Your class schedule has been finalized, books have been purchased, and everything's moved into your pad. Sounds like its time to celebrate.
The fall semester starts at Arizona State University and other local colleges later this week, which means there are only a few days left to let it all hang out before getting buried in homework and required reading. It's a good thing, then, that bars and clubs in Tempe, Scottsdale, and downtown Phoenix will have plenty of parties geared toward college kids over the next seven days.
This list includes a few special concerts, 18-and-over hootenannies, and a slew of nights offering drink special for those who still have some cash after stocking up on school supplies and heavy armful of textbooks.
Read on for a full rundown of back to school parties and events.
Monday, August 15:
Pussycat Lounge: The Monday Night Mass "Back to School Bash" will feature a special appearance by S.K.A.M. spin king DJ Crooked, two-for-one drinks until 10 p.m., and $4 Bacardi cocktails all evening. Doors open at 8 p.m. (4426 North Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale, 480-481-3100)
Taylorfest: The street in front of the Taylor Place residential building will be blocked off for an expansive block party welcoming ASU Downtown students back for the fall semester. Indie rock bands Super Stereo and The Whisperlights will perform and free food and drinks will be served. Gates open at 8 p.m. (120 East Taylor Street)
Zuma Grill: Nightlife promoter Brian Durkee presents a special "Back to School" edition of his weekly Toxic Mondays party. DJ Circle will spin Top 40 tracks and dance hits while bartenders will serve $3 Stoli flavored cocktails. Doors open at 8 p.m. Call for cover. (605 South Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480-829-6775)
Tuesday, August 16:
ASU's Fall Welcome Concert: Better get chummy with any Sun Devil you might happen to know, as this special show is only open to ASU students and one guest per person. Hip-hop superstar Lupe Fiasco and R&B powerhouse Jason Derulo will spend the evening serenading students while performing at the Wells Fargo Arena. The show starts at 9 p.m. Current ASU ID is required. (600 East Veterans Way, Tempe)
Dos Gringos: All four Valley locations of this Mexican beach bar will offer $2.50 Coronas and $1-$3 taco deals all day and all night. Open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. (4209 North Craftsman Court, Scottsdale; 8000 South Priest Drive, Tempe; 1958 South Greenfield Road, Mesa; 1361 North Alma School Road, Chandler)
Wednesday, August 17:
American Junkie: Daredevil performer Bam Margera of Jackass and Viva La Bam fame will be in the house for a special appearance. Junkie's proprietors aren't exactly certain whether he'll be pulling off skateboarding tricks around the joint the entire evening or just getting lit. Either way, it's certain to be memorable night. Drinks specials like $5 Mind Erasers will also be available and DJ Earth will be on the decks. The fun starts at 8 p.m. (4363 North 75th Street, Scottsdale, 480-990-3000)
School of Rock: This Mill Avenue rock bar and nightclub welcomes in the 18-and-over crowd for its Back to School Lingerie Party. DJ Young South will provide the soundtrack and party monster Reece Culver hosts the affair. Doors open at 10 p.m. Admission is free unitl 11:30 p.m. (411 South Mill Avenue, Tempe, 602-471-1841)
Thursday, August 18:
Afterlife: The party runs until 4 a.m. at this 18-and-over club, which will feature five turntablists (DJ Nexus, DJ Quik, DJ Special K, DJ Bizzar, and DJ Dizzy D.) during a special "Welcome Back" edition of Thumpin' Thursdays. Doors open at 10 p.m. Call 623-252-3707 for cover. (4282 North Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale)
Big Bang: The piano bar serves up $2 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and $3 shots of Cruz Tequila during its weekly College Night, where admission is free for those with student ID. Doors open at 8 p.m. (501 South Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480-557-5595)
San Felipe's Cantina: Extended Happy Hour Thursdays with half-off all drinks and appetizers from 4 p.m. until last calls. Local DJs will also be in the mix all evening. (2000 East Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480-736-8226)
Friday, August 19th:
Bar Smith: Australia's Art vs. Science will be the special guest of the weekly Sticky Fingers dance party. Resident DJs William Reed, Prince$$, 2ToneDisco, BC/AD, and Borismo will also perform. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $10. (130 East Washington Street, 602-229-1265)
Club Trinity: Uncensored Fridays will take place at the Scottsdale nightclub. The 18-plus event stars DJ Shyne on the one's and two's and giveaways all evening long. Doors are at 9 p.m. (1420 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-248-7467)
Rocky Point Cantina: This college-oriented party pit located near ASU will kick off its weekly Back to School Fridays fiesta by offering music from DJ Ronnie Digital and an open bar until 1 a.m. Doors open at 9 p.m. and admission is $20. (1001 E. Eighth Street, Tempe, 480-968-7879)
Saturday, August 20:
Afterlife: Three different rooms will be occupied by both DJs and dancers at the Afterlife Saturdaus Uncensored (ASU, get it?) affair. Guitar Hero contests, hookah lounges, and energy drinks are also on tap for the shindig. Doors open at 10 p.m. Call 623-252-3707 for cover. (4282 North Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale)
Cream Stereo Lounge: Forget about hitting the books for a night and spend the evening soaking up the swanky ambience of this Scottsdale spot during its "Back to School Welcome Party." Drink specials will be on tap, bottle service is available, and DJ Circle will drop the latest hits. The party starts at 9:30 p.m. Call 602-222-9922 for cover. (4252 North Drinkwater Avenue, Scottsdale)Sunday, August 21:
PHX Nightclub: Not of legal drinking age? No problem. The promoters of Supa Sundays welcome in 18-and-over clubgoers into this downtown Phoenix spot for a weekend dance party with hip-hop music and energy drinks aplenty. Doors open at 10 p.m. and there's no cover until 11 p.m. (122 East Washington Street, 602-258-1830)
Mill Cue Club: Ladies Night with $2 Long Islands and Svedka drinks and $4 games of pool. (607 South Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480-966-0068)
