- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of New Times free.
Music abounds around the Valley on Friday nights. But sometimes, you want to hone in on places near the First Friday arts scene concentrated around downtown Phoenix.
Perennial favorites for live music include The Lost Leaf and The Nash, but don’t forget about other venues beyond Roosevelt Row – including several that bring in various DJs. We’ve put together a sampling of First Friday music options to help you get started.
Bikini Lounge
1502 Grand AvenueHead to Bikini Lounge to enjoy a mix of jukebox music and DJ-spun tunes in the casual, tiki-inspired venue located near several art galleries and Maggie Keane’s giant Prince mural.
Bud’s Glass Joint
907 North Fifth StreetYou’ll find a mix of several bands performing in an outdoor courtyard every First Friday at Bud’s Glass Joint, where you can also see a fun assortment of glass works by local artists.
Crescent Ballroom
308 North Second AvenueExperience the Witching Hour DJ event in the Crescent Ballroom lounge at no cost on Friday nights, or check out the concert calendar with upcoming First Friday shows that include President Gator, Why?, and Big Thief.
El Charro Hipster Bar & Café
1325 Grand AvenueEvery First Friday, El Charro Hipster Bar & Café presents several local songwriters and singers who give a free performance in the intimate, casual setting that’s perfect for taking a break between galleries.

The Lost Leaf
914 North Fifth StreetLocals know The Lost Leaf as the place you can find live music every day of the week. In addition to their concert calendar, they have free live music in the beer garden every First Friday, and there’s always local art on their walls.
The Nash
110 East Roosevelt StreetLocated in the heart of the Roosevelt Row arts district, The Nash is the go-to destination for jazz fans on Friday night. The venue presents concerts as well as free shows, and exhibits works by local artists.
Palabras Bilingual Bookstore
1738 East McDowellMost First Fridays, you’ll find an all-women vinyl collective called The Crate Creepers in DJ mode inside Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, where you’ll also find work by local artists and an eclectic assortment of music books.
The Rebel Lounge
2303 East Indian School RoadThe Rebel Lounge delivers a steady stream of live music, including several performances for all ages. In the coming months, the First Friday concert lineup will include Brkn Love, Luna Aura, and Nilüfer Yanya.
The Rhythm Room
1019 East Indian School RoadVenture beyond downtown to experience roots, blues, and concert club music at The Rhythm Room on First Fridays, where upcoming concerts will feature Cold Shott & The Hurricane Horns and Rick Estrin & The Nightcats.
Trans Am Café
1506 Grand AvenueMost First Friday nights, you can hear live original music or other types of performance art at Trans Am Café, where works by local artists with diverse styles rotate along a long exhibition space.
Valley Bar
130 North Central AvenueHead to Valley Bar on First Friday and your choices will likely include Party With a Purpose, where you can listen to DJ-spun music for a good cause with a small donation, or the latest concert offering. In coming months, the First Friday concert lineup includes Mason Jennings and Christian French.
The Van Buren
401 West Van Buren StreetCheck out the First Friday concert lineup at The Van Buren if you like to mix up your musical styles. First Friday options in coming months range from reggae to bluegrass.
Keep Phoenix New Times Free... Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Phoenix with no paywalls.