And that’s especially true here in the Valley as firecrackers and Roman candles won't be the only thing going off around town during the holiday. A variety of pool parties, club nights, and dance events also will be happening throughout the Valley – particularly in such hotspots as downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale – from Thursday, June 29, until Tuesday, July 4.
If you’re up for celebrating the spirit of ‘Murica in honor of her 241st birthday (and need an excuse to sport your American flag bikinis and other star-spangled swimwear), check out our guide to the best parties and nightlife events during the Fourth of July in Phoenix.
Independence Weekend
Thursday, June 29, to Tuesday, July 4
Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row in Scottsdale
They’ll have six straight days nights of celebrations planned at the Scottsdale location of Whiskey Row and plenty of drink specials and music on tap (courtesy of DJs and live bands) each evening. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and there’s no cover.
All-American Weekend
Friday, June 30, to Tuesday, July 4
LUSTRE Rooftop Bar at Hotel Palomar
Fourth of July pro-tip: you’ll be able to scope out some epic views of fireworks during Independence Day weekend at LUSTRE, specifically the Arizona Diamondbacks’ post-game spectacular on Friday, July 1. That’s not the only reason to check out the scene at the bar, as it will host pool parties for four days straight. Things get going at 11 a.m. each day with DJs, cocktails featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and pool toys aplenty. Admission is free.
Independence Weekend Block Party
Thursday, June 29, to Monday, July 3
El Hefe & Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row in Tempe
The staff at both El Hefe and it’s next door neighbor Whiskey Row have a weekend-long fiesta planned that will cover both spots. They’ll light the fuse on Thursday with the "Star Spangled Smirnoff" shindig that will have (you guessed it) $5 Smirnoff cocktails. The partying continues on Friday and Saturday with dance music and drink specials like $3 beers. And anyone who’s down for staying up late on Monday (since you probably don’t have work the next day and all) can wrap up the holiday weekend with a slew of local DJs and a variety of libations. Both spots open at 11 a.m. each day and there’s no cover.
Robin Schulz
Friday, June 30
Maya Day & Nightclub in Scottsdale
Kick off the holiday weekend a few days early at this after-dark affair in Maya’s nightclub that will feature a headlining set by Robin Schulz. The Grammy-nominated house music DJ and producer, who’s behind such hit remixes as "Waves" and "Prayer in C," will keep things bumping on the dance floor. Doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Red White & Zebra Stripe Weekend
Friday, June 30, to Tuesday, July 4
El Hefe in Scottsdale
El Hefe has sort of a thing of zebras. So much so that the striped creature serves as both mascot and spirit animal for both its staff and patrons. And during the Fourth of July holiday, it becomes the inspiration for one of El Hefe’s biggest celebrations. Four days worth of festivities will take over the Scottsdale spot starting on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1. A special edition of El Hefe’s Sunday afternoon affair takes place on July 2 and includes a local DJ showcase and $200 bottles of Pinnacle Vodka until 4 p.m. Even more DJs and drink specials, like $5 frozen margaritas, will be available at the party on July 4th itself. The place opens at 11 a.m. each day and admission is free.
BroLoaf's Annual Patriotic Meltdown
Saturday, July 1
Yucca Tap Room in Tempe
Fans of local band BroLoaf will pack the Yucca Tap for the band’s annual free-for-all of beer, barbecue, corny jokes, rowdy fun, and plenty of comical punk mayhem. The eighth edition of the meltdown should be just as lively as ever and will likely include any combination of the following: confetti, cheerleaders, costumed characters, beer bongs, crotch thrusts, American flags, rude gestures, satirical skewering of ‘Murica. and (of course) plenty of punk rock. This year’s lineup of bands includes Smoky Mountain Skullbusters, Old Fashion Assassin, SkullDrug, and BroLoaf themselves, who will headline. Expect plenty of Trump jokes, to say the least. According to BroLoaf member Ben Brah, "it's gonna be a wild show." The party starts at 8 p.m. and there’s no cover.
Release Pool Party feat. Deorro
Saturday, July 1
Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale
Deorro’s latest gig in the Valley will take place poolside at Talking Stick in Scottsdale during one of two big Release parties happening at the resort over the holiday weekend. As per usual with the DJ/producer, his set is likely to include plenty of dutch house, progressive house, electro, Melbourne bounce, and trap music. DJ Brett Ortiz will open. Things get going at 11 a.m. and Deorro will perform later in the afternoon. Tickets are $20 to $30, depending on date of purchase.
Make America Dance Again
Saturday, July 1
Linger Longer Lounge
Tongue Tied’s DJ Roya and DJ Funkfinger are promising that the Fourth of July weekend edition of the monthly dance party will be “
Punk White and Blue
Saturday, July 1
Joe’s Grotto
While we can’t promise that anyone will sport a red, white, and blue mohawk like the dude on the flyer, it's safe to say that this concert/party will feature plenty of punk attitude, PBR, and more than a few snarls. The all-locals lineup will feature sets by Bathless Bastards, C:28, Innocent Elaine, Welcome to the Midwest, and The Heartless. The thunderous fun starts at 7 p.m. and admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
Read on for more of metro Phoenix's best Fourth of July parties.
Swim Meet's Fourth of July Weekend Party
Saturday, July 1
The Saguaro Hotel in Scottsdale
A special edition of the Saguaro’s Swim Meet pool party will take place during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Local DJs will provide the beats, the poolside bar will serve up food and drink specials, and the staff will dole out plenty of towels. Dive in from noon until 6 p.m. Admission is free.
Soundwave Pool Party feat. Morgan Page
Sunday, July 2
Maya Day & Nightclub
As anyone who attended Morgan Page’s previous Fourth of July gigs in Scottsdale can attest, the superstar DJ can really get joints jumping with his mixes of house and electro. Such is likely to be the case once again when Page goes hard during a Maya during the club’s Soundwave pool party during Independence Day weekend. The 21-and-over event starts at noon. Admission is $10.
Super America Trivia
Sunday, July 2
Crescent Ballroom
Better start boning up on your American history if you hope to conquer the competition at this trivia session that will take place inside Crescent’s main hall. Hosts Bruce Heimbuck and Ryan Compton will quiz participants on their “knowledge about our great nation” during the event, which will feature such prizes as concert tickets, gift cards for Crescent and Stinkweeds Records, and, um, bacon. (No joke.) Food and drink specials include $4 Oskar Blues cans, $8 nachos, $4 house
Independence Day Weekend
Sunday, July 2
W Scottsdale Hotel
The second-floor WET Deck at the W will host a holiday weekend pool party on Sunday, July 2, with plenty of high-style touches, high-end libations, and high-energy dance music. The DJ duo of Posso will provide the soundtrack throughout the afternoon. Attendees can either chill out in and around the pool or from one of the many daybeds and cabanas available for an additional cost. The affair runs from noon to 6 p.m. General admission is $20. VIP seating and arrangements can be made by calling 602-405-0099.
Fourth of July Party
Monday, July 3
Cobra Arcade Bar
A word of warning for you Cobra regulars: the place will be closed on the Fourth. So if you’re eager to raise a toast to the U.S.A. at the popular arcade bar, hit up this event the day before. DJ Stoneypie and Dungeon Destroyah will provide the tunes, the bartenders will offer drink specials, and (as always) there are 40-plus games available to play. Drop in and start dropping tokens at 9 p.m. There’s no cover.
Monday, July 3
Melinda's Alley
Better get your tickets to the latest edition of DJ Michael Hooker's summer-long party series on the quick, as attendance for the event – which is taking place on Independence Day eve at speakeasy-like Melinda's Alley – will be capped at 69 people. Those who get inside, however, can enjoy the mixes of deep house and melodic techno that will be dished out by Hooker, Orenda, Nikolas. The music starts at 9 p.m. Admission is $10.
Red, White & Borgeous
Tuesday, July 4
Maya Day & Nightclub in Scottsdale
American-born DJ and producer Borgeous will spend the Fourth of July holiday getting bodies bouncing to his big room beats at Maya in Scottsdale during this afternoon-long pool party. Expect to hear “Tsunami,” his 2013 collaboration with DVBBS that scorched the charts, as well as other signature tracks like "Feel So Good," "Toast,” “This Could Be Love,” and “Savage.” Gates open at noon. Tickets are $15. Cabanas and VIP booths will also be available (call 602-810-0167 or 480-544-5231 for full details).
Bass Splash: Fourth of July
Tuesday, July 4
BLK Live in Scottsdale
If you missed out on the Bass Splash's debut in June, dance music fans, don't fret. Its promoters have an even bigger fiesta planned for the Fourth of July that will last the entire day and long into the night. Splashing down at 10 a.m., the affair will offer barbecue eats, wall-to-wall EDM from local DJs, and other pool party-type fun. The lineup will include sets by
