmates, Hoffman plays a gym teacher who gets pelted by dodgeballs, and Diaz portrays both an uptight Spanish teacher and the stoner kid who harasses him. The video culminates with the trio getting chased out of the school A Hard Day’s Night style and performing for the students, showing the next generation of Black Moods fans just how much fun it is to be a rock star.

This Westgate Entertainment District nightspot is like the decadent theme park of your boozy dreams where childhood thrills get a grown-up twist. The fanciful lights of the carousel-shaped bar beckon patrons inside the 5,800-square-foot establishment to play carnival-style games or high-end arcade machines while sipping fruity cocktails garnished with cotton candy. Or, they can writhe to Top 40 and hip-hop hits on a dance floor surrounded by video game-themed murals. There’s also bingo games on Mondays and beer pong tournaments on Wednesdays, both offering bar cards and other prizes. And the menu includes french fries served in miniature Ferris wheels, fair-inspired snacks like deep-fried candy bars, and overly indulgent milkshakes adorned with churros or cheesecake slices. It’s not unlike a 21-and-over version of Pinocchio‘s Pleasure Island, only you might wind up with a hangover the next day instead of a set of donkey ears and a tail.

An open elevator shaft, a cage full of dolls, trick mirrors. Were it not for this genuinely bizarre decor, Hanny’s would be your run-of-the-mill, stylish-but-straightforward downtown lounge. You can find the restaurant and bar in an austere concrete building on First and Adams streets. It’s a spacious hangout, with a kitchen that’s open late and a decent steak sandwich. But it’s the longtime art installations that draw many curious visitors to Hanny’s — and it’s worth taking a tour through the space to appreciate the Annabelle-esque ornamentation. The hall-of-mirrors bathrooms are straight from the circus (and don’t forget to take a trip down to the basement to visit the dolls). It’ll make a date more interesting, that’s for sure.

Inside, Luckys feels like a vintage dive bar you went to once but can’t remember. There’s an antler chandelier when you walk in, the walls are paneled in wood, some barstools are red, and there’s a pool table. Of course, plenty of details make it not your parents’ dive bar, like how clean it is. But outside, there’s a beautiful, expansive patio — and that’s where the magic happens (or maybe it’s just the Jell-O shots kicking in). The lights strung overhead are red, and the twilight glow makes it too easy to lose track of time when the weather is fine, and the company is good. Luckys has swings, long tables on a covered deck, bocce ball, a skyline view, and a food truck that says no more than “Hot Food.” When it’s midnight and you’re six Cold Snacks in, you don’t need more details than that. It also doesn’t hurt that the Luckys patio is dog-friendly and the drinks are deceptively strong.

It’s hard to believe, but after 53 years of melting eardrums with their music, British heavy metal outfit Judas Priest is getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just this year, coming in under the Musical Excellence category, an award that “shall be given to artists, musicians, songwriters, and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music,” according to the Hall of Fame’s website. Why does this matter to Arizonans? In case you weren’t aware, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has been a Valley resident for decades; he’s resided in Paradise Valley since 1981. Which means that when Judas Priest is officially inducted in November, it’s not just a long-overdue honor for one of the most popular metal bands of all time, it’s well-deserved recognition for one of Phoenix’s favorite adopted sons.

The phrase “good vibes” is frightfully overused these days. But there’s really no other way to describe the atmosphere at the annual M3F Festival (originally known as the McDowell Mountain Music Festival). Held in downtown Phoenix, the festival lineup skews heavy toward EDM, up-and-coming acts, jam bands, and indie artists (names on the 2022 bill included Spafford, Kaytranada, Leon Bridges, and Blu DeTiger). Besides the music, attendees enjoy art cars brought in by local event company Walter Productions, a vendor village selling festival necessities and other goods, and a food fair with a good cross-section of choices. (The Indonesian satay tent was a hit this year). Over two days, we saw nothing but smiles, dancing, and people having a good time. Add in the fact that all proceeds from M3F benefit local charities, and it’s undeniable that vibes coming from the festival are, indeed, immaculate.

The talent found in the Phoenix music scene can be found on stages every single night in every corner of the Valley. But for a truly impressive display of creativity, make plans to attend next year’s iteration of Phoenix Rock Lottery. Put on by local promoter Stephen Chilton’s Pskyo Steve Presents, Rock Lottery starts early on the morning of the show, when about two dozen local musicians gather to be randomly placed in five groups. Each group is then responsible for choosing a band name, and throughout the day, writing three original tunes and preparing a cover song. Later that night, each group shows off the results of their hard work at a concert whose proceeds benefit a local charity (typically Rosie’s House, which works to provide music education opportunities for disadvantaged children youth). We love seeing what some of the city’s most talented musicians are able to put together in a matter of hours.

You can find her on the radio on weekday mornings, interviewing local musicians and playing their latest songs on independent radio station KWSS. You’ll also spot her frequenting venues such as Crescent Ballroom and The Rebel Lounge, giving in-person support and encouragement to the acts she sends out on the airwaves. Wherever she is, odds are good that Dani Cutler is talking up the Phoenix music scene. She’s been a DJ on KWSS for 15 years, meaning she’s a got a deeper institutional knowledge of local music history than most (and by the way, that’s a volunteer gig — between her morning show and the Dani’s Diner afternoon program, she donates nearly two dozen hours of her time each week). When members of the Phoenix scene talk about its major contributors, Cutler’s name comes up quickly. And now that KWSS has added another spot on the dial (it began broadcasting on 99.5 FM in September in addition to its original 93.9 address), we’re able to tune in and hear what she has to say over a greater swath of the Valley.

When local businessman David Cameron bought the old Char’s Has the Blues in 2020, he easily could’ve demolished the aging R&B joint, replacing it with another concept altogether. He didn’t, and the venue’s legion of fans was grateful. Over the next 15 months, the 2,245-square-foot property, which dates back to 1944, was given a renovated interior, an updated name, and a new lease on life. Its infrastructure was gutted and replaced. An old nook became a roomy VIP area. And new lighting, decor elements, seating, and a 10-by-13-foot stage were added. Even with the changes, Cameron preserved as much of the old Char’s Has the Blues as possible from its 35-year run as an R&B, soul, and funk haven. Its signature parquet dance floor was left largely untouched, and many of the same musicians that played the spot over the years — including vocalist Larry Bailey and funk ensemble Kenny Brown and Bam Bam Trio — returned to the lineup once Chars LIVE reopened in February. They’re also added new artists into the mix, such as soul singer Alexis Janae and local turntablist Tricky T. “We’re innovating things slightly into a different kind of overall musical experience and still stay true to its roots,” Cameron told Phoenix New Times.

At the beginning of February, Eric and Lauren Dahl, the former owners of The Lost Leaf, made an announcement: The beloved bar and music venue would be shutting its doors in just six weeks. The pandemic — plus a rent hike — had left the couple with few choices but to let go of their longtime business. The news was a shock to the arts community. The Lost Leaf, which lives in a charming abode on Fifth Street in Roosevelt Row, is a longtime staple in the arts scene — hosting a neverending lineup of free shows, selling local brews, and giving funk bands and experimental DJs an audience and a stage. The reaction was swift. At one February show, a DJ led the crowd in a chant of “Save the Leaf.” The slogan was graffitied and hashtagged for weeks — until, at last, in a truly cinematic save, local developer David Cameron announced he would buy the venue and keep its doors open. So far, The Lost Leaf has retained its familiar, quirky character, and a consistent slate of stellar artists.

We’re way past the time when something like MTV is still valid. Without sounding too crotchety, the internet has taken over as the vessel for musical exploration. But curation is still a good thing, and even if it isn’t as marketable on a global/national level, it’s nice to have someone show you good music. In this case, it’s Sam Means (of Hello Merch and The Format fame) who, with a team of collaborators, has created Wastoids. It’s a one-stop local media conglomerate, doling out performance videos and podcasts from local and regional acts. So, whether you’re looking for rap (like MC Magic), hardcore punk, or psych-jazz — not to mention visual arts — Wastoids delivers it in a delightfully DIY capacity. It’s like stumbling on some music video program circa 1987 — if all the production was top-notch and the VJs knew their stuff like Greil Marcus. It’s places like Wastoids that both promote and reflect the culture of the Valley, and demonstrate just how much great art happens in the city if you just pay attention. And, on the plus side, they’re always on, direct from some extra kooky corner of the World Wide Web.

In the constantly evolving metro Phoenix nightlife scene, there’s something comforting about walking into a bar that never changes. For as long as we’ve been bar-legal, Casey Moore’s has been a go-to hangout. We love the building, a house built for the Moeur family in 1910 that’s purported to be haunted (we’re still waiting to see a ghost, though). We love the expansive patio area with its table and bar seating, twinkle lights, and shade trees. And we love the menu; the food side is stocked with tried-and-true dishes including the eponymous oysters and our favorite, the cajun cream linguine with chicken, while the drink side has everything we need for a raucous night with friends. Casey’s has the unique ability to be familiar and comforting without succumbing to monotony. To that end, we hope it always stays the same.

If you’re interested in agave spirits, why not go to a self-described “back-alley mezcal bar”? The two-story concept from David Tyda starts with a ground-floor cantina where a staircase descends into a dark, upscale cocktail parlor where everything is rooted in agave. The downstairs menu is one of the most comprehensive crash courses in agave in the Valley: It delves into the differences, histories, and descriptions of each agave spirit available at the bar. The cocktails and mezcal selections are top-notch and use high-quality and exciting ingredients. Favorites include the clarified HorChaiChata, Elote Moda with Mezcal Vago Elote and ancestral corn whiskey, and Rosemary’s Ofrenda. New bars in downtown Phoenix seem to pop up constantly, but we hope Barcoa’s unique concept helps it stick around for a long time to come.

When Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin of Tacos Chiwas and Rene Andrade of Bacanora teamed up to open Espiritu Cocktails + Comida on Mesa’s Main Street, they wanted cocktails to show off their Mexican heritage — and they wanted Adrian Galindo heading it up. “He’s that guy,” says Hernandez, referring to Galindo’s rare ability to be chemist, psychiatrist, best friend, and showman all at once, a master at making intoxicating drinks in an intoxicating way. Galindo, who helped run Ghost Ranch and Bacanora’s drinking programs, got into bartending because he loves to be the center of attention, but he’s much more than a spotlight-seeker. Sit at the bar, and Galindo can wax poetic about the finer points of mezcal or geek out on the terroir of raicilla, all while lighting things on fire — sugar cubes are a fave — and dripping blood-red bitters down a clay skull mug. It’s a full sensory experience. Stay till last call for his Chante Power Hour. It’s worth it.

There’s usually something fun going on at Boondocks in Tempe. It could be trivia night, rowdy ASU fans packing the place after a game, live tunes by local musicians, or a UFC fight on pay-per-view. But even on the slowest of evenings, we always feel welcome and content. While its sister location in Old Town Scottsdale is more of a party bar, the Tempe outpost is typically more mellow, the kind of place you hit up for lunch or to catch up with an old friend over a couple of beers. Show up regularly, and it won’t take long for the bartenders and waitstaff to start recognizing you. You’ll get familiar with the menu, which offers top-notch bar food like garlic fries and a lineup of creative burgers. And you’ll start thinking of Boondocks Tempe as your go-to bar, a place where the staff and regulars may not know your name, but they’ll smile when they see your face.

For all its faults, Scottsdale’s entertainment district doesn’t tend to dwell on the past. When a particular nightspot fizzles out, its owners — and the clubgoer crowd — typically move on to something new. So when the bygone Cake Nightclub was resurrected earlier this year after a five-year absence, it was notable, particularly since it was a tremendous upgrade from its original location just up Saddlebag Trail. Version 2.0 of Cake is larger, louder, and more decadent than before. The glow-up included tripling its size and doubling down on its over-the-top amenities. Now, there are even more posh VIP areas, a bigger outdoor patio, and a massive video wall. The club’s licentious and libertine vibe has become more potent as locals come to drink, dance, and debauch as aerialists perform from rings hanging from the ceiling and big beats come from the sound system. Subtlety has never been Cake’s style. Heck, it’s never been a thing in Scottsdale, period.

It’s been a rough couple of years for downtown Tempe nightlife. First, the pandemic wiped out a number of DJ-friendly spots along Mill Avenue. Then, popular electronic dance music hub Shady Park went dark earlier this year after losing a legal battle over noise issues with neighboring senior adult community Mirabella at ASU. So when Darkstar launched in April, it was quickly embraced by clubgoers and EDM fans eager for a new place to get down and go hard. The two-story, 4,500-square-foot dancing and drinking haven features amenities geared toward the party crowd, including some not found at other Mill Avenue bars. A mezzanine level is perched above the enormous dance floor, allowing people-watching and great views of the DJs. The A/V setup boasts a PK Sound system and multiple large-scale HD video screens behind the stage. And local concert promoter Relentless Beats books a wide variety of EDM superstars here, ranging from legends like Bad Boy Bill to such festival-quality artists as JAUZ, Cut Snake, and Mat Zo. Looking for the Valley’s best new nightspot? Set course for Darkstar in Tempe.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since Gin Blossoms’ New Miserable Experience album debuted and brought the Tempe desert rock sound to the world. But here we are, and to honor the milestone and the band that’s still touring the country today, the city of Tempe announced in June that it would rename part of Eighth Street to Allison Road Avenue. (It’s a reference to “Allison Road,” the ninth track on New Miserable Experience.) The renamed portion runs from Rural Road to Una Avenue, a section of town that holds great meaning for the band. “Tempe is my home and heart forever,” lead singer Robin Wilson said in a statement in June. “My recording studio was on 8th St. inside Four Peaks Brewery for 20 years. There are no words for the intense pride I feel for this honor.” Look for the signs for Allison Road Avenue to go up in October.

Those of us who don’t drink are no longer settling for “mocktails” composed of nothing more than fizzy water and juice. Garden Bar PHX is an incredible new spot for nonalcoholic cocktails; Kim Haasarud, owner and palate wizard, gives Garden Bar’s virgin drinks the same attention as everything else on her award-winning menu. Haasarud stocks the bar with alcohol-free, distilled spirits that mimic spirits’ properties or create an entirely new experience. There are a few ways to drink NA at Garden Bar. First, many of their cocktails can be made NA by swapping for a spirit alternative by their profoundly knowledgable mixologists. Otherwise, Garden Bar has a spirit-free cocktail section with standalone cocktails made with CBD tincture and spirit alternatives. A blackberry vanilla margarita, whiskey smash, and a gin alternative drink called Green Bee were featured this summer, but whatever beverages are on seasonal menus to come, we know they’re going to be great.

Politics, climate change, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ dismal record — there’s a lot in Phoenix life that weighs us down. But it’s easy to rise above it all at From the Rooftop, the bar atop the Cambria Hotel near Roosevelt Row. High above the city streets, we can feel our troubles melt away as we enjoy some light bites and sip on a cocktail. We’re partial to the fried Brussels sprouts with balsamic, lemon zest, and bacon bits, and the Pool Vibes, a cocktail made with lime vodka, agave, cranberry, lemon, and lime juice. Sunset is obviously the optimal time to hang out at From the Rooftop for the best views, but the weekend Beats & Brunch events are a big draw, too.

Every hole-in-the-wall bar has an excess of Christmas lights, equally colorful regulars, and cheap booze. The Roadrunner in south Scottsdale has all those aspects on lock, plus a few bonuses that put it over the top as the best dive in town. They’ve got one of the largest selections of board games we’ve ever seen. The quirky vibe includes googly eyes randomly arranged throughout the place. And it’s also a favorite haunt of local Twitter raconteur and boozehound Clue Heywood, which counts for something. The thing that keeps patrons from all over the Valley coming in, though, is a sense of family. There are photo collages of patrons adorning the colorful walls. The staff goes out of their way to ensure everyone’s staying safe while in the throes of their alcohol-fueled bliss. Napkins are placed over drinks if you step away to use the restroom. Bartenders will spot you a buck if you need something salty or sweet from the vending machine. And they’ll eagerly arrange a ride if you’ve had too many. That’s how the late Willie and Cassie Franano, the mother and daughter who owned the Roadrunner, ran the joint, and its current proprietors are happy to keep things that way.

We fell in love with Valley Bar on our first visit. Because what’s not to love? From the well-crafted cocktails named after Arizona politicians past and present, to the iconic shadow mobile telling the story of the infamous Phoenix Trunk Murders of the 1930s and the quirky vintage decor, Valley Bar continues to be an impossibly cool place to hang out. We recommend ordering a classic menu item like the Sandra Day Old Fashioned or a newer drink, the Ground Control to Captain Kelly, made from Singani 63, Giffard’s Orgeat, John D. Taylor Velvet Falernum, Montenegro, passionfruit, and lemon. Once you’ve got a drink in hand, you can play some darts or some Skee-Ball, post up in one of the cozy booths, or head to the other side of the basement space to watch a concert. We also enjoy socializing in the bar’s secret library. If you don’t know where to find it, well… we’re not going to tell you.

Highball’s cocktails are beautiful, topped with fresh sprigs of mint and served in cut-glass coupes. But you can’t really see them. You have to let your taste buds do the judging at this impressively dark bar. Very low lighting casts a moody glow over shiny leather chairs and patrons donning their nighttime best. Cocktails, created by Valley bar experts Libby Lingua and Mitch Lyons, rotate with the seasons. As dark as it is, it would make sense if this bar inhabited a basement. But quite the opposite. Find it located on the second floor, up a steep flight of stairs on McDowell Road and Seventh Avenue. Highball welcomes customers to ascend into the darkness.

The concept of a pool bar often brings to mind watered-down, unimpressive cocktails, where the goal is for the drinks to be refreshing enough to beat the heat. But Lylo Swim Club breaks free from those boundaries. Located at the Rise Uptown Hotel, Lylo is an inventive cocktail bar that just so happens to be outside and located next to a pool. Colorful tiles decorate the tables, wicker basket lamp shades hang over the bar, and retro patio chairs and sofas give the space a Tulum-meets-midcentury feel. The cocktail menu, created by Ross Simon of award-winning bars Bitter & Twisted and Little Rituals, includes tropical tipples like the passionfruit and vanilla Star Martini, the cucumber-laced Mr. Hendricks, and the mezcal and mango Lazy Daze. Frozen items including the berry daiquiri and the sorbet bellini riff off classic poolside drinks and serve flavors that scream summer vacation all year long.

Cigar bars may have seen their heyday in the 1990s, but there are still plenty of folks who enjoy a nice smoking session with their adult beverage. The two locations of Fox Cigar Bar cater to those who have good taste in cigars and drinks and who like bustling, high-energy drinkeries. The walk-in humidors have a broad selection, and the bars have 14 rotating beer taps plus 400 premium spirits, including more than 200 whiskys, bourbons, and scotches. Add in plenty of TVs showing all the sports you can handle, and big, comfy chairs, and you’ve got an atmosphere designed for relaxation and fun. And if you prefer to smoke in the comfort of your own home, Fox has got it covered: Its online store will ship you all the stogies you want.

First things first: Go to The White Rabbit’s website and sign up for the bar’s emails so you can obtain the monthly password (one email a month is all they send you). Then, you’re ready to go down the rabbit hole. The underground speakeasy is located in downtown Gilbert’s historic Heritage Court building. The vibe is a mix of dark academia and Victorian-era apothecary; gallery walls full of antique photos overlook comfy leather sofas, and rows of bottles line the hallway to the entrance. The draw here is the cocktails, which are organized on the menu from least to most sweet. We’re fans of the sweet and spicy Lil’ Tricky, a blend of Ghost Tequila, Los Vecinos Mezcal, passionfruit, guava, amaro, agave, citrus; and the rich, comforting Hedonist Chic, made from Dos Maderas 5+5 Rum, vanilla, oat milk, baking spice, caramelized banana, brown sugar, cinnamon, and walnut. The cocktails are quite potent, so consider pairing them with one of White Rabbit’s flatbreads (we like the chicken pesto) so your adventures in wonderland don’t end on a sour note.

UnderTow may have moved from its original spot underneath Sip Coffee & Beer to a space next door in the same building as Century Grand, but it’ll never leave the place it’s held in our hearts since it opened. The cocktail bar designed to look like a 19th-century ship’s hold serves up some of the best atmosphere and most inventive drinks in town. The menu reads like a maritime fable, and includes classic tiki drinks and wild creations from the mixology team. Despite the move, some things are still the same at UnderTow: reservations are strongly recommended, and be prepared to disembark the ship after 90 minutes. But we stay there as long as we can to soak up the surroundings. And we’re looking forward to when the UnderTow crew adds another ship to the fleet: A second location is scheduled to open in October at Gilbert’s Epicenter at Agritopia.

Did someone say pinball? Tucked away in downtown Gilbert’s Heritage District is the new nightspot Level 1 Arcade Bar. Inside, it’s all retro. The bar is checkered and the bar top glows neon pink. More often than not, throwback jams play over the speakers. Each pinball machine at Level 1 has a camera that displays the game on a TV screen mounted above the machine. Everyone can watch, and pinball becomes the communal experience it was always meant to be. But Level 1 is way more than just pinball. They have more than two dozen other arcade games (think classics like Centipede and Mortal Kombat), a full kitchen, and a bar with on-theme drinks like Jose Dirt, Hadouken, and Son of a Glitch. Level 1 also has rotating weekly features, a happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m., and daily specials such as Token Tuesday and Throwback Thursday.

Behind the dark bungalow that houses local foodie favorite Lom Wong, underneath swinging lanterns, is a small black building with a white tiger. There, you’ll find some of the most exciting cocktails in the Valley. Khla is a celebration of Southeast Asian flavors concentrated into a cocktail program built by some of the best in the Valley. Tyka Chheng, Colton Brock, and John Sagasta initially joined forces to create Baby Boy at The Pemberton, and Khla is their latest creation, with Chheng heading the cocktail program. The menu is heavily influenced by his personal life and draws on flavors that aren’t typical of Phoenix cocktails. Expect galangal-infused honey, tamarind, ube, a vegan take on fish sauce, and Thai tea-infused bourbon, to name a few. So if a cocktail in a coupe glass with a floating slice of dried citrus is getting boring, Khla is precisely the place to be.

Not too long ago, any discussion about the Valley’s best blues bar seemed to center exclusively on either The Rhythm Room or Char’s Has the Blues. Both spots are hallowed and esteemed, but once Westside Blues & Jazz in Glendale came along, the conversation changed. Opened in 2021 by Paul Vincent Perez and Cindi Jackson, two lifelong devotees of the genre, the venue has become a favorite spot to catch live blues and R&B four nights a week. It oozes style and class with a speakeasy-like ambiance, a stage backed by a red brick wall, and Chesterfield-style seating. The joint’s popularity has only grown since its debut, as has its roster of local blues performers. Legendary bluesman Chuck Hall, Grammy-nominated guitarist/vocalist Charles “Cros” Mack, and R&B/funk act Moe Flavour now gig at Westside Blues & Jazz on the regular, and thanks to the primo acoustics, you’ll hear every single riff they play clearly. When you factor in the attentive staff, a deep selection of libations, and the fact there ain’t a bad seat in the house, it’s likely you’ll never sing the blues after spending an evening out here.

The Nile Theater in Mesa is one of the Valley’s most versatile venues, easily hosting great concerts by bands in a variety of genres, from pop and punk to electronic dance music. Where the place really shines, though, is as a metal venue. And since the pandemic, it’s become the biggest hot spot for heshers and headbangers in town, as its calendar has been largely occupied by such genre heavyweights as Deicide, Allegaeon, Symphony X, Decrepit Birth, and fittingly enough, Nile. The venue’s 850-person main room is conducive to metal shows, as its long, rectangular shape causes the sound of rip-roaring riffs and relentless percussion to deluge the audience like a tsunami. Plus, it’s also the preferred venue for prominent local promoter 13th Floor Entertainment. Downstairs, the basement-level space The Underground offers a different, but equally suitable, vibe for gigs. The exposed pipes, concrete floors, and sticker-laden walls make it feel like some East Coast metal bar, while the smaller floor space allows you to get close enough to bands you can see their neck veins pop as they unleash some hellacious vocals. And that’s totally metal.