High Life >>

• BEST GARDEN BAR
  House of Tricks
  The Tricks' garden has Eden beat, no contest. Built around two old houses in downtown Tempe — well off the beaten beer-spilled path of Mill Avenue — the trellised, bricked, vine-covered spot is the perfect place to sit at the bar or relax at a table, with a good glass of wine. And one more thing... More >>
• BEST APPLETINI
  Grilled Expedition at Desert Ridge Marketplace
  The appletini is the quintessential frou-frou cocktail. Flirty. Tasteful. Fun. Grilled Expedition at Desert Ridge Marketplace offers an appletini that's shaken, not stirred, and garnished with a Granny Smith apple slice. Its house special martini isn't exactly a trade secret — just vodka with a... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO PISS OFF GOD
  Apollo's Greek God Revue on Sundays
  For those of you who specialize in committing the most profane acts of immorality, now you can royally piss off God in a variety of ways at Apollo's Greek God Revue. As if the infamously sassy GLBT clientele that frequents Apollo's wasn't enough to get on the Lord's bad side, now guests can... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO TAKE YOUR SHIRT OFF
  Monkey Pants Bar & Grill
  After attending a few of Monkey Pants' "One O'Clock Shirtless Shot" promotions, we wholeheartedly endorse going topless at this wacky watering hole in Tempe. A single one-cent shot of any liquor in stock — including such premium spirits as Patrón and Hennessey — is doled out to anyone engaging... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO DANCE NEARLY NAKED
  Underwear Night at Pat O's Bunkhouse Saloon
  Underwear night definitely operates under the premise "less is more." Every Thursday night, promiscuous persons flaunt what they've got at the LGBT-friendly bar while enjoying all-night drink specials. The house lights aren't the only thing that drops at 9 p.m. when men move and groove on the... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO SEE HOT, SWEATY PAINTED BOOBS
  The Ozzfest Tour
  As if the spectacle of having contest booths involving kicking a soccer ball into some dude's face from 30 feet away and hordes of head-bangers running around in black tee shirts wasn't entertaining enough, Ozzfest's newest sideshow attraction is guaranteed to get more ogles than Anna Nicole... More >>
• BEST PUDDING WRESTLING
  Jugheads
  How to make a pudding wrestling match: Add eight parts hot, tattoo-covered chicks, four parts fishnets (of course), one part grungy punk bar, and stir in gallons of yellow pudding — we'll let you draw your own conclusions about what it looks like. Jugheads, Phoenix's perennial dirty punk-rock... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO HANG WITH JESUS
  onePlace
  Hipsters have a demanding to-do list lately: get hair to do that floppy-do, hang-dramatically-to-the-side thing, update MySpace pictures, and find God. Luckily, among the art galleries and dive bars of the Grand Avenue scene is onePlace, the nightclub with a secret identity. While some of you... More >>
• BEST CHRISTIAN HIP-HOP ARTISTS (1 Comment)
  Urban Artists United
  Jesus has a posse, and we're not talking about the 12 apostles, yo. Nope, this particular Christ-following crew we speaking of are the more than 40 different members of Urban Artists United, an ultra-religious collective of ghetto-fabulous peeps who're down with both God and the hip-hop... More >>
• BEST HOLY LOCAL BAND
  Andrew Jackson Jihad
  Whether the almighty Jihad is shredding the bandstand at the Trunk Space, Great Arizona Puppet Theater, or Modified Arts, there's sure to be a rabid cult following singing every hyperactive, hilarious, and politically charged absurdity. The band is centered on the duo core of upright bassist... More >>
• BEST COVER BAND
  The Minibosses
  Instead of taking their cues from MTV or VH1, like other cover bands in these parts, The Minibosses ape video games. That's right — this quarter-wielding quartet of bassist Ben Baraldi, drummer Matt Wood, and guitarists John Lipfert and Aaron Burke look to the Nintendo Entertainment System of... More >>
• BEST OLD TYME BLUES
  Paris James
  Phoenix is a long way from the bayou, but if you look hard enough, you'll find a small but talented group of old tyme musicians. The type of broke-down, Deep South kind of musicians that command you to stomp your feet and clap your hands, bringing to mind a time gone by in a place you've never... More >>
• BEST PARTY MONSTERS
  Sadisco
  All dressed up and no place to go? Head to Sadisco and get your freak on all night with like-minded evil geniuses who have a taste for leather, vinyl, and outrageous hair. At this sort-of-monthly dance party, held at nightspots including Mardi Gras and Jugheads, the soundtrack is as harsh as the... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO BE SEEN
  SMoCA Nights at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
  We're feeling a little un-hip lately, mostly because we've been blowing through our 30s faster than you can say "midlife crisis." Since we don't have the dime to drop on either a new roadster or a new wardrobe, we'll get our hepcat groove back by attending the next SMoCA Nights shindig. The... More >>
• BEST PLACE NOT TO BE SEEN
  Monroe's Food & Fine Spirits
  Visibility is at a premium at this basement-level bar, which is usually shrouded in a state of near darkness, punctuated only by the eerie crimson glow of red ceiling lamps. Serving not only as shady shelter from which to escape the blazing Arizona sun, Monroe's also provides downtown Phoenix... More >>
• BEST HOME AWAY FROM HOME
  Homme
  Confession: We love cheap booze as much as anyone, but to be honest, we're a little sick of slump-block dives and cans of PBR. Yet while we yearn to class things up a bit, we can't quite get into a night on the town with the plastics on the east side. Luckily, we've stumbled upon this midtown... More >>
• BEST DINNER AND A SHOW
  Farrelli's Cinema Supper Club
  Start in the cozy-chic lounge, where specialty martinis are named after movie stars. As you sip and unwind by firelight, you'll honestly forget you're in a strip mall. The seriously yummy food (which takes you, for instance, from a crab-dip-of-the-gods through a high-end steak sandwich to a... More >>
• BEST PLACE FOR A TWILIGHT DRINK
  The courtyard at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa
  Not everyone can hang out at this refurbished historic hotel on Camelback Road — its bar and restaurant are among the only places in town that ban blue jeans. But that's okay with us, mainly because there's something refreshing about seeing people a little bit dressed up, even if it is mostly in... More >>
• BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE
  Counter Culture Cafe Poetry Slam
  A first date should be relaxed, fun — and easy to escape if something goes horribly wrong. A 24-hour coffee shop with a weekly poetry slam is exactly what the date doctor prescribes. Counter Culture Cafe is a bohemian hideaway, with art by locals lining the walls, and bookshelves stocked with... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO EAT AT THE BAR
  Zen Bar at Zen 32
  It's time to relax, and one beer stands clear. Not Miller, fools. Kirin Ichiban! A tall frosty pint glass of Kirin will chase away that desert-induced tickle in the back of your throat. Of course, it's best to imbibe where there's the appropriate Nipponese grub, a chill atmosphere, and some bar... More >>
• BEST HAPPY HOUR
  Caffe Boa
  We love the concept behind happy hour — cheap drinks and eats and a way to avoid traffic for a while after work. But the reality of happy hour usually sucks: We can only consume so many Buffalo wings and Bud Lights. Which is why Caffe Boa is our favorite place to blow off steam, and enjoy... More >>
• BEST BYOB
  Giuseppe's Italian Kitchen
  Giuseppe's Italian Kitchen owns this spot, like Mark Cuban owns the Dallas Mavericks. Of course, it costs the Eye-tie eatery a pretty penny. Three hundred of them, to be exact. See, the corkage fee at Giuseppe's, the no-frills eatery with the way-above-average fare that's owned by Richard Bock,... More >>
• BEST LOCAL BEER
  Sonora Brewhouse
  Whenever we get that little desert tickle in the back of our throats, we do what the po-po do: Park it next to Sonora Brewhouse and amble inside for a pint or three of one of Sonora's locally produced brew-ha-has. Not that we're saying the Phoenix PD drink on the job, but it just so happens that... More >>
• BEST LOCAL BEER WITH A KICK
  Crazy Ed's Original Cave Creek Chili Beer
  It's appropriate that the hottest beer on the planet is concocted right here in the desert by Cave Creek's Black Mountain Brewing Company, an offshoot of the popular Crazy Ed's Satisfied Frog restaurant/bar. Each bottle of the ferocious firewater is superheated by a nasty little chile pepper,... More >>
• BEST BREW PUB
  Four Peaks Brewing Company
  Is there such a thing as a slow night at Four Peaks? Not as far as we can tell. ASU populates this place with young faces, but the draw goes well beyond this quiet residential neighborhood. It's easy to understand why. Eight house-made beers on tap, including the popular Kilt Lifter ale and... More >>
• BEST PITCHERS FOR UNDER A BUCK
  Casey Jones Bar and Grill
  While there's no shortage of places to score cheap drink specials near the Tempe campus, have you ever wondered where the thirsty and broke students at ASU's West campus go to swill? We've got the answer: Casey Jones Bar and Grill, a down and dirty watering hole and game hall located directly... More >>
• BEST STARTENDER
  Veronica Newell
  Veronica Newell has been working the patio bar on Friday and Saturday nights at Palazzo/Tranzylvania for two years, and in that time, she's accumulated quite a fan base — partly because she's so fast and friendly, but mostly because she makes a mean mixed drink. Her most popular blend is the... More >>
• BEST VINTAGE DRINK MENU
  Trader Vic's
  In these days of high-octane Red Bull and vodka, there's something infinitely charming about the long list of drinks they're serving up at Scottsdale's new and improved Trader Vic's. The parchment-colored menu features no less than 78 specialties, each one redolent of the bygone era when people... More >>
• BEST PLACE FOR A SCOTCH AND A CIGAR
  George and Dragon English Restaurant and Pub
  If you're planning on visiting the G&D because you've heard the selection of English pub beers and great cozy feel is just scrummy, you might be surprised to find another great secret of the Dragon — in addition to authentic pub drafts and grub, the G&D stocks one of the finest selections of... More >>
• BEST OLD SCHOOL MARTINI
  The Carson City Martini at Camus
  It doesn't get much cooler than Camus. Not only is the bar/restaurant named after the French existentialist Albert Camus, author of The Stranger and The Plague, it's set in the renovated, boutique-y Clarendon Hotel, which is illuminated by red and blue lights in the evening, and exudes a studied... More >>
• BEST NEW SCHOOL MARTINI
  Blue Wasabi Sushi and Martini Bar
  This popular establishment, located way up at DC Ranch, is well worth the trip on two engaging fronts. The sushi is excellent. And the signature martinis? Well, bet you'll have at least two. We especially love the "Mowie Wowie," a creative blend of Van Gogh pineapple vodka, tropical schnapps... More >>
• BEST POMEGRANATE MARTINI
  FEZ
  We'd like this swank downtown nightspot even without the pomegranate martinis — after all, just being able to write "swank downtown nightspot" is something wonderful in Phoenix. But it's this drink in particular that takes our feelings from "like" to pure rapture. Yeah, pomegranate is everywhere... More >>
• BEST MOJITO
  Sierra Bonita Grill
  As with any scrumptious cocktail, the proof's in the amount of alcohol involved. Now, some places serve their mojitos weak. So weak, in fact, that they taste like lemonade with mint leaves thrown in. Not so at Sierra Bonita, the excellent Southwestern restaurant that's into its second year in... More >>
• BEST COSMO
  Barcelona
  Yeah, right, Sex and the City made them famous, but even before that, we found them to be tasty concoctions. Some self-described manly men have contended that you must be gay or a girly-girl to be seen in public holding one, but guys who say that are obviously uncomfortable with their sexuality.... More >>
• BEST SANGRIA
  Lola Tapas
  We love everything about Daniel and Felicia Ruiz Wayne's stylish little Spanish spot on Camelback, from the big communal tables to the flavorful plates of Serrano ham and Manchego. (Okay, we also love that chickpea-and-spinach combo.) But most of all, we love the sangria, a perfect house blend... More >>
• BEST JUKEBOX
  Bikini Lounge
  We know what makes a jukebox good: selection, selection, selection. Take Election Night, 2004. We stumble into the Bikini, where the beer and cable TV are flowing. Before long, we realize some things won't be resolved that night — things about Ohio. But we need closure, some way to process... More >>
• BEST BAR TO SING WITH ROCK STARS
  The Real Bar
  How many towns boast weekly gatherings of sousing and open mic jams hosted by some of the biggest local musicians around? Ever since Billy Marcks from Authority Zero started booking events at The Real Bar as an excuse to do some singing and swilling with his buddies, the Tempe juke joint has... More >>
• BEST NEW NIGHTCLUB
  Trax
  The same building that once housed reggae musicians and Grateful Dead tribute bands as The Sail Inn became Trax this year, a "casual but trendy" nightclub that mixes house, breakbeat and electronica music from DJs like Rephil and Earth with live rock music by bands like Fat Rhabit and the Chris... More >>
• BEST DIVE BAR (1 Comment)
  The Great Escape Lounge
  We knew a fellow from Arkansas who stepped out with women who were not, technically, single. He said the best bars have no front windows. The Great Escape does that concept one better: The parking's out back, so passersby can't even spot your wheels from Indian School Road. Inside, the ATM's... More >>
• BEST METAL BAR
  BulldogZ
  There was a time in the '80s when an army of spandex-stretching, Aqua Net-abusing metalheads controlled the turf of nightclubs across the land. Thankfully, times have changed, but for folks who still want to be rocked like a hurricane, BulldogZ is the bar to kick-start your heart. The best thing... More >>
• BEST GAY BAR (1 Comment)
  Karamba Nightclub
  The best gay nightclubs are the ones that welcome all shades of the rainbow, from post-op trannies to Latin lovers to straight women just looking for a place to party without having to fight off a dozen touchy-feely slimeballs. No matter what your preference, you can find it here. Karamba is... More >>
• BEST LESBIAN BAR
  e-lounge
  Thank God they ditched the pool table to make room for more people. This hot homo hub serves up some of the best eye candy in Phoenix, from big-busted women in wife-beaters to femmes in frilly skirts. There are more good-looking women here than at any other lesbian bar in town. To put it... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, DOWNTOWN PHOENIX (1 Comment)
  Newsroom Lounge
  The ongoing redevelopment of downtown Phoenix has been something of a love-hate thing for us. We're down with revitalizing our city's urban core, but for every new posh loft and upscale eatery that debuts in and around Copper Square, cool places like Emerald Lounge and Newman's get shuttered.... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, CENTRAL PHOENIX
  Carly's Bistro
  If there was ever an excuse to mosey on down to Roosevelt for something other than the gallery scene, Carla Wade and John Logan's funky bistro is the reason. The arty couple opened the cozy eatery and wine bar to satisfy a need to feed hungry lunch folks and the libation-seeking arts crowd. A... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, NORTH PHOENIX (1 Comment)
  The Dubliner Irish Pub and Restaurant
  Here's an Irish-themed pub that's got everything non-leprechauns need to unwind after a long day at the office (or to get fugged up with friends on the weekends). There's a bar, of course, stocked with all sorts of brews and beers, usually served by the pint. There's a jukebox, stocked with... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, WEST VALLEY (1 Comment)
  Oggi's
  A newer addition to the swanky section of 67th Avenue just south of the Loop 101, Oggi's features a tempting mix of homemade brews and grub as inviting as it is reasonably priced. The real plus: All the drinks and eats can be enjoyed while taking in any and every sporting event via the 21 huge... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, TEMPE
  Doc and Eddy's
  Tucked inconspicuously behind a Bank of America at the northeast corner of Rural and Baseline roads is this friendly neighborhood sports bar, where twenty- and thirtysomethings, college kids and working professionals, singles and couples, and sports fans and the happy hour crowd peacefully... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, SCOTTSDALE
  The Longshot Bar & Grill
  Everything you could possibly want in a neighborhood watering hole can be found at this laid-back Scottsdale roadhouse: a rollickingly entertaining karaoke show every night of the week, a fully stocked bar and seven different beers on tap, wait staffers who eagerly provide service with a smile... More >>
• BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR, SOUTHEAST VALLEY
  Uncle Bear's Bar and Grill
  From the hardwood floors covered in peanut shells to the outdoor patio, this friendly neighborhood bar immerses itself in a modern country-and-western feel. The Uncle Bear's moniker comes from the owner's pooch, and the pup's insignia is plastered on the walls and the menu donning a full... More >>
• BEST ENGLISH PUB
  The British Open Pub
  If an English pub is well-lighted and smoke-free, be suspicious. No self-respecting Brit would be caught dead in a place like that, which is why owner Gregg Troilo created the British Open. It's clean enough to suit American tastes, but it's windowless — and the ashtrays are always full. The... More >>
• BEST IRISH PUB (1 Comment)
  Rúla Búla
  Located in the 1888 Andre Building in downtown Tempe, this authentic Irish saddlery-styled pub has been pouring the best Guinness and whiskey in town since 2000. Rúla Búla's Gaelic name translates into "uproar and commotion" in the context of celebratory times, and this authenticity extends... More >>
• BEST HOOKAH BAR
  Urban Cafe
  Leave your troubles at the door when entering the Urban Cafe. This Mediterranean eatery and hookah bar is a killer place to chill and enjoy a plate of hummus and baba ghanouj while listening to sitar music. Hookah is treated as a main course, with tobacco flavors ranging from exotic Zaghloul to... More >>
• BEST STRIP CLUB (4 Comments)
  The Pin-Up Girl Lounge
  You'll have to excuse us if we're a little tired. We've spent the past few nights visiting the Valley's various flesh factories in search of the best strip club. Frankly, they tend to run together, all seemingly offering the same pole-dancing and lap-grinding brand of nearly naked ladies of the... More >>
• BEST DANCE FLOOR
  Buzz Funbar
  It's crowded, sweaty and packed with college students trying to hook up for the night. So, why do we love the Buzz? Segregation. Yes, it's a political buzz word, but when you're talking nightclubs, having your own space is a godsend. There are three separate dance floors segregated by age and... More >>
• BEST SPORTS BAR, CENTRAL PHOENIX
  Stoudemire's Downtown
  Stoudemire's may be the rookie among local sports pubs, but it's got all the makings of a major league player. Great location. Giant televisions. And a celebrity co-owner. The brainchild of Phoenix Suns superstar Amaré Stoudemire and renowned chef Eddie Matney, the bar is sleek and modern, with... More >>
• BEST SPORTS BAR, WEST VALLEY
  Padre Murphy's
  Phoenicians who are convinced that the only thing north of Greenway Road is car dealerships and cookie-cutter housing tracts will be surprised to find a sports bar like Padre Murphy's. With 50 TVs, off-track betting, and a slamming menu, Padre Murphy's is all about sports, sports, sports, and... More >>
• BEST SPORTS BAR, NORTHWEST VALLEY
  Dillon's Restaurant
  Just the thought of pecan-smoked anything sends us through the roof. This friendly barbecue joint at Thunderbird Road and Loop 101 does the 'cue just right, slow-cooking the tender meats in a big vat in front of everyone. The great sight lines to the strategically placed TV screens naturally... More >>
• BEST SPORTS BAR, SOUTHEAST VALLEY
  Crabby Don's Bar & Restaurant
  Crabby Don's doesn't cater to former high school football stars or diehard fans who shave team logos into their back hair. This is the everyman's sports bar — a comfortable, neighborhood joint where you can munch on hot wings while watching Sunday Night Football or bring in the kids for a... More >>
• BEST SPORTS BAR, TEMPE (1 Comment)
  Six Shooters Sports Bar and Grill
  Located half a mile from the ASU sporting facilities in the Cornerstone Mall is this roomy and chill-out watering hole and grill that shoots down the sports bar competition. Rub shoulders with fellow sports fans and cheer on your favorite team while sipping from your choice of 26 beers on tap... More >>
• BEST SPORTS BAR, SCOTTSDALE
  Fox Sports Grill
  Ever since we've been in the Valley, friends have been telling us about this great sports bar or that cool sports bar. It seems that everybody's got a favorite sports bar like everyone's got a favorite college football team. But most of these joints smell like beer and piss and have patrons... More >>
• BEST VENUE FOR NATIONAL ACTS (1 Comment)
  Marquee Theatre
  You've still got to pay five bucks to park there, but at least you don't have to fight downtown Phoenix traffic. There are other benefits to seeing national acts at the Marquee, too. The venue often hosts bands just before they blow up big (H.I.M., The Darkness), so it's a great place to catch... More >>
• BEST VENUE FOR LOCAL ACTS
  The Clubhouse Music Venue
  There aren't many great music venues left in the Valley. Many have closed or become so run-down that you have to bring a can of Mace with you just to get out of the parking lot safely. The Clubhouse Music Venue is one major exception. It's got a relatively clean, spacious location, with matte... More >>
• BEST CLUB FOR BLUES
  The Rhythm Room
  Bob Corritore's blues juke joint has won this award before, and, to be honest, we really tried to find a topper this year. But with blues legends like Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, and Louisiana Red playing regular gigs in this cozy club, we just can't stay away. Some artists — like Johnny Rawls,... More >>
• BEST C&W NIGHTSPOT
  Handlebar-J
  The Herndon family has owned this landmark institution since 1975, when the late Brick Herndon and his wife, Gwen, sold almost everything they had to purchase the place where Gwen had worked as a waitress for eight years. Over the past 30 years, the family's turned Handlebar-J into the country... More >>
• BEST HIP-HOP NIGHT (1 Comment)
  The Blunt Club
  Why has the Blunt Club nabbed this award three years in a row? Because we just couldn't help it; there was no alternative. Blunt Club's arsenal of awesome includes a crew of P-town's hottest hip-hop DJs, including residents Mr. Hyder, Tricky T, Pickster One (Vinyl Rockers, Drunken Immortals),... More >>
• BEST REGGAETON NIGHT
  Saturdays at Jackson's on 3rd
  There are dozens of reggaeton nights around town, but Saturdays at Jackson's was the first (it started in 2002), and it's still the largest, drawing an eclectic crowd that sometimes includes celebrities like national reggaeton sensation Pitbull, and Wu-Tang Latino Records CEO Ray Acosta. Every... More >>
• BEST NEW WORLD MUSIC NIGHT
  Afro:baile at Club Cabo
  Folks who like to get their sweat on along to the deeper world beats of Brazilian, salsa, and merengue have been filling up the funky dance floor at downtown Mesa's Club Cabo. The "Afro" refers to Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian, and the baile is Portuguese for "dance party," and both merge when... More >>
• BEST SOUL MUSIC LOUNGE NIGHT
  Karlie Hustle's Groove Candy Night at The Door
  We know that Bob Marley preached a world filled with one love through spiritually uniting music, but sometimes other soul music pioneers like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and D'Angelo are seriously slept on. That's why Karlie Hustle, a mover-and-shaker in the soul and hip-hop scenes, created... More >>
• BEST LOUNGE-STYLE JAZZ NIGHT
  Sundays at Bobby C's Lounge and Grille
  This swank soul food eatery and cocktail bar, with its African-themed paintings, sexy lighting, and heavy alcoholic pours, sets the ideal atmosphere for local musicians to jam out groove-oriented standards and originals in the cozy and crowded lounge. The music is geared toward straight-ahead... More >>
• BEST EXPERIMENTAL-FUSION JAZZ NIGHT
  Thursdays at Orange Table
  Stroll near the Scottsdale Center for the Arts on a Thursday night and you'll hear an ambient blitzkrieg of up-tempo and accessible sounds. Then let your ears be the guide and continue past the official performing arts center to the funky Orange Table cafe, nestled in a hard-to-find-if-you-blink... More >>
• BEST MUSIC ON A SCHOOL NIGHT
  Big Fish Sports Pub
  The saying goes that it's better to be a big fish in a little pond. In this case, that's true. Big Fish isn't the most popular hangout in Tempe, but while the larger bars are sparse during the week, this "little pub that could" packs 'em in. Skip Skoolnik, Foundation, and Pickster One rock the... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO PICK UP A SCHOOLGIRL
  Tranzylvania
  All right, fellas, it's time to fess up. We know many of you reading this harbor the freaky Lolita-style fetish of wanting to hook up with a sexy siren in a schoolgirl uniform. Don't worry, it doesn't mean you have some predisposed penchant for pedophilia (we think); it's probably just your... More >>
• BEST IMPORTED PUNK
  Avail
  Who coulda guessed that a band from Richmond, Virginia, that's been playing hardcore for more than 12 years would grow to have a cult following in Phoenix? You can thank Will Anderson largely for that, one of the Valley's longest-standing promoters of rock shows around town, and arguably one of... More >>
• BEST PUNK BAR
  Cypress Lounge
  From the outside, this squat watering hole looks like any of the other dirty dive bars scattered throughout the West Valley. On the inside, however, it's a ground zero for all types of punk rock pandemonium. Instead of having to haul ass across Central Avenue for the best bands from the local... More >>
• BEST HOUSE DJ
  Senbad
  Sean Badger, better known as Senbad on sweat-stained Scottsdale dance floors, has been a "house music soldier" for more than 10 years now. The 36-year-old considers his occupation to be "record pusher," and to him, the best dope is house music. He's a loyalist who's spun pure house at every club... More >>
• BEST KARAOKE
  Solos
  Auditions for American Idol might be months and months away, but there's no reason you shouldn't start practicing now. After all, your pipes could definitely use some practice. Getting a much-needed warm-up by kicking it karaoke-style like Kelly Clarkson is necessary, but since nearly every... More >>
• BEST KARAOKE WITH A LIVE BAND
  Yucca Tap Room
  Question: What do you get when you mix cheap drinks, an open mic night, a cover band that calls itself Mother Trucker, and one of Tempe's favorite dive bars? Answer: The best fucking karaoke night in town. Every Thursday night, members from local band the Zen Lunatics hit the stage at the Yucca... More >>
• BEST KARAOKE FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE KARAOKE
  Joanne the Karaoke Singer
  Who can blame you for hating karaoke? No one with any sense wants to hear people who can't sing attempt to wade through "Mack the Knife" or hit the high notes in "Lady Marmalade." Karaoke is the worst of those '90s fads that refuses to die, especially in Phoenix. But this most annoying of unhip... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO HEAR NERDS TALKING TOUGH
  Samurai Comics
  Geeky teenage boys aren't exactly the most hard-hitting hombres walking the face of the Earth. Usually, the toughest they'll get is standing up to mom and dad about violating the sanctity of their fortress of solitude (read: the basement). So imagine our surprise at overhearing said dorky dweebs... More >>
• BEST LEGAL SPEAKEASY
  The Door
  The concept-meisters behind Sugar Daddy's and Dos Gringos must've been channeling the spirit of Al Capone when they conjured up this classy-yet-covert club, secreted away in a tiny Tempe strip mall. A simple antique lamppost with glowing red lights and a bouncer's station outside a nondescript... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO TEST YOUR CULINARY COURAGE
  Wheel of Fear Factor at Giligin's
  If you're tired of simply watching episodes of the retch-inducing reality show Fear Factor, see if you've got the gastronomic gumption to consume cow brains or cockroaches at this Scottsdale bar's extreme weekly event every Wednesday at 10 p.m. Courageous contestants spin a large wheel for... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO GO "BEAR" HUNTING
  Padlock
  Although the darkened domain of the gay leather bar Padlock is under weekly siege by big, brawny bears, put away your guns and ammo. See, the burly beasts we're referencing aren't anything like Smokey or Gentle Ben, but, rather, are part of the particular subset of the gay community known as... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO CATCH A QUEER-FRIENDLY SHOW
  Soul Invictus
  This gallery and performance space has exploded since David Salcido, publisher of local gay and lesbian mag Red Nightlife, moved into the building that used to house the Annex. In less than a year, Soul Invictus has played host to a series of alternative theater plays (including Salcido's own... More >>
• BEST POLKA FACES
  Haunted Cologne
  The eccentric 19th-century German musician Christian Friedrich Buschmann built the first accordion way back in 1822. We're willing to bet the kooky Kraut would have been shocked to learn that his atonal invention would someday be utilized by a pair of goofy and gangly Valley teenagers to create... More >>
• BEST EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
  Phoenix Creative Music Movement Winter Festival
  Since its wildly cacophonous and sonically entrancing inaugural concert last year, the Phoenix Creative Music Movement has been dead set on getting folks out of their aural comfort zones by offering kick-ass experimental music during its bi-monthly concert series at Modified Arts. And it must be... More >>
• BEST BLUEGRASS JAM (1 Comment)
  Arcadia Bluegrass Jam at Mama Java's Coffeehouse
  Brush up on some classic bluegrass, some low-down country blues, and bring out your inner hillbilly during the Arcadia Bluegrass Jam every Sunday night. Started in August 2004, the open bluegrass flat-pickin' session features a healthy mix of musicians equipped with acoustic guitars, banjos,... More >>
• BEST CURE FOR THE MONDAY BLUES
  Amsterdam's Martinis & Manicures
  There are two types of women in the world: those who use spa treatments to lift their spirits, and those who prefer to drown their sorrows in alcohol. Fortunately for us girls who've made friends outside our type, this swanky gay bar hosts a regular Monday bash that will satisfy everybody.... More >>
• BEST PLACE TO ASSESS YOUR MARKET VALUE
  Graham Central Station
  Single or taken, this dance club is the perfect place to see how you measure up. It's huge, with four large rooms dedicated to different music genres — hip-hop, retro, country and, yes, karaoke (if you can call it a genre). If you're looking for a one-night stand, a mere raised eyebrow, or... More >>
• BEST PLACE FOR AN AFTER-PARTY
  Wrigley Mansion
  We've all had to attend stuffy banquets at country clubs, at the Heard Museum (where the Arizona Press Club has recently held its awards ceremony), or at some other hoity-toity spot in the PHX, only to wish we could get down to some real partying before the night is through. Well, the Wrigley... More >>
• BEST BIKING BAR TOUR
  Tour de Bar
  There is a maddening line of demarcation between exercise and libation, where we constantly obsess over calorie intake while tipping back a few cool ones with our mates ("If I have this one last beer, it will cost me 30 extra minutes on the treadmill"). Well, enjoy the best of both worlds while... More >>
• BEST AFTER-HOURS
  Charlie's
  There's very little in the way of after-hours action here in the PHX other than a handful of danceterias daring to stay open after last call. On the constant lookout for additional all-night venues to stage their post-2 a.m. shenanigans, nightcrawlers of the Valley have been flocking to this... More >>
• BEST PLACE FOR A SECOND CHANCE
  Harlow's Cafe
  If you're on the prowl and came up short the night before, Harlow's Cafe will buy you a little extra time to make it happen. Similar to your favorite hookup bar, Harlow's offers the thrill of anonymity. The low ceilings and booth seating create the atmosphere of a road-trip breakfast stop.... More >>