Phoenix Hotspots

Metro Phoenix is one of the hippest, most happening places in the Southwest, and the hottest area of Phoenix these days is the suburb of Scottsdale, just 20 minutes from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Kind of like an Arizona Mykonos, Scottsdale is home to the upscale and beautiful, but it’s got its dive bars and honkytonks too.

With dozens of watering holes and clubs, Old Town Scottsdale is a great place to bar-hop. Start things off classy at the Drift Lounge. This Polynesian-themed lounge bar brings a South Seas flair to the desert with kitschy-but-cool 60s décor and a hip, casual atmosphere. Indulge in a tiki drink on their gorgeous patio, or dig into a hearty Pu Pu platter with friends. Their prices are reasonable, and Tuesday through Friday from 4-7 pm there’s even a free buffet offered with drink purchase. What’s not to like about free food and rum punch?

For a different feel, head to Mickey’s Hangover. This dive lounge has 15 different beers on tap and offers hearty diner-style food perfect for loading up for a night of drinking. Their happy hour specials are pretty sweet too, half off almost the entire menu – including all wines and beer – from 4 to 9 pm. Check out a game on their big screen TVs as you chill on couches or the screened-in porch.

Suede is a Euro-Asian restaurant and lounge with a full bar, great for a more relaxing evening. Its décor is sleek and sexy, giving the place a very upscale club feel. High tables are scattered throughout, but we recommend nabbing one of the corner couches for more intimate conversation. If you’re the adventurous type, you can try out the dance pole, though you should wait till the DJs start their thing around 11 (from 8-11 they play live jazz). The coolest part of Suede is their frost-top bar, which keeps your martini at the perfect temperature as you chill – literally – with your pals. The menu features Asian fusion cuisine and a large selection of liquors.

Across the street from Suede, Axis/Radius is a great choice for dancing. It’s actually two multi-level clubs connected by a large outdoor patio. Different rooms play different music, and if you have a larger party you might be able to score entry into the VIP room, which has a better view and great service. Axis/Radius is also a popular post-concert spot – you might spot celebrities like Pete Wentz (who’s also DJ’ed for the club occasionally) or Nick Lachey as you bump and grind on the dance floors. The staff are hot and dress to impress. There’s also Myst, which is typically regarded as the place to see and be seen in the Phoenix area, but it’s often crowded and can be hard to get into. If you can spare the time in line, though, it’s worth checking out: the atmosphere is lavish and extravagant, and has a variety of swanky themed rooms. People party late in Phoenix, so don’t expect the party to start before 11 p.m. – which gives you plenty of time for dining and drinking first!