See also: Labor Day Spa Deals and Cool Activities in Phoenix
If you're one of the lucky souls who gets Monday off from work thanks to the Labor Day holiday, then this weekend will offer three straight days and nights of blissful freedom before worrying about the rat race. And there's plenty to see and do, especially in the clubbing scene.
Fetes, fiestas, and other will be taking place during the daytime hours and after sundown over the next 72 hours or so from Friday until Sunday, each offering a variety of interesting and adventurous opportunities.
You can hang out with pro athletes at some of Scottsdale's glitziest clubs, attend trendy dance parties with the young and beautiful crowd, or get in one more pool party before the season ends.
Bar Smith The weekly Sticky Fingers dance extravagana will get extra wicked on Friday when the DJs, go-go dancers, and fetish freaks from Cupcake! invade the rooftop of Bar Smith, DJs Self.Destrukt, Defense.Mekanizm, and Plastic Disease will joint the Sticky Fingers residents and will blast industrial dance hits and hand out cupcakes to those in attendance. Doors open at 9 p.m. and admission is $5.
Rips Ales & Cocktails The femme fatales of Birthday Suit Burlesque will don pasties and drop trou during a special striptease showcase at the CenPho dive bar on Friday evening. The nearly naked night of entertainment will include dancers like Kitty Victorian shaking their moneymakers, as well as a special slideshow by "boylesque" artist Parker South. The clothes come off at 9 p.m. Admission is $6.
Red Revolver Lounge The DJ Trio of Mark Da Spot, Phlava, and Klassic will keep the sound system primed with hip-hop hits all evening during the "Labor Day Weekend Kickoff" party on Friday night. Appearances by NBA superstars (and twin brothers) Markieff and Marcus Morris and Cappadonna from the Wu Tang Clan are promised for the event, as are such deals as $5 Patron and Hennessey drinks. Doors open at 9 p.m. A discountd $5 cover will be available before 10:30 p.m. for those on the guest list.
The Monarch Theatre The hipster dance fiends at Mad Decent have been staging some infamously packed summertime block parties in cities across the country like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, but (tragically) have no plans to bring the major rager to the Valley anytime soon. Those who are disappointed by this sad fact can console themselves by attending the next best thing: Saturday night's appearance by Mad Decent DJ/producer Dillon Francis at the Monarch. The wild Labor Day weekend wingding will also feature such hipster DJ faves as Jared Alan, Pickster One, and Melo. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $20.
Roxy Lounge Despite the fact that Arizona Cardinals star Beanie Wells is currently in the midst of battling with Ryan Williams for the team's spot as the starting running back this season, the pro footballer will take a time out to attend Roxy Saturdays' Labor Day Weekend blowout. Beanie won't be the only sports star in attendance at the Saturday night affair, as his fellow Red Bird O'Brien Schofield will reportedly be in the house as bottles pop and DJ Klassic and DJ Reflection spin hip-hop and R&B cuts. Patron, Ciroc, and Hennessey cocktails will be $5 until midnight. Doors open at 9 p.m.
W Hotel Scottsdale The upscale Old Town establishment will be grilling up a barbecue feast during its Labor Day pool party on Sunday afternoon while San Francisco's DJ Max Vangeli serves up hot beats, a bevy of Ciroc girls hand out promos, and the well-heeled crowd chills around the WET Deck's posh swimming pool. Cabanas will be available for $750, which includes a bottle of Ciroc, a bucket of Dos Equus, and wristbands for 10. The party starts at noon. General admission is $15.
The Firehouse The folks at the Firehouse guarantee that their Labor Day bash on Sunday night is definitely "going to be extra crazy." If you need any more reason to attend, the model-quality waitstaff will serve $4 well drinks and $3 beers until 10 p.m., Jon Amaral and DJ Steel will man the one's and two's, and the dance floor will stay busy until 4 a.m.
El Hefe While Redfoo and SkyBlu from LMFAO won't make an appearance at El Hefe during its Labor Day rager on Sunday night, their infamous Party Rock Crew will be kicking it all evening. The bartenders will pour plenty of the bar's signature "beergaritas" as such Party Rock Crew members as Shufflebot, Furr, and Blackhawk host the affair and LMFAO's DJ AiR whips out beats on the record decks. The party starts at 10 p.m. and there's no cover.
Harold's Corral Can't afford a trip to Hawaii over the three-day weekend? The staff at Harold's will try to replicate the tropical experience when they stage a Hawaiian Luau on Sunday evening, which will feature island-style music from live reggae bands, performances by the Ka'ea Mauna Lani dancers, and a pig roast. A spectacular fire knife dance will also take place. Gates open at noon. Admission is $35 per person.
El Santo Cantina y Mas The latest Relentless Beach pool party will be staged at the Mexican-themed North Valley drinkery on Sunday, only this time around there's absolutely no cover. Free admission will be available to those who RSVP for the event on Facebook. A slew of DJs will perform throughout the afternoon, including Richard Vission, Thomas Turner, Timothy Heit, and Brett Ortiz. Dive in starting at noon.