Since there are inevitably people needing a drink or three to get them through the holidays or would rather gather around a bar instead of a hearth, several local bars and clubs will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday. Some will even offer live music, DJs and other festive revelry.
Case in point: Cactus Jack’s will host a special Christmas show by Tempe rockers Dirty Rhodes on Wednesday that will include special guests from the Gin Blossoms, Dead Hot Workshop and other local bands. And Enoch’s in Peoria will feature a Christmas set by local bluesman Carvin Jones.
Here’s where else you can party, drink and enjoy live music in metro Phoenix over Christmas.
Bikini Lounge
1502 Grand Ave.602-252-0472 Krampus might be lurking inside the Bikini during a special Christmas Eve edition of the weekly 602'sdays night. Other colorful characters at the free event will include Djentrification and special guest DJ Marcos Xavier of Last Laugh Tattoo. They’ll spin exotic beats, rare sounds and world music from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Backyard Desert Ridge
21001 N. Tatum Blvd., #14480-585-5900This year’s edition of Mazelpalooza — the annual Christmas Eve nightlife event put on by the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix that’s taken place annually (more or less) since 1998 — is on Tuesday night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Backyard Desert Ridge. There will be entertainment and music from Natty G and DJ Soloman, dancing, games and more. Tickets are $40 per person.
Sugarcane Lounge
2535 N. Central Ave.480-219-5098This midtown Phoenix lounge will offer a "night of music, vibes and holiday cheer" at its Christmas Eve party on Tuesday. The 25-and-over affair starts at 8 p.m. with DJ Ben Oyoo in the mix all evening. No cover.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are your last chance to wear an ugly holiday sweater.
Benjamin Leatherman
Cheers Tavern
5915 W. Bell Road, Glendale480-336-3486Deck yourself in the ugliest sweater imaginable and head to Cheers Tavern on Tuesday night. The Glendale bar is planning a Ugly Sweater Party and Toy Drive starting at 10 p.m. with music and drink specials like $15 buckets of domestic beer. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are encouraged.
Giligin's
4251 N. Winfield Scott Plaza, Scottsdale480-874-2264 The offbeat, island-themed dive bar Giligin’s takes the holiday spirit to the next level, decking out its interior and exterior with thousands of festive lights and over a dozen inflatables. They’ll be open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Christmas Eve and 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Christmas night. As always, you can count on the staff for their usual good-natured sass.
Yucca Tap Room
29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe480-967-4777Yucca regulars know the Tempe spot is open daily, including on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Such will be the case this year, as they’ll be serving starting at 6 a.m. for the day-drinking crowd.
Palo Verde Lounge
1015 W. Broadway Road, Tempe480-334-7567If the colorful regulars, scummy charms and cheap drinks of the “Dirty Verde” satisfy a craving that holiday gatherings with family simply cannot, you’re in luck — the notorious Tempe dive will be operating on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. According to the staff, the PV will open at 6 p.m. both nights. Who knows? You might run into a local musician or two bending elbows at the bar.
Gracie's Tax Bar
711 N. Seventh Ave.602-793-1110 Had your fill of music that's merry and bright? Ditch the holiday tunes this Christmas Eve and head to Gracie's, where DJ //SHE// will take over with a mix of post-punk, darkwave, EBM, and industrial beats. The music kicks off at 10 p.m. On Wednesday evening, Gracie's will present a festive Pinche Posada party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. hosted by DJs Spin Lizzy and Bruiser of Las Loronas with tamales by La Mesita. Both events are free.
Coach House
7011 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale480-990-3433Coach House’s claim that its “open 365 days a year” isn’t an empty boast. The Coach House staff will back up said claim by slinging drinks and offering yuletide cheer on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day amid the colorful cacophony of its usual holiday lights and decorations. Hours on both days are 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. No cover.
Enoch's Sports Lounge
6750 W. Peoria Ave., #145, Peoria623-878-6296While the rest of the Valley gathers for Christmas dinner on Wednesday night, renowned local guitarist Carvin Jones will serve up a four-course feast of blues-rock at Enoch’s in Peoria from 5 to 8 p.m. Expect an evening filled with electrifying riffs and dynamic melodies that will get the crowd buzzing with holiday cheer. No cover.
Bodega
6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale623-877-7673 Got a tacky holiday pullover? Show it off with pride at Bodega’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Party on Christmas night starting at 9 p.m. Festive cocktails will be available for purchase at the Westgate nightspot and local DJs will spin dance tunes. Admission is free.
Cactus Jack’s
4747 E. Elliott Road, Ahwatukee480-753-4733Local music fans take note: Tempe rock act Dirty Rhodes will host its Christmas show on Wednesday night at Cactus Jack’s joined by a lineup of special guests. Members of Tempe rock royalty and local bands such as Gin Blossoms, Dead Hot Workshop, Pistoleros, Ghetto Cowgirl, The Persuaders, Hit the Earth, Sliced Limes, The Real Fakes, Doug Preston and the Soul Searchers, Hot Rox and Revolutionary Development will take the stage during the show. Scott Howard of Tramps and Thieves will also perform a solo acoustic set. The music starts at 7 p.m., and admission is $10.
Pub Rock Live
8005 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale 480-945-4985 Y’all looking for something to do on Christmas night? Pub Rock Live’s weekly country night takes place on Wednesday evening with music from the Kody Raine Band. Dance lessons kick off at 7 p.m. and the live music begins at 8 p.m. Admission is free, pardner.
Chopper John's
2547 E. Indian School Road602-955-0881Enjoy a few pints, fire up some songs on the internet jukebox or strike up a conversation with one of the regulars on Christmas night at Chopper John’s. The place opens at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and won’t close until 2 a.m.
Karamba Nightclub
1724 E. McDowell Road602-254-0231Local drag artist Sandra will host a special Christmas Show on Wednesday night. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the performances start at 10 p.m. on Wednesday. Afterward, DJ Yoshi will keep the dance floor hot with Latin Top 40 until closing. There's no cover for either event.
George & Dragon
4240 N. Central Ave.602-241-0018 Phoenix's longest-running English pub will open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Tuesday for Christmas Eve drinks. George & Dragon will reopen at 7 p.m. on Christmas Day with a full menu and bar service available. There is no word on whether they’ll offer any UK-style holiday traditions like Christmas crackers or airing the king’s speech.
Stadium Sports Bar & Lounge
50 W. Jefferson St.480-580-3996This sports bar at CityScape will have DJs playing R&B, hip-hop and neo-soul tracks from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. There’s no cover and $1 drinks are available until 10 p.m.
McKenzie's Midtown Tavern
4531 N. Seventh St.602-368-5493 McKenzie's Midtown Tavern fully embraces the Christmas spirit, covering every inch of its Phoenix bar exterior with holiday lights. They’ll also provide a refuge for local drinkers on Christmas night and open at 5 p.m.
The Well Bar
2623 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale480-423-7087The Well Bar, the no-frills dive in Scottsdale, takes pride in being open every day of the year—including Christmas Day, when it will operate from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
September's Bar
500 W. Southern Ave., Mesa480-969-5373 According to a post on its Facebook account, this Mesa dive will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesday for those looking to celebrate Christmas with a drink. "Feel free to come by before or after the festivities (or maybe both)," the post reads. "We'll be waiting."
Lucie's Sage & Sand Bar
13831 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale623-935-5810Lucie's will be open on Christmas Day until 2 a.m. for those interested in sampling the bar’s holiday libations. While you're there, you can count the collection of Christmas stockings hanging throughout the bar, each bearing the name of a regular.
