43 Best Nightlife in Arizona, USA

Along a remote mining road in the Buckskin Mountains roughly midway between Lake Havasu City and Parker, the quirky Desert Bar, aka the Nellie E. Saloon, is one of the region's most fabled curiosities. It's only open on weekends and occasional holidays (noon–6), Labor Day through Memorial Day. This cash-only, solar-powered entertainment compound is a work in progress, comprising indoor and outdoor bars, a stage with live music throughout the day, a horseshoe pit, a covered footbridge, and a nondenominational church that's the occasional site of weddings.

With more than 20 wines by the glass (priced at a very reasonable markup) plus a noteworthy selection of imported and craft beers as well as craft cocktails, this wine bar provides a sophisticated but low-key after-dark option in historic downtown Kingman. There's live music many evenings, and you can accompany your wine-sipping with food delivered from nearby local restaurants.

This spot has spectacular views of Paradise Valley and Camelback Mountain; an upscale, modern bar lined with windows; and a relaxing fireplace-lighted patio.

A contemporary and attractive coffeehouse and bar, Raven Cafe serves excellent organically grown food from morning to night and hosts live music on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The hip crowd here tends to be postcollege and more affluent; the cocktails are creative, the food is great, and there's often live music on the wraparound patio.

Boasting the largest dance floor on Mill Ave., Aura offers 5,000 square feet of space to let loose. Given its location near campus, it's no surprise that Aura is a favorite of ASU students. If you need a vibe that's a little more post-college, opt for a VIP table and bottle service.

This spot is great for feasting on huge portions of food and lavish quantities of liquor, but also for feasting your eyes on the fabulous people who flock here on weekend nights. It's a great stop before and after an Old Town event or a night of partying.

A big nightlife draw around Lake Havasu is BlueWater Casino, 40 miles south in the town of Parker. The gaming area comprises more than 500 slot machines, plus blackjack, poker, and bingo, and it adjoins a full-service resort with a concert hall, bars, a movie theater, restaurants, a 164-slip marina, and a 200-room hotel.

The unofficial home of the Blues Heritage Foundation, Boondocks hosts local and touring blues musicians and classic rock singer-songwriters six nights a week (Wednesday through Monday).

Tucked behind a shopping center on Scottsdale's main shopping drag, BsWest draws a stylish, well-heeled LGBTQ+ crowd.

A laid-back institution where students, hippies, and families come together, Casey Moore's occupies a 1910 house rumored to be haunted by ghosts. Enjoy more than two dozen beers on tap and fresh oysters at this Irish pub–style favorite.

You'll get a full entertainment experience here with a steak house and buffet, concerts and other live performances, and plenty of gaming including blackjack and keno. There's live music and dancing most nights.

Locals come here for blackjack, poker, keno, more than 200 slot machines, and a dash of Las Vegas–like nightlife.

The city's main venue for cutting-edge bands and singer-songwriters, Club Congress has a mixed-bag crowd of alternative rockers, international travelers, young professionals, and college kids. There is live indie rock and folk/roots during the week, while Friday and Saturday nights bring more rock and dance parties.

DJs spin high-energy tunes as a mostly college-age crowd takes to the dance floor Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 10 pm until close.

This beer spot is the former redbrick home of Bordens Creamery. Wash down pub grub—pizza, wings, and burgers—with an ample supply of house-made brews on tap (including some seasonal specialties).

This cozy wine bar on Route 66 pours Arizona wines by the glass or as part of a flight. You can also purchase a bottle to share with friends or sample tapped beers made by neighboring Historic Brewing Company. Even though the bar doesn't have its own kitchen, it does have a menu featuring pizzas and Caesar salad from its sister restaurant, Station 66, next door.

This lively restaurant and bar attracts a Western line-dancing, 10-gallon-hat-wearing crowd.

Just across the Colorado River from Lake Havasu, this small but lively casino and bar, which has live music most weekends, has become extremely popular thanks to the ferry service that zooms passengers over from London Bridge between 6:45 am and midnight (until 2 am on Friday and Saturday). The ferry costs $2 round-trip, and the scenic ride takes 17 minutes. You can also tie up your own boat at Havasua Landing's marina. The casino has 245 slots, plus blackjack and three-card poker tables, and there's live music Friday and Saturday nights.

Tucson's most popular gay bar, IBT's has rock and disco DJs, karaoke, live music, or drag shows nightly.

Located above the Palace, the Jersey Lilly Saloon is a former brothel with live entertainment, a great patio, and a dance floor.

Snuggle up with a friend---or make some new friends---while sampling from a selection of wines from around the world and more than 200 whiskeys. Enjoy live music nightly.

Hear some of the best local talent play folk-rock, blues, and jazz Wednesday to Saturday nights and during weekend brunch hours at this eclectic restaurant and bar in the courtyard of Old Town Artisans. Sit under the stars and order from the late-night menu until midnight on Friday and Saturday. If you feel like performing as well as listening, head indoors to the adjacent Dusty Monk, where you can belt out your favorite tunes at the piano bar.

For live country-and-western music and two-stepping on the dance floor, mosey on over to Matt's Saloon.

This lounge in the historic Hotel Monte Vista packs 'em in three nights a week with live blues, jazz, classic rock, and punk.

This 36-tap watering hole on Route 66 hosts open mic and karaoke nights plus the occasional band on weekends.

Fondly known as the Zoo, this Flagstaff institution once housed an extensive taxidermy collection in the 1930s and is now a popular country-and-western club (a few owls still perch above the dance floor). A gigantic log cabin constructed around five trees, with a huge, wishbone-shape pine as the entryway, the venue offers a taste of Route 66 color along with live music and other events.

This Southwestern restaurant and bar has live jazz on Sunday night.

The two pool tables and old wooden bar at Paul & Jerry's Saloon attract a regular crowd (relatively speaking).